To Save a Love - Alexa Aston Page 0,65

remove your daughter from Gollingham, my lord. Others, too.”

The earl frowned. “Others?”

“Yes. I have a list of the other patients who have been committed to the madhouse. Lord Torrington is having me look into each one to see if there is a possibility of freeing any of these women, such as Lady Alice.”

“Then I wish you the best of luck, young man.” Morton looked to Dez. “And I will pay for Mr. Haggard’s services, reimbursing you for anything you have spent, as well as any other costs incurred with regard to these other women.”

“That isn’t necessary, my lord,” Dez assured the earl.

“It may not be to you but I want to help in whatever way I can. Shall we split the bill?”

He grinned and stuck out his hand. “You have a bargain.”

The men shook and he suggested the earl also take his carriage.

“Why?”

“Having just removed a patient from the same facility, I can tell you that Lady Alice will be quite fragile, both mentally and physically. I am not saying she is mad. She seemed far from it but she has suffered inhumane treatment and been without hope. She may not wish to be in the presence of others as we return to London. I would be happy for your physician and solicitor to return with me. As it is, you will need to stay overnight. It will be too late to begin the journey to London. Grantham is the nearest village to Gollingham. Alton is a bit larger and might be a better place to stay the night.”

“I will take your advice, Torrington,” Morton said. “Would you ride with us for a bit? At least to whatever inn we stay at. My daughter might recognize you and be comforted by your presence.”

“I would be happy to do so.”

“Then we should leave at once,” the earl declared.

“I can have messages sent to your homes and offices,” Dez offered to Black and Caymon.

Both men took him up on the offer and they quickly dashed off notes. Black said his would ask for his associate to look into Lord Jergens’ financial affairs and determine whether or not he had sold the estate, which was to have gone to his wife, according to the marriage settlements. Dez gave the notes to his footman to deliver. With that accomplished, the five men ventured outside, where Dez’s carriage waited next to Morton’s.

“I won’t be going along, Lord Morton,” Haggard said. “You have the men you need with you to bring your girl home. I will remain in London, running down leads on the list I brought back.”

“Thank you again, Mr. Haggard,” the earl said. “I will ask to see you once I return to London with Alice.”

“Very good, my lord,” Haggard said and took his leave.

The earl asked Dez to ride with them and he instructed his coachman to follow. The driver already knew the final destination and nodded.

*

They reached Gollingham at close to four o’clock that afternoon. As they disembarked, Dez told his coachman that they would return to Alton and spend the night in order to allow the horses to rest.

“Do you have need of me, my lord?” the driver asked, glancing up at the structure before them.

“If I need an extra pair of fists, I will know where to come,” he replied. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that.”

He rejoined the others and they made their way to the door. Lord Morton pounded on the door and shouted, “Open up!”

After a few moments, the same servant who had answered before when Dez had come calling with Shelton opened the door. His eyes darted among the four men standing in front of him and paused when they landed on Dez.

“No. Not again,” he proclaimed and slammed the door in their faces.

Before the attendant could throw the lock, Dez turned the knob and pushed it forward forcefully. It slammed into the man and he went crashing to the floor.

Quickly, he scrambled to his feet and began shouting, “Matron! Matron!” as he scurried up the staircase.

“Follow me,” he told the others and he hurriedly ascended the stairs in pursuit of the man.

They reached the landing and turned to go up the next flight when a commanding voice from above said, “Stop right there.”

For a moment, he obeyed and saw a large woman with hair as gray as iron and a sour look upon her face. Behind her was the attendant, who said, “He’s the one in front. The one who took her. He’s back again.”

Matron stared