His friends took the evidence, and they parted ways. The ride to the Talbots’ was ten minutes, and Toby had to refrain from galloping. He was being foolish, but once he’d checked on her, he’d feel better.
Liberty was now important to him. Did that mean he would worry about her constantly? Was this to be his future? Irrational fear when she wasn’t in his line of sight didn’t appeal to him at all, even as Toby knew he could no longer live without her.
He knew the Talbot property well, and took the left fork as the driveway split to the stables, where he found the same old crotchety stable master. The man glared at him as he took the reins Toby handed him. Not a word was exchanged. Shaking his head, he walked outside.
The sky was darkening, and while he’d not noticed it before, there was definitely the feel of rain in the air. He let the memories come as he walked. The days he and Liberty had run all over this place. The laughter and promises they’d made to each other.
The house was enormous and built of dark-gray stone, one side completely covered in ivy. Old, like his, and befitting the status of thefamily who lived within its walls.
He saw the carriage then. It was to one side, so unless someone was looking out the window, it would not be seen. The door didn’t hold a crest, so Toby wasn’t sure who it belonged to.
“Good day to you,” Toby said to the driver. The man nodded down at him. “Who are you driving for?”
“Lord Michael, sir.”
“And how long have you been here?”
“We have just arrived, sir,” the driver said.
“Thank you.”
Heart now pounding hard inside his chest, he walked up to the front door. Had Liberty’s family already returned? Why had she let Michael inside when Toby had told her not to?
He didn’t knock on the door, but opened it, and let himself inside. There was no sign of the staff, which didn’t mean a great deal in a house this size, as they were possibly below the stairs.
Where was Liberty?
“Lord Corbyn?”
The butler, Bernard, who had been here when Toby used to visit, appeared through a door that he knew led to the rear of the house. Toby pressed a finger to his lips and moved to where the man was.
“Is Lord Michael here?”
“No, my lord. Lady Liberty said she was not at home to anyone this evening, so I sent him away.”
“His carriage is still outside.” The shock on the butler’s face was real. “Where is Lady Liberty?”
“She is in the morning parlor upstairs, my lord. I will take you to her.”
“I know where it is, Bernard. What I need you to do is find two footmen and arm them. I will then have you and them come to the third floor.”
Pulling out his pistol, Toby ran to the stairs as the butler went tocarry out his orders. The carpets muted his footsteps as he climbed. Heart pounding, he reached the third floor and stopped.
“How did you get inside our house?” Liberty demanded. “I said I was not home to visitors. I insist you leave at once, Lord Michael.” She sounded calm for all she must be terrified knowing what he’d told her about Michael.
“But we are friends, my lady, and I hoped would be more. I called to speak with your father after I have asked for your hand.”
“I don’t want to marry you.”
“You have had several seasons now with no marriage prospects, Lady Liberty. Surely you must find my proposal acceptable?”
Toby’s rage grew as he listened to Michael insulting the woman he loved.
“I want you to leave at once, Lord Michael. I will not discuss this with you now, when my family is away from home. It is wrong of you to be here with me.”
“Why would you send me away, my lady, when we have always gotten along well,” Michael said.
“I have no wish to marry, and after our conversation in London, I know you do. Therefore, I do not want to offend you further by offering hope. You need to leave at once.” He could hear the panic rising in Liberty’s voice now.
