“According to what I have read, children rarely die from the disease,” Juliette said. “Fatality is much more likely in adults.”
Both ladies stared at her. “Really?” They asked in unison.
Juliette nodded. The newspaper article had heightened her curiosity. So she’d gathered all the information she could find on the subject in the Huntley House library and had spent the entire morning reading up on it. Which had made her think. Perhaps she could use her fortune to make a lasting difference, the way Amelia had done by opening a school and the way Raphe did every day by involving himself in politics. She took another sip of her tea. “But that doesn’t mean something shouldn’t be done.”
“Well, at least the area has been closed off by the military,” Gabriella said, “but the rate at which the disease is spreading is definitely worrisome.”
“It’s gone from only one or two people to more than ten in less than a week,” Amelia said.
“Which is why I intend to offer Florian my assistance,” Juliette told them.
“You do?” Amelia asked in an odd sort of voice.
Gabriella raised an eyebrow. “This is an interesting development.”
Ignoring her, Juliette pressed on, determined to get all the facts out before she lost her courage. “I know St. Agatha’s Hospital where Florian works already provides a lot of sponsored care, but with patient numbers increasing as rapidly as they are, I’m not sure if there are enough funds to cover the extra expenses.” Even theMayfair Chroniclehad questioned this in one of its articles. “So, my intention is to help with the situation by covering the additional cost of treatment. There is no cure, mind you, but other things can be done to make the sickly more comfortable and prevent further contagion. It would be a specialized health plan of sorts, started with my donation and hopefully helped by others.”
“What a wonderful idea,” Gabriella said. “Are you considering a charity event?”
Juliette nodded. “Yes. Perhaps more than one even, depending on the response. But if I begin by donating a large sum myself, it might encourage other people to do the same.”
“How large a sum are you planning?” Amelia asked.
Juliette paused for a second before saying, “I want to do what you did and ask Raphe for an advance on my yearly allowance.”
Silence fell and then Amelia said, “That is extraordinarily generous of you, Julie.”
“I only hope it will make a difference.” Juliette set her teacup back on its saucer.
Gabriella smiled with reassurance. “How can it not?”
“Any number of things can go wrong.” Juliette chose to address the most immediate problem. “For starters, Raphe might refuse to help.”
“He wouldn’t do that.” Amelia spoke with conviction.
Juliette glanced at her sister, finding strength in her confident expression. “He intends for me to make the most of this Season.” She puffed out a breath. “I’m afraid he won’t want me to get distracted by a project this size.”
“Ensuring your future is certainly of great concern to him,” Gabriella said. “He hopes to see you comfortably settled now that there’s a chance to do so. You can’t blame him for that.”
“Of course not,” Juliette agreed, “but it honestly feels as though I’m wasting my time doing nothing. I have met every eligible gentleman in the market for a wife, have spoken to all of them at great length but cannot for the life of me envision marrying a single one.” An image of Florian’s sober gaze flashed through her mind, no doubt because she suspected he was the sort of person who could sympathize with her plight. Amelia and Gabriella on the other hand... how could they possibly understand when each had made a perfect love match in no time at all? “I have the opportunity to do something significant right now. Surely getting married can wait awhile?”
“I can try to speak with Raphe on your behalf, if you like,” Gabriella said, “but you should also consider that the Season is only just beginning. It’s possible a gentleman or two who had no interest in marriage last year will want to find a wife this Season. I’m afraid disengaging from the marriage mart completely would be ill advised, Julie, and something you might come to regret.”
Juliette straightened her spine. “I can still participate in some social functions.” She certainly had no desire to disappoint Amelia or Raphe or to throw away the painstaking hours Gabriella had spent on teaching her proper comportment. “But consider my perspective for a moment. I have spent most of my life being coddled by Raphe because of my weaker constitution. I was never allowed to play with other children or even to speak with them. Whenever anyone came to visit, I was asked to keep my distance. Protected from the world, I suffered extraordinary loneliness because my brother feared I might get sick and die like Bethany did.” Registering Amelia’s pained expression Juliette immediately regretted reminding her of the sister they’d lost at much too young an age. “Forgive me. I—”
“Her death was incredibly hard on Raphe, Julie,” Amelia said. “You have to understand that.”
“Of course I do. But is it fair to punish me for what happened? To deny memyfreedom because of it? Am I not entitled to live my life on my own terms?” She sank back, unsure of how to continue. “I have always felt helpless, Amelia. Raphe was the one who earned a living. You made sure we were fed and that the house was kept in order. When Bethany got sick, the two of you nursed her and forced me to stay away. I have always been pushed aside or kept down on account of fear. But since coming to Mayfair, I have been healthier—stronger.”
“You caught the measles,” Amelia reminded her.
“And you probably would have too if you hadn’t already had them when you were little.” Juliette pushed out a frustrated breath. “I want to do this. I need to give my life some sort of meaning and purpose that goes beyond finding a husband. I want to accomplish something that I can be proud of and help the people who once helped us. The way you are doing with your school, Amelia.”
“You’re just as determined as I was, I think,” Amelia said with a wry smile.
Juliette sighed. “I’m just so sick of aimless strolls in the park and sipping tea for hours on end without actually accomplishing anything.” Noticing Gabriella’s pinched expression, she hastened to say, “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful or to imply that having tea with friends isn’t fun. It’s just—”
“I understand,” Gabriella said. “You came from nothing, have acquired great wealth and would like to put your new advantage to good use.”
