Liberty stood back and watched her little brother. He was good with people and would one day make an excellent duke. He had a way about him that relaxed those he met. Unlike her, who tended to make them bristle with very little effort on her part.
“Here is your pie,” he said holding it inches from her nose. “Put your glasses on, Liberty, and I will not tell mother.”
“Until you want me to do something for you, then you’ll use it against me.”
“You know me so well.”
She selected meat, and he fruit, and they ate them far too quickly, thus burning their throats, and humming their delight at every mouthful.
Entering the park, they then wandered in silence for a while, comfortable in each other’s company. Liberty had only achieved that with two people other than family in her life before.
Alice and Tobias. Once she’d been able to sit next to him for hours and neither had needed to speak. Yes, she was a child, but even back then she’d known he was her person. That someone special who wanted nothing more from you than companionship.
“Lady Liberty.”
She didn’t groan but it was a near thing as she saw the four women coming her way. Clearing Tobias from her thoughts, which he’d been in far too frequently recently, she nudged Edward.
“Brace yourself. These ladies are harmless, but can talk more than Great-Aunt Elizabeth.”
“Run then.”
“You may not be in society, but I am, and running would be cause for scandal, brother.”
Mrs. Masters, Miss Masters, Miss Louise Masters, and Miss Elsbeth Masters all looked like peas in a pod with their wide faces and blonde locks. Each dressed in varying shades of pastel.
They all curtseyed prettily to Edward.
“Well, I will be over there, sister. I see someone waving to me,” he then said, smiling.
The women tittered and Liberty only just resisted rolling her eyes. Her brother would be a charmer when he entered society. Of course, there was no one over there waving at him, she knew as he hurried away.
“Lady Liberty, will we see you at Vauxhall Gardens this week? There is to be a fireworks extravaganza,” Mrs. Masters said.
Liberty was never sure how to take these four ladies. Sometimes they were nice, others snippy, and they always talked over the top of each other. Having a conversation with them was like being buffeted in a howling wind. You left exhausted, unsure what had just happened.
“I had hoped to attend, yes,” she said.
“Excellent.” Mrs. Masters leaned in as if she was going to confide in Liberty. “We have hopes of an announcement that night,” she added. Her eyes then went to her eldest daughter, who blushed.
“Well,” Liberty said. “That’s exciting. I shall look forward to hearing more. I must go, as my brother is now waving for me to join him.”
“Of course, of course. There is also another burgeoning romance for my second eldest daughter. A certain viscount, you understand,” Mrs. Masters said. She then placed a finger on her lips. “But enough on that matter.”
Viscount? Surely not Tobias, but then why did she care? How many other viscounts were there in London this season?
“Wonderful. Good day to you ladies,” Liberty said, dropping into a curtsey. She then walked away in the direction that Edward had taken. Squinting, she saw a group of people and guessed it was the chess event taking place. Her brother would likely be there, because it may bore him, but compared to chatting with the Masters women, would prove far more entertaining.
She reached the men ringing the tables and found Edward in conversation with someone. Liberty didn’t know the man. Large bristly moustache, and he wore eyeglasses, which she envied him.
“And here she is. Lady Liberty, this is Mr. Hasslebach. He is the one hosting this event. Unbeaten at chess, he is something of a master. I told him you are the best player I knew, and I thought you may wish to join the competition.”
“Ah, no, thank you,” she said shooting her brother daggers.
“Of course, you are a woman, so chances are you’ll lose,” Edward added.
Mr. Hasslebach looked shocked at his words.
“I have no wish to play now, Edward,” Liberty gritted out.
