“Did she appear worried or upset to you?”
“I don’t recall her being blue-devilled. She wasn’t in high spirits or particularly happy, but she was never a flighty, frivolous creature.”
“Did she talk to you about anything aside from hospital business?”
“Not then.”
“She did other times?”
Lady Maude gave a delicate shrug. “She was an intelligent woman. Of course, we spoke about different subjects. She had a passion for natural philosophy, and while I can’t say that I share it, I’ve certainly been exposed to it through my husband.”
“Did she talk to you about her interest in advancing medicine—coming up with new treatments, curing disease?”
“Well, yes. She and Mr. Jenner were engaged in a lively correspondence. She was quite fascinated by how he first began experimenting with cowpox. He also conducted experiments with human blood that quite intrigued her.”
Kendra found herself leaning forward. “What kind of experiments?”
“Oh, goodness, I don’t know. You ought to ask my husband . . . or anyone else here.”
“Has anyone here experimented with human blood? Maybe bloodletting or transfusions?”
“Bloodletting, yes. What reputable physician or surgeon has not? But blood transfusions are illegal in this country, my lady. Though I expect, as an American, you aren’t familiar with English law.”
Lady Maude lifted the wineglass to her lips, then paused and eyed Kendra. “That’s not to say there aren’t many discussions at my husband’s meetings on how to treat and even cure illnesses by introducing a vaccine into the bloodstream or purifying the blood in some fashion.”
“Purifying the blood how?”
“Oh, that I can’t tell you. I don’t actually attend the meetings when Sir Preston is the host. I’ve helped as hostess and have overheard a few things.”
“Sir Preston founded the club, didn’t he?” Kendra asked politely.
“Yes, along with Lucien—Dr. Thornton—and Mr. John Hunter.” Lady Maude tilted her bristly chin up, her eyes glowing with pride. “He was renowned in the medical circles here. Unfortunately, the club was still new when he had his seizure and died.”
Kendra made a sympathetic noise.
“Sir Preston and Lucien paid tribute to Mr. Hunter by continuing his practice of allowing members to join based on merit and experience, rather than following a patronage-based system. Oh, I know what you are thinking, my lady.” The matron smiled at her. “My husband is a baron, and some might say he’s benefited from the patronage-based system, but he’s never relied on it. He is a strong believer in medical knowledge and skill.”
Kendra hadn’t been thinking anything of the sort, but now asked, “He believes in pushing the boundaries of science?”
“Every Metamorphosis Club member believes true discovery comes only from pushing boundaries.”
“Is there anyone in the club more likely to try it?”
Lady Maude’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “What an odd question, my lady. Whatever do you mean?”
“I was just wondering if anyone had been particularly vocal about the rules and regulations that keep medicine from advancing. I can imagine that would be frustrating.”
Lady Maude pursed her lips. “Well, all the members find that quite vexing.”
“Is anyone here known for bending the rules for the sake of medicine?” Kendra asked.
The old woman studied her carefully. “Yes,” she replied. “Dr. Munroe. The law is quite strict in the use of cadavers for medical examination. Sir Preston says it’s impossible to treat the body when one doesn’t even know how it works.”
“He’s right.” Kendra summoned a smile, even as she believed that Lady Maude knew a lot more than what she was letting on.
***
After extracting herself from Lady Maude’s company, Kendra joined a circle of men that included Burnell, Dandridge, and Goldsten’s two apprentices, Mr. Beane and Mr. Dawes.
