her into the village. Anna gave a jaunty wave as the two set off. She turned in the opposite direction.
It had been nice to explore Shelton Park again, both on horseback and foot. The estate was a beautiful one. She had avoided talking with any tenants so far, only waving or nodding as she passed. She knew she was the object of gossip and wasn’t yet ready to confront it. The day would come when she knew she would be ready. It just wasn’t time yet. When she did, it would be imperative not to show any emotion when the inevitable questions came. Where she had been all these years. What the asylum was like. Whether she had truly been insane. Whether she still was. Anna knew there would always be those who judged her, be it Polite Society or the locals. Being ready to stand up for herself was important.
She rode the perimeter of Shelton Park and then turned inward, drawn to the lake. Knowing Dez was gone, she had ridden to it several times. She did so now, knowing the water brought her solace. Without meaning to, she crossed from Shelton Park onto Torrington lands and soon found herself at the cottage. Dismounting, she tied Daisy’s reins to a post and tried the door. It was unlocked and so she stepped inside.
This was the place she had truly regained her sanity. Anna had never been mad but she knew for long periods she had retreated within herself. It was here that Dez brought her back to reality. In her short time staying at the cottage, he had helped her regain confidence in herself. There would always be instances when doubts occurred. That was only natural. But after her time with him, she had learned to trust herself.
She walked to the doorway of the bedchamber, standing there as memories of making love with Dez flooded her. She was still glad she had coupled with him. The only regret she had was that it had been selfish on her part, tying Dez to her when she was trying to free him. Still, it would be the only time she would ever be with a man and she was glad she had done so. Everything about the experience had been perfect. It was a well from which she would draw over the years.
“Anna,” a voice softly said and she winced.
Dez had returned.
She turned slowly. He stood several feet from her, dressed in fawn breeches and a bottle green coat and waistcoat. His hair, always slightly wavy, was mussed from the breeze. There would never be a more handsome man as far as she was concerned.
“You returned from London,” she said, stating the obvious. “How did your business go?”
Anna hated that her tone and greeting sounded stiff to her ears but she couldn’t help it. She had to create distance between them in order to keep herself from rushing to him and throwing her arms about him.
“It went well.” He swallowed. “It involved you to a degree. Could we sit a moment? I’d like to explain because it will affect you.”
“Of course.”
She bravely went to the settee and was surprised when he didn’t sit next to her but took the chair next to it.
“I hired a Bow Street Runner,” he began. “I wanted to track down Lady Jergens’ father and inform him of her situation.”
“Were you successful?”
He nodded. “The runner found Lord Morton and I accompanied him to Gollingham.”
Dez explained how they had also brought along the earl’s solicitor and personal physician and how they were able to liberate Lady Jergens from the asylum, albeit it not quite legally.
“She is now Lady Alice again,” he concluded.
“I am sure she is very grateful to you for all you did on her behalf.”
“She is,” he agreed. “News of her release and petition for annulment, due to fraud, will eventually make the London newspapers. My agent ascertained Lord Jergens’ gambling debts are already growing again.”
“They will never see her dowry again.”
“That didn’t matter to Lord Morton, only that he had his daughter returned to him.” Dez hesitated. “Anna, once the newspapers get hold of the story, there will be talk of investigating Gollingham. You see, Mr. Haggard, the agent I engaged, was able to obtain a list of all of the women there. When we went to retrieve Lady Alice, I was able to speak to each of them briefly. As a result, I have contacted two other families who have relatives who are patients