Page 85 of Waiting for Love

“I am having a…a b-bit of a house party. Next month. At Cherrington. S-small one. Politics, of course.” Then in a rush, “But plenty to do for the ladies as well.”

She waited while he gathered more words. He stammered, she realized. This was hard for him. Was he simply shy around ladies? Or did it affect his ability to give speeches? Her heart softened. How unfortunate for him.

“I’ve asked Iversley to bring you,” he blurted. Then he pretended his ribbons needed a good deal of attention, even though the horses were calmly trotting along the path.

“I’m fond of house parties.” This was true. And it would be an escape from London. But her chest tightened, and her own words failed her. Was she being invited so that he could impress her with Cherrington?

“I should g-get you home,” he said, turning the phaeton.

On the path from the park, they exchanged greetings with passersby, but said nothing else to each other. And the streets leading from the park to Grosvenor Square were crowded, so the horses required all Ebersom’s attention. They pulled into the drive in front of her home, and he sprang from his perch to help her down. She thanked him for a lovely ride and gave him her smile. He returned only a bow, a “Good day” and a “Give my regards to Iversley and Lady Iversley.”

*

Olivia didn’t mention the invitation to Cherrington. She’d wait for Jasper to bring it up. Tonight, the Taverstons were going to Almack’s. Olivia had finally received her voucher. Mr. Boring took care of sending regrets to the Crawfords who had invited her to the theater. This was Almacks, after all. And the Duchess of Hovington said Lady Jersey had agreed to grant permission for Olivia to waltz.

Jasper was making a celebration of it. Hazard said he would not miss it, even though he had not patronized Almack’s in years. Since the earl’s coach would be crowded and the ladies must not wrinkle their dresses, Hazard volunteered to bring the dowager and Alice.

Olivia wore her white ballgown again, but with a gold net overskirt and little golden baubles sewn into her hair. If Tansy ever got the tangles out afterward, it would be a small miracle.

“Ebersom will ask for your first waltz,” Jasper told her, escorting her to the coach. He looked pleased.

Oh! She nearly stopped in her tracks. Ebersom was Jasper’s choice. Of course, he was! All the cards fell into place. He’d been invited to Jasper’s wedding months ago—for a quick squint at her, no doubt. And now, she recollected Hazard putting in a good word for him at her ball—Jasper must have told him to.

“Very well,” she said, swallowing her indignation as Jasper handed her into the coach. Her whole Season was a farce. It had already been decided. In her head, she may have wished Jasper would just settle it all, but she hadn’t meant it!

“What is wrong with Ebersom?” Reg asked, climbing in beside her.

“Nothing is wrong with him. Or Jasper would not have asked him to request my first waltz.”

Jasper scowled, ducking inside and sitting down by Vanessa. “I didn’t ask him. He asked me, and I said yes. He is a good man, Olivia. Give him a chance.”

Georgiana sucked in a breath. Her brow darkened.

“What is wrong?” Jasper said, turning to her.

“You sound like my mother. When we received your invitation to Chaumbers.”

Jasper’s eyes went wide. Then he laughed. “Well, your mother was right. If you hadn’t given me a chance, you would not have met Reg.”

Olivia felt a spark of amusement. “Let us hope Ebersom has a brother.”

Jasper rapped on the roof and the coach began to roll from the drive.

Almack’s was not far. It was also not the palace one might expect. From the outside, it looked more like a warehouse. The ballroom was poorly lit and had a faint scent of must. Upstairs in the supper room, it was said they served only watery lemonade and tiny sandwiches that contained invisible slivers of ham.

Everyone was impeccably dressed. Still, Olivia found it strange that all the men were in knee breeches, a fashion that was falling by the wayside. She saw the marquess across the room. He made a polite bow and nodded to Jasper but did not approach. The orchestra played quietly while guests filled the ballroom. A quarter hour later, Hazard strolled in with Alice on his arm and Mama walking alongside.

Mama approached and put a hand on Olivia’s arm. “Shall we find Lady Jersey?”

Olivia nodded, surprised by how nervous she felt. They proceeded toward a cluster of older matrons, very fussily dressed, near the far wall. One of them broke away and came forward.

“Lady Jersey,” Mama said. “May I present my daughter, Lady Olivia?”

Olivia curtsied deeply and kept her eyes down while the woman studied her through her lorgnette.

“Very lovely,” she pronounced. Then she added, “My dear, I am sorry for your loss. Your father was much admired.”

“Thank you, my lady. He is very much missed.”