Page 33 of Waiting for Love

Her brothers all laughed. Benjamin did too, though not as easily. She wondered what that was about.

The conversation settled along more familiar lines as the second course was served.

Olivia enjoyed nothing more in the world than listening to her brothers’ banter. Their light-hearted insults. Mostly Jasper and Crispin played off one another, their voices rising to crescendos then dissolving into laughter. When they brought in Reg, he held his own. Olivia was never mocked, though she was teased, and when she tossed in rejoinders they roared, including her equally. She felt warm and happy and wished dinner would never end.

Cook outdid herself. There was haddock and ham, pudding, potatoes, beans, pickles, three types of black butter, two breads, and Crispin’s crumbly oatmeal biscuits. Their custom was to drink mead rather than wine on Christmas. She was not fond of mead, it had an off-putting earthy scent, but curiously, Crispin partook. She noticed Benjamin drank sparingly, and when the footman came around to refill his cup, he placed his hand over the rim to indicate no. Evidently, he was determined not to repeat the overindulgence of the previous night.

All too soon, footmen served out gingerbread and syllabub.

Ignoring the desserts, Crispin turned to Reg. “How are your translations progressing?”

Reg gave a modest, “Fairly well.”

“Reginald!” Georgiana cried, laughing. “He has been extended an invitation to speak at Oxford come the new year. And Frederick, Mr. Bastion, has offered to front the costs of publishing the first three manuscripts in a small volume. Better than ‘fairly well’!”

Everyone congratulated him and teased him. A book and a babe in the New Year! His brothers were comparative sloths!

After this, talk swirled in quieter eddies until they came to the end of the meal.

“We will retire to the music room,” Mama said. “Crispin has agreed to play for us, and we can sing carols until the villagers come.”

“And dance?” Alice asked.

For some reason, that made Crispin laugh.

Mama touched the brooch at her neck, a plain piece she had worn since Father’s death. Then she nodded. “I suppose we might.”

The music room was a long way from the dining hall, almost all the way to the library. Olivia tried to walk slowly, to give Benjamin opportunity to fall behind as well. But Alice looped an arm through hers and propelled her along.

“Oh, this corridor is chilly,” Alice complained.

Fortunately, the music room had been prepared with a woodfire at one end and a coal brazier at the other. Servants had already lit the lamps. Crispin sat at the pianoforte and let his fingers roam over the keys. He started to sing, and Georgiana added her beautiful soprano. It was such a lovely duet, everyone else simply listened. Then he began to play “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night.” Precious Hannah jumped up and down, singing at the top of her lungs. The family joined in, laughing as much as they sang.

After a few more carols, Georgiana, growing breathless, was obliged to sit. Crispin struck up a country dance.

“Push back the chairs, Taverstons!” he cried.

Olivia clapped her hands, delighted. She hadn’t danced in so long! She helped drag the chairs against the wall. Everyone but Georgiana formed lines and swirled from partner to partner. Reg swung Hannah up into his arms and they passed her around. Soon they were all breathless. Crispin drew the tune to a close.

“All right,” he said, rising from the bench. “Mother, will you entertain us with a waltz?” He gestured for Mama to sit. “Come, Alice. Dance with me.”

“Crispin, really!” Mama scolded.

“Pardon me.” He bowed with a flourish. “Miss Fogbotham, will you do me the great honor?”

Jasper wrapped his arm around Vanessa’s waist. Reg glanced at Georgiana, who shook her head. He offered his hand to Miss Jamison. She blushed bright red, but stood, nodding. That left Benjamin, standing near the brazier, and Olivia, on the opposite side of the carpet. He had little choice but to walk across.

“Will you favor me with a dance, Lady Olivia?”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Carroll.”

Mama began to play. Olivia found Benjamin to be a competent partner, although they might move more gracefully if he did not leave quite so much distance between them and if his hand on her waist was less tentative. Reg looked more comfortable holding Miss Jamison.

Reg danced well, but he tended to heavy-footedness. Jasper and Vanessa, of course, waltzed to perfection. And Crispin spun Alice around the room as if they were in flight. He had a way of keeping to the balls of his feet and steering his partner into extra whirls while still keeping time with the music.

After several minutes, Hannah wriggled away from Georgiana and darted onto the floor toward her father. Reg quickly caught her. Even so, Benjamin drew Olivia closer, as if to shield her from a collision, flattening his palm against her waist and tightening his hold upon her hand. And then they were truly waltzing. Olivia found herself gazing into Benjamin’s dark-gray eyes. Her heart seemed to liquify in her chest. She held her breath, unwilling to break her gaze until he broke his. He pulled her a hair’s breadth closer.

“Whoops!” Alice cried, laughing, as she and Crispin came a little too near.