Jamie ran up his, and Toby followed wheezing. He’d believed himself strong and healthy, but this had convinced him he needed to do more, not that he’d admit that to anyone, and especially not Jamie and Anthony.
When they were back down, with his hands now raw, Professor Voelker said they were done with their exercise that day but felt it would be best for Toby to return frequently.
“Well, that’s telling you,” Anthony said when they joined him.
“You should join us. I’m sure your middle is thickening,” Toby said.
“Good Lord, why would I want to do that?” He didn’t add anything about the thickening waist, as they all knew that for a lie.
“Because it’s good for you,” Toby wheezed.
“I can see that by the pained expression on your face,” his friend drawled. “I can’t believe you finally agreed to join Jamie, Toby. Didn’t we decide never to do that?”
Toby grunted something that made no sense.
“Now wash in that cold water, and then we can eat,” Anthony said.
“Where is your wife?”
“Shopping with her sister.”
“And so we are fit company for you now she doesn’t want you?” Jamie asked.
“Exactly that,” Anthony agreed.
Shaking his head, Toby went to the trough of cold water and jar of soap behind the screen. He washed and then pulled on his jacket. Jamie did the same. They then left to join Anthony.
“You are preoccupied, Toby,” Anthony said as they walked in the late morning sunshine. The streets were alive with vendors and people. Horses and carriages added to the cacophony of noise, and to some it was loud, but not to him. Toby enjoyed it. He didn’t like silence.
“Am I?”
“Yes, you are,” Jamie added. “And the fact that you came with me today points to you needing a distraction. At least that bruise on your jaw that you have not been truthful about obtaining is fading.”
He’d seen them both since his return to London. Toby had just not mentioned about Bidham, or seeing Liberty. Neither of them knew exactly what had taken place between them, but they knew she had once been his friend.
“Actually, I do want to speak with you both about…” His words fell away as he watched the man running toward him. “Is that one of my footmen?”
As he drew closer, Toby saw it was indeed Nigel.
“My lord,” the man rasped when he reached him. “A note has arrived, and the man who delivered it said you must read it urgently.”
“Have you just run all the way here?” Jamie asked.
“I have, Lord Stafford.”
“That’s quite a distance. Well done.”
Toby opened the note while his friend congratulated his footman on his fitness. Reading the first words, he noted it was from a solicitor. He read on.
“Christ,” Toby hissed when he’d finished.
“What?”
“Thank you, Nigel. Please do not run home, and find something to eat or drink on the way,” Toby said handing his footman some money. Only after he’d left did he read the words on the note before him.
“‘Lord Corbyn, it is with my deepest regret that I must inform you of the death of your cousin and his wife, Reverend and Mrs. Hereford.’”
“I only met him once, when he came to London, but I remember he was a nice man,” Anthony said.
