Keeping his voice down so the child did not hear, Toby explained about what had happened to him the night of the Talbot ball.
“And you are just telling us now?” Jamie demanded. “What possessed you to go there alone?” His friend looked angry now.
“Exactly, especially as I got told off for doing the same in daylight hours with Helen,” Liberty said looking a little smug now.
“You are a woman,” Toby said holding onto his composure.
“And yet, no one struck me on the head,” Liberty added.
He wanted to grab her and kiss that smug look off her face.
“If you will be quiet, I will tell you what else has occurred,” Toby said.
“There is more?” Anthony demanded.
“I received a note this morning, which is why I sent word I needed to see you all. This note,” he added, holding it out to his friend. The others huddled around to read it.
“Dear Lord,” Edward whispered.
“Quite,” Jamie added.
“But whoever sent that note will surely be there in Bidham also, as that is where the barrels are being smuggled in,” Liberty said.
“It will be easier to keep everyone safe there. London is too busy, and there are too many possibilities for someone to harm one of you,” Toby said. “It is best to leave as soon as possible.”
“But how will we know who is behind this?” Edward asked.
“I will leave two men in London to investigate and am hiring a further four to go on to Bidham,” Toby said. “They will watch over you when you leave the house.”
“But my parents?” Liberty said. “How will I get them to leave when they have engagements and had not planned to travel to Bidham yet?”
“I will pretend I have a chest inflammation and need the country air,” Edward said. “They will come on in a few days and stop at Lord and Lady Haversham’s on the way, and so will be safe.”
“We will all travel together,” Anthony said, looking at Evie, who still sat with Florence. “If we are together, no one will stop us.”
“Agreed,” both Jamie and Toby said.
“Is it really necessary to take such extreme measures?” Liberty asked.
“Yes,” Toby said, looking at her. He could allow nothing to happen to this woman. Now wasn’t the time to think of the future, but one day soon, Toby thought.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Istill can’tquite believe we got out of London without our parents suspecting anything. Mind you, I am an excellent actor,” Edward said from the seat across from Liberty.
“I hate lying to them, but needs must. Do you think they will be safe, Edward?”
“They are traveling three hours to friends, where they will stay for four nights. They will be fine, Liberty,” her brother said.
Looking out the carriage window, she saw they were leaving the outskirts of London.
“Father didn’t like us going after that business with you being held up by highwaymen, but with a driver and another, both armed, he seemed happier. Plus, the carriage behind with yet another footman and two maids.”
“Yes, that appeased Father,” Liberty said.
“He likes you, you know,” Edward said, his voice hoarse from all the coughing he’d had to do to convince their parents he was indeed unwell. He unwound the scarf his mother had wrapped around his neck.
“Who?”
