Page 59 of Waiting for Love

“Welsh?” Reg said. “I’ve never met him.”

“You might know his sons. Although they are quite young. The younger might still be at Eton.”

Reg hmmmed. “Is Chesterfield a friend of your father?”

“Not a friend. Merely an acquaintance.” Her brow knitted. She looked at her hands. “I don’t know anything about him, really. I don’t think he spends much time in London.”

“Maybe he is the mysterious hound owner who invited Hazard for Christmas.” Reg grinned. Alice did not. She looked nervous and didn’t say anything more. Benjamin felt he’d misstepped by bringing up the name. He couldn’t quite forget the tenderness of that “Rupe” or Hazard’s uncharacteristic blush.

He glanced about for a change of topic. “Iversley promised tea.”

“Oh!” Olivia jumped up. “It’s gone cold. I’ll ring for fresh.”

“No. Please don’t bother. I came to meet Arthur, but I shouldn’t linger. I want to be there if Hannah wakes. In case she is confused.” He added, to excuse himself for his return, “I—I couldn’t keep her in London. She was miserable.”

Olivia nodded. “Poor girl. I can empathize.”

*

After Jasper had finished with Boring, and after the man had been shown his guest chamber and tidied himself up, he returned to Benjamin to be introduced to the ladies. How that had become Benjamin’s job, he could not fathom. Nevertheless, he escorted Boring to the parlor. Boring carried a small valise and a large, rolled piece of paper. His face glowed with excitement.

“Ladies,” Benjamin said, “this is Mr. Boring.” He introduced the women. Mr. Boring bowed earnestly to each in turn. “You’ve met Iversley. And this is Mr. Taverston.” He gestured to Reg.

“Now, what do you have for us?” Jasper said, taking a seat on the arm of Vanessa’s chair. “You said you had a plan?”

“Indeed.” A faint sheen of sweat dampened his brow. “May I?”

Jasper made a sweeping motion with his hand. He looked curious and amused. Vanessa, on the other hand, frowned.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, you present formidably,” Mr. Boring said, bobbing his head as though he were agreeing with them, rather than asking them to agree with him. “And more formidably en masse. You must all arrive in London together.”

“That was our intention,” Jasper said. Then he glanced toward his brother. “Though with the possible exception of Mr. Taverston. He has an engagement.”

Mr. Boring frowned. “Of course. But he should not miss Lady Olivia’s ball.”

“I will not,” Reg said. “If necessary, I will reschedule—”

“Reg!” Olivia protested. “You needn’t do that.”

Mr. Boring pressed on as if there had been no interruption. “It is clever to skip the preliminaries and make your entrance after the start of the Season. It will create an impression. But that should not be carried too far.” He glanced about nervously, as though worried he might be giving offense. When no one spoke, he said, “April at the latest. Once you arrive, it would be best to have Lady Olivia presented at Court at the earliest possible date, followed as soon as possible by her coming-out ball. The very same night if we can arrange it.”

“The reasoning being?” the dowager asked.

Mr. Boring’s attention swiveled to her. “My lady, we wish to stun Society in one blow. I don’t presume to tell you…” His face reddened. His gaze dropped. Then he presumed. “There is gossip, naturally. But it is tepid. The ton is easily distracted and while Lord and Lady Iversley are tucked away here, they are somewhat out of mind.”

Jasper gave a choked little laugh, but no one else was amused. Benjamin imagined Jasper was astonished at the thought he could be “out of mind.”

Boring continued, “Lady Olivia should ‘take the stage,’ if you will, before any ugly gossip has time to take hold or factions might form.”

“And I should keep to the background,” Vanessa said.

“Ah, no, my lady, if you please. That would be the worst thing to do. The ton will smell blood. Your success depends upon you’re being—”

“Fearless and unapologetic,” Olivia said.

“Visible and commanding,” Boring said.

“But in different spheres,” said the dowager. She stood as though to stare the man down. “The countess is not my daughter’s sponsor. I am. While I agree that Lady Iversley must not play shrinking violet, neither should she and Lady Olivia appear to be clinging to one another for support. They have different strengths. They must divide and conquer.”