*
Outside, Tobias gatheredSophia to himself the moment the footman lowered her feet to the ground. She clung to him rather more than she needed to, waiting for the chair to be brought for her at George’s insistence.
“You certainly know how to make an entrance,” she whispered into his warm neck as she nuzzled closer.
“As do you. I had not expected to have you join me in this chill. It is safe for you, I hope? You do not take unnecessary risks?” He stroked her flushed cheeks with the back of his fingers.
“On the contrary. It will do me the world of good. I can’t remember when last I have played outside with my family.”
Tobias looked up at Adriana, who was rapidly building a mound of snowballs for her arsenal. “I suspect it will be a fearsome battle. Should you not watch from a distance?’
“No, the general should lead the charge.”
“I see.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a lopsided grin. “I am to be conscripted into your service.”
“You object?”
“Oh, no, I am more than willing to die for you.”
Sophia’s smile vanished. “I need no sacrifice of that nature,” she said stiffly.
Tobias rapped his knuckles against his forehead. “I am such a dolt! I chose those words very poorly indeed.” His hand returned to hers. “Forgive me, Dearest. I have spoken my thoughts beforethey are well formed. It remains a fault I seem unable to master.” His head hung low with shame.
The comment still smarted. Still, Sophia was willing to let it go. He had meant nothing by it. It belonged with sorrows of the past. Best they wereleftin the past. Besides, Adriana was already building a wall of snow for her defenses. There was no time to waste.
“Come on,” she directed as she lowered herself onto the seat the footman had just delivered. “We shall catch them off guard. Adriana first. Her eyes are not upon the enemy.”
Tobias grabbed fistfuls of snow and formed them quickly with his gloved hands, a small pile of ammunition accumulating beside the chair, within Sophia’s reach. With several more stacked in his palm, he took a stand. Lifting his knee, he raised his arm up, elbow retracted, then released his first volley at Adriana’s unsuspecting back.
She shrieked with surprise and spun around to identify her attacker. “Oh, so it’s to be war with the Mannerlys. To me, Grants! Defend the family honor!”
A barrage of snowy projectiles launched from all directions. Tobias twisted around and planted his body in front of Sophia, shielding her from the worst of it. A cascade of snow slid from his coat.
“Step aside, quickly!” yelled the ungrateful Sophia. As he did so, she threw a single shot at stocky, little Bess, who was nearest, and whose billowing cloak made her an easy target. The weak attempt was nevertheless successful and Sophia laughed breathlessly as the rest of her siblings renewed their attack.
Once again, Tobias absorbed the onslaught, his face stoic, his eyes fixed upon his precious charge.Thump, thump, thump. The snowballs landed on his back, one knocking his hat from his head. His rumpled curls fell free and, for a moment, Sophia forgot the battle. She gazed at the handsome man before her, hisblue eyes determined, his collar filled with snow, which melted down his warm neck, his messy hair calling for the touch of her fingers.
More snow hit her valiant protector.
“Mercy!” Sophia cried. “It is four against two. And our general is incapacitated. We need reinforcements.” She coughed a little as she said this.
There was an abrupt ceasefire.
George crossed the battlefield. “We yield. It is time to go indoors.”
“But we have barely begun,” complained Sophia.
“And already it affects you,” George replied sternly.
“I am perfectly fine.” Sophia sulked, trying to suppress a cough and failing.
“Then take pity on poor Mr. Mannerly, who has had the worst of it. He needs a warm fire and a cup of hot cocoa as much as you do.” He beckoned to the footman before she could protest further.
Sophia looked upon her brave soldier—his coat wet with melting snow, his hair starting to drip—and relented.
“I release you from your commission,” she declared. “You will accompany me to the barracks for sustenance and”—she offered him a most particular tilt of the head—“further reward.”
“Hmm,” George added dryly, “I shall have Katie tend upon you. Just to make sure the fire is not too hot.”
