Page 32 of Waiting for Love

Chapter Twelve

The table seating had been rearranged again. Olivia thought it must have been Mama’s doing because Vanessa would not have placed her mother-in-law at the foot of the table with Miss Jamison and Hannah. Olivia scanned the remaining chairs. Jasper sat at the head, of course, with Vanessa beside him on his right. Then Georgiana, Benjamin, and finally, Alice. Crispin had the place to Jasper’s left. Olivia was next to Crispin. And then Reg. The Taverston siblings reunited!

She took her seat and tried not to let sorrow intrude upon her gladness. She wanted to hold onto this. They were never all together anymore except for special occasions: funerals, weddings, births. The next wedding would likely be hers. And then Chaumbers would no longer be home, and she would no longer be a Taverston.

She caught Benjamin’s eye across the table. He looked wistful too. He quickly averted his gaze.

Circulating footmen began setting bowls of orange soup in front of them.

“So, tell me, Jasp. How was Binnings?” Crispin asked, in a tone that was far too innocuous. He was starting something.

Jasper groaned. Vanessa bit her lip to keep back a smile. Olivia knew Crispin’s cottage was in a sad state of repair, but he wanted to restore it himself. Without Jasper’s interference.

“Mother said you came home early from your honeymoon?” Crispin pressed. Then he glanced down at his bowl. “What is this?”

“Pumpkin,” Olivia said. “Pumpkin and cream. The Crofts have started growing it. It’s very good.”

He dipped his spoon and tasted. Then grimaced and set it aside. The footman behind him replaced it at once with a bowl of broth. Olivia ignored this. As did everyone else.

Jasper said, “Yes, we came home early.” He sounded defensive and annoyed. “Vanessa refused to let me touch anything.”

Crispin sniggered. Olivia was slow to catch why, but saw Reg and Benjamin repressing laughter and even Georgiana smiled. Oh! She got it. Jasper’s face reddened as he realized what he’d said.

Vanessa smiled wickedly. “I told him to restrain himself. But he insists on having his way.”

Now everyone laughed, everyone at their end of the table. Mama and Mrs. Jamison were engaged in a conversation of their own.

When the laughter subsided, Crispin said, “Confess. What did you fix?”

After a grudging moment, Jasper said, “I had the chimneys swept. They were dense with soot, and I thought it better than letting the place burn to the ground. Maybe I was mistaken.”

Crispin tapped his spoon lightly on the table. “What else?”

“Nothing of note.”

Vanessa cleared her throat.

Crispin said, “You brought six servants with you. Where did they sleep?” The spoon tap-tap-tapped. A little louder.

Jasper let out a huff. “I had to have the roof patched. It was leaking and the attic stank of must.”

“So you had the servants’ quarters cleaned as well.”

“Yes. Lud, stop with that drumming, Crispin. If you must know, I also had a Rumford stove installed in the kitchen. Mrs. Badge cannot cook in an open hearth.”

“Mrs. Badge cannot cook,” Crispin said, resting his spoon. “A stove will not help.”

Olivia couldn’t tell if Crispin was amused or angry. It made a little knot form in her chest.

Then Crispin laughed and everything was right again. “Vanessa said you came home because you found a mouse in your boot.”

Jasper’s expression turned wry. “That was not the only reason, but it was the most compelling.”

“Well,” Crispin said, “I thank you for your restraint. I’ll look into hiring someone. I know it’s too much for the Badges.”

“I will—”

“No, Jasper. I will.” Then he grinned. “Or I’ll ask Benjamin. He doesn’t seem to have enough to do.”