“Liam?”
He nodded. “What would you like, my lord?” The words were cool and had every right to be. What bothered Toby was that itburned deep in his chest. Since when had he cared what people thought about him? He’d hardened himself to that long ago, and yet there was no doubting he was feeling something for how he’d treated the people of Bidham.Regret?
“Do you work here now?”
“I own it,” Liam corrected. Once, he’d been a skinny boy, all elbows and knees, who liked to get Toby into trouble. The nobleman’s son had been a prime target for the village kids, but Toby had been up to the task, and soon won their respect. He and Mathew had played here often before Toby had been sent away to school.
“Congratulations,” Toby said.
The man nodded, but his face remained emotionless.
“How can I help you, Lord Corbyn? Seeing as you’ve not stepped foot in Bidham for many years.”
“I thought it was time,” Toby said, and the words sounded lame to his ears. “I’d also like a whiskey, please.”
While Liam filled his order, Toby let more memories of his childhood spent here come and go. He’d been innocent then, and unaware of the hell that had been about to descend upon him.
“Will there be anything else, Lord Corbyn?” Liam asked after lowering a glass to the bar before Toby.
“No, thank you,” he said, picking it up and taking a sip. The liquid slid down his throat. “This is excellent,” Toby added, looking at Liam.
His old friend had no wish to speak to him, but he owned the local tavern, and chances were he knew exactly what was going on in his village, so he was a good place to start. First, he had to soften him up a little. Toby was usually excellent at getting people to talk. “Can I purchase some of this whiskey from you?”
Had he not been looking at Liam, he wouldn’t have seen his eyes shoot to the left, but he did. Toby resisted the urge to glance over his shoulder and see who he was looking at.
“I’m unsure who the supplier is.”
Which was odd. How could he order more if he didn’t even know who he’d bought it from in the first place?
“So, this is not your usual supply of whiskey?” Toby lifted his glass.
Liam looked nervous now.
“No, it’s not.”
“Can I ask you a question, Liam?” Toby leaned closer as he lowered his voice.
The man nodded, but his eyes shot behind Toby again.
“Is everything all right in Bidham?”
If he’d asked the man to dance with him, the shock would have been the same. Liam reared back, eyes wide.
“Not sure why you would ask such a thing, my lord, seeing as you’ve not cared about us for years.”
“I understand that, but—”
“Everything is as it was in Bidham since you last visited, many years ago.” Liam cut off Toby’s words.
“I’ve just heard a few rumors—”
“Rumors?” This time it was Liam who leaned in closer so only Toby could hear his words. “Not sure why you would. Everything is well here, my lord. You can leave again with the knowledge we need nothing from you and your family, Lord Corbyn.”
He was panicking, Toby was sure of it.
“If there is ever any need for me, you’ve only to send word and I will come,” Toby said.
“I won’t have need of you,” Liam said quickly. “It’s best you just leave now, my lord.”
