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