Page 66 of Waiting for Love

Jasper scowled at his brother. “This ridiculous frugality needs to stop. I’m putting another fifty pounds into your account. That child needs a nursemaid. Hire one. Georgiana is worn to the bone.”

Reg inhaled sharply. His jaw hardened and he flushed a deep shade of red. Benjamin winced inwardly. For a man celebrated for his charm, there were times Jasper had no tact at all.

Reg spoke in a voice as tight as a vice. “If you ever, ever, disparage my care for my family again, I will lay you out flat.”

Jasper reeled back stunned. “I only meant—”

Vanessa put a hand on his sleeve, and he went silent. Then he cleared his throat. “I apologize. It is not my concern.”

Reg nodded. The rest of the room let out a collective held breath. That was not the usual jovial Taverston bickering.

Reg said, “If you must know, we have engaged a nursemaid in Cambridge who will begin when we return. Until then, I have asked Milly Hearn to accompany Georgiana to London.”

“To London?” Jasper’s eyes widened. Again, Vanessa put her hand on his arm.

With a long-suffering sigh, Reg said, “Georgiana is perfectly well. And she wants to go to London to see Olivia launched. I’ll only be at Oxford for a few days and then I will join her. Arthur will be fine. Milly has six siblings and knows everything about babies that she needs to.”

Milly was the eldest daughter of one of Jasper’s tenants. A young thing, but older than her years. Benjamin understood Taverstons were once again closing ranks. Having Georgiana in London would be good for Olivia. Good for Vanessa too.

Jasper had a stoppered look on his face. He wanted to say more. After another moment, Reg took pity on him.

“Jasper, if I should ever find myself financially distressed, I will not hesitate to ask for help. But we can afford a nursemaid. Benjamin found tenants for the upper floors of my house in Bath. A quiet older couple who have already made themselves beloved by our aunts.”

“You’ve leased out part of the house?” Jasper said.

As Reg nodded, Benjamin felt his gut tighten, and then flip over when Jasper turned his scrutiny upon him. Thankfully, he quickly returned to Reg.

“An ingenious solution. I would not have thought of it.”

“Benjamin thought of it.”

“It was Tate who suggested it,” Benjamin said. “He said it was your father’s idea. In case Mr. Taverston did not want to go into the Church.”

Jasper drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair, then put all that aside in the way that he could. “So Georgiana and Reg will be in London. Good. Benjamin, this brings me back to you.” He cleared his throat. “I know you are not eager to return to the city with Hannah, but I could use you there and I hope you will come.”

“To London? Now?” Startled, he held his head still to keep his gaze from going to Olivia. “Why?”

“Our underbutler, Finley, sent word to Peters that there is water seeping into the wine cellar. I told Peters to tell Finley to hire someone, but apparently that sort of thing was always handled by Bradwell. Peters said there are other repairs that need to be seen to, too.” Jasper pursed his lips. “I knew Chaumbers was being neglected but I didn’t realize the townhouse was falling apart.”

“I didn’t notice any disrepair when I was there.” That disturbed him. He should have.

“I doubt it’s noticeable unless you are going down into the cellars. Or up and down the back stairs.” With a grimace, Jasper said, “I know you were hired to look after Chaumbers. If this is too much—”

“No. It is not. No. Things are in hand here. I can certainly go to London.”

This would be a nightmare.

“Good.” Jasper’s brow cleared and he grinned. “Can you be ready to leave by tomorrow morning?”

Feeling lightheaded, he answered, “Yes, of course.”

Then he glanced around the room for excuse to see Olivia’s reaction. Her eyes were wild. He couldn’t tell whether she was pleased or horrified. How could he? He didn’t know if he was pleased or horrified himself.

*

It was like traveling in a bloody king’s train.

The earl’s coach did not suffice so the ladies divided themselves between the coach and a lesser carriage. Three more vehicles were required for servants and baggage. Outriders guarded the procession ahead and behind. Jasper and Benjamin rode alongside. Benjamin was lent a very fine horse, one of Jasper’s personal mounts. Which was either another one of his unlooked-for and unnecessary gestures of friendship or a reward for Benjamin’s pliancy. For the first part of the journey, Jasper permitted Olivia to ride Oatmeal, with the understanding that at the first posting station, she would give over the reins and enter the coach. Debutantes did not enter London on horseback.