Winston met the lord’s gaze and replied with as much composure as he could muster, “I offered for Mattie, and she accepted.”
“Without speaking to me first?” Lord Wythburn asked. “That surely is an oversight. Is it not?”
“It is, my lord,” Winston replied, his tone respectful but resolute. “My apologies. I’m afraid the moment just got away from me.”
Lord Wythburn shifted his gaze towards Mattie, his expression softening slightly. “We have been so worried about you since we received Lady Dallington’s letter. I am glad to see that you are well and unharmed.”
With a grateful glance at Winston, Mattie responded, “Winston saved me.”
“And you rewarded him with a kiss?” Lord Wythburn asked, his words holding censure.
Mattie tilted her chin defiantly. “It is perfectly acceptable since we are engaged to be married,” she insisted.
Lord Wythburn frowned. “I should have seen this coming,” he muttered. “Come along, I need to speak to Lord Winston privately.”
As they followed Lord Wythburn to the cottage, Mattie asked, “Out of curiosity, what was in the note that you delivered to my sister?”
“I confessed my feelings and I offered for you,” Winston admitted.
“Did you offer for me because of your feelings or because it was the honorable thing to do?” Mattie asked, her eyes searching his.
Winston shrugged one shoulder. “A little of both, I suppose.”
“And now?” Mattie pressed, her gaze intent.
With a curious look, Winston said, “If you are asking me if I am marrying you because it is the honorable thing to do, you would be wrong. I am marrying you because I love youand I do not want to go another day without you by my side.”
A mischievous glint came into Mattie’s eyes. “That was a good answer.”
“I do not know why you sound so surprised,” Winston remarked.
Mattie reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers.
Winston arched an eyebrow. “Are you not worried about upsetting your father more?”
“I love you, Winston,” Mattie replied. “And I do not care who knows it. I am the happiest I have ever been.”
They reached the front steps of the cottage and Lord Wythburn turned to face them, his stern expression unchanged. “Lord Winston, a word with you inside,” he said, gesturing towards the door.
Winston squeezed Mattie’s hand before releasing it. “I will be right back,” he promised.
Inside, Lord Wythburn led Winston to the study and closed the door behind them. “I need to understand your intentions clearly,” he began, his tone measured.
Winston stood tall, his expression sincere. “My lord, I have loved Mattie for longer than I realized. My intentions are to marry her, cherish her and build a life together. I know I should have come to you first, but my feelings got the better of me.”
Lord Wythburn studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Very well. I see that you are earnest in your intentions. But you must understand, Mattie’s happiness is paramount to me.”
“And it is to me as well,” Winston replied. “I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make her happy.”
Lord Wythburn sighed as he sat down behind the desk. “I hope you are true to your word. For now, we have much to discuss.” He gestured towards a seat. “Let’s beginwith her dowry.”
Mattie watched as Winston followed her father inside, and her heart pounded with a mixture of anxiety and hope. She believed in Winston, in his love for her, and she hoped her father would come to see it as well.
The door creaked open and Emma stepped outside, curiosity etched on her face. “Why is Lord Winston speaking to Father in the study?”
“He is asking for Father’s permission for us to marry,” Mattie replied, seeing no reason to keep the truth from her sister.
Emma’s lips pursed into a pout. “That is hardly fair,” she muttered. “Why do you get to marry a lord?”
