“I didn’t,” Toby said.
“No. I can fix this!” Michael said, the pistol now jabbing into Liberty’s neck. “Walk out the door, and we will follow. One misstep, and I will shoot her, Corbyn.”
He knew his friends and the footmen would be outside and likely now hiding. Knew that Liberty’s best chance was to walk out of here. Toby made himself turn and retrace his steps. And it was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
“Keep walking to the stairs,” Michael said.
“Oh dear!”
Toby turned at Liberty’s cry. She stumbled and fell. Michael had to release her or go down too. Toby didn’t hesitate, but fired.
“Liberty!” He ran and had her in his arms in seconds. “Tell me you are all right?”
She was sobbing, which he took as a good sign.
“It’s over now, my love,” he whispered into her hair. “You are safe.”
“We are safe,” she said into his neck.
Picking her up, Toby carried her back into the parlor, ignoring the man writhing on the floor. He poured a brandy, and then forced it down her throat until her tremors had stopped.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” she said, her voice stronger now. “He could have shot us. Bastard!”
Toby smiled. Now she was angry, and that made color return to her cheeks.
“I love you, Liberty.”
Her hands flew to his face, cupping his cheeks, as she looked deep into his eyes. “I love you so much, Toby.”
“Liberty!” They eased apart as Edward ran into the room pale faced. “There is a man bleeding in the hallway!”
“It’s all right now, Edward,” Toby said as Liberty went to hug herbrother. “Your sister is well, and that man deserves to be bleeding on the floor.”
The duke and duchess were next to arrive, shock evident on their faces as well as they hurried to their daughter.
“All is well,” Liberty said, comforting them.
Anthony appeared next, and Toby knew by the look on his friend’s face he was needed.
“I must go now, Liberty. I have to deal with Lord Michael. Unfortunately, the bullet didn’t kill him, so we need to get him to a doctor. Then we will speak with the magistrate so Landon can be taken into custody.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” Liberty whispered leaving her family to come to him.
“Soon, I will never have to leave you again.” He kissed her softly, and then left the house, knowing that one day she’d be his for always, and he’d never have to walk away from her again.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“You should havecome to us, Liberty, and you, Edward, when you realized all was not well in Bidham.”
Liberty looked across the carriage to her father. The Talbots were on their way to the fair. The day dawned clear and bright, and full of hope as far as Liberty was concerned. More hope than she’d allowed herself to hold inside for many years.
“I’m sorry, Father,” she and Edward said at the same time, as they had often since her parents had walked into their house to find a bloodied Lord Michael.
“In my defense, I am a child, so it really is far more Liberty’s fault than mine surely?” Edward then added.
They all laughed at that, as he’d wanted them to.
“So, from the way Lord Corbyn behaved with you last night, am I to expect a visit from him?”
