He nodded. “I only came here to solicit Lady Davenport for a meal and more respectable attire before riding on to Blackburn. But then the militia arrived in force to quell the Luddites. Lady Davenport insisted I stay until they moved on. It seemed like a good idea: my description has been distributed widely among the militia. Besides, it would be unlikely they would ever think I would be staying with the Davenports. Of course, they did not move on, and neither Lady Davenport nor I was expecting Porty or the Ellis-Brants to arrive.”

“Indeed, it is a bad turn. So, you are not planning to take Hester out of the country? She believes you are here to do so.”

“Ah, of course.” He rubbed at his forehead. “Damn, she will see me as failing her yet again, for I see no way to do so safely at present.”

I could not help a moment of relief. Shameful and selfish, but there it was. “Then you had best tell her, Evan. But do so gently. She is in terror of Deele finding her, and the presence of Mrs. Ellis-Brant is compounding that fear. She has threatened to kill him or herself if he tries to return her to an asylum.”

“She voiced such a threat?”

“Yes, and I believe she means it.”

“She probably does. The horror of that asylum is now carved into her mind and body, and it will be with her for the rest of her life.” He stared at the wall behind me, his own past rising within him. I gently touched his arm, drawing him back. He gave me a quick, reassuring smile. “Do not fear, I will tread carefully, and we must ensure her safety, but for now I must focus upon finding Dr. Lawrence. It could be the path to ultimate safety for us all.”

“We must focus upon it,” I said firmly. “I will come too.”

He shook his head. “A level head is needed here, Gus, especially now that we are so crowded. Hester and Miss Grant must be kept calm and safe. It will be better if you manage them and I visit Dr. Lawrence as swiftly as possible.”

“Julia will manage the situation just as well as I can,” I said, ignoring the jab of doubt that followed upon the heels of that assurance; lately my sister had seemed more prone to nervous agitation. Even so, the journey to Blackburn would be made in a day if we pushed ourselves.

“Do you think she is up to it?” he asked.

Ah, he had noticed as well.