Page 4 of Waiting for Love

He nodded, apparently wordless as well. But he gathered himself and, turning to Crispin, said, “I am indebted to Iversley for the opportunity he’s given me. It will allow me to bring Hannah up in safety.”

“In safety?” Crispin squinched his brow.

“Meaning not in poverty.”

Benjamin’s answer was so blunt that Crispin’s head drew back, and he blinked three times. It was rare to see him caught unprepared. But the reaction was only momentary. Crispin put a hand on Benjamin’s arm, squeezed it, then pulled away.

“I understand that, Benjamin. But don’t forget you are also our friend. And don’t,” his eyes narrowed, “make me remind you of what I owe to you.”

“You don’t owe—”

“Very good.” Crispin laughed. “I always say friends don’t tally debts. That way, I come out ahead.”

Benjamin breathed out a huff. Olivia wondered what Crispin could possibly owe Benjamin. This was the trouble with her having been so young when the three met at Oxford. She didn’t know how their friendship started. Only that, naturally, they had drifted apart after Benjamin went to Canada. He wouldn’t have said anything to her brothers about…the billiard room, but they hadn’t been blind to her adoration. She wondered if his mention of indebtedness and poverty was made for her ears rather than Crispin’s.

Well, he needn’t warn her off. She’d learned her lesson. And they were different people now than they had been. In fact, it was conceited of him to think she still cared.

Clinking began again. This time, Hazard stood, glass raised. They all got to their feet and lifted their champagne flutes, even Crispin, who normally avoided all spirits as though they were poison.

“A toast to Lady Iversley, whose entrance into the Taverston family saga still has me agog. And to Iversley himself. The very best man that I know.”

Before anyone could cheer, Jasper protested, grinning, “After Crispin and Reg.”

Hazard cocked his head a moment, then said, “The third best man that I know.” And quaffed his drink.

Olivia laughed along with the others as she sipped, though it seemed to her Hazard and Jasper were exchanging private jokes. Or maybe it didn’t matter after scads of champagne on empty stomachs combined with an abundance of joy. Everything and anything would make them laugh.

Hazard sat back down and said something to Alice, whose face brightened as she nodded vigorously.

“What are they talking about?” she wondered.

“Who?” Crispin asked.

“Alice and Hazard.”

He chewed his lip a moment, regarding them. Then said in tone so disgruntled it had to be genuine, “Bedeviled if I know.”

She giggled. To her delight, Benjamin laughed too.

Jeremy jostled Crispin’s arm. “Captain, now that we’re old enough, Jeffrey and I want to enlist. Don’t you think we should?”

Jeffrey put in eagerly, “Could we join your regiment? Father couldn’t say no if—”

“Boys,” Crispin said, unsmiling, talking down. “This is a wedding. No war talk.”

“Yes, but don’t you think it’s our duty?” Jeremy pressed. “If you speak with our father—”

“Do not put me between the king and your father.” He used a tone of voice that chilled Olivia’s blood and left the twins slack-jawed.

To Olivia’s relief, the clinking started up once more.

Lord Billings, an old friend of the family, made a dull toast to the happy couple. More champagne followed. And then Squire Willowsett rose and said something jumbled about the beauty of love or the duty of love, and they all drank to whichever.

The sight and smell of sausages was beginning to make Olivia queasy. She nibbled her bread roll instead. Her head felt heavy and her body warm. She was afraid to look in Benjamin’s direction, afraid she would say something she didn’t mean to say.

This was silly. The tables were set up so that people could move around. She would go join Hazard. He was her friend before he’d become Alice’s. And if she said anything stupid, it would be of no consequence.

She stood abruptly. Jeremy gave a cheer and started clinking his glass with his spoon. The clattering rose to a crescendo and everyone watched her and waited. Mama looked alarmed. The young marquess at her table seemed to perk up.