by Aston, Alexa
“Who might be calling?” she wondered aloud.
They strolled to the drive and waited for the carriage to arrive. When it did, she recognized the crest upon it.
“Lord Morton and Alice? But they did not write of their visit,” she said. “I will need for Mrs. Abbott to prepare rooms for them.”
She signaled Meadows, who had arrived and stood to the side. He hurried over.
“We’ll need two guests rooms prepared at once and others for Lord Morton’s servants who accompany them. Wait a moment so we can see who alights from the carriages.”
“I only see the one,” Dez pointed out. “Perhaps they left their valet and lady’s maid at home?”
Anna chuckled. “Would Coral allow you to go anywhere without him? I think not. Any valet worth his salt would demand to accompany his lord.”
The vehicle rolled to a halt and the door opened. Surprise filled her when Mr. Haggard bounded out, followed by Mr. Jefferson. Anna held her breath as two women were helped to the ground. One she did not recognize but the other could only be one person.
“Miss Stone!” she called and rushed to meet the woman.
Miss Stone gave her a shy smile. “Miss Browning,” she said fondly. “Or I believe I should say Lady Torrington.”
“Yes, I have wed since I left Gollingham.” She indicated Dez. “I believe you have met my husband before.”
Dez bowed. “It is good to see you again, Miss Stone. Especially away from the confines of Gollington Asylum.”
“You were instrumental in helping me obtain my release.” She turned to the other woman. “My lord and lady, I wish to present to you my dearest friend, Miss Blair.”
“How do you do?” asked the pretty young woman with lively blue eyes hiding behind a pair of spectacles.
“You are Mr. Jefferson’s fiancée, I believe,” Dez said. “Welcome to Torville Manor, ladies and gentlemen.”
“I know we were unexpected,” Mr. Jefferson said. “But Mr. Haggard told me he was coming down to give you a report in person. Miss Stone wished to thank you herself. Miss Blair and I tagged along.”
“You are all very welcome,” Anna enthused. “Meadows, our butler, will see that your things are taken to your rooms. Would you care to join us in the drawing room for tea?”
“Tea would be lovely,” Miss Stone said. “I hope we aren’t putting you out.”
“We have a large house and can think of no better visitors to invite to stay with us,” Dez said. “Shall we?”
They entered the manor and went to the drawing room, Anna dispatching a footman along the way to give Mrs. Abbott the news of their guests and rooms to be prepared.
Tea arrived and the travelers spoke briefly about their journey from London before Miss Stone said, “We bring news from London. Mr. Haggard, would you be so kind as to share with the earl and countess what they have missed since they returned to the country?”
“Of course, Miss Stone,” said the Bow Street Runner.
Dez found her hand and laced their fingers together. Somehow, Anna knew what the agent would share would be very important.
“As you can see, Miss Stone has been released from Gollingham. There was quite an outcry from the parents of students at Stone Academy after several of Mr. Jefferson’s articles were published. Miss Blair here helped increase the awareness.”
“Mr. Haggard is being kind,” Miss Blair said. “I quite stirred the pot over the matter. I couldn’t believe Mr. Stone had his sister locked away and tried to take over the running of the academy. The parents couldn’t have been lovelier.”
“They increased pressure on the authorities,” Mr. Haggard continued. “With help from Miss Stone’s uncle on her mother’s side, they fought for her release.”
“Where is your brother now?” Anna asked.
“Gone,” Miss Stone said. “I assume back hiding under whatever rock he climbed out from. He’s not an honest sort, my lady. Never took an interest in his education or the school and had been estranged from my father and me for years. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he showed up. The next thing I knew, I was being physically restrained and taken away.”
She paused, wiping a tear from her eye. “I know I am one of the lucky ones. You pressing Lady Torrington’s case. Hiring Mr. Haggard. Lord Morton, too. It’s thanks to all of you and my uncle and the parents who rallied around me.” She took her friend’s hand. “And for my wonderful Miss Blair. If she hadn’t gone and convinced Mr. Jefferson to write about Gollingham, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
“Have any other women been released?” Dez asked.
“Lady Eastman,” Haggard noted. “Mr. Jefferson’s investigation called into question her brother-in-law’s placement of Lady Eastman at Gollingham with only his say and no physician examining her state of mind. It seems her son, the new Lord Eastman, had been experiencing ill health ever since his mother was removed. The Lord Chancellor himself took over the matter, placing the infant under his own household. Remarkably, the child began to thrive again.”
The agent shook his head in disgust. “After strong pressure, the wet nurse hired confessed that she was withholding milk from the babe, slowly starving it. The heir presumptive had paid her to do so and promised to take care of her once he became the viscount.”
Anna gasped. “That is horrible! He slowly kills a babe for position and a title.”
“What did the Lord Chancellor do?” Dez asked.
“He went himself to Gollingham,” Haggard continued. “And removed Lady Eastman to his care. The brother-in-law has been imprisoned and will go to trial. The wet nurse pled guilty and will serve a reduced sentence for her cooperation in the matter.” Haggard sighed. “Lady Eastman will be returning home—with her son—in the next week or so.”
Anna felt her heart racing at hearing this news. “Any other women who found their way out of the asylum?”
Haggard detailed four more families who had claimed their female relatives under the mounting pressure and said the Lord Chancellor demanded that impartial physicians be brought into Gollingham to examine every patient left.
“That is happening as we speak, my lady,” the agent said. “There is hope more will be released. And if found mad, the other patients will be taken to different facilities. Gollingham is to be shut down.”
Anna burst into tears. Dez wrapped his arms about her, murmuring soft words of comfort.
“Forgive me,” she said to their guests after her tears subsided and she dried her cheeks with her husband’s offered handkerchief. “I am so emotional regarding this topic.”
“It doesn’t mean that all asylums will close,” Mr. Haggard said. “As long as there are very rich men who hold the power over their women, these places will exist. But, my lord, you and your wife have helped more than a few women.”
“I am a testament to your doggedness,” Miss Stone said.
“Mr. Jefferson played a key role,” Dez said. “It was crucial to get the public involved, as well as the crown. You are to be congratulated, sir.”
Jefferson said, “Newspapers have been a way to communicate for a good many decades now. Though in London, they are most popular for the gossip columns, which the ton eagerly reads each morning, I am pleased that my investigation has brought about change, even though it is small. I plan to continue my work. Looking into the downtrodden and weak. The helpless and powerless. I wish to make their stories known. Hopefully, some good will come of my efforts.”
He smiled at his fiancée. “I tried to convince Miss Blair to join me in my efforts, helping me with the research, but she is loyal to Miss Stone and the Stone Academy.”
Miss Blair said, “Miss Stone will retire from her teaching duties and serve strictly as headmaster and administrator for the academy.” She gave her friend a fond smile. “I have been named lead teacher. It is a role of great responsibility and one I take seriously. We will have to work hard to undo the harm Mr. Stone caused during his time at the helm.”
“We have lost several students,” Miss Stone admitted. “Hopefully, some of them will return now that I will be in charge once more.”
“I would like to make a donation to Stone Academy,” Dez said.
He named a figure and even Anna gasped.
“Are you serious, Lord Torrington?” asked Miss Stone. “Why, I could keep the school running for several years on that amount. It would allow me to hire additional staff members. New books and supplies.”
“Consider it done. Let me know who your banker is and I will make the arrangements.”
Anna cradled Dez’s face in her hands. “This is why I married this incredible man,” she told the others. “He is generous to a fault and his heart is filled with kindness. I love you, Dez.”
Despite the presence of others, Anna chose to kiss her husband thoroughly.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Anna checked with Mrs. Abbott regarding the week’s menus and then said she was off to the kitchens.
“Claiming more carrots for Daisy?” the housekeeper asked, not bothering to hide her smile.
The doctor had told Anna to curtail further riding until after the baby had been born so she satisfied herself by visiting her horse each day.
“I have already been to see Daisy earlier today,” she said. “I am going to visit Mrs. Milken. She had her baby three days ago and I promised to come back and see her. I’ve had Cook roast a chicken for the Milkens.”
“You are very thoughtful, my lady. Tell Mrs. Milken I wish her the best.”
She went to the kitchens, where Cook spied her.
“I’ve got everything ready for you, my lady. In the burlap sack over there as you requested. Even the scones you asked for.”
“Thank you, Cook. I know the Milkens will be appreciative of your efforts.”
Anna slipped the strap of the bag over her head, which allowed her hands to remain free. It was the only way Dez would allow her to carry things these days. She had reached the five-month mark and had experienced a new burst of energy during this period. The doctor had agreed that walking was good for her and so she had continued to do so every day, enjoying the cooler weather as autumn took hold of Surrey. Being outside still felt liberating to her and she would continue to dig in the dirt and walk as long as possible.
She cut across the estate and headed straight for the Milkens’ cottage. Reaching it, she rapped on the door and then opened it, calling out, “Mrs. Milken? It is Lady Torrington come to call.”
“Here, my lady,” a voice sounded and Anna removed the sack and placed it down on the table before crossing the main room and heading into the bedchamber.
The new mother was in bed, sitting up, pillows behind her. In her arms her infant was fussing.
“I am not sure what is wrong with her.”
“May I?” she asked and held her hands out.
Mrs. Milken handed the baby over and Anna cradled the girl in her arms.
“She has been crying ever since I finished nursing her.”
“Did you burp her?” she asked, remembering how the young mother hadn’t even known to do that after she’d given birth days earlier.
“I did as you said, my lady.” As the baby wailed, Mrs. Milken added, “Whatever is wrong with her?”
Anna brought the child to her shoulder and began swaying back and forth, gently patting the girl’s back.
“Sometimes, they need to burp more than once. I used to help care for my sister, Jessa, when she was born. I was twelve years old and like a little mother to her. Jessa often became fussy because she had taken in more air than she should have.”
She continued moving slowly back and forth as she patted the infant. Suddenly, a loud burp sounded and the wailing ceased.
“There, my little one,” Anna said, rubbing the baby’s back and kissing the top of her head before returning her to her mother’s arms.
“She belched as loud as Mr. Milken does after he’s had more ale than he should have,” the young mother marveled. “For a sound like that to come out of a wee babe is almost frightening.”
“Just remember to keep at it for a few minutes each time after you feed her,” Anna gently reminded. “You will learn as much about her as she does about you over the coming weeks and months.”
“I worry that I will never learn everything,” Mrs. Milken said, sighing heavily.
“It will get harder before it gets easier,” she warned as she rubbed her own belly. “But this tiny one is so worth it.”
“When will your babe come, my lady?”
“In February. The second or third week.”
“You look ever so pretty. You have a glow about you.”
Anna knew Mrs. Milken wasn’t using mere flattery. As she had put on a little weight after leaving the asylum and then more as the baby grew within her, she had noticed her features softening, although she tended to think being in love also had something to do with her appearance.
They chatted for a few more minutes and then she mentioned that she had brought a roasted chicken for them to eat from for the next few days.
“I also had Cook bake you some scones,” she added. “I have found I have a fondness for them while I have been with child.”
The younger mother giggled. “I have always had a fondness for scones, child or not. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, my lady.”
“I am happy to do it for you.”
“All the tenants talk of how lucky we are that his lordship wed you. That you both care for this estate and its people, more so than the previous earl ever did.”
Having known Dez’s brother and his wayward tendencies, it didn’t surprise her. She merely smiled graciously and told the woman that she would be back in a week to visit and see how things were coming along.
She removed the food from her sack and slipped it back over her head. As she started out, the October afternoon’s breeze had picked up and the sting of cool was in the air. She gathered her shawl about her as she left the Milkens’ abode and headed back to Torville Manor. On her way, she decided to cut through the woods and go by the lake, still one of her favorite places to walk. As she passed by what she fondly thought of as her and Dez’s cottage, she thought the door stood ajar.
Leaving the path by the lake, she cut toward the cottage and as she approached it, she saw the door was definitely open. She wondered if they had failed to secure it properly after their last visit here a week ago and today’s wind had blown it open. She reached the door and started to close it when she noticed dirty dishes on the table. Frowning, Anna stepped inside, wondering if someone had come across the cottage and thought it unoccupied.
She ventured further in and crossed to the bedchamber, finding the bed unmade, the bedclothes hopelessly tangled. Some unauthorized person had definitely been staying here. She would alert Dez the minute she reached home. He could have a footman or groom stationed at the cottage and warn the trespasser off. It would also be wise to have a maid come down to the cottage and clean it. Anna didn’t like a stranger having been where she and Dez came for brief respites. Perhaps they should start locking the place up when they left each time, even if it did stand on Torrington lands.
As she turned and came back into the main room, a figure stood in the doorway. The way the sun streamed in, the person’s face was in shadow.
Before she could ask who stood there, the person took a few steps forward.
Matron.
A chill rushed through Anna. Then she saw the light reflect from something in Matron’s hand and saw the woman held a knife. Fear now seized Anna and she dug her nails into the palms of her hands to keep from screaming.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice calm despite the nerves rippling through her. “Have you been staying at this cottage? If so, I must ask you to leave. You are trespassing. I won’t tell my husband but you need to go. Now.”
Matron took a step forward, her wrist turning the kni
fe she held menacingly.
“Oh, I’m not going anywhere, Miss Browning. You always were a troublemaker, from the moment you came to Gollingham.”
“I am Lady Torrington and this is not Gollingham. Leave, Matron,” Anna said firmly.
“You can act all high and mighty—but you’re not going to chase me away. I came for what’s due me.”
Anna bit her bottom lip to still its trembling.
“First you. Then Lady Jergens, Lady Eastman and Miss Stone. Then a few others. Men came. All the patients were removed. And it was all your fault. You and that husband of yours.”
The blood pounded loudly in her ears. She didn’t think she could get around Matron and make it out the door. She locked her knees, trying to keep from swaying.
“It was my place. My place!” Matron shouted. “I handled the patients and staff. Dr. Cheshire merely came in from time to time, pretending to know what went on.” An evil smile lit her face. “I would be the one who whispered in his ear what to do. I decided who would undergo which treatment. I was like a queen, controlling my own little kingdom. I issued orders and they were followed to the letter.”
Matron continued to ramble on. The more she spoke, the more Anna believed that the woman herself had dipped into madness.
“He killed himself, you know. When they shut down Gollingham. Cheshire was a fool.”
Though she couldn’t feel regret for the death of the man she’d called Fiend, she said, “I am sorry for your loss.”
Matron sneered. “I never cared for him. He was weak. Not as I am. I am strong.” She began twisting her wrist again, the blade of the steel knife catching the light.
“You need to leave, Matron,” Anna said again, hoping to get through to her.
“And go where, you bitch?” the woman shouted. “I am out of a job with Gollingham closed. Cheshire died without writing me a reference. Even if I did have one, what good would it do? I have already tried to find another position. No one wants to hire someone from the infamous Gollingham Asylum. Not that all the other madhouses are any different. They’re all the same.”