“Indeed. Miss Grant told me Lady Hester cannot abide being shut in a room for too long. It brings back the horror of the asylum. Even so, it was very reckless. Particularly since I think the Runners may still be watching us.”

Or someone worse, but I had no evidence of that other than my own fear.

Julia shook her head. “I cannot imagine what she went through. We must work out a way for her to be more comfortable while she is here. Did you tell them about Mr. Brummell’s warning?”

“No.”

“Whyever not?”

“For Hester’s sake; she does not need that burden upon her recovery. And I rather think it would propel them into premature action.”

Weatherly offered me the bakery basket. I chose a dark baked roll and nodded my thanks.

“If I may say,” he said, “I concur with you, Lady Augusta. If you wish it, I could arrange for myself and the footmen to ensure they do not go outside. Politely, of course.”

“Absolutely not!” Julia said. “They have suffered enough anguish over Lady Hester’s incarceration. We must not add to their distress by incarcerating them here in our home, even in a polite manner.”

Although it worried me that someone might happen upon them outside, my sister was right. I nodded my agreement.

“That is a relief,” Weatherly said. “I thought I should offer the obvious solution, but I would not be easy with the task.”

I saw the memory of the asylum and its pitiful inhabitants in his face. He and Julia had not seen the worst of it, but there had been enough anguish in that experience for us all. Moreover, the mistreatment of the women must have brought back memories of his own early, brutalized years, before he was a free man. He had not told me much about his youth, but I had read Mr. Wilberforce’s abolitionist reports.

“We would never want to place you in a position that compromised your principles, Weatherly,” I said firmly. Although considering the last few months, that was rather a grand promise.

“Goodness no,” Julia added vehemently. “But as it stands, we must come up with a plan to find a safe haven for them that is close enough that the journey will not harm Hester’s recovery.”

“It will not be easy.” I tilted my chin at the letter on the table. “What is the news there? If Duffy and Harriet are still on their honeymoon, perhaps we could tuck Lady Hester and Miss Grant at Duffield House for a week or two.”

Julia picked up the letter again. “Alas, they have already returned, somewhat prematurely, it seems, due to…well, you will hear their reasons.”

She read from the letter.