“Well thank you, Lord Stafford,” Liberty said as he moved to her side.
“I wonder as we are all in this together, and you and my best friend are close, that we should be on first name terms?”
“Well, as to that, we’re not close… not really,” Liberty felt she needed to clarify the connection.
He smiled down at her. She didn’t know this man well, as she didn’t know all of Tobias’s friends, but had a feeling she may have misjudged him as a rake and libertine also, when in fact there was a great deal more to him.
“I think you could be wrong there, my lady.” He waved a hand before him for her to enter the inn behind the others. “However, I’m sure that will work itself out, given time.”
“There is nothing to work out.”
“My friend is changing, and that is not all because of that sweet little girl in his arms. Some of it is due to your presence back in his life.”
“Oh no.” Liberty shook her head.
“Yes,” he said, and then walked inside the inn.
She followed, wondering if Lord Stafford’s words could be true.
Edward had Florence now in his arms and was wandering around, pointing out things to her that hung on the walls, when she entered.
“Your brother is a wonderful young man, Liberty,” a deep voice said from beside her.
“Yes, he is.” She walked away from Tobias then, and sat next to Lady Hamilton at a table, wanting some space between them.
There was little conversation as they ate, everyone just wanting to reach their destination safely.
“Liberty, would you mind switching places with Florence andBarnaby?” Edward said as they made their way back outside to the carriages. “She wants to read her favorite book with me, and Barnaby likes to hear the story too, I believe.”
“Absolutely not.” That would put her in the carriage with Tobias. “She can continue the journey with us, of course, but—”
“Which would leave Tobias traveling alone. That hardly seems fair,” Edward said.
She could read nothing in his eyes, but knew he was up to something. “Not alone. He would have the child’s maid.”
“The maid goes wherever the child does, sister.”
“No, Edward, and in this I will not be challenged.”
“There is no need to use that snooty tone with me.”
“There is every need, brother,” she whispered furiously. “You know how I feel about that man.”
“I thought there was a thawing,” Edward said calmly.
“No, Edward. End of story. Do not ask me again, and I do not take kindly to whatever this game is you are playing.”
“Problem?”
“No, Lord Corbyn. There is no problem.” Liberty walked to her carriage, and knew that in doing so, Edward would have no other choice but to follow.
Looking out the window and away from the door and the man who stood outside it chatting with her brother, Liberty focused on the trees. Of course she didn’t see them, but pretended to. How dared Edward attempt to put her alone with Tobias, especially as she was unwed. Yes, there were questions she wanted to ask him, but if someone saw them together and her mother heard, there would be hell to pay.
The carriage dipped as her brother got in. She didn’t look at him, not wishing to get into an argument about his need to read a book to Florence. He was silent as they left the inn.
The countryside rolled on as far as the eye could see. In thedistance, the land rose and fell in a series of hills and valleys. She enjoyed being out of London and back into the wide-open spaces.
“Edward, I have no wish to spend any time alone with Lord Corbyn.”
