Chapter 16

Simone stared at Caleb, unable- or unwilling- to comprehend what he was saying. The only sound she could hear was the pounding of her heart in her chest. Why would he say something so awful? Her mother was dead and it was painful to think otherwise.

Caleb took a step closer to her, concern etched on his features. "Did you hear what I said?"

"I did, but you are surely mistaken," Simone replied. "My mother drowned, and it is rather cruel of you?—"

He spoke over her. "That is what your father wanted everyone to believe but we suspect she is at Bedlam."

"We?"

"Kendrick and I."

Now Simone knew this was utter nonsense. Her mother was many things, but being mad was not one of them. "What would possibly make you think such a thing?" she asked in a harsh tone.

In a calm, collected voice, Caleb replied, "Kendrick discovered that your father made a large donation to Bedlam right before your mother died and he has been paying one of the Bedlam Governors every month."

This was all starting to make sense, at least, somewhat. "My father was one of the lords that toured Bedlam when they requested funds from Parliament and he was heartbroken over what he saw," Simone said. "That could easily explain the large donation."

"What about the monthly payment to one of the Bedlam Governors?" he asked.

Simone sighed. "Are you referring to Mr. Underwood?"

"I am."

"That is the Bedlam Governor who gave the tour of the facility to the members of Parliament," Simone said. "I am sure my father is just donating to whatever cause he believes in."

Caleb looked skeptical. "Why wouldn't your father just donate to Bedlam?"

"I can't answer that, but my mother is not hidden away at Bedlam," Simone replied. "My father may be a liar, amongst other things, but it is ludicrous to even think my father would subject my mother to such abuse."

"But your mother's body was never found. Is that not suspicious, in and of itself?" Caleb pressed.

"It is a deep lake, and her body might have become tangled in the weeds that sat below the surface, at least that is what the coroner had suggested," Simone said. "I told you that I looked into her death and found nothing of note."

Caleb held her gaze as he replied, "I asked Kendrick to look into her death because the timing of it just never sat well with me, especially so close to when your grandmother died."

"It was just a coincidence."

"Surely you don't believe in coincidences, do you?" Caleb asked. "You are a spy and should know better."

Simone frowned. "You are looking into something that you have no business in. My mother is dead."

"What if she isn't?" he asked. "Do you not want to know for certain?"

"I do!" she said, her voice rising.

Caleb's eyes held compassion. "I know this is hard on you, but if there is even a chance that she could be alive, wouldn't you risk everything to find her?"

"I have spent the past two years trying to move on from my mother's death. What you are asking of me is not an easy feat," she said. "In all this time, I never found time to be happy because I was trying too hard to be strong."

"You don't have to be strong all the time," Caleb said. "Let me help you."

With a tilt of her chin, Simone remarked, "I can do it on my own."

"I know you can, but seeking assistance isn't a display of weakness; it's a testament to one's strength."

"If I ask for help, everyone will know I can't handle something."

With a shake of his head, he said, "No, it just means that you know what you can and can't handle. There is great strength in that. Trust me, Simone."

"I do," Simone said. "Surely, you must know that."

Caleb reached for her gloved hand. "I know I am asking you to take a leap of faith with me, but I suspect your mother is in Bedlam. I won't rest until I know the truth."

"It just seems so unbelievable." She wanted to believe his words, but could she risk the heartache if he was wrong? It would almost be as if her mother died all over again.

He watched her with a tenderness that tugged on her heartstrings. "I won't ask you to come with me, but you are welcome to accompany me to Bedlam."

In a soft voice, she asked, "What if you are wrong?"

"Then I will have a lot to apologize for."

Simone glanced down at their hands as she considered his words. Truth be told, a part of her had always held out hope that her mother was alive since they hadn't found the body, but time had a way of killing that dream.

However, she would always wonder if she didn't go to Bedlam with Caleb. Could she live with that uncertainty?

Coming to a decision, Simone said, "I will go with you."

"If I didn't think it was a real possibility, I wouldn't have come to you." Caleb grew uncharacteristically solemn. "I want you to know that I will be there for you where others have failed you."

"You say that now…"

Caleb intertwined their fingers, causing her words to catch on her breath. "I say that now and always. I am not going to let you down."

Simone truly did not expect Caleb to have such an effect on her, her heart, her mind, or her feelings. He accepted her for who she truly was. Something that no one had ever done before. How could she not care for this man?

Knowing he was still waiting for a response, she said, "I believe you."

A smile came to his lips. "You are going to like being married to me. We are going to have such fun."

"That is not why I am marrying you."

"I know, but it will be an added benefit," Caleb said with a wink.

A laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Caleb took a step closer to her. "You have the most beautiful laugh and I daresay that it is my favorite sound."

Simone tried to ignore the blush that was warming her cheeks. "It is no different than any other laugh."

"But you are wrong. It is uniquely yours, and I could never get tired of it."

With a glance back at the townhouse, Simone asked, "As much as I tire of your vain attempt at flattery…"

"It isn't vain."

"…how do you suppose we get into Bedlam to search for my mother?"

Caleb released her hand and took a step back. "I will have a plan soon enough, and it will be a good plan, I assure you."

"I hope so because we can no longer tour the facility without an escort," Simone said. "The days that the public could poke the patients with sticks are long over."

"My father plays cards with one of the Bedlam Governors. I might ask him for a favor."

"Be careful of who you owe favors to," Simone advised.

Caleb bobbed his head. "It is not something that I take lightly, but the rewards outweigh the risks in this case," he said. "How are you handling Juliette and Victor?"

Simone let out a slight groan. "My father intends to take Juliette to Lord Pendley's ball on his arm."

"What about Victor?"

"There was no mention of him," Simone said. "But I wouldn't discount him too easily. Victor spends much of his time in his bedchamber. Whereas Juliette walks around the townhouse as if she owns it."

"Why did Juliette have us secure invitations to Lord Pendley's ball if she had been planning to go with your father all along?" Caleb mused.

Simone shrugged one shoulder. "The intention was to distract us and keep us busy, which they succeeded. But Juliette said that their plans had changed. What if she had been referring to their mission?"

Caleb looked displeased by her remark. "Have you been able to search Juliette's bedchamber?"

"I have, multiple times, but I found nothing of interest," Simone replied. "Not that I was expecting anything. Juliette is much too clever to leave things out in the open."

"Kendrick is only giving us two more days before he arrests them, including your father," Caleb revealed.

Simone kept the emotion off her expression. "I want to say that I am surprised, but I am not. I have no idea what my father is involved in. Quite frankly, I don't know what my father is capable of anymore. He is a stranger to me."

"We both know if your father is arrested, he won't live much longer."

She had a thought. "If my mother is at Bedlam, I do hope that is the case," she said. "For she would never be free as long as my father is alive."

"Kendrick has offered the use of his cottage to house your mother until we sort out the details," Caleb said.

"That was kind of him."

"I do believe that Kendrick has a fondness for you," Caleb teased.

With a disbelieving huff, Simone said, "I doubt that. Frankly, I don't think he has a fondness for anyone."

"No, it is true," Caleb stated. "He threatened me if I hurt you in any way."

As Simone went to reply, Juliette's voice came from down the path. "There you two are," she said. "I have been looking for you."

Caleb visibly stiffened. "What do you want, Juliette?"

Juliette came to a stop in front of them and smiled. "Nothing but the pleasure of your company, Mr. Bolingbroke." Her voice was cordial, too cordial. It was evident that she knew the effect that she had on Caleb.

While Caleb narrowed his eyes at Juliette, Simone spoke up. "Unfortunately, Mr. Bolingbroke was just leaving. Weren't you?"

"I was, but now I think my presence is required," he replied, his eyes not straying from Juliette.

Simone gestured towards the gate. "That won't be necessary," she assured him. "Why don't you leave by the gate rather than the main entrance?"

When Caleb didn't make a motion to move, Simone placed her hand on his sleeve. "Mr. Bolingbroke, I will be all right. Juliette will play nicely."

"I will," Juliette said.

Simone's words seemed to appease Caleb. He turned towards her, and his eyes softened. "If you are sure…" His words trailed off.

She offered him an encouraging smile. "I am. You don't need to worry about me."

"Very well, but send word if something goes awry," Caleb said before his gaze returned to Juliette. "I will kill you if you hurt Simone."

Juliette tsked. "Threats are uncalled for, Mr. Bolingbroke."

Caleb's jaw tensed and Simone was worried that he might reach for the pistol that was in the waistband of his trousers. She needed to do something to contain the situation, and quickly. "It is time for you to go, Caleb." Her voice was firm.

"I will go, but only because you asked it of me," Caleb said before he proceeded to the back gate.

Juliette's eyes followed his retreating figure. "I don't think Mr. Bolingbroke likes me very much."

"I don't like you very much," Simone muttered.

Feigning innocence, Juliette asked, "Should we go enjoy a cup of tea together?"

"You can drop the act," Simone replied. "We both know that this will end when I figure out what it is that you are up to."

Juliette offered her a condescending smile. "That won't happen. You may be clever, but you can't stop what is coming."

Glancing at the window of Victor's bedchamber, Simone asked, "Why don't you ask your brother to have tea with you?"

"He is busy. No doubt he is tinkering with something," Juliette replied. "He gets a little engrossed by his little projects."

"What projects are those?"

Juliette waved her hand dismissively in front of her. "Nothing that would interest you," she said, taking a step back. "I believe I have earned a rest."

After Juliette headed down the path, Simone returned her gaze towards Victor's bedchamber. She would need to discover what he was working on, especially since he spent nearly all his time in his room.

Simone found herself conflicted. She should focus on her assignment, but her mind kept straying towards what Caleb had revealed. Could her mother truly be alive? He believed so, making her have hope. And that was something she hadn't had in quite some time.

But if her mother was alive, her father was more awful than she could have ever imagined. That did not sit well with her. Had she been living with a monster this whole time and not know it?

The moon was high in the sky as Caleb stood in the shadows of the alleyway. The lights had been extinguished long ago in Simone's townhouse, but he couldn't quite convince himself to leave. He needed to know she was all right. Not that staring at her townhouse would give him the answers that he sought.

He wanted to protect Simone, at all costs, but he also wanted her to know that he trusted her enough to protect herself. It was a balancing act, one that he wasn't very good at. Which is why he was staring at her darkened townhouse at such a late hour.

Simone was inside with French spies and there was nothing he could do to help her. He understood Kendrick's reluctance to arrest Lord Hungerton, but he hated waiting around, hoping the French spies would make a mistake and reveal something. Anything. Perhaps if he had learned to play nice with Juliette, but he couldn't do it. She was the enemy and he would never trust a word out of her mouth. He would rather shoot her than carry on a polite conversation with her.

And that was the problem.

He had to admire Simone for the way she was handling Juliette, and her father. It couldn't be easy to be in her shoes at the moment. Her father was not the man that she had thought he was. He had lied to her and tried to cheat her out of her inheritance. And now, he might have done the unthinkable by faking his wife's death and placing her in Bedlam.

But that all was relative if he was a traitor to the Crown. Had he betrayed his countrymen and the King? Lord Hungerton had been born into privilege, and with that came certain responsibilities. Would he truly turn his back on what mattered the most?

A familiar voice came from behind him. "What, pray tell, do you think you are doing?" Fredrick asked.

Caleb turned around and saw Fredrick and Roswell, both with curious expressions on their faces. "Is it not obvious?" he asked. "I am ensuring Simone is protected."

"By loitering outside her townhouse?" Roswell asked with mirth in his voice.

Caleb knew how ridiculous he sounded. "It is the only thing I can think of doing," he said. "I thought about obtaining a special license and marrying her tomorrow. But I do not think Simone would be agreeable to that plan."

"Not until she finishes her assignment, considering she is in the perfect position to spy on Juliette and Victor," Fredrick remarked.

"Don't forget her father," Caleb muttered.

Roswell's eyes held understanding. "Have you made any progress on the case?"

"Not really," Caleb admitted. "Juliette will be attending Lord Pendley's ball on Lord Hungerton's arm, but not her brother."

"That is odd, and entirely too suspicious," Roswell said.

Caleb nodded. "They are up to something, and time is running out. Kendrick gave us two days to figure out their plan before he swoops in and arrests the lot of them, including Lord Hungerton."

"Do you truly think he is involved?" Fredrick asked.

With a slight shrug, Caleb replied, "I don't rightly know, but his association with them is suspect. How could he not know that Juliette is a French spy?"

"He may know, but he might not be involved," Roswell pointed out.

"Is that any better?" Caleb asked.

Roswell frowned. "Good point," he said. "What is your plan, exactly? Do you intend to remain out here until dawn?"

Caleb shook his head. "I haven't thought that through yet. I suppose I just need to be close to Simone, even if she has no idea that I am here."

Fredrick exchanged a glance with Roswell before asking, "Have you come to terms with your feelings for Simone?"

"No… yes… I don't know what I feel," Caleb said. Which was a lie. He was already halfway in love with Simone, but he didn't dare admit that to his friends. Quite frankly, he couldn't believe he had done something so stupid and fallen for his partner. That was a line that he wasn't supposed to cross. But how could he not love Simone?

Simone would always be enough for him, and no one could ever convince him that there was more to life than loving her. It was rather unfortunate that he had promised to marry her in name only, but he couldn't change the terms now.

Roswell placed his hand on Caleb's shoulder. "Be patient with yourself, and your feelings. It is all right to be conflicted."

"No, it isn't," Caleb said. "I offered Simone a marriage of convenience. That is what she agreed to."

"Plans can change," Roswell encouraged, dropping his hand to his side.

"Not these," Caleb asserted. "I would never do that to Simone."

Roswell lifted his brow. "Is your intention to just pine after your wife for the remainder of your days?"

Caleb winced, knowing how miserable that sounded. "If that is what it takes." He paused. "But we have much more important things that we have to address first."

Fredrick spoke up. "Anything we can help with?"

"Not unless you want to help us break Lady Hungerton out from Bedlam," Caleb said.

With stunned expressions, Fredrick and Roswell stared back at him. Fredrick recovered first and asked, "Lady Hungerton is alive?"

Caleb bobbed his head. "It is likely. Kendrick discovered some proof that makes us suspect that Lord Hungerton faked his wife's death and placed her in Bedlam."

"Poor Lady Hungerton," Roswell muttered.

Fredrick grew somber. "I have toured Bedlam, alongside my father, and it is not a place that I would ever want to linger in. The floors are terribly uneven, the walls are buckled and the roof continuously leaks whenever it rains. The pungent odor of unwashed bodies seeps through your nose, making it entirely unbearable."

"Is the women's wing any better than the men's?" Caleb asked.

"No. If anything, it is worse," Fredrick replied. "The patients are locked in their cells, for there is no other word for it, and the lucky ones are not chained to the walls."

The picture that Fredrick painted was bleak, urging Caleb to act, and quickly. "My father has arranged a meeting with one of the Bedlam Governors tomorrow," he revealed. "I am hoping it will give us access to the women's wing."

Fredrick's eyes grew pained. "Upon reaching the gate, you are met by two statues, similar to gargoyles. They are positioned at the entrance welcoming everyone to Bedlam, symbolizing the dual nature of madness- Raving and Melancholic," he revealed. "It is a sight that I will never forget, and for most of the patients, it is the last thing they see before they enter the hospital."

"It sounds awful," Caleb acknowledged.

"Very few patients are ever released from Bedlam," Fredrick shared. "Once they arrive, the lives that they knew before are stripped away, and they are forced to endure such squalor that many take their own lives."

Roswell interjected, posing the question, "Are you sure that Lady Hungerton is at Bedlam? Many of the patients were moved to other hospitals due to the deteriorating conditions there."

"I had that same thought, but Lord Hungerton still pays a Bedlam Governor once a month," Caleb replied. "Surely that can't be a coincidence."

Fredrick met Caleb's gaze. "We will assist you in any way that you see fit. I am not acquainted with Lady Hungerton, but I cannot allow her to remain in Bedlam, through no fault of her own."

"Thank you," Caleb acknowledged.

The sound of a door closing drew their attention and Caleb turned his head to see Simone approaching them.

Simone gave them an expectant look. "Why are you all huddled in the alleyway?" she asked, adjusting the blue spencer over her gown.

"Did you see us?" Caleb questioned.

"How could I not?" she responded. "I knew agents were guarding the place, but I had not expected to see all of you."

Caleb offered her a smile. "I came to ensure you were protected."

"How were you going to protect me from here?" Simone asked.

"I hadn't thought that through yet," Caleb replied.

Simone glanced over her shoulder at her townhouse. "Everyone is asleep, except for Victor. I saw the light was on in his room."

"Why is he up so late?" Caleb asked.

"I know not, but Juliette said he is tinkering with something," Simone responded. "I intend to find out what that is."

Caleb had to admit that didn't sit well with him. "By going into his bedchamber?" he asked. "What if you are caught?"

Simone smirked. "Why do you assume I would get caught?" she asked.

"Perhaps I should investigate his bedchamber," Caleb suggested.

"That is a terrible idea. It makes much more sense for me to do it," Simone declared. "After all, it is my home."

Caleb knew that Simone had a point but he still wasn't comfortable with her entering another man's bedchamber. "I can climb through the window and be out before anyone sees me."

"It is on the second level," Simone shared.

"I can climb the wall," Caleb asserted. "The bricks jut out and make excellent footholds. It would only take me mere moments to scale it."

Simone arched an eyebrow. "What if one of the servants sees you scaling the wall?" she asked. "They no doubt will sound the alarm."

"You are assuming I will be caught," Caleb remarked, using her own words against her.

Turning her attention towards Fredrick and Roswell, Simone said, "Please talk some sense into your friend."

Fredrick put his hands up in front of him. "Caleb is on his own on this one. But, for the record, I side with Simone."

"As do I," Roswell said.

"Traitors," Caleb muttered.

Simone gave Caleb a smug smile. "It is three to one. I will search Victor's bedchamber and you can wait in the alleyway to protect me."

Caleb said his next words without thinking them through. "I just worry about you."

Rather than grow defensive, just as she always did, Simone's eyes softened a tad bit. "That is sweet of you, but I can handle searching a bedchamber."

"You are right. I am sorry," Caleb said.

Simone took a step closer to him. "There is no reason to apologize. We are partners and we look out for one another." She turned her head. "I should get back. I do not want my absence to be noticed."

Caleb watched as Simone hurried back to her townhouse and disappeared within. She was safe, for now, and he could return home.

Fredrick followed his gaze. "Simone seems different," he observed.

"Different, how?" Caleb asked.

"I don't know, but different," Fredrick replied. "A good different, though."

Caleb stepped out of the alleyway and said, "It is late. I am going to retire for the evening. Will you do the same?"

As they followed him out, Roswell said, "We were on our way home from Kendrick's office when we saw you."

"I am glad that you stopped," Caleb remarked.

"As am I," Fredrick said. "It allowed us to see you make a complete fool of yourself with Simone. Why were you so adamant that you search Victor's bedchamber?"

Caleb didn't want to have this conversation, but he did owe his friend an explanation. "It just didn't sit right with me that she was searching a man's bedchamber."

Fredrick chuckled. "She is a spy."

"I know," Caleb said. "I never said that it made sense. I just said I didn't like it."

They continued down the pavement as they retreated to their thoughts. Tomorrow would no doubt be a difficult day for Simone. But he would be there for her. If she let him, he would never leave her side again.