“Why wouldn’t she have the time?” Anthony asked.
“Apparently, she and her husband play chess most evenings. And their niece, Miss Hamner, said sometimes well into the night. If amatch has started, neither will leave until it is completed,” Petunia added.
Liberty went to a book club with Anthony’s aunts.On the heels of that thought came another one. She would know how to take care of a child because he’d seen her with her little brother.
Dear Christ, he was going to be guardian to a five-year-old girl.This cannot be happening.
“I believe the Duke and Duchess of Talbot have their estate close to yours, Tobias?” Lavinia asked.
“They do, yes.”
“Then you must know their lovely daughter well,” Petunia added. “Wonderful gal. Forthright and sweet natured.”
“I do, yes,” he said, still working through the problem that had just landed in his lap.
Petunia frowned. “I don’t believe I’ve even seen you dance with Lady Liberty, Tobias. Why is that if she is your neighbor?”
“Aunt Petunia, Toby—”
“I’m speaking to Tobias not you, nephew.”
“Hardly neighbors,” Toby said. “And I do not dance with everyone.”
“Have any of you seen them talking?” Petunia then asked.
“I do not speak with everyone all the time,” Toby said, feeling his necktie tighten. “Just because our estates are close, does not mean we are,” he said hoping that stopped further conversation, because he really had no time for this. He needed to get home and open the doors to his nursery and hope a flock of bats did not fly out. Did bats live as a flock? Such was the state of his mind this bothered him.
Lavinia leaned closer to Toby, her face now inches from his. “Why are you sweating profusely?”
“I’ve just exercised.” At least that was the truth.
“No, I think talking about Lady Liberty has you unsettled.”
All three women were now staring at him.
“Leave him alone please,” Anthony said. “He is not himself today.”
“So it would seem,” Petunia said. She then patted Toby’s cheek. “A good night’s sleep will fix that, and a dance with your old friend, Lady Liberty.”
Like hell.
“Excellent. Well then come along, Lavinia, Aggie. We have a book to select, and perhaps we shall have a wee chat with Lady Liberty at the book club.”
“There is nothing to talk about. She and I are very different people, thus we were never friends,” Toby lied, but they ignored him and wandered away.
“That went well,” Jamie said. “I find I’m famished. Come along and we will put our heads together and work through the problem of your niece’s impending arrival.” He then walked in the opposite direction with Anthony.
“Hurry it along, Toby, as I cannot discount they will not return,” Anthony said, sounding testy now. “Put your cousin to one side, as you still have five days to work through what is to be done.”
“My life is about to change beyond recognition. How is it you expect me to put things to one side?” Toby thought about just going home and locking the door but knew his friends would follow and demand he open it.
“Is that cart selling spiced cake?” Jamie said, veering left. “It smells like it.”
Minutes later, with large wedges of delicious cake, they continued walking. Yes, his insides felt like a butter churn, but he could still eat.
“So, Lady Liberty,” Anthony said.
“We are not discussing Lady Liberty now,” Toby snapped.
