“Liberty was flirting with one of the Wait Staff. Heaven knows what would have happened if I hadn’t arrived when I did.” I wanted to growl at the syrupy, fake concern with which Erica coated her words. “It’s worrisome, Mom. Can you imagine the scandal?”
I took a deep breath in, waiting to see how my mother responded. She seemed tense for a moment, as though wanting to lash out. But, as quickly as I noticed her reaction, it was gone. Despite her concealed annoyance at my apparent audacity, she didn’t accept my sister’s goading.
“We’ll talk more about this when we get home,” she answered with a smile, her voice light and breezy. Only I noticed the slight tic below her eye. I knew what to look for.
Erica sat back in her chair, wearing a victorious grin. A tiny part of me wanted to lean over and smack the smug expression from her face. Instead, I took another drink of water, trying not to cringe.
“Have you seen who else is here?” My mother asked, brushing away imaginary lint from my shoulder. She straightened the strap of my evening dress, displeased with how it sat against my skin. “Andrew Hampton. Your father has spent the last ten minutes talking business with him. He’s quite impressive and rumor says he’s streamlined to become a partner at his law firm.”
“I thought we didn’t gossip,” I quipped, forgetting to keep my thoughts to myself. My mother’s lips pursed in instant annoyance. This was becoming quite the evening—first, flirting with Oliver and now this.
Mother continued talking as though I hadn’t just questioned her. “He’d be a good catch for either of you girls, but I’m thinking about you, Liberty. Andrew may be just what you need.”
I knew what her last comment was code for. She considered my talking with Oliver an act of rebellion, one she planned on squashing immediately. I was used to the parade of different suitors, used to being showcased like prized cattle. Looking around the large room for my father, I saw him talking with a young man.
Andrew wasn’t anything special to look at—average height, build, and appearance. He wore his black hair short and tidy, unlike Oliver, whose more contemporary style made him sexy. Andrew looked like a younger, carbon copy version of my dad. They even wore the same colored charcoal suit and white shirt.
Great, I inwardly sighed. “Heaven forbid I find love on my own.”
“Who said anything about love? What you need is stability, Liberty Montgomery, and a man who can provide you with the lifestyle you’re accustomed to. You need financial stability, good breeding, and strong moral fiber. Love has nothing to do with finding the right husband. Now sit up straight. He’s looking over here.”
I did what I was told, correcting my posture as my mother chastised me. Nothing was ever right with her, especially the secret wish I’d unfortunately revealed. Whereas my family was all about appearance and maintaining their position on the social ladder, I longed for something simpler—more meaningful. I wanted love. The kind that overshadows everything. The type that transforms you into something bigger, better. And I craved it almost as much as I craved a life of my own.
“Excuse me, I have your drinks.” Oliver returned and I immediately broke my gaze away from Andrew to stare up at him.
I could easily fall in love with you, I thought. You would be perfect for me.
Watching as he placed a martini down in front of Erica, I was surprised when he set something by my hand. It was another glass filled with sparkling water, but this time with small raspberries added.
“It gives it a nice flavor,” Oliver said, showing me another grin before winking. My eyes widened at the revelation that he had done that for me and I shyly returned his smile.
“Thank you. I’ve never tried it this way.”
My mother coughed, pulling my attention away from Oliver and by force of habit, I straightened in my seat. Embarrassed, my head dropped toward my lap and he moved away. I wanted to call him back.
I didn’t know what it was about him, but he oozed of one thing—freedom.
“See what I mean?” Erica retorted, sarcastically.
I forced myself not to respond or follow Oliver’s retreating form. Pretending the situation held no importance, I reached for the fresh glass, my attention returning to Andrew. He was laughing at something my father said, flashing his overly white teeth in the process. When he looked over to where we were sitting, our eyes connected for a brief moment. Tilting his head in greeting, I nodded in reply, the glass rim touching my lips.
“Liberty Jane.” The use of my middle name caused me to freeze mid sip.
“Yes?”
Without another word, my mother took my raspberry flavored water and handed me my previous glass. She didn’t need to say anything, the message was clear—she knew best and even the smallest change wasn’t acceptable.
I caught glimpses of Oliver during the rest of the night, but he didn’t approach me again.
Just as well, I sighed when the fundraiser was finally over. But I knew I was lying to myself. Meeting Oliver had sparked something within me—a taste of what I’d been missing.
I just hoped it wasn’t the last time I saw him.
Loving Liberty is now AVAILABLE.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter One
Darkness Unleashed Page 27
