Page 25 of Waiting for Love

“The man has the devil’s own luck,” Jasper said. Then he waved his hand to end the discussion. It was not for Christmas Eve.

The food was exceptional. A large joint of beef. Fresh bread. Mashed turnips. Dried berries and cream. Pickled asparaguses. Blood pudding. He could go on. An overly attentive footman topped off his wine glass practically every time he picked it up and set it down. He’d lost track of how much he had imbibed until his ears started to thrum.

After the final course, which included a towering cake, a bite of which made Hannah squeal with delight, and a round of claret, the dowager suggested they retire to the drawing room. Miss Jamison offered to take Hannah back to the south wing, but Vanessa said, “Oh, no. Miss Jamison, we want you with us.” Benjamin could not allow her to withdraw after that. Especially not when she flushed with evident pleasure.

They all rose from the table. Benjamin took Hannah’s hand, but before they reached the door, Reg swooped down upon them and scooped her up.

“Practice,” he said, carting her off, calling, “Georgiana, look what I’ve got!”

Benjamin found himself walking beside Olivia. He wasn’t sure how. He thought she might have waited for him, but his head was foggy enough that he might have hurried to catch up to her. High time he got this over with.

“Olivia.” God damn him. He was foxed. “Lady Olivia.”

She inclined her head. “Mr. Carroll?”

“I should apologize.”

Her brow furrowed. “For?”

“For scolding you for being kind to Hannah.” That sounded right. Right enough.

“Seeing as it is Christmas, I will accept your apology.” She sounded more curious than angry.

“I should also explain.”

“Yes? Well, I am listening.”

“Oh, God.” Why had he said that? “I should, but I won’t. Damn. I mean—” Horrified, he realized he had just sworn at her. “Pardon me.”

“Mr. Carroll, I believe you may be bosky.” Her eyes were wide with amusement. And her lips curled. God, those lips.

“Your footman was overgenerous.”

She laughed. “Fie, sir! Blaming the footman?”

“Yes. No.” He smiled awkwardly, aware he was making an idiot of himself. “I should have paid more attention.”

“Benjamin!” Jasper called over his shoulder. “Come help me haul the card table into the drawing room. I had the parlor arranged, but Mother says drawing room.”

“The parlor is too drafty,” the dowager said. “I don’t want Georgiana catching a chill.”

“That is unlikely.” Georgiana half-laughed, half-groaned. “I feel as though I’m being cooked like tomorrow’s goose.”

“Mother says drawing room,” Jasper insisted. Then, laughing, “Benjamin, come along.”

Benjamin hurried forward, a smile stretched across his face. Were they all a bit bosky? Or had Jasper just ordered him away from Olivia?

Chapter Ten

Olivia simply wanted to relax and enjoy her last Taverston family Christmas. She had tried to be lively, cheerful, and mature when Benjamin approached her to apologize, but she didn’t know what to think when he said he should explain himself but wouldn’t. That made it worse. However, watching Benjamin with Jasper as they tried to wrestle the card table across the threshold gave her to conclude that the men were all just drunk. Even Reg was speaking more loudly and slower than usual, as he and Georgiana set up a chessboard in a corner. Chess. That must be Georgiana’s influence. Reg had never been fond of chess.

“Oh!” Alice cried out in exasperation, making Olivia jump. “Turn it on its side and lead with the legs. For heaven’s sake!”

After a burst of laughter, Jasper and Benjamin managed to tilt the table and thread two legs through the door, then turn it to maneuver the rest. Benjamin was in front, walking backwards. The close fit of his jacket, cut tight to form, emphasized his muscular shoulders. Olivia felt shy, watching, but could not look away.

At last, they were through the door and situated the table close to the fire.

“Piquet?” Jasper said. Benjamin nodded. They sat down to play.