“Lady Liberty—”
“At once.”
“We’ve just been nearly robbed, and you are hurt. Please stay seated, my lady,” Jasper pleaded.
“I want to stand, thank you,” she said in a tight voice.
Her maid hurried to the carriage and returned with her bonnet. Liberty put it gently on her head, and with hands that she noted shook, tied the ribbons.
Relieved when a carriage appeared Liberty released the breath she’d been holding. When the vehicle had stopped, the door opened, and her relief turned to despair as the man stepped down.
Chapter Four
Visiting Bidham andseeing Liberty there, in the place they’d once been friends, had unsettled him, and it had been a long time since he’d allowed anything to do that. He’d forced down any emotion that made him weak.
Toby had seen Liberty many times in London since she entered society. He’d been curious as to why she had not done so until the age of twenty-one, but he no longer had the right to ask.
They’d avoided each other for three seasons, but he’d watched her.
His childhood friend, like him, had changed. The girl who had laughed freely was now serious and reserved. He rarely saw her smile or talk in groups of young ladies like others. No, Liberty had a single friend, Miss Alice Hamner.
She’d never spoken to Toby, nor he her. Not once had the situation arisen where there was a need to interact, other than a curt nod, or muttered, “my lady,” on his part. Toby told himself he was happy with that. Had to be happy with that, as this was the path he’d chosen, and could not afford to deviate from. This is how he stayed safe.
But sometimes, when she slid under his guard, even now, years after he’d turned from her, Toby remembered things. Times they’d spent together all those years ago, and conversations they’d shared. Promises they’d made for the future. It was then he distracted himself, usually with his business interests.
When his father died leaving the Corbyn finances in excellent health, Toby knew it was up to him to ensure that continued. With money came control and safety, and he needed those in his life.
He’d increased his portfolio with two mills and a factory, but nothing ever completely satisfied him, and he always wanted more. Sometimes he wondered if one day his demons would end him. That he’d lie in his bed and let the past he’d fought to rise above consume him, descending Toby into madness. If he were honest, it would be a relief.
It was never good for him to spend too much time alone with his thoughts, but as the dream about his father had spurred him on, he’d gone to Hawthorne and now Bidham, many years too late. But it was a start.
Will I go back there?The answer had to be yes until he knew what was going on in the village. He’d ignored it for too long.
Looking out the window, Toby watched the flashes of light and dark as they followed the tree line in the fading afternoon sun. Deep in thought it took him a minute to realize the carriage was slowing and then it came to a complete halt.
Lifting the hatch above his head, he said, “What’s wrong, Rory?”
“A carriage appears to have broken down, my lord.”
Toby sighed. He couldn’t very well drive around it, even if he wanted to. So he opened the door and stepped down. He saw a carriage listing slightly to the left ahead of him. Walking toward it, he then saw the people. Toby focused on the women in the middle of the group of three.
“Hello,” he said when nothing else came to mind.
“Go on your way, my lord,” Lady Liberty said, glaring at him through her round eyeglasses. “My footman is about to ride for help. We have no wish to hold you up.”
Did her voice sound shaky?
Toby focused on the woman who had once climbed trees and runendlessly over the hills and valleys of their families’ estates with him. She was pale, and her face pinched as if in pain.
“How can I be of assistance, Lady Liberty?” Toby asked, staying where he was and ignoring her order, because that’s exactly what it had been, even if the delivery was weak.
“I want no assistance from you, Lord Corbyn,” she said slowly.
“And yet your carriage wheel is broken, and I am here ready to help, as I fear it will start raining soon, and the air is cool. So perhaps we could relocate to the next inn and wait there until your carriage is repaired?” He kept his voice calm and even. In truth, he would like to obey her and leave, as any time spent with this woman was as comfortable as dancing in stinging nettles because of their history. But if there were one thing he excelled at, it was hiding his thoughts.
“No,” she said. Just the one word as she started toward her carriage, believing that was the end of the matter. Her steps appeared slow and unsteady.
He’d noted that about her too. The agile and elegant girl he’d known wasn’t that anymore. She barely danced, and when she did, Toby could tell she wasn’t comfortable.
