Page 25 of Waiting for Love (The Taverstons of Iversley #3)

G eorgiana had not exaggerated. There were more bouquets in the parlor than men Olivia had danced with at the ball. Which meant what? That she was a success? Hardly. It meant Jasper was important enough that his marriage to his mistress could be overlooked. All that worry for nothing.

Olivia had always known Jasper was universally well-liked. But now, it would not only be Jasper’s friendship that men sought. He was the Earl of Iversley. He was tied through Reg and Georgiana to the Duke of Hovington. Viscount Haslet was his closest friend. And thus, he stood at the intersection of a widespread web of both staunch Tories and influential Whigs. Any young man who managed to snare Olivia would find his consequence multiplied tenfold.

So long as nothing went wrong. So long as Vanessa continued to charm. The ton could be fickle.

She sniffed, picking up a few of the cards, reading them, then discarding them. That one particularly gaudy arrangement? From the Duke of Lythe. He could not be looking for influence. He had enough of his own. It was nice of Papa’s friend to send flowers, but she hoped he remembered he’d offered to take her riding. With all the excitement he was likely to forget.

Hazard had sent two baskets. One for Alice. He was the sweetest man. If only he could love Alice… The image the two embracing last night rose before her eyes. But that meant nothing. Hazard had embraced her, too. They were all overwhelmed by emotion.

Even Benjamin forgot himself. A shiver ran through her, remembering the way his fingertips had tickled her spine. The heat of his body. She’d thought for a moment he might kiss her.

What would it be like to let him hold her and kiss her and hold her and kiss her?

She surveyed the flowers once more but did not bother looking at the rest of the cards. Then she turned and walked from the parlor. Let Jasper sort out the swains. They were courting his favor, not hers.

*

The Season did not pause for a little thing like Napoleon’s abdication. That night, they had the Wingsingham ball to attend. It was not the crush that Olivia’s had been, but the Earl of Wingsingham had managed to obtain a last-minute license for fireworks in honor of the victory. That would enliven his daughter’s ball.

Olivia danced every set but the waltzes. She didn’t mind sitting those out. She watched Alice dance with Sir Langston for the first and with Mr. Gamby, the second. Mr. Gamby had courted Alice quite seriously last year but faded from sight in the face of her indifference. It was interesting he decided to make another attempt. Sir Langston, a baron, was not an old man, but he was short and balding. And he was a widower. Really, Alice deserved better.

Georgiana sat with Olivia instead of waltzing with Reg. Olivia had asked her to, not wanting any of the gentlemen who hadn’t been able to put their names on her card to swarm her while she was catching her breath. Dance cards . That was another source of irritation. Gentlemen did not abide by the rules!

Viscount Howerton wrote his name for the supper dance. He was the lord she’d branded the gambler, and Hazard had not corrected her. She received confirmation when Jasper scanned her dance card, frowned, and said, “I will have to have a word with Howerton.” Olivia was amused when Hazard’s friend, Lord Chesterfield, appeared at her side for the supper dance instead.

He was a shy fellow, but the liquid refreshment loosened his tongue. She asked him how long he had known Viscount Haslet. She didn’t say that she was curious because she’d known Hazard forever and had never heard his name mentioned.

“Ah, we go back a ways,” he said, looking down at his fingers as though the question embarrassed him. “Schoolmates, you see. Eton and Oxford.”

“How nice. It’s lovely you’ve come to London. Hazard is clearly glad to see you.” That was true. He seemed somehow happier these days, though he had never struck her as unhappy before.

“Well, yes, yes.” He was quiet a moment. Then he said, “I married very young. My wife did not like London. Neither of us did, I suppose. We rarely left my family estate.”

“ Did not like London?”

“She passed.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you, but it has been three years.” He did not sound particularly affected. Was three years enough to mourn a wife? “Listen to me.” He grunted a laugh. “This is not conversation for a ball. I am out of practice behaving in company. I should be showering you with compliments. That’s what men do.”

“La! What men do? Now you will tell me I have lovely eyes and then commence to boast about yourself.”

He laughed. Then asked her if she had seen The Coachman at the theater. He and Hazard had gone. She hadn’t been to the theater yet, but couldn’t wait to go. They had a typical, if slightly awkward, supper conversation.

It was just as well to eat supper with Hazard’s friend rather than Lord Howerton. But she was not amused when the Duke of Lythe broke the rules again. He had arrived late to the ball and her card was already full. This time, he stole the Marquess of Ebersom’s place. The final set. And this time, he did not apologize.

It was the last set, but the ball was not over. It was time for the fireworks. The duke escorted her to the terrace to watch. It was a lovely starry-skied evening. The terrace was chilly but there were enough warm bodies to block the wind. The brickwork flooring was patterned in a series of spirals, and an intricate iron-grillwork balcony encircled the whole. At one end, torches illuminated a viewing point where one had to walk up four brick-faced steps to another tier.

“Here is best to see,” he said, steering her away from the torchlights. “The fireworks will be brighter where it is dark.”

He held tightly to her elbow. She would rather have stood with the crowd. They were not more than twenty feet from the others, but it was darker in their corner than she anticipated, and His Grace stood too close. Much too close. She could smell his wine breath.

To her relief, after the first colorful burst of light and terrace-shaking thunderclap, Reg and Georgiana joined them.

“Here you are!” Georgiana said, looping an arm through hers.

“Lythe,” Reg said, reaching out a hand. Lythe had to release Olivia’s elbow to take it. “I hear you are responsible for sponsoring the exhibit at Baxter Hall. I’m anxious to see it. Hunt’s work, is it not?”

Smiling, Georgiana said, “Mr. Taverston, Lady Olivia and I are not tall enough to see well here. We are going to join Lady Iversley. Good evening, Your Grace.”

“Oh? Fine. Go along. I will join you shortly,” Reg said, then continued his discussion with the duke.

“That man,” Georgiana fumed as they moved out of earshot. “He can bore a corpse to death twice. I’m sure he is lonely, but that’s no excuse. He claims to be a little deaf, and that’s why he prefers to talk in small groups or one-on-one. But Hazard says he can hear an insult at forty paces.”

Lonely. Hard of hearing. Now Olivia felt terrible for what she’d been thinking. Something more along the lines of lecherous . She should really be kinder to him. Papa would expect it of her.

“Well, he isn’t that dull. He has a fascinating stable. But thank you for rescuing me.”

Georgiana smiled. “That’s what we are here for!”

Was that how the Marriage Mart worked? Throw a lamb in among the wolves and then circle around protecting that lamb? Why put her through this? In another month, Jasper would have the unacceptables winnowed out. Why not simply hand out notices to his top ten choices and let them work it out amongst themselves?

Another burst of fireworks lit the sky. Olivia joined the applause, but not even the elaborate display cheered her. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could pretend to enjoy this. To feign excitement. To smile encouragement at men she didn’t care for, waiting for Jasper to tell her which one she should.

*

Olivia thought she’d overslept, and that no one would be at breakfast when she entered the morning room in the midafternoon. But the whole family was gathered. A fire burned in the hearth. Dismantled newspapers littered the table. Reg bounced Arthur gently on his knee, one hand on the baby’s belly and one cupped behind his head.

“Oh! Let me,” Olivia said.

“Careful,” Reg said. “His head wobbles.”

“I know, I know. You say that every time.” She scooped up Arthur and cuddled him, breathing in his soft, soapy scent.

Mama yawned. “Thank goodness there is no ball tonight. Only the musicale and that will not run late. Olivia, the pink this evening.”

Olivia groaned. “Yes, Mama.”

“I don’t know why you fuss. Pink is a lovely color on you.”

Olivia turned, rocking Arthur and humming.

Alice swished into the room, bright eyed and rosy cheeked, stripping off her gloves.

“Were you out?” Mama asked. “Already?”

“I met Miss Frampton. We went for a walk.”

“ Hmmm .” Mama’s brow wrinkled. Miss Frampton was one of Lady Rose Posonby’s bluestockings. It wouldn’t do Alice’s prospects any good to start spending too much time with them. It was not Mama’s place to say anything, but that hum made it clear what she thought.

Alice said, “Well, I have news. The Belfords’ musicale is cancelled tonight. Their soprano cannot make it. Miss Annie DeBelle has an inflammation of the throat.”

Reg choked on his coffee. Badly. Coughing until he was red-faced.

“Everything all right there, Reg?” Jasper taunted him.

Reg coughed too hard to scowl, but Mama scowled for him. She turned to Alice.

“Thank you. I assume we’ll get a notice from the Belfords, but it is good to know.”

Jasper said, “It would have been good to know the performer ahead of time. Eh, Reg?”

“That is quite enough, Jasper,” Mama said. Her voice was much too sharp for the offense.

Olivia, Georgiana, Alice, and Vanessa all exchanged confused glances. Reg had stopped coughing but was still red-faced. Jasper popped a biscuit in his mouth and crunched, grinning, but he looked down at the table and didn’t say anything else.

Then Georgiana said, “If we have no plans for this evening to prepare for, perhaps we can take Arthur and Hannah to the park to feed the ducks. I’ll ask Benjamin if he will come with us or at least lend us his daughter. Arthur finds her fascinating. He stares and stares.”

“That sounds lovely,” Mama said. “I’m going to rest a while and then Mr. Boring is coming to go over a few things, but you young people should go.”

Alice said, “I have to beg off as well. I owe my father a long letter and I have to write it this afternoon or it won’t get done.”

Olivia kissed Arthur on the top of his sweet head and beamed. A walk in the park with her family and Benjamin. Now that was something she would enjoy.

*

It was a nice spring day—less of a chill in the breeze, and the sun was at least trying to poke through the clouds.

While servants set up a picnic on the hill, the Taverstons walked to the pond. Leading the way, Georgiana pushed Arthur’s pram, and Reg carried a basket of day-old bread. Olivia could swear Reg was walking taller these days.

Vanessa and Jasper lagged, arm in arm, talking. From time to time, they both laughed.

Which left Olivia and Benjamin with Hannah. At first, Benjamin held Hannah’s hand tightly, but then Hannah said, “Olly’s hand!” So she walked with Olivia. Then she said, “Papa’s hand!” So they switched again. Until they realized she wanted to hold both their hands, so they now walked three in a line, enjoying Hannah’s excitement.

There were ducks at the pond. Fat, lazy, ducks who waddled closer to investigate the basket, then scattered when Hannah chased them.

“Here,” Reg said, handing the basket to Benjamin. “I’m not sure what Georgiana was thinking. Arthur is not yet ready for duck feeding.”

Benjamin began breaking up the loaf to distribute. Vanessa and Jasper obliged by tossing a few crumbs, but the day belonged to Hannah, so they left the game to her. She was fearless, marching among the quacking monsters as though she were their queen. Benjamin’s eyes grew soft, watching her.

Then Jasper exclaimed, “By God, Livvy-pet, she reminds me so much of you!”

Olivia had no choice but to go dance among the birds with Hannah.

“More bread! More!” Hannah cried. Olivia chanted along. Benjamin put a bit of crust in Hannah’s hands.

“That is all. No more, I’m afraid.”

“No more bread?” Hannah’s eyes widened.

“No more. We have run out.” He showed her his empty basket.

Hannah stuffed the crust into her own mouth. Olivia caught back a giggle.

Reg said, “ Now she reminds me of Olivia.”

There was nothing better than laughing with her family until her sides were sore. She couldn’t bear for the moment to end. But moments always did. The ducks wandered away. Benjamin hoisted Hannah to his shoulders.

“Are you hungry, Hannah?” Jasper asked. “Because we have a picnic waiting.”

They left the pond and climbed the slope. The scent of grass tickled Olivia’s nose. Servants had set up tables, chairs, and an impressive array of cold meats, cheeses, bread, pickles, and jellies, as well as tall pitchers of lemonade.

They all began filling their plates, but Olivia saw Benjamin hold back. He had set Hannah down, and now had a hand on her shoulder to keep her from rushing to the table. He had a strange look on his face. Annoyance, perhaps.

“Thank you, Iversley,” he said, his voice gritty, as though he had sand in his mouth. “For inviting us.”

Jasper started. He looked hurt. Olivia’s eyes felt hot. Why must Benjamin be like that?

No one spoke. But then Vanessa touched Jasper’s arm and gestured with her chin.

“Who is that?”

They all looked. A gentleman strode toward them across the hill. A handsome young gentleman. He was dressed in the latest fashion with an excessively high collar, a bright-green-striped waistcoat beneath his brown jacket, and several tassels on his highly shined boots. Even his tall hat had a gloss.

“Oh, the devil.” Jasper said. His attention and his venom turned to the newcomer.

“Good afternoon, Iversley,” the man said, drawing up to them. His voice was as polished as his boots. He bowed with perfect correctness, yet when he straightened and regarded Jasper, he had a glint in his eye that Olivia did not like at all.

For a moment, she thought Jasper would give him the cut direct. She’d never seen her brother’s expression so cold. But then he turned stiffly and indicated Vanessa.

“Lady Iversley, let me introduce Lord Chase.”

Vanessa gave him a small curtsy, and Lord Chase once again bowed.

“I believe you know Mr. and Mrs. Taverston,” Jasper said.

Appropriate bows and curtsies were made. Reg’s expression was wooden. Georgiana did not smile.

“Lord Chase, I present to you my sister.” Jasper’s voice iced over. “Lady Olivia.”

She made her curtsy. Lord Chase took a step toward her before bowing.

“I am charmed,” he said. “Congratulations on your coming-out. I only arrived in London this morning and am sorry to have missed your ball. I hear it was unsurpassable.”

“Thank you, my lord.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Jasper’s jaw set so tight she thought he’d crack a tooth. She could tell he would not have invited this man to her ball if he were the only bachelor in the ton.

There was another profound silence. Until Georgiana’s good breeding won out. “Will you join us for some refreshment? We had not heard you were coming to London.”

“Yes, well, my cousin likes his secrets, does he not?”

Oblivious to the tension, Hannah squirmed out from under Benjamin’s hand and said, pointing, “Papa, more bread.”

In a very low voice, Benjamin said, “Yes, sweetheart. There is more bread.”

Olivia’s chest tightened. Benjamin had not been introduced. As though he and Hannah did not even exist.

“And I will not keep you from it, little one,” Lord Chase said, bending down to send the words to her. He straightened. “You are very kind, Mrs. Taverston, and this looks delightful. But I’m afraid I have another engagement.” He swept a bow. “Good day, to you all.”

Everyone said their good day s. Except Jasper. Who did not speak until Lord Chase disappeared down the rise.

“That man is trouble.” He turned to Olivia. “Do your best to stay away from him.”

“Can you not keep him away?” Benjamin said.

Jasper turned up his palms. “He is Hazard’s cousin. What am I supposed to do?”