Page 41 of Holding Onto Love

Jasper nodded. “Well, the job is yours. I cannot think of anyone better. And yours was the first name on my brothers’ lips as well.”

Benjamin looked amused. “Well, maybe that partly explains…” He leaned forward in his chair. “I stopped at the post to see if they were holding anything there for me. There was nothing from you, but there was a package in brown paper, with two pristine-appearing ledgers filled with the tidiest figures I’d ever seen. Two years’ worth. And a note from Reg—” He caught himself—“Mr. Taverston, saying they were up to date through June. That if I had any questions…” He chuckled. “He gave me his direction in Cambridge.”

Jasper laughed. “Yes, well, Reg has not changed. I asked him to put things in order for you and he never does things halfway. Cambridge is another tale.”

He felt the sadness threaten and pushed it, pushed it away.

“I suppose we should do this properly. I’ll have Wilkerson draw up a contract for you to look over. Have you a salary in mind?”

“Just pay me what I am worth.”

“Very shrewd. All right, I will. You can bring your things here, of course. I’ll have a suite opened in the west wing until you go to Chaumbers.”

“If it’s all the same to you—” Benjamin’s eyes grew hooded—“I have let rooms for myself down near the Thames. I would like to acclimate myself back to London.” The words sounded rehearsed. But then, the whole thing was awkward. Benjamin used to be invited to 8 Grosvenor Square and to Chaumbers as a guest. Jasper supposed there was some acclimating, on both their parts, to be done.

“Yes, of course.”

“So, tell me about the Taverstons!” A clunky transition clumsily delivered.

“I don’t know where to start.”

“It sounds as though we could spend the day unraveling Mr. Taverston.” That was carefully done. Mr. Taverston. Jasper pushed back.

“Reg settled in Cambridge after a little private rebellion against the Church of England. He has gone back to the ancient gods,” he joked.

Benjamin’s eyes widened.

“That, of course, was after marrying my intended fiancée.”

Benjamin exploded with laughter. Then he tried to stand. “I’m going back to Canada. In my absence, England has gone mad.”

“Not all of it. Crispin is still Crispin. Only now he is Lieutenant Taverston of the King’s Army.”

“He had just purchased his commission when I left.” That sobered his mirth. Jasper’s too. “I assume he is doing well?”

“I think so. He doesn’t say much about his duties.”

Benjamin sobered further. He glanced away. “His health?”

Jasper shrugged. Benjamin had nursed Crispin through a short bout of illness at school, sworn to secrecy until Crispin recovered. Jasper would have lugged him back home again if he’d known. “He does not speak of that either. But he looked well when I last saw him.”

At that, Benjamin’s expression softened. “I’m sorry about the earl. I—he was always very good to me.”

Father was civil. He made a point of it.

“Thank you. It was difficult. Seeing his decline.”

“And your mother? Is she well?”

“She’s coping.” He sighed. “I think sons never truly understand how much of a mother’s life is simply coping.”

Benjamin eyed him strangely, and Jasper thought perhaps he was sharing too much. But he hadn’t said anything, really. Then Benjamin looked at his hands. “And your sister? I imagine her coming out was a triumph. Who did she wed?”

“Ah, Olivia. No, I’m afraid she has had the worst of it. My father’s illness was lengthy. She did not debut when she should have. And then, this year, too, she could not. She is in mourning. But next year…” He tried to chuckle. “I believe all the swains are holding their breaths waiting, and I will have to walk around with pistols.”

He waited for the jest. His pistols would frighten no one. But Benjamin did not look entertained. He looked stiff.

“Oh, God, Benjamin!” Was that why he would not take apartments in Jasper’s home? “She’s not carrying a torch for you.”