are you feeling?” Dalinda asked.
“Miserable in the mornings. That started less than a week ago.”
“It will run a few months and then you will feel fit as a fiddle,” Dalinda reassured her. “Would you like to meet Gilford now? I usually go up after tea and spend time with him.”
“I would like that,” Anna said.
They accompanied Dalinda to the duke’s rooms and Dez saw the difference in Gilford the moment they entered. While he had been weak during Dez’s visit, the duke was obviously quite ill. His color was poor and he seemed frail as he gestured from his bed.
“Back for a rematch?” Gilford asked, a twinkle still in his eyes.
“I would like that, Your Grace. May I present to you my new wife, the Countess of Torrington.”
Anna moved close to the bed and curtseyed. “It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.” She took his hand. “Thank you for saving my friend all those years ago. You have made her quite happy and your boys are lovely.”
Gilford smiled up at Anna. “It is Dalinda who saved me,” he said and he glanced to his wife. “She gave me a new outlook on life and the chance to be a father again, twice over.”
They stayed a few minutes and then Anna caught Dez’s eyes and he said, “We have traveled a good distance today and need to retire. Perhaps we can visit again tomorrow, Your Grace.”
“I would like that,” he said weakly.
“Bellows can show you to your room,” Dalinda said, pulling the cord to summon the butler.
When the servant arrived, they bid the duke and duchess goodnight and retreated to their guest bedchamber.
Once alone, Anna said, “Gilford seems quite nice but he’s not long for this world. Poor Dalinda.”
“My sister will be fine. She has her boys, wild though they may be.”
“It surprised me they were here and not finishing their term at school.”
“I understand they were asked to leave their last school,” he revealed. “I fear Dalinda has spent too much time with her ailing husband and her boys are rebelling somewhat.”
He slipped his arms around her and brought her close. “Our children will be perfect, I’m sure. They will never be tossed from their schools. Never tattle on one another. Never put toads in their governess’ bed.”
Anna laughed. “I hope they are just as we were as children. We had some wonderful times together—you, Dalinda, and I.”
Dez laughed and kissed her hard. “How about I show you a wonderful time tonight?”
And he did. More than once.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dez and Anna arrived at Lord Morton’s London townhouse, along with Haggard, the Bow Street Runner. They were to meet with Lord Morton and his daughter first and then others helping in the case against Lord Jergens would join them.
The butler showed them to the drawing room and before Dez could introduce Anna to the earl, she and Lady Jergens fell into each other’s arms. Tears and a hurried conversation occurred and then Lady Jergens presented Anna to her father.
“I am so pleased to meet you, Lord Morton,” Anna said, wiping away her tears.
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Torrington,” the earl replied. “Your husband was instrumental in removing my daughter from Gollingham Asylum.”
“How are you feeling, my lady?” Dez inquired.
“Quite well, Lord Torrington, thanks to you.”
“Has your husband contacted Lord Morton or tried to have you removed from his care?” he asked.
“No. We have heard not one word from Jergens,” she revealed. “I would have thought he would be enraged and stormed my father’s townhouse.”
“We wouldn’t have allowed that, my lady,” Haggard interjected. “Both your father and Lord Torrington have seen to having men placed at the front and back entrances to your residence.”
“Still, it seems odd we wouldn’t have heard from Jergens,” Lord Morton pointed out.
“Unless Dr. Cheshire neglected to notify Jergens of his wife’s removal from Gollingham,” Dez said. “If Jergens had already paid the annual fee for Lady Jergens’ care as a patient, Cheshire might be biding his time.”
“He is sly,” Anna said. “I would not put it past him to keep the news from Lord Jergens for as long as he can.” She turned to Lady Jergens. “Do you remember when your husband placed you at the asylum?”
“It was last September.” A shadow crossed her face. “We had been married less than a month.”
“It is July now so Cheshire has a little time to try and think of a way to notify Jergens that you have left the facility and are in your father’s