Page 110 of Waiting for Love

“And Lythe is right. You have been playing fast and loose with your position. It is my…my duty to marry well enough to shore up the family’s social standing.”

Vanessa sank into the nearest chair. “No, Olivia.”

Harsh with hurt, Jasper said, “So I have purchased my happiness by selling away yours? Is that what you think? That I believe love is less important for you than for me?”

“Isn’t it?”

He stared. Then in a very low, gravelly voice, he said, “No. Olivia, I told you love is worth waiting for. I never asked you to sacrifice your happiness. What made you think…” He halted. “Obviously, I’ve made you think so. But nothing could be farther from the truth.”

“So I needn’t marry a peer.”

“Of course not.”

“A second or even third son would be just as acceptable?”

“Any gentleman.” Then he amended, “So long as he is a good man. And you might love one another.”

“But he must needs be a gentleman,” she pressed. She heard Benjamin’s breath catch, but didn’t look at him.

Jasper tensed. His head swiveled to Benjamin and then back again. He let out a pained sigh. “Oh, Livvy. Not this again.”

“No! Jasper, stop!” Benjamin threw up his hands. “You are dead wrong. There is no again. The truth is that I am in love with your sister. I tried to tell you—”

“What!” His face contorted. “Benjamin—”

“I tried to explain! You wouldn’t listen! She hasn’t been bothering me. If anything, I’ve been bothering her.”

Joy filled her. No more secrets. No more denial. She stretched out her hand, and Benjamin crossed the room to take it, while Jasper stared, open-mouthed. Vanessa rose and went to his side. She touched his wrist and murmured, “Jasper?”

“Give me a moment,” he said, then clamped his mouth shut.

“Jasper, I know you must feel I’ve betrayed you,” Benjamin said, squeezing her hand. She wasn’t sure whether he was doing it to reassure her or to stop his own from shaking. “I’m not…not good enough for her.”

“No. No, that isn’t it.” Jasper still sounded befuddled.

Vanessa said, “It isn’t confusing. It makes perfect sense. If you would just stop thinking of your sister as a child.”

“Well, I know she isn’t. But”—he rattled his head—“and it isn’t that Benjamin is a commoner. Surely, I’m not so great a hypocrite as that.”

“Jasper.” Benjamin still sounded apologetic. He dropped her hand. “In spite of my earlier confessions, you must believe I’m no fortune hunter. I love her. I can’t give her the life she deserves, but—”

“Oh, for pity’s sake!” Olivia cried. “What I deserve? What is that? A dressing room full of the latest fashions? To be first on everyone’s invitation list to all the London balls?”

“You deserve to have your children welcome in Society,” Benjamin said. “At the very least.”

“They will be welcome wherever our children are,” Vanessa said firmly. “And that includes Hannah, of course. We can’t promise universal acceptance, but we can promise the Taverston clout. I never thought they would accept me, yet more have than haven’t.”

“Let Benjamin finish,” Jasper said. “I want to hear what he has to say. Frankly, he’s making a better case against than for.”

Benjamin screwed a face at Jasper, then turned his back on him. She had his full focus now. He took both her hands in his. “A home. You deserve a home. A household. Servants. A stable for your horses. Comfort. Security. I can’t promise very much.”

“Enough is as good as a feast.”

The room fell silent.

Then Benjamin said, choking, “I can’t promise enough.”

“That,” Jasper said, “should not be a concern. Are you asking for my permission, Benjamin?”