Page 33 of Waiting for Love (The Taverstons of Iversley #3)

I f Alice could do it, so could she. Except that Alice had weeks, perhaps months, to work on Hazard, and Olivia only had minutes to change Benjamin’s mind. To bend the world.

She ran to the top of the stairs and shrank behind the banister until she saw Jasper on the first floor, walking toward the receiving room.

If this failed, at least she’d make everyone else happy.

She could put up with Lythe’s droning on and on, but his toploftiness…his refusal to even speak to Vanessa… Lud. She shuddered. He’d want to touch her.

Drawing a sharp breath, she rose from her crouch. Determined to risk it. It had to be Lythe. Most probably, within a few years, she would be a widow. She could return to Chaumbers and live in the dower house with Mama. That was a better choice than being trapped in a loveless marriage for the rest of her life with Ebersom, who deserved a wife who could appreciate him.

She ran down to the second floor and straight to the study. She burst in and found Benjamin sitting at the desk, staring morosely into an empty glass.

“Benjamin!”

He whirled around and jumped to his feet. “Olivia!”

She swallowed, taking a step toward him. “I—I am sorry. I’ve made you so uncomfortable, and you’ve been so kind.”

“What? Olivia, what are you—”

“I heard. I mean, I overheard.” She tossed her head. “I think you are heroic, Benjamin. And I’ve made a fool of myself. I’m so sorry.”

He gaped. Aghast. She could see his mind working, trying to think of everything she would have heard him tell Jasper.

“I’ll stop bothering you. I promise. But you can’t leave Jasper.”

“You aren’t bothering me. Don’t be absurd!”

“Stop!” She blocked her ears. “Stop being so kind to me. I threw myself at you. Again. I’m mortified. Again.”

“No. No, that isn’t true. I—it isn’t kindness. Would I have kissed you at Vauxhall—”

“If you had no intention of asking Jasper for permission to woo me?”

His eyes flared. Olivia couldn’t bear the hurt and self-recrimination she read on his face. She shouldn’t have used that. But she had to press on.

“I suppose you meant to scare me off,” she said, looking down at her hands. “Benjamin, you’re a good man. A very nice man. And I’ve been bothering you for far too long. Jasper’s right.”

She took a step back, then turned and started for the door. He pushed aside his chair to come after her.

“Olivia, wait. What are you doing? What do you mean?”

“I mean that it is time for me to grow up. I’m a Taverston. I have responsibilities.”

She opened the door, stepped out, and pulled it firmly closed. She had not gone three steps before she heard glass shattering against the wall.

Let this work. Let this work, she prayed, dashing down the stairs. She headed for the receiving room just in time to see Jasper come out of it, scowling for all he was worth. He saw her and sighed angrily.

“Olivia. I was coming to find you. To ask you to wait in the parlor to receive Lythe.”

“Yes, I heard he was here. I suppose he intends to propose.”

“You knew that?”

“He dropped hints.” She snorted. “The man is not subtle.” She waved Jasper aside. “Does it have to be the parlor? Can I just go to him in there?”

“I should send him to you. But—”

“Oh, bosh. Let me get this over with. I went to find you in your study, but only Benjamin is there. He says he’s waiting for you.”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll go up. And then, Olivia,” his voice grew stern, “I must talk with you.”

She huffed with exasperation. “I will be so glad when you can’t scold me anymore.”

He looked confused, and she felt his eyes on her back as she opened the door.

She heard bootsteps careening down the staircase, and Benjamin’s voice, shouting, “Jasper! Where are you? Jasper!”

Oh, bosh! He was supposed to chase her . He’d better be quick with Jasper. She stepped inside and shut the door.

“Your Grace. How pleasant of you to call.”

He stood near the wall, regarding one of the landscapes. Sunlight filtering through the half-open shutters cast stripes across the painting, marring it. The sandalwood scent of Lythe’s cologne was overwhelming, as if he had used the entire bottle. He wore old-fashioned breeches and spectacles that he swept quickly from his nose.

“My dear Lady Olivia. Do you know? I brought Cassieopia to make you a present, but your brother said she was an inappropriate gift.”

Olivia gasped, then gave a little laugh. “Your Grace, my brother is right.”

He came forward and reached for her hand. She didn’t see any option but to let him take it. He led her toward the Chesterfield sofa and sat, drawing her down beside him. She tried not to wince when he kissed her knuckles.

“Ah, but it is not inappropriate for my little duchess to have such a horse.”

A commotion sounded in the hallway. Pounding feet. Benjamin’s voice, rumbling, the words a jumble. Jasper yelling: “What the hell ? She wouldn’t!” Benjamin, a little louder, “She says it’s her responsibility . To grow up.” And Jasper, “The devil! She said I couldn’t scold—”

The door flung open.

“Stop! Olivia, don’t! What did you say?” Jasper demanded. He looked horribly frightened. Benjamin looked worse, wild-eyed, and panicked.

“He offered me Cassieopia.”

“Mercury!” Jasper practically shouted. “You can have Mercury. Crispin will give him to you.”

The duke leaped to his feet and puffed himself up. “What is the meaning of this?”

Olivia tried not to laugh at Jasper’s discomfiture. Or the duke’s. Relief made her giddy. She tapped her chin, pretending to consider. “Mercury is less of a snob.”

Ashen, Benjamin groaned, “Don’t throw your life away. I’ll do anything, Olivia. Anything.”

“How dare you address her like that!” the duke shouted, glowering at Benjamin. “She is going to be a duchess!”

“No, she is not,” Benjamin said, clenching his fists.

Jasper said, “Mr. Carroll is correct. She is not. I rescind my permission. She is underage and cannot give her own pledge.”

“You—you wouldn’t dare!” Lythe glared. “The Iversley name will mean nothing if I tell men your word cannot be trusted. You are a disgrace. A disgrace! Your father—”

“My father would have your bollocks on a platter, Lythe. No one will fault me for refusing you my sister.”

“You are less secure than you think! Playing fast and loose with your position.” Lythe flung a hand toward Benjamin. “What will the others say when they hear you allowed her to throw me over for your steward ?”

“Your Grace,” Olivia said, “I did not. I threw you over for my brother’s horse.”

Lythe sucked in his breath. Jasper gaped, then bit his cheek. And Benjamin let out a long, slow breath. The duke yanked on the lapels of his jacket and marched out of the room, snarling. Jasper closed the door and turned the latch, then slouched against it.

“Good God, Olivia. You gave me a scare. What on earth were you thinking!”

The door rattled. Then shook harder.

“Olivia!” Vanessa called. “Let me in at once!”

Olivia sighed with relief. It was not Lythe returning. Jasper twisted the lock and pulled the door open, to demonstrate Olivia alone on the sofa, and the two men standing sentry at the door.

“What happened? Peters said Lythe had come.”

“Olivia dispatched him,” Jasper said. “Now we only need worry about Crispin.”

Olivia stifled a giggle. Crispin would have a kitten! But she wasn’t going to hold them to giving her Mercury.

“Though truly,” Jasper went on smugly, “it is his own fault. If he had come home when he should have, he’d have had us sorted out months ago.”

Vanessa said, “You are not making sense.”

“None of this is.” He turned back to Olivia. “Livvy-pet, how could you even consider accepting that old goat?”

Livvy-pet ? He was already halfway to dismissing her answer. So she stood and gave him a long look before speaking to be certain he would listen.

“He is the highest-ranking peer to court me. And you’ve made it clear that titles are all-important.”

He frowned. “Olivia—”

“He is an influential Tory, and you need his support. Even more so, I dare say, than you need Ebersom’s.”

Jasper’s head snapped back. His expression turned almost sick. And Vanessa looked appalled. Olivia hated to make her last point, but she did.

“And Lythe is right. You have been playing fast and loose with your position. It is my…my duty to marry well enough to shore up the family’s social standing.”

Vanessa sank into the nearest chair. “No, Olivia.”

Harsh with hurt, Jasper said, “So I have purchased my happiness by selling away yours? Is that what you think? That I believe love is less important for you than for me?”

“Isn’t it?”

He stared. Then in a very low, gravelly voice, he said, “No. Olivia, I told you love is worth waiting for. I never asked you to sacrifice your happiness. What made you think…” He halted. “Obviously, I’ve made you think so. But nothing could be farther from the truth.”

“So I needn’t marry a peer.”

“Of course not.”

“A second or even third son would be just as acceptable?”

“ Any gentleman.” Then he amended, “So long as he is a good man. And you might love one another.”

“But he must needs be a gentleman,” she pressed. She heard Benjamin’s breath catch, but didn’t look at him.

Jasper tensed. His head swiveled to Benjamin and then back again. He let out a pained sigh. “Oh, Livvy. Not this again.”

“No! Jasper, stop!” Benjamin threw up his hands. “You are dead wrong. There is no again . The truth is that I am in love with your sister. I tried to tell you—”

“What!” His face contorted. “Benjamin—”

“I tried to explain! You wouldn’t listen! She hasn’t been bothering me. If anything, I’ve been bothering her.”

Joy filled her. No more secrets. No more denial. She stretched out her hand, and Benjamin crossed the room to take it, while Jasper stared, open-mouthed. Vanessa rose and went to his side. She touched his wrist and murmured, “Jasper?”

“Give me a moment,” he said, then clamped his mouth shut.

“Jasper, I know you must feel I’ve betrayed you,” Benjamin said, squeezing her hand. She wasn’t sure whether he was doing it to reassure her or to stop his own from shaking. “I’m not…not good enough for her.”

“No. No, that isn’t it.” Jasper still sounded befuddled.

Vanessa said, “It isn’t confusing. It makes perfect sense. If you would just stop thinking of your sister as a child.”

“Well, I know she isn’t. But”—he rattled his head—“and it isn’t that Benjamin is a commoner. Surely, I’m not so great a hypocrite as that.”

“Jasper.” Benjamin still sounded apologetic. He dropped her hand. “In spite of my earlier confessions, you must believe I’m no fortune hunter. I love her. I can’t give her the life she deserves, but—”

“Oh, for pity’s sake!” Olivia cried. “What I deserve? What is that? A dressing room full of the latest fashions? To be first on everyone’s invitation list to all the London balls?”

“You deserve to have your children welcome in Society,” Benjamin said. “At the very least.”

“They will be welcome wherever our children are,” Vanessa said firmly. “And that includes Hannah, of course. We can’t promise universal acceptance, but we can promise the Taverston clout. I never thought they would accept me, yet more have than haven’t.”

“Let Benjamin finish,” Jasper said. “I want to hear what he has to say. Frankly, he’s making a better case against than for.”

Benjamin screwed a face at Jasper, then turned his back on him. She had his full focus now. He took both her hands in his. “A home. You deserve a home. A household. Servants. A stable for your horses. Comfort. Security. I can’t promise very much.”

“Enough is as good as a feast.”

The room fell silent.

Then Benjamin said, choking, “I can’t promise enough.”

“That,” Jasper said, “should not be a concern. Are you asking for my permission, Benjamin?”

“I—I am.” He didn’t let go of her hands, but turned to face Jasper squarely. “Will you grant me the honor of asking for Olivia?” His voice did not falter. “I will do everything in my power to make her happy.”

Olivia held her breath until a little smile flickered at the edges of Jasper’s mouth.

“This is where Benjamin and I go to my study and discuss details properly—”

“Oh!” Olivia gasped. She barely refrained from jumping up and down.

“Thank goodness,” Vanessa murmured.

Jasper continued, “Olivia will go into the parlor and wait.” He grunted. “But first, I must apologize. Olivia, I was an idiot to think you were pestering Benjamin. Of course, he fell for you. How could he not?”

Olivia dashed to her brother and threw her arms around his neck.

“Jasper, you are the most wonderful brother who ever lived!”

“I don’t know. I have stiff competition.” He hugged her back, then put her at arm’s length. “There is one other thing.” He looked toward the wall and his face knotted up as if agonized. “I hate to ask this, but I’ve been faulted before for not asking the questions I should.”

Olivia gulped and stepped back. “What is it?”

“Do we wait for Crispin’s return?” He looked over her head to Benjamin. “Or…do we need to have the banns read soon ?”

Benjamin made a sharp noise. His face flushed. “Good God, Jasper. We can wait.” Then he looked at her. “If that is what Olivia wants.”

Of course she wanted all her brothers at her wedding. But… “We have no idea when he’ll be back. He said to follow my heart. And I’ve waited long enough.”

*

When they’d announced their engagement to the family, all the well-wishes gratified Olivia. She’d known Reg would be supportive, but her mother’s smile surprised her. Papa’s infidelity must have wounded her more than she would ever admit.

Georgiana made the only objection. She said it was all very well that they were marrying, but they must not announce their betrothal to anyone else until after Alice’s wedding. They could not keep pushing her into their shadows.

She was right. Georgiana always was. Hazard was planning the grandest event of the season at St. George’s Church in Mayfair, and the Taverstons would first focus on that. The show was the point. Rumor was that even the prince regent would attend. Jasper said everyone at White’s and at Brooks’s spoke about it with general relief and a total absence of insinuation. Alice had made it possible for everyone to pretend.

So, Olivia and Benjamin would not have their own banns read until after Alice and Hazard’s wedding. The best thing about that was that when Olivia wrote to Crispin and said they would be wed in late June, he said he would be there come hell or high water.

In the meantime, Benjamin needed to see to a few things at Chaumbers, and Olivia came with him. Mama did too, for propriety’s sake. Which Olivia thought was silly, given how easy it was to find places to be alone in that “old pile.”

Benjamin escorted Olivia to the steward’s cottage to show her what had been done. They left Hannah at the house so that Benjamin could ride Goose. Olivia rode Mercury and didn’t feel one bit guilty that she didn’t have Crispin’s permission. They raced across the meadow and Olivia left Benjamin in the dust. Afterward, Mercury trotted up to Goose and Olivia swore he congratulated the lesser horse on a very good run.

They left the animals grazing. Olivia exclaimed over the exterior of the cottage. It looked almost new. Inside, everything was freshly painted. She laughed as she swung open one of the doors. It seemed to be a little crooked, but it wasn’t. How fitting for a cottage at Chaumbers!

“Benjamin, it’s perfect. We’ll be so happy here.”

His eyes shone. She could see in his expression that it was more than he had ever dreamed of. Jasper had added it to her dowry along with the surrounding ten acres, saying he regretted that it wasn’t more, but it was the only part of the estate that wasn’t entailed. Olivia said she didn’t need more. A piece of Chaumbers was home enough.

“Come. See the rest,” Benjamin said.

Olivia smiled. “You promised to show me…”

“Yes, my love. But come see the rest of the house first.”

They walked through the kitchen, the dining room, the morning room, Benjamin’s study. They went up the stairs. There were three large bedchambers as well as two empty rooms he wasn’t sure yet what to do with. The top floor contained the nursery, a schoolroom, and smaller rooms for Miss Jamison and servants. At least, a cook and a maid or two. They would have to do without a butler. Benjamin scoffed at the idea of a valet, but Olivia would naturally keep Tansy.

Olivia didn’t bother with all the details worked out between Jasper and Benjamin. She knew only that, like Reg, Benjamin wanted her dowry invested for their children, and he intended to continue working. Olivia didn’t come out and say it, yet , but if she were permitted to look to the welfare of the tenants as she’d been doing, Vanessa would be free to spend her time in London and in Cartmel.

From the windows, Olivia could see different views of the property. Their property. Beyond that would be the folly. The lake. The meadow. The house. Jasper’s stables. The tenants’ cottages. Iversley Village. Everything in the world that she loved.

Benjamin led her back to the second floor. Then into the master bedchamber. Yellow curtains fluttered in a grass-scented breeze. The bed was covered with a blanket and littered with pillows.

He turned her to face him and put his hands on her shoulders.

“Now, remember,” he said, his iron-gray eyes growing dark. “We are picking up where we left off at Vauxhall. But leaving some things for our wedding night.”

“Yes, Benjamin,” she said, suddenly breathless. “You’ve explained the rules. Show me.”

A groan came from deep in his chest. He pulled off his riding gloves.

“Take off yours,” he said. She stripped them off. He caressed her fingertips. Then he whispered, “Now untie my cravat and throw it somewhere.”

He kicked the door closed.