Page 72 of Waiting for Love

Then they returned to the ballroom. Olivia’s feet hurt and she feared she would begin yawning. It was nearing four o’clock. The ball would last until dawn.

The Duke of Lythe strutted up to claim her for the next set. She curtsied, but on rising, said, “Your Grace, I fear you are mistaken. Lord Crawford asked for this dance.”

“He yielded it to me. Unless that is unacceptable to you?”

“Of course not, Your Grace.” Not unacceptable but terribly uncomfortable.

They formed their squares. From the corner of her eye, Olivia saw Benjamin enter the room. She watched him pause, scan the company, and then make a beeline for Jasper. He didn’t reach him before the music started, so he moved to the wall to wait. Olivia couldn’t concentrate. She missed a few steps. Worse, she missed what the duke was saying and had to ask him to repeat himself.

“I said,” he said with a wry face, “that you are extraordinarily pretty.”

“Oh, good heavens. I’m sorry to ask you to say that twice.”

He smiled. “I think the appropriate answer is, ‘Thank you, Your Grace.’”

She laughed. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m afraid my brain is not working right. I am not used to keeping such hours.”

“Fresh from the country,” he said, his eyes darkening in a way that caused a shudder to run down the back of her neck. Surely she was mistaking that look. He was old enough to be her grandfather.

They parted for the next steps. When they returned to each other, he wore a lighter expression. “Lady Olivia, I hear you are an extraordinary horsewoman. Your brother boasts of you all the time.”

“How very kind of him.”

“I think you would like a mare of mine. A true goer. Comes from the same lineage as Wellington’s Copenhagen. Perhaps you will ride with me one morning.”

Copenhagen! She all but shouted, “Yes!”

“You have a stunning smile. Though I am heartbroken to think the smile is meant for Cassiopeia not for me.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond. He was flirting. And she was smiling because of the horse.

The music ended and they changed lines for the next dance in the set. She glanced around for Jasper and Benjamin, and saw them conferring, very excitedly, in the doorway. The musicians started, but at a gesture from Jasper, they wheezed to a stop.

He marched up onto the platform. He didn’t need to call for silence because everyone had already quieted, curious to hear what the Earl of Iversley had to say.

“My friends,” he began in a clear, carrying voice. “The rumors we have all been hearing are true.”

Rumors?

A hum began and then ceased. Everyone strained to catch every word.

“The war is over,” Jasper said. “Napoleon has abdicated.”

A roar went up. Shouting. Clapping. Stomping. The duke snatched Olivia up and swirled her around. “Excuse me,” she shouted, pressing herself away. She abandoned him on the dance floor to make her way toward the orchestra’s platform. When she was halfway there, Alice caught up with her and grabbed her hand. Meanwhile, Jasper had the musicians strike up “Rule, Britannia!” The cheering went on and on.

Reg joined them as they made their way to Jasper and Benjamin. Hazard was already there. Vanessa and Mama came rushing toward them. In the midst of their laughing and crying and saying over and over “Crispin! Crispin will be coming home!” they embraced each other and spun about and embraced each other more.

Benjamin caught her in his arms. Held her. Then released her. She turned to hug Hazard again, but saw his arms wrapped around Alice. His eyes were closed and there were tears on his cheeks.

Jasper leaned toward her and yelled in her ear. “I believe your ball is over. But my God, Livvy-pet. What a blessed success!”

Chapter Twenty-Four

From the depths to the pinnacle. It was maddening.

First, Benjamin thought there was no better example of aristocratic idiocy than the sight of Olivia in that birdcage of a dress.

Second, Jasper had spared no expense for his sister’s coming-out. Nor should he have. All day long, while the family was at Court, Benjamin stood ready to approve any last-minute expenditures as Peters—who had returned to London along with the bulk of the household staff—supervised the army of caterers, florists, and musicians’ assistants, coming and going with their wares, as well as extra servants hired for the occasion. He tried telling himself that every shilling Jasper spent was a shilling earned by someone who needed it. He tried reminding himself that this was all for Olivia.