“I’m sure you do,” Toby said dropping a crab patty into his mouth.
“First, I want you to open that note and show me the names on it,” Jamie said. “Second, does the Duke of Talbot know that something is going on in Bidham, or just his daughter?”
“I’m not sure, but I don’t believe he does, or Liberty would have said something,” Toby said.Wouldn’t she?
“So because I am married, I therefore do not get an invitation to join you for supper with my wife?”
Anthony arrived with Evie. A woman with a forthright nature, wonderful spirit, and perfect in every way for their friend.
He had once been a man who didn’t smile, and rarely laughed, unless with Toby or Jamie. His aunts, too, saw a different side of him from the one he showed society. All that had changed the day Evie had walked into his life. Theirs was a tumultuous story that thankfully had a happy ending, which many were not afforded in life.
Jamie and Toby now counted Evie as a friend, and would forgive her anything for what she’d done for Anthony.
“You and your wife were looking longingly into each other’s eyes, so we left you to it,” Jamie said.
“Jealousy is an ugly trait,” Anthony said, looking smug.
“How are Florence and Barnaby doing, Toby? I cannot wait to meet her,” Evie said looking at the eclair on Jamie’s plate. He held it out, and she took it. After a large bite, she hummed out her pleasure.
“Florence is scared, and dislikes me, or more mistrusts me,” Toby said. “Barnaby, however, loves me as I take him outside in the morning and hurl sticks for him to bound after. I enjoy having a dog in the house again, even if he sheds his hair over everything.”
“How are your staff coping?” Anthony drawled.
“I doubt they’d tell me if they weren’t, but so far, all seems to run smoothly.”Except the fact Florence wants nothing to do with me.
“That poor little girl, how she has suffered. But time will help, I promise you,” Evie said.
“I hope you are right,” Toby added.
“You would never have given me your éclair.” Anthony glared at Toby.
“I like your wife better than you,” Toby said. “She helped me pick out dolls and a house, and other things for Florence.”
“There is that,” Evie said. “Find us chairs, Anthony, and I will getus food,” she then added.
“Other food too please, Evangeline,” her husband called as his wife headed for the eclairs. She didn’t acknowledge him.
“Has Florence spoken to you yet?” Anthony asked.
“No. When I visit the nursery that she never seems to want to leave, she looks at me through her large brown eyes and stays silent. I tell you, Anthony, I was sure my heart was a shriveled, hard muscle inside my chest, but seeing that little girl’s pain makes it ache.”
“I have no doubt that from the first meeting, we will all feel the same,” Jamie said. “Remember, we are there for you, Toby.”
“I know, and am grateful for it, and for the fact you are giving her time to settle before you visit,” Toby added.
“Yes, well, let’s move on to the exciting news of the night,” Jamie said.
“What news?” Anthony demanded.
“Your aunts have given Toby a list.”
“Now that’s exciting,” Anthony said, knowing immediately what the list held.
“How is it he knows what is on the list, but you didn’t?” Toby asked Jamie, as he searched the room for Liberty. He found her seated with Miss Hamner.
“I knew. I just wanted to make you tell me,” Jamie lied.
“I can’t believe my aunts have decided they will marry you off next,” Anthony said, looking far too happy about the prospect.
