Page 30 of Tempting the Earl
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Several days later the two gentlemen were on the road again. This time they opted to drive out in a light carriage rather than riding. The journey to Bath would take them at least two days and they had decided it would be foolhardy to ride all that way despite the fact that it would be a bit faster on horseback. Conversation was desultory as they took turns at the reins. James was one of the few people Philip would ever trust driving any of his prized horses. The time passed slowly and they finally made their way to a fine hotel Philip was familiar with in the popular town. They asked the landlord a few questions and found out where they would be able to find the missing old nurse, Mary. They resolved to track her down early the next morning.
The next day dawned early and Philip prepared to go question the marchioness' old servant. James was feeling under the weather and would remain at the hotel for the time being. It was a pleasant morning and Philip enjoyed his ride out to the little farm where he had been told he would be able to find Mary. It was a humble home, and several people came out to observe who would be riding up their lane in such a fancy equipage. Philip stepped down and introduced himself, explaining why he was there and apologizing for the disturbance. Several pairs of eyes observed him gravely before a comfortable looking woman with ruddy cheeks and greying hair stepped forward and said, "I'm Mary, I'm who you're looking for, your lordship."
Philip was relieved and asked if there was somewhere they could sit and talk. He was invited into the kitchen to sit by the fire while Mary's sister offered tea. Philip accepted graciously, and gratefully warmed himself from the chill of the morning.
"So you're looking for my wee one are you, my lord? You didn't have to work so hard at tracking me down, you should've just asked his lordship, that Ridley fellow, what he did with her. He carted her off in the middle of the night with that evil friend of his, Lord Max." Mary was becoming upset and was clenching her fists in her lap. Suddenly she pounded her fist on the table. "I heard them talking about taking my baby to Bedlam. Bedlam, I tell you. How could they take my beautiful, precious wee one to Bedlam?" She began to weep.
Philip was stunned. "Bedlam! Are you sure? Why would he take her to Bedlam? Was she disturbed?" No one he had spoken to had mentioned there was anything wrong with the marchioness.
Mary continued to weep but replied to his questions. "Anyone would be disturbed to be taken away and locked up in Bedlam wouldn't they, my lord? No, there was nothing wrong with the precious girl aside from refusing to wed with that fiend, Lord Max. Ridley had threatened her that if she continued to refuse he would lock her up. I think the wee bairn didn't truly believe he would follow through on that threat, and so she held out in her refusal. She knew her parents would never have wanted her to marry such a one as he. But one morning I woke up and she was gone, disappeared in the night. I lit into Ridley let me tell you, screaming like a fishwife I was so distraught, but to no avail. He refused to admit what he had done. He then had me subdued and told me my lady would no longer require my services, that he had made other arrangements for her. He didn't even provide me with the coach fare to leave, just shoved me out the door without even a fare thee well." Mary's tears had dried up, and she just sat there huffing in her outrage.
Philip was perplexed. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Who's there to tell?" was her practical reply. "Lord Ridley is her guardian, and I have no proof that he had taken her to Bedlam, nor any way of going there to get her out. I have no authority over her; I'm just her old nurse. Even if I had found a way to get to the asylum, they would never have let me in. Haven't you heard the stories about such places? I tremble nightly thinking of the poor sweet lass locked up with all sorts of riff raff. But if you're looking for the young marchioness, you'll no doubt find her in Bedlam. Might I ask you, my lord, why are you looking for her? She has no other kin than the viscount."
Lord Yorkleigh had grave misgivings over this newest development. It was just as well that Ridley was so far away because at the moment Philip felt quite violent towards the villain. He had definitely heard stories about Bedlam, perhaps worse tales than the nurse knew of. No one should be in there in his opinion, least of all a gently bred lady of quality, even if she were unwell, most especially if she weren’t. He made an effort to remain calm so as not to frighten the older woman any further while he strove to answer her question.
"His Majesty, the King, has commissioned me to find the marchioness. It is by his authority that she may inherit all that her parents left to her. As you may know, due to the age of most of the titles, Lady Emmaline is entitled to inherit all the titles and estates. Our sire wishes to fulfil the late marquis’ request to have his daughter so honoured. When his majesty heard of the marquis' death, he began to inquire about the daughter and when Ridley did not produce her, the king started a search."
“Yes, yes, I’m aware of that, but what interest do you have in this matter, if you don’t mind me being so bold, milord?” Mary likely realized she may be going too far, but couldn’t seem to help herself while worried about her dear charge’s safety.
“I understand your concern, Mary. The fact is I have absolutely no vested interest in the outcome of this search, which is why the king has entrusted it to me. My father was a trusted advisor to His Majesty, and in his absence, I was chosen to look into her disappearance. Apparently, there is a shortage of honest, decent fellows these days.”
"Well that's great news that you and our king are looking for my lassy," declared the nurse. "Just drive over to Bedlam and get her out."
"I have every intention of doing that. Are you prepared to come to her once we've located her? She will no doubt be in need of the comfort of a familiar face after her harrowing ordeal."
"I don't think you'd be able to keep me away, my lord," was the instant reply. "I can be ready at a moment's notice."
"Very good. I will send a carriage for you as soon as I've located her. You may also be required to tell his majesty what you know."
"Speak to the king? Oh, my gracious, I don't know about that, my lord," was her flustered answer.
"It may not come to that. Whatever happens, I will send you word. Thank you, Mary; you've been most helpful."
With that Philip took his leave and drove back to the inn to collect James and start on the way back towards London. James had been stunned into momentary silence when Philip revealed their new destination. After several moments he finally broke that silence in still shocked tones.
"Bethlem Royal Hospital. I cannot believe he would stoop so low as to have her locked up in such a place. Better, I think, to murder her than to put her there. Everyone knows what kind of place it is." He broke off in disgust, unable to even contemplate the possibility of a gently bred female being placed in such a situation. "Perhaps he should be hanged for such an action," James continued dispassionately, as though commenting on the weather. "Hanging might be too good for him.Heshould be locked up in Bedlam."
"James, I'm trying to remain positive here. We don't know for sure if he took her there. We only know he threatened to do so. Perhaps the girl ran away to avoid such a fate. Or mayhap he took her elsewhere. We still have very little information to go on. We don't even have a recent likeness of the marchioness to identify her. Let's try to remain calm until we reach Moorfields and see for ourselves. Our anger is transferring to the horses and making them restless. We don't need an accident to complicate an already difficult journey."
Both men subsided into restless silence and they hastened onward towards London, changing the pair frequently to make the fastest time possible. It was impossible to make it back to London in one day no matter how fast they travelled so they finally broke their journey a few hours short of their destination in order to grab a couple hours of sleep and rest the weary horses. Rising at dawn the next day they hurried on their way once more and clattered up to the cold stone façade of the Bethlem Royal Hospital late that morning.
Philip stared in fascinated disgust at the ghoulish statues gracing the front gate. In the light of day they looked eerie and almost farcical. He shuddered to think what they'd look like by the light of the moon. As he gazed past the iron gates to the granite building beyond he heard the sounds emanating from within and knew the young lady could not have survived these months if she had truly been left there. Surely Ridley would have been notified of her death, but he had seemed sincere in his claims to not know where she was. This assurance fortified the earl to step through the gates and proceed with his investigation.
Upon their entrance a great bull of a guard hailed them. He lumbered towards them with a welcoming grin that exposed the few blackened teeth that remained in his mouth. His pockmarked face with its squinty pig-like eyes surrounded by his wild and lanky hair was the stuff of nightmares, and Philip struggled to suppress a shudder as the guard drew up before them. When he spoke, a gust of putrefied air wafted towards Philip but he managed to keep his face impassive.
"Mornin' guvnor. Is you here to see the inmates? We charge a fee ya know."
"Actually, my good man, we are here to collect one of your inmates, not for a viewing. Could you please point us in the direction of the warden or director of this establishment?" Philip enquired politely, although disgusted at the thought of spectators coming to view the residents of the "hospital."
"Well guvnor, I'm sure there's a fee for that."
"I'm sure there is," replied Philip in resignation as he flipped some coins towards the guard's eagerly waiting hand.
"Warden's through them doors over there, can't miss 'im." The guard pointed. "I'll keep an eye out for your carriage, guvnor," he offered generously.
