“I’ve got you,” Roman whispered against her ear. He carried her away into the private sitting room where the portraitof Caroline Ashton looked down upon them. Placing Judith on the sofa, he joined her there and pulled her against him.
Judith wept silently for several minutes. She couldn’t believe all that had happened. While he was annoying, never had Judith imagined Bert Black had gone mad. He seemed so reasonable prior to this. There was nothing that indicated to her that he’d lost his senses.
Roman handed her a handkerchief, and Judith straightened to wipe her eyes. She drew a deep breath and finally locked her gaze with his.
“I thought he would kill you,” Roman whispered.
“I thought he might killyou.” She reached up to touch his cheek.
“Did you have any idea of him having killed your grandfather?”
“No.” She dropped her hand and eased back against the sofa. Roman kept his arm securely around her. “I knew Grandfather was much weaker and presumed his heart had stopped on its own. I pray he didn’t know what happened. It’s just too terrible to consider.”
A uniformed officer stepped into the sitting room. “Mrs. Stanford?”
Judith looked up and nodded. “I am Mrs. Stanford.”
The officer came to where she sat. “And you are Dr. Turner?”
Roman stood and extended his hand. “I am.”
“I spoke with your aunt, Doctor. She told us what had happened, but I’m still going to need to take information down from both of you while it’s fresh in your minds.”
“Did you hear him admit to killing James Ashton?” Roman questioned.
“I did, along with several of my men.”
“He’s clearly lost all reason,” Judith said, looking up at them. She didn’t trust her strength and remained seated.
The officer nodded. “We’ve taken him into custody. Myguess is that he’ll end up at the Hospital for the Insane in St. Peter.”
“Where is that?” Judith had never heard of the town, much less that there was an insane asylum available in Minnesota.
“It’s about seventy miles from here,” Roman offered. “The hospital there is fairly new. Just built in 1866. I serve on the board. In fact, when I first met you, I was in Philadelphia to visit area asylums.”
Judith knew that if Roman was involved, it would be a good place and not one of those horrible prisons that did little but torment those who were already lost in their madness.
“I suppose that is where he belongs.”
“It’s the best place for him, Judith. It’s on over two hundred acres with all sorts of things the patients might do to ease their long days, including tending sheep.” Roman looked back at the officer. “I’m glad you were able to take him without further danger. He fired his gun into the ceiling.”
“By accident,” Judith felt compelled to say. Little by little her strength was returning. They were safe now, and hopefully there would be no further trouble.
Just then Mary appeared with the tea cart. “I heard them say that they would need to question you. I thought tea or coffee might steady your nerves.”
“Coffee is exactly what I need.” Judith waited while Mary poured her a cup and added cream and sugar.
“Thank you.” Judith sampled the brew and nodded. It was perfect. She looked up with renewed confidence. “Now, what would you like to know, officer?”
Roman was relieved when the police finally left the Ashton mansion. He could tell that Judith was spent from the ordeal and suggested she take a lunch tray in her room and then a nap.
“I suppose a rest would be good since the afternoon has grown so warm.”
Mary gave a light knock on the sitting room door. “Mrs. Markle is wondering about your lunch, as well as what you might have planned for dinner this evening. Would you still like her to make the crab cakes?”
“Well, that depends on Dr. Turner.” Judith turned to him and smiled. “I just wondered if that impromptu proposal of marriage was sincere.”
“What’s that?” He looked at her for a long moment.
