Simone smiled politely. “Thank you, Mr. Radcliffe.”
Mr. Radcliffe turned his attention back to Caleb. “I must assume introducing me to your fiancée is not why you are here.”
“You would be correct,” Caleb replied. “The reason why we are here is of a delicate nature and I hope for your discretion.”
“You have it, considering how your father helped raise funds to build the new hospital,” Mr. Radcliffe said. “I owe him that much.”
Caleb decided to say what needed to be said and be donewith it. With any luck, Mr. Radcliffe would be reasonable about it. “We are here because we have reason to suspect that Lady Hungerton is one of your patients.”
Mr. Radcliffe blinked. “Surely you can’t be serious?” he asked, glancing between them.
Knowing how unbelievable it sounded, Caleb continued. “We believe that Lord Hungerton paid off Mr. Underwood to hide his wife away in Bedlam.”
Jumping up from his seat, Mr. Radcliffe shouted, “That is an outlandish accusation. I have known Mr. Underwood for many years and he would never do something so dishonorable.”
Caleb put his hand up. “It sounds unlikely but?—”
Mr. Radcliffe scoffed. “No, it is impossible,” he declared, cutting him off. “I know every patient here and not one of them is Lady Hungerton. I am not saying that we don’t have a few genteel ladies, but none of them are a baroness.”
“Mr. Radcliffe, if you would just allow us to tour the facility—” Caleb attempted.
“Absolutely not!” Mr. Radcliffe exclaimed.
Caleb glanced at Simone, wondering why she hadn’t said anything. It wasn’t like her to remain silent.
Mr. Radcliffe gestured towards the door. “I think it is time that you both leave.”
In a steady voice, Simone said, “I have come into a great deal of money and I am considering donating a thousand pounds to your building fund.” She held Mr. Radcliffe’s gaze. “At least I assume you are still looking for donors.”
“We are,” Mr. Radcliffe admitted.
“I would be happy to donate the money, assuming I can have a tour of your lovely facility,” Simone said, holding the Governor’s gaze.
Mr. Radcliffe returned to his seat and his eyes held a look of regret. “I know precisely why you want the tour, but I amafraid that you will leave disappointed. Your mother is not here. I can promise you that.”
“Is there any harm giving us the tour then?” Simone asked.
With a defeated sigh, Mr. Radcliffe said, “I suppose not.”
Simone awarded him a bright smile. “Thank you, Mr. Radcliffe. This tour will go a long way with easing my conscience.”
Mr. Radcliffe rose. “I suppose we should get this over with,” he muttered before he walked towards the door.
Simone rose and Caleb offered his arm to her. They followed Mr. Radcliffe out of his office and down a long corridor.
Upon reaching a door flanked by two guards, Mr. Radcliffe came to a stop and said, “This wing is where most of the women patients are housed.”
“Most of them?” Caleb inquired.
Mr. Radcliffe nodded. “Yes, the other patients have been deemed unstable and a danger to themselves. They are chained to the wall for their own protection, and the workers’.”
“I understand,” Caleb said.
As Mr. Radcliffe went to open the door, he explained, “I’m afraid the rooms that the women were housed in before were deemed uninhabitable so we had to make do until the new hospital is built. I do hope you understand.”
Simone entered the hall first but turned back around towards Mr. Radcliffe with disbelief on her features. “I daresay that it very much appears as if the patients are in prison.”
Mr. Radcliffe looked apologetic. “It is the best we could do for them, considering the lack of funding we have available to us.”
