*
Toby was seatedin the parlor he used to greet guests, going through his plan while drinking his second cup of coffee, when Anthony and Evie arrived, with Jamie on their heels.
“What the hell is going on?” Anthony demanded stomping into the room.
“It’s early,” Jamie muttered, heading for the large tray of refreshments Toby had ensured was ready for his guests’ arrival.
“Good morning, and all will be revealed as soon as Lady Liberty has arrived.”
“I told them you would not have asked us here so early without reason, Toby,” Evie said coming forward to kiss his cheek.
“Sit, eat and drink, and I hope—”
“Lady Liberty is here, my lord,” Chadders said, appearing in the doorway.
“I will return shortly,” Toby said.
“Take your time, and we will enjoy the tea tray,” Jamie added with his mouth full.
She was standing in his front entrance, staring up at a painting. Bonnet swinging from her fingers, looking so sweet he felt his heart sigh.Mine,he thought instinctively, and did nothing to squash that need. With her were Edward and Helen.
“Good morning.”
She spun to look at him, and he was pleased to see she wore her glasses. Edward and Helen both smiled, and Liberty glared.
“What is the meaning of this, Lord Corbyn? Your note said, ‘I believe you and your family could be in danger. Come to my townhouse at once.’”
“And here you are. Lovely to see you again, Edward. You also, Helen, and I am pleased you followed my advice, Lady Liberty, and did not travel alone.”
“Actually, I caught my sister trying to slip out of the house in a sneaky manner.”
“It was not sneaky, Edward. I was leaving by the front door with my maid,” Liberty protested.
“Sneaky. When I asked where she was going, she gave me a vague explanation that made no sense,” Edward continued, clearly enjoying needling his older sister.
“I said I was going for a walk,” Liberty snapped.
“So I pressed her, and she did that thing she does where her lips appear stuck together.”
“Ah yes,” Tobias said. “I remember what that looks like.”
“No, you do not,” Liberty protested, looking from Edward to Toby.
“I demanded to know what was going on, and she said as this could include me, I could accompany her, but I was to refrain from annoying her by asking questions she couldn’t answer.”
Toby had a feeling Edward had perfected the art of getting under his sister’s skin. She bared her teeth at them, and he wanted to grab her and kiss her until she slumped against him as she had the night of the ball.
“How is your head, Lord Corbyn?” It was more a demand than a polite enquiry.
“Better, thank you, my lady. If you will come this way, we have much to discuss before we leave for Bidham in the morning,” Toby said.
“Are we?” Edward asked. “Wonderful.”
“We are not going for two days,” Liberty said.
“Your plans have changed.”
She was still arguing with him when they reached the parlor his friends sat in. With them now were Florence and Barnaby, who seemed happy to see Edward, because she waved, before going back to the book Evie was reading to her in a chair by the window.
