Page 102 of Waiting for Love

“It would not take arm twisting.” He studied her as if trying, really trying, to see her. “What are your criteria?” His voice changed. Almost teasing. “You must have some. All ladies do.” He smiled.

“Criteria?” Well, then. “Someone who values me for more than being your sister and the future mother of his son.”

Jasper’s smile froze. Then wilted. He stood. “You don’t have a make a match your first Season. Alice is wrong. Waiting for love is not wasting your life.”

She nodded.

“Come,” he said. “Let’s finish our game. I know Alice has been teaching you tricks. She beat Crispin once, did you know? Show me what you’ve learned.”

*

Jasper won and Olivia thanked him for not letting her win. Afterward, he left her alone to practice. She opened the window for air and then did practice a while. Until she became aware of yelling coming from the gardens. Hannah’s high-pitched yelling and laughter. She went to the window and scanned the garden until she spotted them. Hannah was on Benjamin’s shoulders, and he was lolloping in circles.

Olivia raced down two flights of stairs and out the side door. Reaching the garden, she walked more sedately, catching her breath, and pretended to come across them while out for a stroll.

“Olly! Olly! I’m riding!” Hannah cried, smacking her father on the head.

“I can see that.” Olivia grinned.

Benjamin held onto Hannah’s feet and legs as he ambled up to a stacked pile of bricks.

“Jump, Papa!”

Benjamin stepped carefully over the pile and Hannah squealed with delight. Benjamin laughed too. And Olivia had to laugh with them.

“Again, again,” the tyrant demanded.

Benjamin trotted around in a circle.

“Make my horse fall down!”

When Benjamin reached the pile, he nudged it with his foot and then sank to his knees beside it. Hannah shrieked, giggling and patting Benjamin’s hair.

“Up, Papa! Up! Fall down again,” she said, bouncing on his shoulders.

He got back to his feet, red-faced from laughing.

“Benjamin, what are you teaching her?”

“I have no earthly idea.”

“Play with us, Olly.”

Olivia shrugged and then galloped up alongside and let out a piercing whinny. Benjamin collapsed back to his knees, guffawing, and had to lift Hannah from his shoulders to set her on the ground until he could stop. His laughter and Hannah’s giggling warmed her heart.

Olivia took Hannah’s hand and they both skipped around the dirt and grass, making horse noises, until they reached the bricks and Olivia swung her over.

Benjamin watched a while, then got back to his feet, and joined them. Olivia could not ever remember being so happy.

Until she came face to face with Jasper.

He had the oddest expression. As if trying not to be angry while unsure that he even should be. He regarded Olivia for a moment and then Benjamin. Benjamin let go of Hannah’s hand and quailed.

“Iversley.”

“Benjamin. Would you settle Hannah with Miss Jamison and come to my study? We have something we need to discuss.”

*