Secrets of the Heart (25 page)

“I plan to escort you to Ashcroft Asylum, where you will get the treatment you deserve. It is quite evident that the seashore was not enough to cure your melancholia.”

Madeline wanted to scream her outrage, but she forced herself to maintain control. “Lord Vale, what do you think you are doing? You cannot send me to Ashcroft. You have no reason to have me committed, and you have no authority.”

“Ah, but you’re wrong. You’re my stepdaughter, and I do so hate to see that you’ve diminished mentally since the death of your father.” He flicked a fly off his cravat. “I’ve decided you are right. I am going to keep a very close eye on my wife. But you are dangerous, Lady Madeline. You are dangerous to others, and that cannot be tolerated. You attacked me upon your return yesterday and slapped me, to say nothing of pulling a pistol on me when Grace and I eloped. I think that should keep you in Ashcroft long enough. Others have been committed for lesser offenses.”

A knot tightened in Madeline’s stomach. She thought of Amanda and how abused she’d been at the hands of the keepers, and perhaps even by Vale. “You are mad. I’ve done nothing to deserve admittance to Ashcroft. I’ve sent for Lord Ravensmoore. He will help us. You cannot deny Mother a physician.”

Ignoring Madeline, Vale turned on Agnes. “What are you waiting for, woman? Did I not tell you to get her packed? She’s lucky I’m being so generous. I should just take her as is, and she can be admitted as a pauper.”

Agnes took a step back and looked to Madeline for direction.

Vale’s hand clamped over Agnes’s upper arm. “I give the orders around here. Now do it,” he hissed.

Agnes winced, and Madeline capitulated. “Go, Agnes. Do as he says.”

Agnes sent her a look of warning to be careful and left the room.

“Don’t take all day about it,” he growled. “I’ve things to do. And Ravensmoore will not be coming to your aid. I intercepted the message.” He held the letter out for her to see, then ripped it to pieces.

“Where is Donavan? He carried the letter.”

“I interrupted Donavan’s delivery. He’s in the stables where he belongs. No one is going to help you.”

Madeline seethed and pointed a finger at him. “You
will not
interfere with the care Mother needs, and you are not to hurt or abuse anyone in this household.”

Vale looked at her nonplussed. “What do I care? You mean nothing to me. I will go where I want, do as I please, and use or misuse as much of Richfield’s money and her people as I wish. As long as Grace is under my care, I will have complete control over you.”

“You will never have control over me, you evil snake.”

“Ah, but I already do. You see, my dear, I will tell Mr. Sullivan to take great care of you. However, if you cause trouble, your mother will suffer for your misdeeds. Am I clear?”

Madeline looked from her unconscious mother to Vale. Fear invaded every pore and paralyzed her ability to pray. “You cannot do this.”

“Now you will cooperate and get yourself to the waiting coach or”—his hand reached out and touched her mother’s index finger, bending it backward just enough that Grace flinched—“I will break her finger.”

Madeline gasped. “Don’t! I’ll go with you.”

“I thought you might be persuaded. Now say your good-byes.”

Madeline kissed her mother on the forehead and whispered in her ear, “I’ll find a way, Mother. Somehow I
will
find a way.” She hadn’t felt so helpless and angry since her father had died, but that had been different. That was an accident, and for the first time a door of understanding opened in her heart for Ravensmoore. He had tried to save her father. Vale was intent on controlling Mother to get what he wanted. Would he go so far as to kill?

She left the room and took one backward look to see Mother in the deep sleep of laudanum.
Lord, surround this house with Your mercy and protection. Don’t let Vale hurt anyone.
She wished she still possessed the pistol that Ravensmoore claimed when she’d pointed it at Vale.

Vale took her by the arm and walked her downstairs where Agnes, Daisy, and Phineas waited in the foyer. “Now tell them to behave themselves, or you and your mother will suffer the consequences.”

Madeline hugged Agnes and then Daisy. With tears in their eyes she stepped back and looked at the three of them. “I must ask you all to keep this in confidence. Not for my safety but for Mother. I know that you will listen to what Lord Vale says no matter how much you may want to do otherwise. We must all keep my mother, your countess, safe. Is that understood?”

They nodded. “God speed, Lady Madeline,” Phineas said. “We will pray for you.”

“The coach awaits.” Vale guided Madeline outside.

The footman opened the door and Madeline climbed inside to come face-to-face with Mr. Sullivan. Taking a chance, she pleaded, “You cannot condone this act! It is criminal!”

“I take my orders from Lord Vale, my lady.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a flask. “Drink up. A special brew for the occasion. We find it easier to transition patients into the asylum with a little help.”

Vale entered the coach and sat next to her with Sullivan opposite. He took the flask from Sullivan and tipped it to Madeline’s lips. “Cheers, my dear.”

C
HAPTER 16

’Tisn’t life that matters!
’Tis the courage you bring to it.

—S
IR
H
UGH
W
ALPOLE
,
F
ORTITUDE

D
EVLIN SAT IN
the massive library at Ravensmoore contemplating, for the thousandth time, his decision to leave medicine. Only weeks away from completing his education and he’d quit. That’s what it came down to. He missed medicine. Misery had befriended him.

“You have visitors, sir,” announced Hummel, the butler. “A Dr. Melton and Countess Gilling. They appear most anxious to see you.”

“Most anxious, indeed.” Melton stood in the doorway. “We must talk with you at once, Ravensmoore.” Melton gently pulled Hally in after him as Hummel quietly withdrew.

Devlin rose to his feet, bowing graciously to his guests. “This is an unexpected surprise. I’m happy to see you, but from the stricken look on your faces I know this is not a social visit. Come, sit down and tell me what is wrong.”

Devlin showed them to a cozy arrangement of chairs. “Now, what is it?”

Melton looked at Hally. “I think Lady Gilling should explain. Tell him all of it.”

“Madeline told you that she and I were going on holiday in Scarborough,” Hally began, nervously fidgeting with her reticule.

“Yes, she mentioned it the last time I saw her. Has something happened to her?” He leaned forward in his chair.

“Yes, I’m afraid so.” Hally went on to explain the devastating outcome of their trip, the evening Lady Darby told Madeline about the Ravensmoore legacy of madness.

“That’s what you’ve come to tell me?” His heart raced. “And now you know as well.” Devlin stood and walked to his desk. “I suppose she was quite horrified. However, I don’t understand why you felt compelled to come in person. Why not simply send a messenger?”

“There’s more,” Melton said ominously. He nodded at Hally. The look that passed between them increased Devlin’s anxiety tenfold.

Hally drew a deep breath. “Yesterday Vale committed Madeline to Ashcroft Asylum. Last night Agnes sent word to me through Donavan, and I immediately contacted Charles.” She sent a grateful gaze his way. “By then it was too late to see you, so we rode out first thing this morning to tell you ourselves.”

His heart squeezed in agony. “Vale—that devil!” Devlin stood raking both hands through his hair. “I must go to her.”

“I am so afraid for her.” Hally wiped at tears slipping down her cheeks. “Agnes is desperate and reports that Countess Vale is ill as well. Something must be done. We will do anything to help.”

“The first thing to be done is to get her out of the asylum.” Devlin hit the desk with his fist. “Then I’ll deal with Vale.”

Hummel entered the room with a pot of tea, an assortment of breads and cheeses, and a pitcher of lemonade balanced on a silver tray. He placed the tray on the table between them. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“It appears I will be leaving, Hummel. Please pack.”

“Yes, sir.” Hummel’s expression was one of surprise, but he said nothing and left the room after serving them.

“So you’re leaving me again.” A young woman in a wheelchair entered the room, pushed by another close to her age. “Forgive me for interrupting. I could not help but overhear.”

Melton was instantly on his feet.

“You mean you couldn’t help eavesdropping, don’t you, Snoop?” Devlin said.

“I never eavesdrop,” she said, smiling charmingly.

“We’ll discuss that later, dear sister.” He stood and placed a quick kiss on the forehead of each girl. “I’ve no time for pleasantries, I’m afraid.”

“She’s bored again,” the younger girl said, smiling.

“So it would seem.”

“Snoop.” Devlin cleared his throat. “I mean, Victoria. I would like you to meet my friends, the Countess Gilling and Dr. Melton.” He turned to his guests. “My sister, the Lady Victoria, and our youngest sister, Lady Mercy.”

Melton bowed. “Ravensmoore, you said you had sisters, but you never mentioned how charming they are.”

“I’m surprised he mentioned us at all. We are well-kept secrets,” Victoria said. “And is this your lady, Dr. Melton?”

“Indeed,” Melton said, and gently reached for Hally’s hand.

Victoria studied Hally carefully. “My, you certainly are beautiful. Do sit down, Dr. Melton. We didn’t mean to cause a stir. It’s just when I heard that our brother is leaving… well, I couldn’t help myself.”

Devlin quickly informed his sisters about what had happened and why he must leave. “Victoria and Mercy, please show the countess where she may freshen up while I discuss this situation with Dr. Melton.”

“Getting rid of us, are you, brother?” Victoria patted Devlin’s cheek. “Perhaps we can all visit longer at another time. Come with us, Countess; we will leave the men to discuss their plans.” The three exited the room as the men regained their seats.

Devlin gathered his thoughts, struggling to keep his fear for Madeline under control. Nothing had prepared him for the blow that Lady Gilling had delivered.

Melton said politely, “How long has Lady Victoria been confined to a wheelchair?”

“She’s been sick since childhood with few respites between bouts of illness. She grows weak frequently. Although bloodletting is advised, I’ve decided to try other remedies of my own making and hope that God will smile on my efforts and heal my sister. Victoria finds it easier to get about in the chair with Mercy’s help. She says it gives her more independence.” He frowned. “Better than lying about all day. It’s hard to see her like this though. She longs to be self-sufficient.” Changing the subject, he said, “Now, let’s talk of the crisis at hand.”

“Langford told me that Ashcroft was still looking for a capable physician.” Melton looked at Devlin with meaning.

“I’m following you. It’s the best way for me to enter Ashcroft. I’ll locate Lady Madeline and get her out as fast as possible.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, you won’t. It will appear suspicious.”

“Then what? You cannot expect me to abandon you. You may need help.”

“This is my problem. I appreciate your bringing Countess Gilling here and informing me of Madeline’s dilemma, but I must enter the asylum alone, as Dr. Grayson, not Ravensmoore.”

“Agreed. Tell me, why did you leave York? I believe old Langford was actually disappointed. I know I was.”

“I had a fool notion in my head that Lady Madeline might be displeased that I was pursuing medicine instead of her. I decided to postpone my studies and return home to think this through, pray, and make certain I am not being selfish. I knew I had to tell her about my mother, but I didn’t dare broach the subject of my mother’s illness for fear that she would never understand.”

“I don’t think you give the woman credit. I believe she admires you because you were following your heart regarding medicine and not taking the easy road. You had her respect.”

“I’m not certain I would call it respect, Melton. She still struggles with the memories of her father. I do not think she can love me. She rejected me. What am I to make of that?”

“Only Lady Madeline will be able to tell you, but only if you can rescue her from Ashcroft. You have a difficult task ahead of you, Ravensmoore. Let me know how I can help.”

He and Melton stayed up half the night planning a strategy. Devlin left before dawn and traveled east from Ravensmoore to Ashcroft. He’d left Melton and Countess Gilling in Victoria’s capable hands, with the understanding that he would send word to Melton in York as soon as possible.