Page 39 of Waiting for Love

“She’s been so frightened.”

“Frightened?”

“She lost one before. Henry’s. At Corunna.”

She’d been a war widow, Benjamin recalled. Henry must have been the husband.

Reg gasped. “Oh, God, Jasp. God. I’m so sorry. She must be devastated.”

“I don’t know how to tell her it’s all right. She feels so much pressure.” Jasper slammed his hand on the desk. “I hate this!”

Reg looked sick. And clearly, he didn’t know what to say to that either.

Vanessa was not only mourning the loss of a babe, but worried she could not give Jasper the heir he needed. And how was Jasper to give vent to his own sorrow without making Vanessa feel worse?

Stil, Benjamin couldn’t stop his thoughts from returning to Olivia. For all Jasper “needed” an heir, he had two perfectly capable brothers. The Taverston line was well secured. And even if it weren’t, Jasper would always love and cherish Vanessa, son or no son. Not every lady was so fortunate.

They sat in a very brooding silence. Then Jasper asked, “How is Georgiana?”

“She feels terrible. I mean, she’s fine, but she feels terrible.”

“Vanessa says she doesn’t want to…she doesn’t want Georgiana, or you, to feel you have to…to hide your joy. She’s happy for you. She is.”

Reg nodded. Then Benjamin asked, because the question kept gnawing at him after having seen her so lost and alone, “Where is Olivia? Is anyone with her?”

Jasper looked startled. “I don’t know.”

“She’s with Georgiana,” Reg said. He threw up his hands. “They are all in there with Georgiana. It’s a veritable clucking henhouse. And they all want to descend upon Vanessa.”

“Tomorrow.”

“All right. I’ll let them know. Not yet.”

Jasper nodded, then turned to Benjamin. “I do have a request for you. Would you ride into the village and find Mr. Leighton? Reverend Brindle is away, but Vanessa likes the curate better anyway. We’ll need a burial. Private. Tell him very private. Here. Not tomorrow, I don’t think. The next day.”

“I’ll go right away.”

“Tomorrow morning is soon enough.”

Reg put a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “I’d best go back to Georgiana if you are all right.”

“Yes. Go. And please tell Georgiana…you know.”

“I will.” He looked to Benjamin. “Good night. I suppose I will see you in the morning.”

Benjamin started to rise, but Jasper said, “Wait a moment, Benjamin. I had some questions about the reports, if you will.”

He sat back down. Jasper waited with one eye on the door until it closed behind Reg.

Benjamin said, “Mr. Tate’s recommendations are reasonable. I—”

“The hell with Tate. I intend to drink that bottle dry. Will you stay?”

Benjamin nodded. “I’ll help.” Here at last was one thing he could do.

Chapter Fifteen

Olivia woke early. Although she could see drizzle through her windows, she asked Tansy for her brown riding habit.