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“Finally.” Robert let out a deep breath. “I am glad to finally meet you, Mr. Tule,” Robert said as the men reached him. He shook the stranger’s hand and looked him over. Mr. Tule wasn’t a tall man; he was thin and pale but with strong and confident features.
“A pleasure,” Mr. Tule returned. “Apologies for the delay. The weather would not be reasoned with. I’ve heard that you’ve asked about me for quite some time.”
“Right,” Robert agreed, nodding his head. “Perhaps we should adjourn to the carriage and continue our conversation there, lest we freeze to death.” Robert’s words were coming out muddled as his face felt numb from the cold. His hands were like two blocks of ice. At Mr. Tule’s nod, they proceeded into the carriage.
As soon as they settled inside, Robert regarded Mr. Tule intently.
“Tell me, My Lord—” Tule started first.
“Clydesdale is fine,” Robert interrupted.
“Of course, Clydesdale. You don’t mind that we jump straight to business, do you? I am quite tired from the journey.” At Robert’s brisk nod, the man continued. “Tell me about your interest in York asylum?”
Robert rubbed his frozen hands together before answering. “I recently got married—”
“Congratulations, My Lord.”
“Yes, well, my wife’s sister was confined in an asylum for several years until we got her out.”
“I am extremely sorry she had to go through that,” Mr. Tule seemed genuinely worried.
“While we were in that place, I noticed the poor conditions of the asylum itself, the cracks in the walls, the drafts, the dirt. But that’s not the worst part. The way they handled her while bringing her to us—” Robert paused and shook his head at the horrifying memory. “Then, I noticed some bruises, cuts, and burns on her body. From years of abuse, I assume.”
Mr. Tule was shaking his head during the recitation.
“I’ve dug up all the reports, articles, and documentation on the place,” Robert continued, “and all of them praise the asylum for being humane, for excellent care, cleanliness.” Robert grimaced in disgust before assuming a severe expression. “All except for one article. From you.”
“They are stationed basically next door to us,” Tule nodded, “and I have never seen the inmates in their gardens or anywhere for a walk, even one by one. Their doors are always closed shut; often, we hear yelling. Whatever happens behind those shut doors, many people die every year in that asylum. I don’t have evidence to support my claims other than the things I’ve seen with my own eyes, but that always led to my word against theirs. And lunatics are problematic witnesses, especially if they’re dead.”
“I am willing to testify against them,” Robert said firmly. “I will take testimonies of our family doctor. He’ll do a check-up and confirm my allegations.”
“That would be a good start. However, to reform a whole asylum, it needs more than that.” Mr. Tule narrowed his eyes on Robert. “How far are you willing to go for this?”
Robert raised his brow. “What do you suggest?”
* * *
Julie was directing the servants to prepare everything for their trip to London when she heard the carriage rounding their driveway. Julie’s eyes lit up in excitement, and she ran out the front door. Was it possible? Was Robert back?
She stopped cold as she saw an unknown carriage stop in front of her. A tall, dark-haired, handsome young man hopped out of the carriage and bowed to her politely.
“Didn’t anyone tell you to greet your guests inside the house?” he said, smiling widely. “Not that I don’t enjoy special treatment.”
“Oh,” Julie woke from her stupor, staring at the stranger’s deep brown eyes. “I thought you were Robert.” Julie curtsied and looked at him in question.
“Apologies, I must have left my manners back in London. Lord Eric Howard, Robert’s cousin.”
“Of course.” Julie frowned, not remembering Robert mentioning his cousin to her. Still, then again, he hadn’t told her about any of his relatives except for the dowager and the duke. “Please, come in.”
They entered the hall together, and Julie saw the dowager’s disapproving face as she stood on top of the stairs.
“You are not welcome here, Eric,” she said in her regal voice as she started gliding down the stairs. Another person who hadn’t won favors with the dowager, Julie thought.
“Come now, aunt. I came to meet Clyde’s beautiful bride and to wish them the best since I wasn’t invited to the wedding,” he said with a charming smile. “With both of us married, don’t you think bygones should be bygones?” he raised a brow and smirked.
“I want you out of the house,” the dowager thundered, stopping on the final landing.
“Oh, but you are not the mistress of the house, are you aunt?” He grinned at her. “Lady Clydesdale here invited me to stay.”
