Page 8 of Waiting for Love

Her brother had not invited any of the young blades in his set, perhaps to keep them from circling about her before her formal coming-out. She had made the leap from schoolgirl to highly eligible young lady seemingly overnight. No doubt he would introduce her to appropriate suitors come spring. Courtship and marriage would proceed apace. With her connections and dowry, she hardly even needed to be there. Jasper could just choose one for her. She wished he would. It would spare her the Marriage Mart in London.

She nodded to the porter who opened the front door for her.

“Going riding,” she informed him, although it wasn’t necessary. He would have guessed by her clothes.

The morning was brisk and the sky gray. The grass was coated with chilly dew. Her riding boots were well-oiled so her feet would stay dry, but her walking boots would have been more comfortable. And prettier. Vanessa had discovered a small bootmaker’s enterprise in the little town where she had been hiding from Jasper after their falling out. Wounded veterans made special decorative Hessians for ladies that were beautiful as well as practical. One good thing about going to London was that Olivia could help set a fashion for them and aid Vanessa with her cause.

Despite the chill, Olivia enjoyed the walk down to the stables. Her head already felt better.

There was more bustle near the stable than she had anticipated. The doors were wide open. Perhaps some of the guests intended to leave early after all. But when she stepped inside, she saw that wasn’t the case. The grooms had Reg’s favorite mare saddled, as well as Goose, a silly spirited gelding that everyone loved. And standing there in the dust and straw, conferring, were Reg and Benjamin. Oh, bosh. Benjamin was going to think she was chasing him.

She waved a greeting. They waved back, but as she drew nearer, she thought they both seemed a bit grim.

“Good morning.” She squinted at Reg. His eyelids were heavy and pink. “You look tired. Did Georgiana have a bad night?”

“Not Georgiana.” He grimaced. “I had to play host to Lord Billings and Lord Jeffers. We played cards almost until dawn.”

“Couldn’t Hazard relieve you?” Of course, with Jasper and Crispin gone, the host’s duties would fall upon Reg, but Hazard had been Jasper’s best man. And he was practically a Taverston.

“He fell asleep on the davenport.”

Olivia laughed and saw that Benjamin was smiling as well.

Benjamin said, “I told Mr. Taverston that we could postpone this until later.”

“This?” Olivia asked.

“A survey of the property. To refresh Mr. Carroll’s memory,” Reg said. “But there is no need to put it off. A good ride will wake me.” He paused. “You’re up early.”

She wouldn’t mention the embarrassing headache. “I want to spend every minute on horseback that I can. Crispin warned me there is no place to ride in London.”

“There are places,” Reg said. “But Crispin is correct that they won’t likely suit you. You’ll have to ride sedately, and you won’t be able to go out alone.” He laughed at her groan. Then he said, “Join us, won’t you?”

Benjamin’s smile hitched, but that was no reason for her to reject Reg’s company. She didn’t see enough of her brothers.

“If you don’t mind waiting until Oatmeal is saddled.”

She’d named the mare for her ugly mottled gray and tan hide. But the horse’s strong legs and perfect gait more than compensated for her appearance.

Olivia called to the nearest groom, who was mucking out one of the stalls. “Fergus, would you ready Oatmeal for me?”

“Of course, my lady.” He leaned his rake against the wall and went to fetch the horse.

Olivia turned her focus to Benjamin. The more they interacted, the easier it would become. “What would you like to see first?”

He shot a questioning look at Reg, who gave him no help. Then he said, “I hadn’t planned so far in advance. Where were you thinking of riding?”

She feigned a shrug. “I hadn’t planned so far in advance.”

Benjamin responded with a grin. The success of her jest gave her heart a small squeeze. He looked more like himself when he grinned.

Reg said, “Then let’s ride out past the lake to Everet’s plot. The old man has been setting badger traps. Jasper told him to stop, but he complains the badgers get into his barley.”

“Is he trapping things he shouldn’t?” Benjamin asked.

“No, but Jasper suspects he is selling the animals to sportsmen for badger drawing. He sold several in the past, and Jasper thinks he is still doing so despite being warned.”

Olivia winced. Another thing she was not meant to know about. Some men, not only low-class men but supposed gentlemen, enjoyed wagering on bloodsport. They set up arenas for cock fights, dog fights, or badger drawings where dogs were set upon badgers to the detriment of both.