Page 66 of Holding Onto Love

Jasper scowled. He didn’t like to be reminded of his youthful indiscretions. “Not at all. We drank a good deal, yes, but…” He finished acidly, “The only person I went whoring with was Crispin. And that sparingly.” Crispin ran rings around him.

The proprietress arrived with their tea. Jasper flushed, hoping they had not been overheard. When she stepped away, he said, “Change the subject.”

Hazard looked amused. “I had hoped Crispin might return to London for the celebrations. Am I correct that he didn’t?”

Jasper shook his head. The main reason he’d stayed so long in London was for the Vitoria celebrations: parties, a parade, an evening of fireworks, and the Prince Regent’s gala at Carlton House—all the while hoping to see Crispin. And no, he had not come home.

The whole thing had been arduous. Any grace period the matchmakers of the ton had granted him had evidently expired. Everyone knew his first attempt to woo a countess had failed. And that he’d put aside his mistress. He was now fair game. He made the mistake of taking Rose Posonby for a carriage ride and found their names linked in a gossip notice the very next day. The only reason he’d asked her, and the only reason she’d accepted, was that they were both hoping the other had had word from Vanessa.

“Crispin sent a letter,” he said. “Vitoria may have turned things around, but it is not the end of it.”

Hazard nodded morosely. They both drank their tea. When they’d emptied the pot, Hazard patted his chest and said, “That sat pretty well, considering. I should be recovered well enough to go riding tomorrow.”

“With Olivia.”

“Oh, right.” He bit his lip. “The day after tomorrow then.”

Jasper laughed. Keeping up with his younger sister on horseback was a challenge. Hazard had agreed to spend two weeks at Chaumbers helping him entertain her. Poor Olivia had twice been denied a Season in London. She took that in stride; she was a rock. But she must be bored to distraction. The least Jasper could do was try to ease her loneliness, although, of course, it would feel wrong to bring any bachelor friends around just yet. Hazard being the exception.

Jasper was looking forward to rusticating a bit and thought Hazard was too. They would ride, hunt, play cards and billiards, perhaps talk some politics. Although Hazard was physically recovered from the incident on Vere Street, he remained withdrawn and…jumpy. Jasper was doing his best to draw him out. He’d even asked Olivia to invite Alice to visit these two weeks, but Alice had gone to the country with her father after Mr. Gamby had not come up to scratch. Well, he’d stir Hazard up without her.

Jasper stood, stretching his legs. The tea had been reviving. He pulled his watch from his pocket. “We’d best be on the road. It will be a late supper.” He grimaced. “I believe I will adopt Crispin’s ‘no liquor’ policy this fortnight.”

Hazard chuckled. “Thank God.”

*

Hazard was a very smart man. Although he liked to play the lazy aristocrat, Jasper knew he took very good care of his tenants and his fields yielded well. So when they toured the Iversley estate and its environs—all Jasper’s responsibility now—he tried sounding him out.

“Do you think sheep?” he asked. A good number of peers were trying this.

Hazard shook his head with an air of impatience. “Farmers are not shepherds. You have good soil here. Sheep will just tear up the ground.”

“Yes, but, a lot of the young lads are leaving the farms. Hieing off to the city.”

“The better of them will come back.”

Jasper doubted it. But didn’t argue.

“Besides,” Hazard said, “they won’t stay to follow sheep around either. You’re better off investing in machinery and encouraging them to use it.”

Jasper sighed. He imagined Benjamin would have a head for this, but it would mean coming out to Chaumbers to look around, which Benjamin seemed reluctant to do.

“Your people are doing well,” Hazard said. “That’s evident just from looking. You don’t need to change much of what your father was doing. Just stay alert. Head off small problems before they become large ones.”

“For example?”

Hazard laughed. “The most obvious is ensuring your line.”

“God.” Jasper huffed, peeved even though he knew Hazard was teasing. “I thought I’d have two weeks without harassment.”

“I was joking.” Hazard gave him a long look that Jasper found difficult to duck. “Jasper, don’t let anyone rush you. You may be able to put Vanessa firmly in your past, but it will be a mistake to try to force a relationship with someone else until you do.”

“And what makes you so wise?” he scoffed.

Hazard looked off into the distance. “Experience, my friend. Experience.”

Jasper decided to let that topic lie.