A Simple Lady by Carolynn Carey

Author:Carolynn Carey [Carey, Carolynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Romance
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2015-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Bethlem Hospital was not at all what Elizabeth had anticipated. The tales she had heard of Bedlam had led her to expect a hulking pile shrouded by a dismal mist. Instead, as she admitted to herself while sitting in Gerald’s curricle and staring across the green lawns surrounding the asylum, the structure itself was very attractive.

Gerald observed Elizabeth’s amazement with a smile. “John Evelyn once likened Bethlem Hospital to the Tuileries,” he said.

“I see the resemblance,” Elizabeth admitted. “Still, despite the building’s beauty, there is an atmosphere about the place that makes me sad. Do you feel it? Is it an aura of hopelessness, do you suppose?”

Gerald shrugged. “Doubtless I am less sensitive than you, my dear. I feel nothing out of the ordinary. Are you ready to return to Kenrick House?”

“Yes, thank you. But wait! Look, Gerald. Those boys are leading that child as though he were a dog. They have a rope tied around his neck.”

Gerald turned to look at the small group approaching the curricle. Four unkempt boys who appeared to be in their early teens were, indeed, dragging behind them a scruffy lad of no more than seven or eight years. The little fellow’s hands were tied in front of him.

“Hello, gov’ner.” One of the older boys, observing that the group had commanded Gerald’s attention, appeared to believe he had found someone who could provide him with information. “We’ve brung a new inmate fer Bedlam. Can ye tell me where we ought to take ’im?”

Gerald’s lip curled in distaste. “I cannot,” he said tersely, turning his attention back to his horses and lifting the reins.

“Wait, Gerald,” Elizabeth cried, placing her hand on his arm. “I wish to speak to that child.” Without waiting for help, she jumped from the curricle onto the walk in front of the group of children.

With a muffled curse, Gerald called for his groom to go to the horses’ heads and quickly descended to hurry to Elizabeth’s side.

“Why are you taking this child to Bedlam?” she was asking.

The largest of the boys answered. “Billy’s a dummy and an orphan to boot. His ma died last week, and there ain’t nobody left who can take care of ’im. We could of let ’im die in the streets, but I’d promised ’is Ma to see if I couldn’t find ’im someplace to live. Bedlam is the only place I figured would take ’im in.”

“Well, you will not be able to get him admitted today,” Gerald announced, impatience clear in his tone. “I recall reading that hospital admission is obtained only by petition to the governors and to the committee and that they sit only on Saturdays. This is Thursday. You will have to bring him back in two days.”

“There, now, Harry,” another of the boys called to the young man who had responded to Elizabeth’s question. “I told ye this was a waste of time. Mayhaps ye’ll agree now to drown ’im like we should of done to start with.”

“Shut up, Freddy,” Harry said, turning to glare at the second youth.

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