Page 28 of Holding Onto Love

When the Whigs applauded Hazard, Jasper did too. Those beside him on the bench, his good Tory allies, chuckled at his greenness. Perhaps they found it refreshing to see a young lad cheer a friend as if it were a cricket match. Of course, they rapped his knuckles that night at White’s: no more of that, young fellow. It would be an insult to his father’s memory not to carry on the strong Tory legacy of the Earls of Iversley.

“He’s a fine speaker,” Hovington agreed. “A strong command of the issues. A shame we cannot use him more often.”

We. Hovington was one of the more conservative Whigs, but a Whig, nevertheless. It was fortunate that his new Tory-by-birth son-in-law had no interest in things political. Though Jasper did wonder what they all discussed around the supper table.

But why couldn’t they use Hazard more? He seemed to enjoy the task.

“Why can’t you?” he asked. He was just curious. Not digging for weaknesses in their strategies.

Hovington tutted. “He is too clever by half at times. And he cannot afford enemies.”

“I suppose not.” Jasper tried to sound noncommittal. “Enemies do no one any good.”

People liked Hazard too much to make open accusations. But that could change.

“Quite right.” The duke clapped him on the back. “Dare I ask if you were persuaded to cross the aisle? On this bill at least?”

He heard his father’s voice in his ear: Church and King.

He shook his head and tried to answer the way he imagined the old earl would have, but cringed inwardly, because the words, in his own voice, sounded heartless rather than sensible. “I want children in shoes, naturally. But there are charities for such things. We need to defeat Napoleon first. Then we can bring taxes down.”

His argument was simplistic, but the Leather Tax was hardly significant enough to risk alienating the men his father had worked with year after year. Fortunately, this session of Parliament would close in a week, and he would be granted a few months to better formulate his own opinions on other matters. A daunting task. An absorbing one. And one that would help keep his mind from returning to Vanessa. Though here it was again, turning to Vanessa, and that knife twist of pain in his heart.

“Enough of politics, Hovington,” his wife chastised, then shared a smile with Georgiana. This must be a common complaint. “This is a tea. You are not in session.”

Georgiana rang for tea to emphasize the point. They took their seats: the duke back in his solid rosewood chair, Reg and Georgiana on a two-seated couch, where they were at liberty to be close. Discreetly close: Reg was still Reg. Jasper sat opposite the tea table from the duchess.

Servants arrived with tea and cakes. Conversation ebbed until the servants retreated. Then the duchess turned her attention fully upon Jasper.

“I suppose you have guessed why you’re here.”

The bite of cake dried in his mouth. He swallowed with difficulty. “Have I?”

Georgiana groaned. “Mama!”

“Darling child, soon you may be as unconventional as you wish, and you, too, Reginald, dear—”

Reg’s startled expression informed Jasper that his brother had not expected to be drawn into whatever this was. Or, more likely, had thought it nothing but a tea party.

“—but until Alice is safely wed, the order of the day is propriety.”

Jasper wanted to defend Reg and Georgiana, who had done nothing at all improper—though he was willing to grant the duchess “unconventional”—but he feared he was being accused as well.

“Propriety?” He managed to lift an eyebrow at her but doubted he used it quellingly. Crispin was the effective eyebrow lifter. Jasper considered his own weapon the disarming smile. He should have led with that. It would not work after deploying the eyebrow.

“Alice and Hazard have been spending far too much time in each other’s company. I understand the initial rationale, and truth be told, I encouraged them. But he’s hardly about to ask for her. And even if he did, we would not allow her to accept.” The duchess seemed on the verge of losing her composure and finished with a huff. “They may well enjoy each other’s company, but enough is enough.”

It felt odd to admit to himself that he agreed with every word she said. “And so?” he prompted.

“Well.” She drew a deep breath. “You may be disinclined, and I certainly have no reason to expect—”

“Mary—” Hovington tried to interrupt, and at the same time Georgiana said, “Mama!”

“I merely wish to ask Iversley to claim Alice for the first dance.”

Jasper smiled his relief. “I would be delighted.”

“And then dance the next with Georgiana. We’ll ensure it is not a waltz.”