“We need to tell Lord Corbyn, because he asked us to inform him of anything we learned regarding the village, and this could be that,” Helen said.
“If we mention Sydney, that implicates him,” Liberty said. She’d also rather choose to spend the day stitching than speaking to Tobias again, and she loathed stitching.
“I would rather he was implicated if it meant stopping this… whatever it is,” Helen said, her face tight with worry.
Liberty sighed, knowing she was right.
“Oh, now it’s as if we’ve conjured him up,” Helen said, her eyes on the door.
Liberty turned, dread slithering through her, and saw Tobias, Lords Hamilton and Stafford entering Blundell’s Chocolate House.
He saw her and nodded. Tobias then hesitated, and something passed across his face before it was gone.
Go to another table,she begged silently. She watched him lean in and say something, then Lord Hamilton shook his head and walked toward her. Lord Stafford followed, and lastly, Tobias.
“Lady Liberty.” The three men bowed after Lord Hamilton addressed her.
“We shall take this seat,” Lord Stafford then said, pulling out a chair at the table closest to the one Liberty and Helen sat at. Tobias took the one near hers. He then looked directly at Liberty, eyes intent.
“Are you well, my lady?” he asked abruptly.
“Have you been unwell, Lady Liberty?” Lord Hamilton asked, clearly overhearing.
Her eyes went to Tobias, who looked resigned.
“Lady Liberty’s carriage broke down after someone attempted to rob it. She was then thrown from it and injured her head. I arrived and took her to the nearest inn.”
“When did this occur, my lady?” Lord Stafford asked, his eyes going from his friend to her.
“A week ago.” She wondered why that mattered.
“Really, and yet we are only hearing about it now.” Lord Hamilton looked at Tobias, who in turn rolled his eyes.
It wasn’t a gesture she would expect this Tobias to give, but it was one her old friend would have made.
“My lord, regarding what we discussed the other day,” Liberty said. Helen was right. She needed to tell him about this, no matter how much she wished to have no further interaction with him.
“About Bidham?” He raised a dark brow, his eyes going from her to Helen.
“Helen, you tell him,” Liberty said.
“My friends are aware, as I have explained to them, of our concerns. So speak freely,” Tobias said.
“It’s my brother, Lord Corbyn,” Helen said, looking nervous as she stared at the powerful lords behind him.
“Don’t be nervous speaking before them, Helen. They’re both idiots. Your wealth may not be the same as theirs, but your intellect far outstrips them,” Tobias said with a gentle smile on his face.
And Liberty saw more in that smile of the boy she’d once known, but couldn’t allow herself to care for. Never again would anyone hurt her the way he had.
Chapter Eleven
“What is ityou wish to tell me, Helen?” Toby said, turning his seat to face the women.
Liberty didn’t want him here, as she’d not wanted his help when she was hurt, but like him, Bidham was important to her, so she’d put up with Toby’s company.
“It’s regarding what we discussed, and your and Lady Liberty’s worry for Bidham,” Helen said.
Liberty sat still, her eyes on her maid. Anyone watching her would not think she was overly concerned to have the man who had ruthlessly ripped her from his life, without an explanation, sitting a few feet away. But he knew her well enough to see the signs of her agitation.
