Page 6 of Holding Onto Love

Crispin laughed, making Vanessa flush. “Oh, Crispin, I don’t suspect you.” She recalled how very careful Jasper had been to make sure there was nothing between her and Crispin. “You would never approach a lady Jasper meant to court.”

“No.” He smirked. “But Reg is evidently not so scrupled.”

“Reg? Reginald? Your brother, Reginald?”

Vanessa had met him twice, briefly each time, more than a year ago. He was very young, quiet, and very polite. He was going to be a clergyman, so Jasper had told her. He hadn’t needed to tell her; she could have guessed. Who on earth would choose Reginald over Jasper?

Crispin nodded, a crooked smile on his face.

“I expect he’ll be speaking with Hovington in a day or two. I hope the man is smart enough to see what a prize of a son-in-law Reg will be. But Reg’s suit is disadvantaged by his being a third son. That might matter to the duke.”

“I suspect if you think they should be together, they will end up so. You would realign the stars if a constellation did not suit you.”

“Stars are easier to budge than dukes.”

Madeline returned with tea. Vanessa dismissed her and then rose to pour.

“Sugar? Cream?”

“A little sugar, if you please.” He waited for her to bring it to him. “Thank you.”

She poured her own cup, too, then returned to her seat.

“Vanessa, Jasper worries me. I fear he will stop living his life. He courted Georgiana as though sleepwalking through it.”

With or without enthusiasm, she didn’t want to picture him courting. It hurt too much. “Jasper is no longer any of my concern.”

“The only thing that pierced his armor was whatever correspondence you two were carrying out. It befouled his mood. Truly befouled it.”

“I hope you are not fishing for what we wrote to one another.”

“Of course not. However, I did take note that more recently he has received no letters from you other than his own, returned unopened.” Crispin shook his head. “A masterstroke, Vanessa.”

“It was not a scheme. I simply saw no point in repeating hurtful recriminations and apologies that meant nothing.”

“I’m not accusing you. Nevertheless, it was masterfully done. Frustration is oozing from his neatly buttoned edges.”

“Crispin, please.” A chasm opened in her heart. “I don’t know what you want from me. I have nothing to give. You know that. The kindest thing I can do is disappear gracefully.”

“I don’t agree. But before you point out that I am no expert in affairs of the heart, I will draw my unwelcome visit to a close. I have to speak with Bathurst this evening and board a transport in the morning. I should have been in Spain a week ago.” He drank the last of his tea and set down his cup. He stood. “The real reason I came was to extract a promise. If you find your advance preparations in any way lacking, get word to me.”

“I won’t need anything.”

“If it’s urgent, and I cannot be located, get word to Reginald.”

She started. “Reginald? I couldn’t! He barely knows who I am.”

“He’s a Taverston. And as far as I’m concerned, so are you. In every way that matters.”

“Crispin! Enough!” If she started to cry, she would never forgive him. “Please go.”

“Not until you give me that promise.”

“Fine. If I need rescuing I will count on you. But I won’t need rescuing.”

He smiled at her. His smiles often held a touch of sadness, she thought. As well as she knew him, she didn’t know him at all.

“Will you tell me where you are going?” he asked.