Her mother had, of course, insisted, never giving up hope that one day her daughter would wed, and wed well. That, plus by some odd anomaly, become a diamond in society at age twenty-one. What Liberty had been was uncomfortable and a failure. She’d coped by being scrupulously polite and aloof.
“He’s a very handsome man,” Helen, her maid, said dragging her from her thoughts. Seated across from Liberty, she sat, as she would for the entire journey. Upright, hands folded neatly in her lap, looking immaculate. Unlike Liberty, who hated sitting still for long periods because the muscles in her bad leg seized up.
“Lord Michael?”
“Lord Corbyn,” her childhood friend said. “He’s a handsome man, my lady.”
“I do wish you would call me Liberty in private.”
“Absolutely not. If I started that I may slip up while we are in public.” Helen shook her head. She was more of a stickler for society rules than Liberty.
“It was lovely to see him back in Bidham,” Helen said with a tenacity Liberty usually admired.
“I’m not sure why. The man is no longer a friend.”
Helen frowned. “I still believe there was more to what he did, turning from you. Something wasn’t right about that.”
Liberty dismissed the words. She’s spent far too many hours wondering what she’d done to turn Tobias from her.
“I don’t want to discuss him, as he no longer plays any part in our lives. But I do want to discuss Bidham. Mrs. Dibby was right in what she said to me, Helen. All is not well, and we both felt it. Have your family said anything?”
“They live just outside, but my youngest sister Betty did say that one of her friends who lives in the village is not allowing her children out after dark anymore.”
“That’s odd, because Bidham has always been a happy safe placefor children.” Liberty looked out the window as the carriage drew close to the cliffs. Gulls swooped and squawked, and she had walked every inch of those paths as a girl, and usually with Lord Tobias Corbyn.Don’t think about him.
Seeing him here had dredged up all the hurt again, because the last time they’d been together outside Potter’s bakery, they’d been friends.
“I felt it, Helen. Bidham locals are some of the happiest people I know, but they weren’t today. If I had to give one word for what I felt, it would be fear. But no one is talking.”
Helen added, “Because I saw old Mr. Toms, and he loves a good gossip, but he wouldn’t stop and speak to me. Something isn’t right I tell you.”
“We need to find out what. I’m going to have a talk to my father about it and see if he will do some investigating,” Liberty said.
They chatted a while longer, and then Helen fell asleep, as she was wont to do when in a carriage. It was the only time she wasn’t immaculate. Her mouth fell open, and she snored. It was at these moments that Liberty wished she could draw. But she soon felt her own eyes closing. She’d not slept well last night because she knew today she must return to London.
Liberty woke as she fell sideways. Pushing herself upright, she could feel the carriage gaining speed.
“What’s going on?” Helen asked, her voice thick with sleep.
“I don’t know.” Wrestling the window down, Liberty looked out and quickly pulled her head back in as a bullet whistled past her ear.
“I believe we are about to be robbed, Helen,” Liberty said with a calm she was far from feeling.
“Oh dear,” was her maid’s response.
As the carriage slowed, Liberty felt about under the seat for her father’s rifle, that he always kept there.
“You’ll make matters worse with that,” Helen said.
“Or, I’ll shoot one of them and scare them away.”
Liberty went to the window just as a rider pulled alongside. She pointed the rifle at him and fired. The man yelled, clutching his arm.
Another shot rang out, and the carriage slowed, and then lurched sideways suddenly. Liberty fell into the door. It flew open and her out of it. She hit the ground hard, her head connecting with something. Stunned and breathless, she lay there as mayhem broke out around her. She heard the thunder of hooves, and then Helen arriving, turning the air blue with her curses.
“My lady!”
“Th-the men?” Liberty wheezed out.
