Chapter Thirty
Toby walked with his friends down to the end of the street, where it met the water. Thoughts churned in his head as he worked through what he’d learned.
“A lot of work has been done on this dock lately,” Anthony said, looking at the wooden structure.
“Look right,” Jamie said.
Toby saw the two men standing beside a small building that for years had housed ropes, watching them.
They were unfamiliar to him, and something told him they were here to watch over Bidham’s inhabitants.
Anger simmered low in his belly. Someone was threatening his village, and his people.
Yes, he’d not been near this place in years, but that had now changed, and he wanted its inhabitants to feel happy again.
“We could rush them,” Anthony said.
“But we don’t know if there are others here watching,” Jamie added. “We need whoever is behind this operation, not those working for him.
“Come, let’s walk. I have things to tell you, but no wish for anyone to overhear,” Toby said.
“I’ve been giving this some thought,” Anthony said, “and it’s my belief there has to be some place the barrels are being stored nearby. A location that they meet to load them and take them to London.”
“They just take them from here, surely?” Toby said.
“If the boats arrive at night or the weather is foul, I doubt that,” Anthony added.
“If, as those men I met at the bakery said, there is a nobleman involved, then it’s likely he is the one with the property,” Toby said.
“Are there any other families locally, other than you and the Talbots?” Jamie asked.
“Not that I’m aware of, but then I’ve not involved myself in the area for many years,” Toby said.
“And look who has just arrived.”
At Jamie’s words, Toby looked around him and there she was. Liberty with her maid, Helen.
“I don’t want her in Bidham without protection,” he said, walking toward her.
“Nothing will happen in daylight surrounded by people. Don’t overreact, and don’t for pity’s sake forbid her from coming here,” Anthony whispered. “Trust me in this. It will not go well for you.”
“He’d probably know better than us to be fair about this kind of thing, Toby,” Jamie added.
“I need another piece of gingerbread. Come along, Jamie. We will get some for Florence and Evie too,” Anthony said, walking toward the bakery and leaving Toby with Liberty.
He watched the color flush her cheeks as their eyes met. He wanted to forbid her from coming here, but knew Anthony was right. To do so would be folly now, when everything between them was so new. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Hello, my sweet,” he whispered in her ear.
“Hello, Toby,” she said as she dropped into a curtsey. The small smile on her face told him she was pleased with his words. “How is Florence?”
“She is well, and at present with her nanny and Evangeline, being spoiled, I am sure.”
Toby took her arm and moved her a few steps down the road, as if they were looking out over the water. “Are you all right, Liberty?”
“Of course.”
“The carriage ride here, we—”
“I’m all right, Toby, I promise.”
“You look beautiful today. I’m glad to see you are wearing your glasses. I have no wish for you to trip and hurt yourself.”
“Mother does not mind me wearing them here, where no one from London is likely to see me.”
“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” Toby said, taking her fingers in his. “Your future is determined.”
“Toby—”
“However, we cannot get into that now, as I want to understand what is happening in Bidham, Liberty.” She nodded her agreement to that. “Now I need to ask you something.”
“Of course. Anything,” she said.
He wanted to kiss her again. Lean in and nibble that full bottom lip. No woman had ever consumed him before. It was unsettling.
“Do you know of any other nobleman living in the surrounding area, close to Bidham?” She frowned then, her eyes alert through the lenses of her glasses. “It’s important, and I believe connected to what is happening here,” Toby added.
She thought about his words for a moment, and then said, “After I saw you here that day, the first time you returned to the village, I came upon Lord Michael when I was leaving. He told me he was here visiting Mr. Landon as he had a telescope, but I’m sure they have nothing to do with this.”
“Why are you sure of that?” Toby asked, feeling his anger bite for no other reason than she’d mentioned Michael.
“I do not know Mr. Landon well, but of course Lord Michael is a well-respected society peer, and a good man, even if…”
“Even if what Liberty?” Toby demanded as her words faltered.
“He is not the right man for me,” she whispered.
“Has he wanted to be the right man for you?” Stay calm.
“Why are you angry with me, Toby?” She was frowning now.
“I’m not angry with you. Please answer the question, Liberty.”
Her eyes ran over his face before she spoke again. “I’ve recently noticed an increase in his interest in me.”
The breath hissed out of Toby’s mouth. If Michael were involved, had he approached Liberty because she was a local to Bidham? Did he see her as someone he could manipulate? This seemed likely, particularly given that both she and Toby had been seen inquiring at the London warehouse.
Fear ran through his veins at the thought of that man near her.
“You need to listen to me now, Liberty. You cannot have anything to do with Michael,” Toby’s tone was harsher than he’d intended. Her chin raised, eyes defiant now.
“Toby.”
He turned at Jamie’s call and noted a man a few feet away. One of the two who’d been watching them earlier. Anthony moved to intercept him, but the man fled, running up the street.
“Was he listening to us?” Liberty asked, eyes shocked.
“Whoever is controlling what is going on here has eyes all over Bidham, Liberty. Promise me you will not speak with Michael again.”
“Tell me why I must do as you say?”
“Other than you are now mine, Michael is dangerous to you.”
Her blue eyes were almost arctic now as they glared at him. “I beg your pardon? I belong to no man.”
He turned fully to face her. “Wrong. You belong to me.” He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her close, kissing her hard. Shock had her mouth falling open when he released her.
“What are you doing? Someone will see.” She tried to look around, but he held her still.
“I don’t care. Look at me, Liberty.” She did. “Do you remember what we talked about in the carriage? About the men who inflicted what they did on me, Jamie, and Anthony?”
She nodded, the stiffness leaving her shoulders.
“Michael was a benefactor of Blackwood House and knew exactly what was going on there. He also watched my punishment.”
“No,” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“He told me in London that you were a man of questionable character,” Liberty said. Her eyes were now stricken. “Do you believe he is involved in what is happening in Bidham?”
“I don’t know, but it’s possible, and I’m going to find out for sure. I need to go now, Liberty, but I will see you tomorrow. Do not leave your house until then, and only to come to the fair with your family. Is that understood?”
“Where are you going?” She grabbed his arm. “I want to help you.”
“No. We must do this, and I need to know you are safe. If Michael calls at your house, do not let him in. Tell your parents everything if you wish, but do this for me, Liberty.”
“My family is visiting with Reverend Nelly today.”
“You should have gone with them,” Toby said.
“I didn’t want to, in case you called.” She threw her arms around his neck then, right there in the street, and squeezed him hard. “I love you,” she whispered in his ear. “Please stay safe. I don’t want to lose you again.”
“I have too much to live for now,” he said softly. “Trust no one and go nowhere alone. Now, go home at once please, Liberty.”
She studied him briefly and then walked to where Helen stood. Soon, they were heading back out of the village.
“There is a tavern,” Toby pointed to the Gill. “Go there and await me. I will join you soon,” he told his friends.
He walked up the street and watched Liberty and Helen get back into the carriage and roll away. Only when he knew they were safe did he retrace his steps and join Anthony and Jamie.
Toby found his friends at a table in the corner where they would not be overheard. Searching the interior, he only found two others, both locals. He dropped into the empty chair.
“Whiskey,” Jamie said, nudging it toward him.
“Now tell us everything,” Anthony said, leaning closer.
Deep in the pit of his stomach, he now knew that Michael was involved in this entire business, and he planned to find out what. He then told Jamie and Anthony everything he knew, including what Liberty had told him.
“Opium,” Anthony said. “Well, that actually makes more sense.”
“It does,” Toby agreed.
“And that Michael could be involved does not surprise me. We know that man is a bastard,” Jamie said. “Plus, he’s capable of manipulating Liberty to get her on his side. What he doesn’t realize is how close you and she are now.”
“We need to visit Landon,” Toby said throwing down the last of his whiskey.
“Are we to ride up to the front door of Landon’s house and ask to look through his telescope?” Anthony asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Jamie said.
“We don’t really know the man,” Anthony protested.
“But he’s got a telescope, and we, three titled peers, wish to look through it,” Toby said. “It is as good a reason to visit him as any.”
They left then and were soon mounting and riding away from the village. Toby was still seething with rage over the fact that Michael had come after Liberty. Bastard.
“That kiss certainly confirmed what we already knew,” Anthony added. “She is the perfect wife for you, my friend.”
“I love her.” Toby suddenly needed to say the words out loud. Words he should have spoken to Liberty first.
“Well then, there is no more to be said,” Jamie added.
“I believe now that Landon will have somewhere on his land that holds the barrels, like you said, Anthony. He and Michael run the entire operation from there, I’m sure of it,” Toby said, pushing Liberty out of his head.
“I can’t believe an entire village has allowed this to happen,” Jamie said. “Why have they not stood up to them before now?”
“Because they were involved originally. If they went to the authorities, then they would also be in trouble… in fact, more so, as the magistrate would likely blame them over any noblemen involved,” Toby said.
His friends were silent, thinking over his words for a while.
“I believe you could be right there,” Anthony added. “So we need to find the evidence, and who is involved.”
“Michael,” Toby said.
Jamie growled low in his throat, sounding like a rabid dog.
“Agreed. Let’s make him pay,” Anthony said.
Landon’s property was a fifteen-minute ride from Bidham following the coast road.
“There appears to be another entrance there,” Anthony said, pointing ahead of them when they arrived. “It could be worth investigating later and may hold what we are looking for.”
“Landon’s property will border the cliffs and have a view back to the village,” Toby said when they rode through the gate.
“And with the telescope, they can monitor the comings and goings of sea vessels and watch the unloading. Bidham is under constant surveillance,” Jamie added.
“Be alert as we ride up,” Toby warned.
“What are we going to say to Landon?” Jamie asked.
“That I had no idea he was almost a neighbor until Lord Hampton, who I know was one of Landon’s cronies, told me in London that this is where he now lives. I am paying him a call, to enquire if he will attend the fair tomorrow,” Toby said.
“That could work,” Jamie said.
The driveway wasn’t long and soon they were outside a large house that sat back slightly from the cliffs. Dismounting, Toby handed his reins to Jamie, and he and Anthony went to knock on the door.
“Good day to you. I wish to speak with Mr. Landon,” Toby said to the butler.
“I’m afraid he’s from home, sir.”
“Is Lord Michael visiting?” Toby added.
“He is to arrive this evening, sir.”
“Thank you. Please tell both Lord Michael and Mr. Landon that Lords Hamilton, Stafford, and Corbyn called.”
The butler bowed after assuring them he would pass on the message.
They walked away knowing that soon Michael would know he was here, and Toby thought that would unsettle the man, seeing as he, Jamie, and Anthony had also been in town asking questions. Then there was the warehouse in London, where he had seen both Liberty and Toby.
Had he been behind the attack on Toby? The man was capable of that and more. Michael would not get near Liberty again; he’d make sure of it.