Page 42 of Waiting for Love

Benjamin’s eyes widened with surprise. “Is the duke supposed to come for that?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged, feeling an unexpected pang of grief. “My father would have.”

“Hmm.” He looked as though he wanted to say something sympathetic. Instead, he said, “The timing may not be unfortunate. Maybe everyone could use a joyous event. Besides, Jasper and Vanessa won’t begrudge—”

“No, of course not.”

She decided not to point out that, when he was not being conscientious, Benjamin reverted to everyone’s Christian names.

A clip-clop of hooves sounded on the cobblestones, and she glanced over toward the stalls to see George and a new young groom leading Dandy and Goose.

“Here you go,” George said. “Give’er a leg up there, Jim.”

“I’ll do it,” Benjamin said, stepping in.

He didn’t simply make a cradle of his hands, but lifted her by the waist the way a gentleman would. She found she had to steady herself with a heavy hand on his shoulder until she was firmly seated.

“Ha!” she laughed, embarrassed by her lack of grace. “We’ll have to practice.”

He turned to mount Goose without replying. His refusal to flirt, even the tiniest bit, was either endearing or insulting. She rode out the door, Goose close behind. She had made no decision where to go, though she had been thinking she’d head to the orchard rather than the lake. She waited to see if Benjamin might suggest they ride part of the way together.

As they emerged into the open ground before the stable, he tipped his hat once more and said, “Perhaps I will see you this evening.”

The orchard it would be.

*

Jasper circulated word that tea would take place in the parlor at four o’clock. Olivia, who had been sharing a Radcliffe novel with Alice, side-by-side on the davenport in the ladies’ sitting room, closed the book abruptly at quarter to four.

“Let’s be early for once.” This was not the time to test Mama’s patience.

Alice looked rather peaked. She wore the somber blue frock she’d worn to the wedding, which was not very flattering, but it was not only that. She seemed uncharacteristically listless. Olivia had asked her if she was feeling well, and Alice replied only that the duchess was smothering poor Georgiana. But when Olivia asked if Georgiana’s pains had begun, she’d said, “No. Why?”

Olivia didn’t mention Reg sending Fergus on an errand. Everything felt upside down and inside out.

They were the first to arrive in the parlor and took seats as solemnly as if they were in church. Hands folded in their laps, they sat in silence as maids brought in a large teapot and plates of biscuits and sandwiches. They set them on the serving table, then made brief curtsies and tiptoed from the room.

A moment later, Benjamin entered. He seemed amused to see them sitting there like statuettes. He bowed. “Ladies.” He went to the fireplace and stood with his back to the fire, hands behind his back.

He looked terribly handsome, Olivia thought. He had changed clothes since his early morning ride. His hair had a glossy sheen to it. He’d shaved. And his dark, plain jacket and trousers were almost comically correct. His neckcloth was tied very simply, more simply than even Reg’s would be, and Reg had once argued that having valets spend hours learning elaborate methods of tying cravats was an affront to good sense.

Reg, Georgiana, and the duchess were next to show. It was funny to see Georgiana lumbering, but of course, Georgiana could look graceful lumbering and was beautiful even though she appeared ready to give birth at any moment. The duchess looked dyspeptic. Poor Reg simply seemed tired. He escorted Georgiana to a chair, fussed with pillows behind her back, then retreated to stand beside Benjamin.

Jasper also arrived early. He glanced around the room and his lips curled into a smile.

“This is…rather fun.” He strode to the clock on the wall and advanced the hands by ten minutes. He turned around and faced them. “When Mother arrives, we must all look at the clock and then frown at her sternly.”

Olivia giggled. They quieted quickly and listened for footsteps. Mama entered the room and stopped abruptly, startled. Everyone obeyed Jasper’s request with the precision of trained actors. Olivia thought she’d never seen her mother so nonplussed. Jasper burst out laughing, and of course, they all did. Even the duchess. Even Mama.

Olivia’s heart swelled. She loved her family so much.

As the laughter subsided, she sneaked a glance at Benjamin, who might not quite understand the joke they’d played, turning the tables on Mama. He was smiling, but the smile looked brittle, as if a tap might shatter it to pieces.

They settled in. Mama poured. They sipped tea and ate cakes, saying meaningless things until Jasper cleared his throat. Silence fell.

“Mr. Leighton will be here tomorrow morning. We will bury my daughter in the grove on the far side of the lake.”

A daughter. Only a daughter. Benjamin returned the glance Olivia gave him, his eyes brimming with sympathy. There were nods and a few hums. Olivia recalled that the grove had been a favorite place of Jasper’s long ago. She hadn’t known he still visited it. It was a lovely, peaceful spot.