“Precisely!” Juliette breathed a sigh of relief. “I know Raphe wants what’s best for me, but—”
“But what?” Raphe asked as he strode into the parlor and dropped into a vacant chair. “Ladies.” He greeted them all with a nod.
“You look like you had a refreshing walk,” Gabriella said, the love she felt for her husband evident in her sparkling eyes and the rosy glow of her cheeks. “How about a nice cup of tea?” She was already reaching for the pot.
Raphe studied her with great appreciation as she proceeded to pour, his gaze lingering on her for a long moment. Then he blinked, as if remembering something, and tilted his head in Juliette’s direction. “You were questioning whether I know what’s best for you?”
Trapped by her own hasty words, Juliette decided to stand her ground. “There is no doubt in my mind that youthinkyou know what that is.”
“So I gather.” Frowning, he took the cup Gabriella offered and sipped his tea.
“It’s just, going from one ball to the other with carriage rides, social calls and shopping expeditions in between, has become incredibly tedious.”
He set his cup down and eyed her with a hint of surprise. “As I recall, you were more excited than any of us about our change in status. It was like a real-life fairy tale, you said.”
“And it was...is...but the novelty of this glamorous lifestyle has worn off a little.” She bit her lip and told him as honestly as she could and with considerable regret, “The Season has barely begun and I’m already longing for it to be over.”
Raphe studied her for a moment. “Is it Yates?”
“Of course not!”
“Because you don’t have to marry him if you don’t want to, you know. Just because he’s a friend of mine and I happen to like him doesn’t mean—”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” Juliette said. “I just want to do something for myself for a change, and marrying isn’t it. I’d be doing that for you.”
“So...” He looked as though she was speaking a foreign language. “You don’t want to find a husband?”
“Not right now and not with the pressure of having to do so within a certain time frame.”
“Hmm...” Leaning forward, he laced his fingers together and rested his forearms on his thighs. “The only problem is that youwillhave to do so within a certain time frame, Julie. Considering your age, you have three Seasons, including this one, before you’ll be on the shelf.”
“That is true,” Gabriella interjected, “but it isn’t unheard of for matches to be made at other times of year. There are house parties and such, so perhaps she can meet her future husband at one of those.”
Raphe gave her a censorious look. “I see you’re on her side.”
“Why must there be sides, Raphe?” Amelia asked with an exasperated sigh. “We’re merely discussing the issue and taking every angle into consideration.”
He didn’t look happy about it as he gave his attention back to Juliette. “If you don’t want to enjoy the Season,” Raphe said in that resigned tone that suggested he’d given up trying to make sense of it all, “might I ask what you plan on doing with your time?”
Inhaling deeply, Juliette forged ahead. “As you know, there’s a serious outbreak of typhus in St. Giles.”
Raphe instantly stiffened. “I am not going to let you get involved with that, Julie. Not after what happened to Bethany.” His voice trembled just enough to convey the heartache he still carried with him.
Sharing his pain, Juliette leaned forward and clasped his hand. “All I ask is for an advance on my yearly allowance so I can donate the funds to St. Agatha’s Hospital. I wouldn’t be putting my life at risk in any way, Raphe. I promise.”
He hesitated, his gaze darting toward his wife before returning to Juliette. “You won’t go near St. Giles?”
“I have no reason to,” she assured him.
Raphe seemed to consider. “I commend you for your kindness, Julie, but I doubt donating your allowance and walking away will give you the satisfaction you’re seeking.” He eyed his wife before saying, “I think Gabriella might be able to advise you on how to become more involved without risking your safety.”
Gabriella gave her husband a knowing look before telling Juliette, “As a high-ranking donor, my mother has a seat on St. Agatha’s committee. There are weekly meetings during which the distribution of funds is discussed. Perhaps if you could secure a spot for yourself you would have more influence on how typhus is treated and what the funds you procure are spent on.”
Juliette blinked. “That is an excellent idea, Gabriella. I didn’t even realize such a committee existed.” She turned to Raphe. “So I have your support and permission to proceed?”
He sank back against his chair with a defeated sigh. “If it’s what you really want, then, yes, you do.”
Without thinking, Juliette flung herself into her brother’s arms and hugged him tight while startled laughter was squeezed from his chest. “Thank you, Raphe.” She closed her eyes and savored the comfort of his embrace. “You won’t regret this. I promise.”
