Toby sat in the chair behind his desk, and the private detective he’d hired, Mr. Scully, across from him. The man was large, with a solid body that few would want to take on in a fight, he was sure, and his size came in handy in his occupation.
“What did you uncover, Mr. Scully?”
Toby sat back in his chair as the man spoke. This had been his father’s office, and his before him, and there were touches of them everywhere, but he’d also added his own. Like the enormous world globe he rotated on the corner of his desk when he was thinking.
“They’re a tight-lipped lot, those villagers, but I spent time in the Gill, and spoke to a few of them. Mr. Jasper told me that the village was no longer as it had been. That dark days lay over Bidham, and he feared would for many years to come.”
“But he did not elaborate on what those dark days entailed?”
Mr. Scully shook his head. “Miss Maddon, who takes in sewing, said she feared for the people in her village, and then looked ready to cry. About broke my heart, especially considering she’d given me tea and sugar biscuits.”
“I’ve eaten those biscuits,” Toby said before he could stop himself. Something else he was doing these days. Saying what was actually inside his head. “They’re delicious.”
“That they are,” Mr. Scully said. “When I pressed her, she wouldn’t speak again, so I left.”
“And what of the others you questioned?”
“It was like that with everyone I tried to get information out of. I tell you, my lord, it was as if someone were standing over the village threatening these people if they spoke out of turn.”
No one threatened his people, Toby thought.And yet because you have not cared enough about them, you’ve left them exposed.The thought left a sour taste inside his mouth.
“Did you see anyone suspicious?”
“Four men. All walked away as I approached, but they were watching me, my lord. I’d wanted to chat with the Ackers family after the death of their daughter, but they weren’t in the village, or so I was told.”
He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose a child. Florence had been in his life for such a short time, but she was now part of it… part of him. To lose her would destroy him.
“Thank you, Mr. Scully. I am grateful. If you hear anything further, please let me know. I have given you two more names I wish you to investigate, and the location of the warehouse they were seen delivering barrels to.”
After the man had gone, Toby wrote everything he remembered about what was happening in Bidham. The list was growing.
The clack of nails on the floor outside his door was followed by Barnaby pushing it open the and wandering in, tail wagging.
“Hello, what have you got in your mouth this time?”
Removing the maid’s slipper, he lowered it to his desk and looked at the dog. “Do not steal anymore footwear, Barnaby. Are we clear on that?” The dog sat and held out his paw as if to shake on the deal.Toby didn’t buy it. He’d steal another shoe by midnight.
Leaving his office, Toby went to visit Florence with the dog, and read her yet another story.
“That was a big yawn,” he said after he’d finished. She gave him a sleepy smile, and then sitting upright, wrapped her arms around his neck. The shock held him rigid for seconds, and then he settled his arms around her, holding her close.
“Thank you for my hug,” he said into her hair.
“Thank you for being my friend.” She then kissed his cheek and lay back down in her bed.
Emotion nearly choked him as he regained his feet. Bending he kissed her softly, and then pulled up the covers.
“Sleep well, Florence, and thank you for being my friend too.”
He left the nursery smiling and went to his room to change for tonight’s event. His manservant was there, waiting for him.
Tonight was the Talbot ball, where he would see Liberty, as it was her family hosting the event. The smile fell from his lips. He’d kissed his childhood friend, and now wished vehemently he hadn’t, because he couldn’t stop thinking about it or her.
“If you could raise your chin, my lord.”
He did as his manservant, Joseph, ordered, and the man tied his neckcloth. He’d been with Toby for many years, and he realized he knew very little about him.Which says what about you? Your own misery and demons have solely preoccupied you to the point of ignoring everything and everyone else in your life.
Toby knew members of society rarely interacted with their staff unless it was in the usual course of things. Bring tea please, or no, the black jacket. Thank you. But he wondered then about his staff. Were they happy? For some reason, that bothered him right then.
