Miss Stone?” Dez asked, thinking of the other woman who was as lucid and sane as he was, even as she sat rotting away in Gollingham Asylum.
“Miss Stone taught at a school run by her father. Upon his death, Mr. Stone left the school to his daughter—and not one penny to his profligate son. Though unmarried women can own and maintain property in England, Mr. Stone had his sister committed and has taken over the running of the school. Into the ground, I am afraid.”
Once more, they debated ways to help Miss Stone and authorized the Bow Street Runner to pursue them.
As they readied themselves to leave, Lord Morton said, “Mr. Black said that you might be called upon as a witness to my daughter’s case, Lord Torrington.”
“I will be happy to testify to what I know,” Dez said.
“If I am needed to do so, I would also speak my piece,” Anna added.
“Thank you both,” the earl said. “I am grateful to have Alice back. Even if her reputation is ruined by this whole sordid affair, at least she is free of that cursed place.” He smiled at them. “The fact the two of you have wed and appear quite happy brings me joy.”
They thanked him and left. In the carriage, Dez placed an arm about his wife, drawing her close.
“Do you think Lady Eastman or Miss Stone have a chance of being released?” Anna asked hopefully.
“I will do everything in my power to help restore them to society,” Dez said fervently.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Anna didn’t mind that she and Dez remained in London. The Season was winding down and, already, many of the ton were leaving town with the increase in the heat, retreating to their country estates and house parties. It wasn’t as if they would have been invited to any events.
She didn’t know what their status would be come next Season. By then, they would be parents. She placed a hand protectively against her belly. Her giving birth in February probably meant that they wouldn’t even bother to come to London. She hoped her cousin and his wife would chaperone Jessa for her come-out. Tom’s reputation was impeccable and would help Jessa far more than Anna’s might even though she was now a countess.
They had been to visit Lord Morton and his daughter twice in the last two weeks. Anna and Alice were now on a first-name basis and had left the men on their own to talk while they retreated to a parlor Alice had claimed as her own. Her new friend confided that she still had nightmares about Gollingham but expressed her gratitude for being free of the asylum.
The petition for annulling the marriage of Lord and Lady Jergens’ marriage had been heard recently by the bishop. Neither Dez nor Anna had been called to testify. Mr. Black had sent word that their presence would not be required. Dez had thought that would be the case. They waited now for word regarding the decision.
As she gazed out the window, she asked her husband, “Would you like me to ring for a pot of tea?”
“No. Just sit here with me.”
“Gladly.”
Anna joined Dez and they sat together, their hands finding one another. Having known only brutish physical contact for so many years, she found she craved his touch, in and out of bed. He seemed to understand her need for it and always tried to sit next to her, his fingers laced through hers. Last night, he had curled up with her, his head in her lap. She constantly ran her fingers through the thick waves, reassured by his presence.
“Would you like me to read to you?” he asked.
“No. I am afraid it would be a waste of your voice for I don’t think I could concentrate on the words. Not until we hear from Lord Morton.”
Johnson, their butler, slipped into the room. “Mr. Haggard is here, my lord, and asking to see you at once.”
“Send him in,” ordered Dez.
Moments later, the Bow Street Runner entered the drawing room. He withdrew a folded page from his pocket and handed it to Dez. Eagerly, Anna looked as her husband opened the note and they both read it. Relief filled her when she learned the bishop had granted the petition for annulment.
“Were you with Lord Morton and Lady Jergens when they received word?” she asked Haggard.
“I was, my lady,” Haggard said, a smile lighting his usually stern countenance. “Both father and daughter were quite happy at the outcome. Lady Alice’s dowry