Page 1 of Waiting for Love

Chapter One

October 1813

Village of Iversley

Fortunately, thought Lady Olivia Taverston, everyone knew she loved weddings, so no one found her giddiness excessive.

As she had only been to two in her almost-nineteen years, Olivia admitted her enthusiasm was based on limited experience. Limited but varied. A distant cousin’s grand event in London’s magnificent St. James’s Church had fired her imagination when she was young. And then, nine months ago, after her stodgy brother Reginald had captured the heart of the most beautiful girl in London, he’d married her in a simple ceremony here in Iversley Village. In keeping with expectations, she’d gushed the whole time.

Olivia adored her sister-in-law Georgiana, who was everything a lady should be. But she was even more captivated by Mrs. Vanessa Wardrip. In a few hours, Olivia’s eldest brother Jasper, the duty-before-all-else, newly ascended Earl of Iversley, would be married to a widowed commoner. And that wasn’t even what shocked the most. Vanessa had been Jasper’s mistress! It was positively scandalous!

Olivia couldn’t wait to get to know her better.

Arranging her itchy wool skirt with care, Olivia settled in the family coach for the short ride from Chaumbers, the family’s country estate, into the village along with the rest of the Taverston ladies. The church awaiting them was ancient and looked it—in a quaint way, not a decrepit one. Its medieval stained glass windows had survived the outrages of the past and were now the pride of Iversley Village. Olivia had long since changed her mind about preferring St. James’s splendiferous church. London, a day’s ride away, was a sooty, foggy, crowded place. This was where she would marry someday.

While her carriage mates—Mama, Vanessa, Georgiana, and Georgiana’s cousin Alice, an honorary Taverston—were almost annoyingly self-composed, Olivia could hardly contain her excitement. Thankfully, her reputation for innocent exuberance stood her in good stead. Because as pleased as she was to be attending another wedding, she had a private reason for wanting to race to the church. He would be there. At least, Jasper had offhandedly mentioned that he had invited his new steward and old friend to the ceremony: Mr. Benjamin Carroll.

It had been almost five years since Olivia had seen Benjamin. For a long time after he’d left the Taverstons’ home, hustled out, she had hoped never to see him again. But she could face him now. She was no longer a silly child infatuated with her brother’s handsome friend. And she wanted him to know that.

Olivia pushed the curtain open a crack as the bouncing of the carriage eased. They had left the rutted country lane for the packed dirt of the village’s main road. The few shops and homes appeared shut tightly, but the woodsmoke of their hearth fires wafted to her nose.

“Almost there!” she cried.

Georgiana and Vanessa exchanged indulgent smiles. Georgiana was a strawberry blond with perfect, perfect features who never looked anything less than stunning. Vanessa had a plainer face, a little careworn, but oh, how it lit up when she smiled! Given how different they were and especially given their individual histories with Jasper, Olivia found it entertaining how quickly the two women had become friends.

“You’ll be next, Olivia,” said Alice in an encouraging tone. Since her first Season had not been a success, Alice’s words were especially generous.

Olivia’s London debut had been twice postponed, first due to her father’s illness and then because of his death and the necessary year of mourning. Everyone assumed she was chafing at the bit. Which was absurd and a little insulting. She would gladly give up going to London altogether if she could have Papa healthy and whole again.

Naturally, two years ago, when she’d thought she would be going to London to enter Society, she’d been impatient. She’d dreamed of meeting someone new, someone to love. But that was before Papa had fallen ill. Before she’d experienced true grief. Before she’d discovered the ubiquitousness of marital infidelity. She was warier now.

Nevertheless, she grinned broadly for her audience. “Not necessarily. It could be Crispin.”

They all laughed, even Mama, although the joke was sad as well as funny. Crispin, Olivia’s middle brother, was wedded to the army.

His antipathy to marriage also had something to do with an illness he’d suffered as a child and had apparently never quite recovered from. Alluding to it angered Crispin as nothing else ever did. He wouldn’t marry but he did have an eye for women. Olivia had overheard him snickering with Jasper: So long as I have a few shillings in my purse I can find love on any street corner. It had taken her a while to decipher that, but she did. Most things that Olivia knew that she wasn’t supposed to know she had learned from eavesdropping on her brothers. Sadly, they were home so seldom anymore it was putting a true crimp in her education.

The carriage rolled to a stop. A moment later, a footman threw open the door. Mama disembarked first, then Georgiana, then Olivia, all wearing shades of gray, Mama’s so dark it was black. Alice was not in mourning, she wasn’t quite family, but she dressed somberly, nevertheless. Georgiana’s gown was cut very full, a failed attempt to hide the fact that she was increasing. They made an unusual bridal party.

The footman handed Vanessa down last. An unusual bride. Olivia still had a hard time believing Jasper was carrying this off.

Vanessa was beautiful in high-waisted dark-green silk, Taverston-heirloom diamonds sparkling at her ears, but she looked nervous, blinking in the weak October sunlight. Olivia rushed over and squeezed her hand.

“I’m so glad we’re going to be sisters!”

Vanessa smiled faintly. “I am too.”

A score or more curious, excited villagers, all in their Sunday best, gathered in the churchyard. They would stand in the cold as long as necessary to cheer their earl and glimpse his new countess.

Mama swept the bridal party up the stone steps to meet the curate at the church door. They entered, except for Vanessa, who waited to be summoned. Jasper’s closest friend, the endearingly amusing Viscount Haslet, known to all as Hazard, approached and gave one arm to Georgiana and one to Alice, to usher them to the family pew before joining Jasper at the front of the church. Olivia started when Reg stepped forward to escort Mama. Hadn’t he volunteered to walk Vanessa down the aisle?

A good-looking stranger about Olivia’s own age stood in the back. His clothing was fine. His bearing was confident. Olivia could not put her finger on why he looked familiar. Then she did. He had Vanessa’s eyes. Vanessa was estranged from her family, but someone had come, and, given the limited attendance, he stood out.

The ceremony was small by choice. Not only were the Taverstons still in mourning, but the exclusive guest list was also strategic. They didn’t invite anyone who might be tempted to snub them with a “no.” Olivia felt confident that Jasper’s popularity and influence would soon have the ton clamoring for invitations to his parties, but best not to test this on his wedding day.

Music began, the deep sonorous strains of Handel’s Alla Hornpipe—Olivia’s cue to begin processing down the aisle. Vanessa had asked her to stand up with her. The fact that Mama permitted it, despite the potential for scandalizing the ton even further, made all the difference.

Olivia matched her stride to the organ’s refrain, then cast her gaze side-to-side, taking it all in. Oh! There! Crispin! Crispin was here! Her giddiness erupted into sheer joy.