Free Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness by Deb Marlowe Page A

double benches echoed in the semi-circular gardens that framed the entrance.  At the bottom of the stairs, she moved quickly to the left of the maze, heading for the high platform and catching the assigned footman before he could climb to his position.
    She whispered her instructions.  He gazed dubiously at her, but nodded in quick agreement when she passed him a small purse. 
    Turning back, she saw the leading edge of the main group gathering at the top of the stairs.  Not wanting to be caught, she turned the corner of the maze and ducked into the garden bordering the front.  Shaped like a half circle, it crowned the square maze.  A flagstone path divided the circle down the middle and led to the entrance.  Back here in the corner stood a sizable grouping of rhododendrons.  She ducked behind them and waited.
    The chattering group moved slowly.  Liberty hoped Lord Brodham was with them.  The last thing she wished was to encounter him alone.
    If only he hadn’t found them out!  She’d had it all set in her head.  Everything would go as planned today and the next time she saw the viscount, Felicity would be safely betrothed to Peter.  Liberty would have been gracious as she congratulated Brodham on a war well fought.  She would have been perhaps a little . . . sultry as she teased him about the war he hadn’t been brave enough to attempt.  And she would have bid him goodbye, sure that she would always linger in his mind as what might have been.
    Given his reluctance, that was the best she’d thought she could hope for.  Now he was here and stirring up hope and dread and worse—she had to scramble to be sure he didn’t interfere with Peter and Felicity.
    Truthfully, though, she didn’t think Mr. Gardiner would allow it.  He’d asked for help in arranging a bit of time alone with Felicity.  The pair of them should already be in the maze.  She’d just assured that the footman would see them quickly guided through to the center. 
    He meant to propose to her friend, she knew it.  But there was something else, too.  She’d caught a hint of it and knew she had to give them time.  Jane had agreed to slow the main group as she could and Liberty would hurry in after them and help. 
    Gradually, the noise from the group faded.  She waited to be sure they had all entered the maze, then left her hiding spot and hurried to catch them up—
    Only to find Lord Brodham approaching from the same vantage in the opposite corner of the garden. 
    They met on the walkway.
    “Good afternoon, Lord Brodham.” 
    “Miss Baylis.” 
    A long moment passed before he extended his arm.  “Shall we take in the maze together, then?”
    She stared.  Her head told her to take it.  She didn’t really have a choice.  And it was just an arm .
    Her heart knew better.  It was a hard, muscular appendage on a dangerous, reluctant male.  It promised safe passage through the garden maze, while what she truly wanted was a partner for longer than that—her life’s escort.
    “Liberty?”
    So quietly he said her given name.  The first time he’d used it. It sounded entirely different coming from him.  Not silly.  Rough edged and raspy.  It sent a shiver down her spine.  She should have turned and fled in the other direction.  Instead she reached out, entwined her arm through his and let him pull her close as they set off.
    How was it possible that she found her normal gait?  His warmth was invasive.  Her muscles were softening.  She concentrated very hard on keeping up and keeping upright.
    They passed through the dim tunnel of boxwood that marked the entrance, and then out into the first corridor of the maze.  Surely not a good idea, to be alone with him in this narrow, high-walled world of green.  Disembodied laughter and happy voices floated towards them, but it was difficult to see from which direction they came.  She couldn’t see either footman from this vantage point.
    They paused, neither sure which way to