But focusing on what he was saying became a little bit harder when he turned his head and regarded her with a frown. It lasted but a second, his attention returning seamlessly to the subject at hand, but it had been long enough for her to realize he’d become aware of her perusal.
Which only increased her discomfort.
She did not want him thinking she had a romantic interest in him. He was much too severe and standoffish for her to even imagine such a scenario, even if she did find him attractive and intriguing and... Heat rolled across her skin as she recalled the craving he’d incited in her when his gaze had dropped to her lips the last time they’d danced. She’d instantly wondered what it might be like to feel his mouth pressed firmly against her own, the thought so acute and so startling, she’d had to grasp for something to say.
She’d settled on the subject of his education because she’d thought it was safe. Instead, he’d made her feel as though she’d ruined what had until then been a promising friendship. She could only hope that wasn’t the case so they could return to their engaging discussions.
“As you know,” he was saying, “the typhus outbreak has become increasingly serious. In my opinion, our primary concern should be avoiding an epidemic. Because once that happens, thousands could perish.”
“Are you suggesting that restricting access in and out of St. Giles won’t be enough?” the Earl of Elmwood said. A heavyset man with bushy eyebrows dipping down in serious contemplation, he was the oldest member present.
“So far, only three deaths have been reported, but as infection spreads, that number will rise. Incubation is roughly ten to fourteen days, so it could be a week before we know how many additional people have caught it.”
“But surely quarantining them in St. Giles will prevent the disease from spreading,” Lady Warwick said.
Florian nodded. “It is a start. The problem arises when the sick begin outnumbering the healthy, because once that happens people will try to flee in order to avoid infection.” He paused for a moment before saying, “We cannot allow them to do so, however. The risk is too great.”
“Then what do you propose?” Viscount Clearwater asked.
“The military has, as of tonight, been ordered to shoot anyone attempting to leave St. Giles.”
“Good God!” Juliette clasped her hand over her mouth and stared at Florian in horror. Aware the room had gone utterly silent in response to her outburst, she glanced about hastily before turning her attention back to Florian. “You wish to murder people?”
A tic at the edge of his mouth conveyed his disapproval of her question. Well, too bad. What he was suggesting was absolutely preposterous andwrong.
“My lady.” His voice was firm and direct. “I would advise against insinuating I or anyone else here would ever be guilty of such a crime.”
The way he said it sent chills racing down Juliette’s spine. She sat back, unsure of how to proceed. She shot a look at Lady Warwick for guidance but found no help there. Aware she was on her own in this, Juliette squared her shoulders. “Forgive me. I did not mean to cause offense, but surely you must agree that killing people is not the way forward. It is savage and... and uncivilized.” Silence followed and the frowns grew deeper. Juliette began to wonder if she’d made a massive mistake by deciding to come here. Lowering her voice to a hushed tone, she said, “It is your duty to save people, Florian.”
Florian stared at her for a long moment before he spoke. “No one is more aware of that than I, my lady.” He clenched his jaw. His posture grew increasingly rigid and Juliette realized he fought to maintain control.
“Florian.” Viola placed her hand over his in a comforting gesture that instantly sparked a detestable feeling in Juliette’s belly. She fought to rid herself of it as the dowager duchess said, “Perhaps you ought to explain your reasoning more fully.”
Florian seemed to relax a little, then finally nodded. “Very well.” He turned his head so he could look more directly at Juliette. “You do not know the danger we’re facing or how difficult it will be to fight this disease if it is not contained from the start. If it spreads, the entire city will be at risk.” He was speaking slowly now, as if she were a child who failed to comprehend the simplest of things. It grated, but she made a deliberate effort to focus on his every word for the sake of the cause. “Since people also travel, contagion can easily spread to other parts of the country before we realize it has done so. It could even reach the Continent with devastating effect. Are you willing to risk such an outcome?”
“No. Of course not.” It was absurd of him to think so.
“Then you agree that my proposal is the best way forward.”
She instinctively shook her head. “No. There has to be another way that doesn’t involve killing anyone.”
“As long as the residents of St. Giles remain where they are, their lives will not be threatened.”
“Except by the disease!” She glared at him, infuriated by his stubbornness and discomfited by the fact that he still possessed the ability to make her skin tingle even when the air between them was tense. Bolstering herself, she tried not to think of how scorched she felt when subjected to his assessing gaze, and forged ahead with her argument. “Surely the best approach would be to take those at risk of developing the disease to a safe location where they can be quarantined and, if it becomes necessary, appropriately treated. Can a floor at the hospital not be made available for this?”
Florian’s eyes darkened. “You would place patients already at the hospital in danger?”
“They would not come into contact with these people, but considering the unsanitary conditions in St. Giles, remaining there does not seem like a feasible solution. That book you lent me...” She could feel herself grasping at straws but she could not seem to stop. “William Buchan clearly states that cleanliness is key when battling the spread of disease.”
“She does make a point, Florian.” It was the Marquess of Stokes who commented. “Thousands of pounds have been donated to this hospital. Lord knows it is not filled to capacity, so it ought to be possible to free up a floor for those infected by typhus. Choosing not to do so may be construed as wasteful and could result in the loss of future donations. In my experience, people do not wish to give money to a cause that fails to keep its promises.”
It took enormous restraint for Florian not to march across the room and shake some sense into Stokes. Once he was done he’d be tempted to throttle Lady Juliette as well. This was all her fault. She failed to see the bigger picture. All because she wished to be kind. He winced at the thought of it. He knew better than anyone that it wasn’t kindness that kept people safe. It was common sense and intellect. Those who wanted to be kind often got sick themselves because they used their hearts instead of their minds.
Forcing some sense of calm into his rigid muscles, he made an effort to relax. Anger would yield no results whatsoever. But when she’d accused him of wanting to murder people he’d almost imploded. The rage had been swift and acute, the suggestion that he and Bartholomew might have something in common provoking a primitive urge to hit something. Especially when he’d had an inclination to do so already—ever since he’d acknowledged the yearning Lady Juliette inspired in him. He wanted her, damn it, more than he’d ever wanted any other woman before. And that, coupled with the chance of her not wanting him in return, made him irritable.
Inhaling deeply, he tried to speak with a level voice. “To be clear, I want to save as many people as possible. Make no mistake about it. But when it comes to deadly diseases, fatalities are inevitable. My job is to minimize those fatalities as much as I can. Even if that means making tough decisions like ensuring that nobody leaves St. Giles, no matter what.”
Lady Juliette straightened in her seat. Her posture was rigid, her face flushed and her eyes filled with endless resolve. When she spoke, her voice was calm, save for the slightest quiver. “I am not donating three thousand pounds so I can stand idly by while you do nothing for those who can be helped.”
