She looked faint, but this is where her nightmare began. They had to come. “I need to give you another piece of your truth. I can’t do it without you. I’m not going to pacify you or make assumptions or do anything to diminish your strength.”
“Here? I feel the gloom.”
“No one can identify you being here but you. You’re a brave lass. You stand with me, unless you can’t, but this is where the answers lie.”
“The Widow’s Grace came up with nothing, includingsearchingWillingham’s office.”
“I don’t need to hear that.” He held his hand out to her again. “Jemina, stand with me.”
This time she clutched the tip of his fingers. “Close enough.”
“You’re not going to commit me, Daniel? This is no trick?”
“No. No trick. And you know I’m loathed to be without you.”
She smoothed his pinkie. “Just wanted you to say it aloud. What truth will we glean from here?”
“Jemina, you already recognized the hospital. This is the place injured persons at sea would have been brought. The sailors of the HMSBelviderahad to be familiar with it. Many of their colleagues and those in the press gang butchered from the bloody Peninsula War or the battles of 1812 were taken here for treatment.”
“You think they took me here?”
“Yes, but we have to be sure. You and I are going to walk inside.”
Her heart pounded like a gong. He brushed her wrist. “Lady Shrewsbury has beat us here. See her carriage? She’ll sit with Hope while you and I visit Dr. Scottson. Then we will leave together. Is that fine with you? Will you join me on this mission to get answers for my Lady Ashbrook?”
Jemina looked small, so frightened.
“This risk is what you do for the Widow’s Grace, scaling buildings, scary things for others.” He knelt again in front of her and bundled Hope onto the seat.
With his hands to her hips he scooted her forward, so she’d not miss his gaze, the faith he had in her. “I wouldn’t bring you here if I didn’t think you strong enough to handle it. You know me, Jemina. I’d protect you before I’d let anything happen to you, but this is something we must do together.”
She traced his wide nose, the bridge of his glasses steaming up as he looked at the terror rocking her shoulders.
“Yes, Daniel.”
“Repington’s contacts were able to arrange today’s appointment. His duchess knows you’re here, so we are not without advocates, in case . . .”
“What?”
He lifted his hands. “Technicalities. Jemina, we have to go back to where it all began.”
Mr. Anthon opened the door, and Lady Shrewsbury came inside. With sherry eyes, dour and a little fretful, she took the sleeping Hope into her arms.
Daniel kissed his aunt’s cheek. “We aren’t going to be long. I thought if my aunt were here in the duchess’s stead, you’d trust that nothing untoward was occurring.”
“I trust you, Daniel, but Lady Shrewsbury’s presence is welcomed.”
“She’s my insurance too, Jemina. These aren’t places I frequent. And we are far from London and people who know I’m one of the Crown’s barristers.”
Her eyes widened. Did she understood his discomfort being away from London, where he’d built his power, his reputation? Then he took her hand, remembering how she saved him from ruin. Jemina did understand.
She shot a look at Hope and Lady Shrewsbury, then sucked in a breath and climbed out.
Clouds hung low, churning. The crash of waves lapping in the distance. The soothing sound wasn’t loud enough to muffle their footsteps or his instincts to turn them back.
Jemina held her chin up, and they walked through an arcade of trees toward the central reddish-brown building with an arched entry. “It’s the biggest brick building in England.”
Her fingers tightened upon his. “Wait, Daniel.”
