Page 65 of Waiting for Love

“I—” His expression was full of regret, sorrow, a dose of self-loathing. It made her mad.

“I don’t want a parting kiss. Some ridiculously melodramatic goodbye. Don’t kiss me now unless you intend to kiss me again tomorrow. And the next day and the next.”

His hands fell to his sides, and he stepped back.

“That is what I thought.” With a firmness of resolve she did not feel, she spun around, stepped onto the stump, and mounted Dandy. She was perfectly capable of doing it herself. Then she clicked her tongue and urged the horse along, without looking back.

Chapter Twenty-Two

In late March, the Duke and Duchess of Hovington returned to London. They carted Mr. Boring off with them so that he could “engage in ton reconnaissance.” It was settled. Olivia was to leave Chaumbers the first week in April.

Until then, Benjamin avoided her as best he could. When their paths did cross, Olivia seemed a different person. She treated him as another bothersome brother, with just the right measure of affection and disdain. Her giddy anticipation of her upcoming Season might have convinced even him that she had nothing on her mind but suitors and balls. It crushed him.

He was devastated, but Chaumbers estate was poised to thrive. He had brought every debt in arrears up to date. Miraculously, the tenants had no current complaints. Now he could start looking forward: finding a hardier strain of wheat seed, purchasing a strong young boar for stud, draining the mucky portion of the meadow near the lake. The cottage should be habitable by April’s end. There were two healthy foals in the stable. Buds were beginning to appear on the trees. Of course, Benjamin could not take credit for the foals or the trees, but he believed he had proven himself a capable steward. A blackguard, certainly, but a capable steward.

After a day spent helping the Fowlers patch their chicken coop, he found a summons from Jasper: his presence was required at tea. He changed from his sweaty clothes and dirty riding boots into more appropriate attire. A glance in the mirror showed a touch of sunburn. He’d forgotten his hat when he went about yesterday, something a gentleman would never do.

Miss Jamison and Hannah were at the dower house, so Benjamin had to face today’s gathering alone. He walked the long corridors, footsteps echoing, until he reached the main part of the house, and jogged up the stairs to the parlor. Reg and Georgiana were already there. Arthur slept in a bassinet in the corner, so they greeted Benjamin in quiet tones.

Two days earlier, Reg had ridden out to the cottage with him, so they returned to the discussion of the work being done. When Jasper and Vanessa arrived, conversation shifted to the lecture Reg was to give in Oxford in a couple of weeks. Alice wandered in. And finally, Olivia arrived, glowing from exertion, her hair braided unevenly as if she had done it herself. She brought with her the scent of springtime.

“I’m so sorry. Am I late?” she asked, stripping off her gloves. She wore her blue riding habit. The one he particularly liked. He thought it might have grown too small for her. When she took long strides, it conformed to the shape of her legs. “I’m famished. I was down at the Crofts saying goodbye to the pugs.”

“To the Crofts, too, I hope,” Reg said.

Olivia stuck out her tongue.

Vanessa laughed and pulled the bell cord. They all settled into the chairs, talking of nothing serious, simply pleased to be in one another’s company. Tea arrived a few minutes later. Vanessa poured. Jasper sat on the edge of his chair. The moment everyone had tea in their cups, he spoke.

“There is a change in plans. I don’t wish to pull rank—”

“But you will.” Olivia laughed.

“Yes, I will. I had a letter from Hazard. There are some debates coming to the floor that he says I ought not to miss.”

“Debates?” Alice’s eyes sparked. “Which issues?”

Jasper gave her a narrow look. “Something about a statue of Granville Sharp, for one. I take it Hazard will be speaking.”

Alice smiled like a cat in cream.

It was very clever of Hazard. A small motion to put forth. It would receive the votes. Likely by a sizable majority. After all, the abolitionist was unobjectionable now that he was dead.

Jasper continued, “The weather promises clear for tomorrow.”

“We’re leaving tomorrow?” Olivia’s eyes met Benjamin’s before she peeled them away. “But my things are not packed.”

“They are mostly,” Vanessa said. “And can be by morning. We would only spend the next ten days twiddling our thumbs, waiting to go.”

“I suppose.” Olivia smiled a little too brightly. “London! It doesn’t seem real.”

“There is more.” Jasper turned his gaze to Benjamin. “I hate to do this.”

Benjamin tensed.

At the same moment, Arthur gave an earsplitting screech.

Georgiana sighed. She rose slowly, crossed the room to the bassinet, and hoisted the unhappy infant. She put him on her shoulder, patted his back, said “excuse me,” and went out the door. Reg looked pained. The noise faded as Georgiana walked down the hall.