“I’m sure I don’t know why I have to,” Liberty muttered, whipping them off and putting them in her reticule once more.
“Because your parents wish for you to do so.”
“Why is it wrong for me to see where I am going?”
“I have no idea, but it is,” Helen hissed.
As far as her maid was concerned, every word that spilled from Liberty’s parents’ lips was to be obeyed.
They walked, and she left Helen alone with her worrying thoughts about Sydney, and hers went to her own brother.
Thus far, Edward had done nothing that was overly taxing on the family. In fact, unlike her, he was a model child and brother. She was sure that would change after he went away to school next year. It certainly changed Tobias Corbyn.
He had come home at eighteen, nothing like the good-natured boy who left. He’d been cold and hard, and dismissed Liberty as if she had not once been his best friend. The boy she idolized.
She’d noticed the change in Tobias after his first year, when his brother Mathew had passed away, but put it down to losing someone he loved. But when he came home four years later, she knew he was nothing like the Tobias she’d once known. This one was mean and hurtful. The old Toby had never been that.
“And here we are. Come along, Helen,” Liberty said, happy to be distracted from her disturbing thoughts.
Blundell’s Chocolate House looked as it normally did. Busy. Libertypushed open the door and entered to the delicious smells and chatter of patrons.
“I’m sure I don’t know why you can’t take tea like everyone else,” Helen said.
“It seems I’m not alone in my love of chocolate,” Liberty drawled, looking at the tables of people. Helen harrumphed.
“Lady Liberty.” A man rose from his chair as they walked through the tables.
Drat, it was Lord Patterson. Nice enough in a bland way. He danced well, and didn’t appear to have any noticeable faults. That didn’t mean she wanted to marry him, however, and after that conversation with her parents, everyone was now a prospective husband they would hurl into her path.
“Lord Patterson.” Liberty dropped into a curtsey, her eyes going to the two women he sat with. His sisters. Both smiled at her. She smiled back, and then, with a nod, went to the farthest table from where he sat and pulled out a chair.
“Sit, Helen.”
“I’m your maid and shouldn’t sit with you.”
“I don’t care about that, as I’ve explained before. Now sit. It has been a trying morning, and I wish to drink lashings of chocolate and eat those delicious small round discs with marvelous flavors.”
Helen sat.
“We’re going to Dobson’s after this, as I am in need of a new book,” Liberty added.
“That place smells,” Helen said wrinkling her nose.
“Old books,” Liberty sighed. “I love that scent.”
“How can I help you today?” A young lady approached.
“Two cups of hot chocolate, and some of those citrus peel and vanilla chocolates please.”
“I won’t be able to do up your gowns soon,” Helen said.
“Well then, your job will be a great deal easier if all I do is lollabout on my bed all day like a whale.”
Helen didn’t have a sense of humor, but that wasn’t to say Liberty hadn’t tried to make her laugh over their years together. Her maid had a sturdy, dependable soul.
“Lady Liberty, do you believe Sydney was smuggling those barrels into that warehouse?”
“That thought crossed my mind, Helen. The village is on the coast, and there has been smuggling before. My belief is that it could have something to do with what’s going on in Bidham.”
