“I shall see about refreshments for when the young miss arrives, my lord.”
His butler then left to do butlering, and Toby wandered around the nursery trying to remember his time here. He couldn’t. In fact, he’d blocked out much of his past, and that had included the good times he’d spent with his parents and brother.
I must do better for Florence’s sake. Must be a better person.
Evie and her sister, Prudence, had arrived the day after he’d found out he was to be Florence’s guardian, and started making lists of things he needed to do. It had been a relief, because she had given him a direction. If he was busy, he didn’t have time to think about the fact his life was soon to change beyond recognition.
There was also Liberty who he kept running into. She was a distraction, along with Bidham. In fact, he’d told Jamie last night while they sat in his study drinking brandy, that in a matter of weeks, his life had turned completely on its head. His friend had said perhaps it was time.
Time for complete chaos when for so long your life had order? Toby didn’t think so, but it was done, and he could do little but deal with what was before him.
He washed, dressed, and went to his study, hoping that working through the papers his business manager had sent would distract him. It didn’t. By the time Chadders appeared in the doorway to tell him a carriage had arrived, he was pulling his hair out as the tension inside him climbed.
Toby didn’t run to the entranceway, but he walked at a clip. He saw the hired carriage as he stepped out the front door and hurried down the steps. Reaching the door, he opened it and found the face of a large golden dog staring at him. Beyond that was a young lady, and next to her was Florence.
“Hello,” Toby said as his throat went dry. She was so small. Her bonnet was white, as was her dress and her face pinched tight with worry.
“I am your Uncle Toby,” he said to the child, even though they were cousins. Uncle sounded less intimidating to his mind. “I was your father’s cousin, and we were great friends when we were your age.”
She looked at him with big sad brown eyes, worry in every line of her face. His heart broke for the pain this little girl had suffered. Losing a parent at any time was hard, but two that you loved, devastating.
“Good day, may I have your name?” Toby said to the young lady with Florence.
“I am Miss Haigh, Miss Florence’s nanny.”
Well, at least that was one thing he did not have to worry about. A large pink tongue ran down the side of his face then. Toby found a smile. He’d always loved dogs, but hadn’t had one since he’d returned home from Blackwood Hall. Yet another thing he’d allowed that place to rob him of.
“And who is this handsome fellow?”
“His name is Barnaby, my lord. He and Miss Florence are inseparable.”
It wasn’t a threat exactly, but Miss Haigh’s chin rose as if to say, you will not remove this grieving child from one of the few things shehas left to love. Toby found in that moment he liked Miss Haigh very much and was relieved that at least Florence had her.
“Well then, let us hope he likes his new home.”
He hadn’t planned on a dog, but now it seemed he must. Turning, he found his butler behind him. “Chadders, Miss Florence has a dog. His name is Barnaby, and I’m sure after his long carriage trip, he needs a drink, some food, and a run in the gardens. Would it be acceptable to you, Florence, if Chadders took him into the house?”
The solemn brown eyes studied him, and then she nodded.
“Right then, out you get, Barnaby. It is time for you to explore your new home,” Toby said.
The dog bounded out, unaware of the tension the others were feeling, or perhaps he was and that was why he was happy to be removed from it.
“Now, Florence, may I call you that?” Another small nod. “Would you like to come inside too and see my house?” She looked like she wanted to refuse.
“Of course she does. After all, we cannot simply sit in here all day now, can we? Plus, we are hungry, aren’t we, Miss Florence?” Miss Haigh said smiling at the forlorn child.
Toby moved out of the doorway and took a deep, steadying breath. Looking skyward, he thought about his cousin and the precious child he had loved.I will keep her safe.For the first time in many years, he had another responsibility, and that terrified him, but he would not let Timothy down.
Miss Haigh appeared in the doorway first and stepped down. Behind her came Florence. So small and vulnerable. He wanted to help her down. Tell her it would be all right but was sure she wouldn’t want comfort from him.
“Come along,” Toby said with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.
He let them go first and saw Florence’s head swivel from left toright, taking everything in. There were no flowers in the narrow beds on either side of the path, and hadn’t been since he’d become Lord Corbyn. Looking at his town house with fresh eyes made Toby realize just how austere it was.
Stepping inside did not change that opinion. No flowers, no light, just dark colors and furnishings. His butler had obviously handed Barnaby off to another staff member as he stood there watching them approach.
“Florence, this is Chadders. A wonderful man who if you need anything and I am not nearby, will be only too willing to help.
