“We loathe each other, and I would have been fine waiting in my carriage, as you very well know, Lord Corbyn.”
“I don’t loathe you,” Toby said slowly, knowing that was the impression he’d left her with many years ago.
Her laugh held no humor. “Of course you don’t, which is why you told me you never wanted to see me again.”
He saw it then, the hurt in her eyes he’d inflicted all those years ago with his cruel words. Helen shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with their conversation.
“Liberty—”
“Lady Liberty,” she said, raising her chin. “We are not informal, you and I, and never will be again. For three years we have avoided each other. It is my hope that continues.”
He didn’t speak, just kept his eyes on her face.
“Leave when we reach our destination, my lord, as we have nothing further to say to each other,” she added, dismissing him.
No one dismissed Toby. He’d earned respect in the business world, and in society no one dared speak to him in such a way.Only her,he thought. She’d once challenged him constantly, especially when she thought he was being overbearing.
“I am not leaving you in this condition,” Toby said in a cold, hard voice.
“Why? Don’t try to tell me you care,” she scoffed, which held no strength as her cheek was still resting on the side of his carriage.
“It is done, and I will see you to the next inn.”
She looked at him then. Stared into his eyes, and he suddenly felt stripped bare. As if she could read everything he kept locked away inside him. All the dark, angry scars and pain.
“Why?” she whispered. “I know who you’ve become, and that you care nothing for me or anyone.”
“What have I become?” He mocked her, when deep inside he was reeling from her words. Reeling from being this close to Liberty again.
“A womanizing rake and a wastrel.” The words had no strength, but each one sliced through him with the accuracy of a knife.
“And you,” he gritted out, striking back at her. “What have you become?”
“Why don’t you tell me?” Her lip curled, enraging him further.
Toby fought for control. No one slid under his guard, ever. But she had.
“I see a cold and emotionless woman as yet unwed,” he said, deliberately cutting. The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, and like her, he’d spoken them to inflict pain. More pain on someone who didn’t deserve it from him.
They glared at each other, and then he watched the single tear spill over her eyelid, and trail down her cheek.
“Liberty,” Toby rasped, completely undone by the sight. “I’m sorry. I should not have—”
“I hate you.” The words were whispered, but he heard them, and then she closed her eyes again, and he had to sit there and watch that tear trail down her cheek.
Chapter Five
“You can comeinside now, Lady Liberty,” Lord Corbyn said from the doorway of the carriage. “The Thorny Thistle is busy, but the proprietor is willing to accommodate a duke’s daughter and a viscount.”
“How lucky that you could throw about your title,” Liberty muttered, rising from her seat.
There was so much anger and tension between them after the hateful words they’d thrown at each other. Her head hurt, and she had the ridiculous urge to lower it into her hands and weep more foolish tears.
“Take my hand,” he said. “You are unsteady on your feet, and I do not want you to faint again.”
Don’t show him what you are feeling. You are strong now, Liberty.
She looked at the large hand gloved in tan leather with loathing.
