Page 98 of Waiting for Love

“But you won’t?” he asked.

“We will go for breakfast tomorrow,” Reg said.

Georgiana laughed. “He wants to meet Arthur, not see us. And Arthur is sleeping.”

So everyone was accounted for.

Vanessa said, “I may as well ring for tea. It may only be us.”

“No! I’m here!” Olivia said, bursting into the room. Her cheeks looked windburned and her hair…her hair was a shining glorious mess.

“Why are you wearing your riding habit?” Jasper demanded.

Olivia stopped in her tracks. She turned slowly to face Jasper. “It’s comfortable?”

“Did he take you riding? After Mother told him—”

“It was not early morning. The park was full of people.” She looked away as she pulled off her gloves. “And it was not as though Lythe gave me a choice.”

“Oh, Olivia.” Jasper’s anger melted away. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”

“It wasn’t terrible. He’s just lonely and likes to talk. He told me all about Angleterre. He says it is grander than Chaumbers, but I told him that was impossible.”

Reg and Georgiana laughed. Jasper grinned. “Olivia, you are the only person in the world who finds the charm in Chaumbers.”

That was not true, Benjamin thought. He’d always found it magical, and he wagered Hannah did too.

“Well,” Reg said, “the important thing is—how was Cassieopia?”

“Splendid! Oh, splendid. So beautiful. And responsive. And I’m sure she would have been fast, but Lythe is a fussy old maid and would hardly let me run.”

Jasper looked mollified. Olivia plopped herself into a chair.

“But all in all, I prefer Oatmeal. Cassieopia is a snob.”

Benjamin didn’t know what constituted snobbery in a horse, but Olivia would.

“I’m certain she got that from Lythe,” Reg said, under his breath. Jasper snickered. Smiling, Vanessa rose and pulled the bell cord for tea.

Benjamin removed to stand by the fire while listening to their chatter. After the maids brought in fragrant, steaming tea and sugary cakes, he took his cup and a plate and went back to the fire. He didn’t take part in the conversation. He told himself over and over not to get comfortable because he did not belong.

Reg was saying something about an exhibition at the museum. He and Georgiana had been, but everyone should go. He’d even go again. He was interrupted by Peters in the doorway.

“Viscount Hazlet and Miss Fogbotham have come.”

“Together?” Jasper looked startled. “I thought she was at the Hovingtons’. Bring them in.”

Hazard walked in with Alice on his arm. Alice looked very prim and pretty, but she had a determined countenance that was a little chilling. And Hazard looked worried. Some sort of powder and paste around his eye may have explained why he looked odd, but Benjamin thought it was more than that.

“Is everything all right with Uncle Charles?” Georgiana asked.

“Yes, wonderful.” Alice sounded clipped. “He is looking forward to meeting Arthur.”

“Well, come in,” Jasper said, waving at them impatiently. “Before the tea gets cold.”

They didn’t move. No, that wasn’t true. Alice pulled on Hazard’s arm. Not as though to drag him into the room. It was more of a jostle.

Hazard said, “Yes, well, first.” He cleared his throat. “First, I believe congratulations are in order.” His voice grew stronger as he spoke. “Congratulate me. Miss Fogbotham has agreed to become my wife.”