“Juliette...” Vivien reached out, and Juliette caught her hand, cradling the frail thing as if it might break. “I fear Lord Portham has lost his chance to court me.”
Tears brimmed in Juliette’s eyes, and unlike her previous efforts to force them back, she failed this time. Heat had begun creeping over her own forehead last evening and her weakening constitution apparently made her exceedingly weepy.
“Don’t be silly.” She coughed again and pressed a hand to her aching belly. “That pompous man never stood a chance with someone as wonderful as you.” She forced a smile for Vivien’s benefit. “You deserve an earl at the very least.”
“Perhaps one awaits me in heaven.” Vivien’s eyes closed on that thought. “Would such a thing not be lovely?”
Unable to speak for fear she might choke on the misery of it all, Juliette simply sat, coughing from time to time while offering Vivien companionship. Lady Arlington had taken to her own bed three days earlier, so Juliette had made it her mission to care for these women as best as she could.
A clink against the windowpane drew her attention. Rising, she assured Vivien she would be right back and then went to look out. As expected, it was Raphe. He had been stopping by every day since she’d informed him of her decision to isolate herself with Vivien and Lady Arlington. Just as on those previous occasions, he’d brought a basket of food which would be placed on the front step so she could fetch it later, once he was gone.
“How are you?” His voice called up to her from below with such vitality, she could not help but envy the energy he possessed. And yet, in spite of his positive tone, there was no denying the layer of concern covering his eyes.
“As expected,” she rasped while curling her fingers around the window frame for support. “I’ve a fever, my body aches all over and I am exhausted by fatigue. Compared with Vivien, however, I am in excellent condition.”
Compassion settled upon his face, but beneath it, she saw the dread he struggled to hide from her. “I am sorry, Juliette.” His voice fractured on her name and he glanced away for a second before looking back up with renewed determination. “I have written to Florian, but have not heard back. The Dowager Duchess of Tremaine has once again offered to come and check on you herself or to send another physician if you prefer.”
“No.” Juliette shook her head. “Florian is the only one who might resist infection. I will not allow anyone else near us.”
“But...” Words seemed to fail him. He shook his head and raked both hands through his hair. “I do not know what to do. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Julie. You are my sister, and I swore I would always protect you and now... Why did you have to come here? Why—”
“You know why.” The effort it took to raise her voice enough so he could hear was starting to wear her down.
Pressing his lips together, he offered a jerky nod. “Yes. You are goodness itself, Juliette, and I love you. We all love you.”
“As I love you.” Another bout of coughing overcame her, scraping over her throat until it felt raw. “Give my best to Gabriella and Amelia.”
“I will come again tomorrow,” he promised before offering his best ducal bow and turning away. One hand rose to his cheek and gave it a swipe as he climbed into his carriage, waving one last time before the conveyance took off and rolled out of view.
“We have fresh food,” Juliette told Vivien while offering the window her back. A strange stillness greeted her, creeping through her veins and shaking her heart. “Vivien?”
Not a single sound emerged from the bed, not even the hint of slumber. Approaching slowly while alarm took hold of her body, Juliette forced her feet steadily forward until she was able to see her friend clearly. An uninhibited sob rose from her throat at the sight she beheld, of Vivien’s glassy eyes staring up at the ceiling, her lips slightly parted upon her final exhale.
She’d died alone, in that brief moment in which Juliette had left her side.
Pressing her knuckles to her mouth, Juliette muffled her grief while tears spilled over her cheeks. With trembling fingers she reached out and carefully lowered Vivien’s eyelids. She then proceeded to smooth the sheets around her while trying to come to terms with what came next. She had no idea what to do, truth was. To let another person into the house could prove detrimental and yet, leaving Vivien’s body here for more than a day was not an option either. Overwhelmed by sickness, tiredness and the hopelessness she faced, Juliette felt her last bit of stubborn determination evaporate. This was it. Before long, she would be following Vivien into the beyond. And before she did so, she was going to have to inform Lady Arlington of her niece’s passing.
After dropping Haines off at his lodgings, Florian continued toward his own home. Having a bath and getting a change of clothes would be necessary before he headed over to the hospital or even considered meeting with Lady Juliette.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” Baker said the moment he opened the door and offered to take Florian’s bag, hat and gloves. “We are all extremely relieved to have you back safely.”
“It was a trying ten days, I have to admit, but it was necessary.” Florian shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on a hook on the wall.
Baker set Florian’s hat on the hallway table. “Some correspondence awaits your attention in your study, and the Duke of Huntley stopped by earlier in the week. He said to call on him as soon as you return.”
Florian nodded. “Did he say what it was in regard to?”
“No. He refused to mention it.”
Well then, it would simply have to wait until Florian had put himself to rights. “If you could please ask Jillian to help you bring up some hot water from the kitchen, I would be much obliged.” He would usually have offered to lend a hand, but he was too bone-weary to do much of anything besides climb the stairs.
He did so slowly, reaching the landing only minutes before Jillian and Baker arrived with the first pails of water. The small brass tub that permanently stood in an adjoining chamber was expeditiously filled, the servants departing swiftly so Florian could bathe in private.
Lord, it felt good to slide into the soothing bathwater. The warmth of it lapped against his tired body from all sides, producing a deep calm. He had not gotten a proper night’s sleep in weeks, but now, with the typhus under control and the threat of further contagion drastically minimized, he would finally be able to enjoy some much-needed relaxation.
Closing his eyes he leaned back and allowed a tentative smile. It would be wonderful seeing Juliette again. Of course there was still Bartholomew to consider. He’d have to meet with Henry as soon as possible to see if he’d discovered anything new about Armswell’s poisoning and the false claims about him seducing Elmwood’s wife. Proof of Bartholomew’s involvement would be essential when trying to bring him down.
With this in mind, Florian washed himself, dried off and got dressed. Selecting a clean handkerchief from the top drawer of his dresser, he placed the piece of monogrammed fabric in his pocket and left his bedchamber.
