The man leaned in, and his foul breath washed over Toby. He never moved, just held his gaze.
“My boss doesn’t like people asking questions about things that don’t concern him.”
“You’ll want to back away from Lord Corbyn now,” Rory said.
The man grinned as he straightened.
“Why do my questions about whiskey in both Bidham and here bother you, sir? Perhaps because you are obtaining it through nefarious means?” The man frowned. “Nefarious means criminal or wicked,” he added to annoy him.
“You’ll want to be careful how you speak to me.” The man’s words came out a growl now.
“And you’ll want to be careful how you speak to me,” Toby repeated. “Where before I wasn’t curious about the whiskey and its origins, I am now more than that, and what you should know about me is I can be tenacious when my curiosity is roused.”
“Another big word I don’t think he’s grasped, my lord,” Jasper said.
“Tenacious, in this instance, sir, means I will not give up until I have the answers I now seek.” Toby said the words as he rose to hisfeet. “I’m a nobleman with a lot of connections and power. Perhaps you should remember that?”
He saw the moment the man’s weight shifted. It was a subtle movement, but Toby was ready when the fist swung his way. He ducked and punched him hard in the jaw.
In seconds, the man’s friends and Jasper and Rory were involved in a fight. Toby heard the barman curse, but he had no time to apologize, and he was soon engaged in a wrestling match.
People yelled their encouragement as the men grappled, punched, and tried to beat the other. Toby took a blow to his jaw, and one to the ribs he knew would hurt tomorrow. Throwing a hard right at the man’s face, he sent him stumbling backward.
“Enough!” the innkeeper roared, having just arrived.
The man Toby had thrown to the floor regained his feet. He then glared at him, and along with his men, fled outside, and into the night.
“Are you both all right?” Toby wheezed as he looked at Rory and Jasper. They nodded. Locating the innkeeper picking up a chair, he headed for him.
“When those three come to drop off a delivery, there’s always trouble,” the man said running a hand over his bald head. “I’m right sorry, my lord.”
“No need, and I will pay for the damages,” Toby said. “Tell me, how long have you been receiving your whiskey from these men, sir?”
“Coming up two years now. Good stuff too, and a good price. Patrick,” he waved a hand to where the barman was sweeping up broken glass, “he was the one who contacted the supplier.”
After handing the innkeeper some money, he told his men to seek their beds and then climbed the stairs. His face and ribs ached, but at least now it was likely exhaustion would allow him some sleep.
The door to Liberty’s room opened as he passed. She stood there in a white nightdress that was too big, with a blanket around her shoulders. Her hair was loose, and she still looked pale and vulnerable.Something inside Toby’s chest squeezed, but he ignored it.
“What was all that noise?” She raised the candle she was carrying and studied him. “What happened to your face?”
“Nothing. Go to bed, Liberty.”
He walked by her to his room. Opening the door, he closed it behind him. Toby shrugged out of his jacket and waistcoat and then fell into the seat before the fire.
“Hell of a day,” he muttered. He could still hardly believe that Liberty was in the room next door. The woman who had not been part of his life since he’d sent her out of it many years ago. A tap on the door had him rising with the hope it was another glass of whiskey and something to put on his throbbing jaw.
“Go back to bed,” he said when he saw Liberty standing there. “You can’t be seen in the hall in your nightdress, near me.”
“A maid brought me some salve. It might help.”
“I don’t need your help.” His well of politeness had run dry. Toby wanted to be alone with his thoughts, not be tended by sweet, innocent Liberty Talbot.
“And yet I had to take yours?” She placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed. Toby didn’t move.
“You abhor me, and we’re not friends. You’re here because you had no other option but to take up my offer of help. So don’t make more of this than it is, my lady.”
She sighed. “All true, but I had the supplies, and saw you were hurt, so here,” she thrust them at him.
