Arriving there, he climbed the front steps and entered the foyer where he almost collided with the Duke of Huntley, who was on his way out. “Florian!”
“Your Grace.” Florian steadied himself with one hand on Huntley’s shoulder, dropping it as soon as he’d regained his balance. “My manservant said you wished to see me, so I was planning to call on you after checking up on things here.” He registered the duke’s expression which suggested a state of grief-stricken despair, and immediately stiffened with concern. “What is it? What has happened?”
The haunted look in Huntley’s eyes was beyond disconcerting. “It is Juliette. I believe she may be dying.”
There were times in Florian’s life, moments he could look back on in which he’d lost all hope, and moving past the bleakness had seemed impossible. One such moment had arisen when he’d experienced death as a child—the quiet passing of Roland, a beloved family dog. It had come again when he’d lost one of his own patients for the very first time. But it had never hollowed out his insides as much as it did right now.
“No.”
Huntley dropped his gaze and spoke to the floor. “She went to check on a friend of hers and became infected with typhus. Unwilling to spread the disease, she quarantined herself, her friend and her friend’s aunt. I see her only through the window, but I can tell she is getting worse.”
Steeling himself in an effort to gather his strength, not only for Huntley’s benefit but for his own, Florian squared his shoulders, determined to put all emotion aside so he could focus on the problem at hand. “Allow me to fetch my bag and then you must take me to her at once.” Without wasting a second, he hurried off to his office, scribbled a note to Viola, and went to accompany Huntley, all the while praying Juliette would recover with unprecedented swiftness.
After leaving Vivien’s room, Juliette had staggered toward Lady Arlington’s chamber only to find the lady sleeping. Unwilling to wake her only to cause her tremendous amounts of grief, Juliette had chosen to seek her own bed and get some rest. Only then, when sleep overcame her, did she find peace. It fled as quickly as it had come when she awoke to the sound of pounding on the downstairs door. If only she could gather the strength to rise and see who it was. But the very idea of having to stand on her own two feet was too debilitating to allow for the effort. So she stayed where she was, breathing the raw air and occasionally coughing while heat blanketed her forehead.
A loud crack roused her once more, and she realized she must have fallen asleep again. It was followed by the thud of feet climbing the stairs and the sound of doors opening and closing nearby. Distraught, Juliette gathered what strength she could manage and stumbled from the bed, crossing the floor and throwing her weight against the door just as someone on the opposite side attempted to open it. Several bangs followed in an effort to make the door budge.
“Go away,” she groaned. “You cannot be here. It is not safe.”
All sound on the other side ceased, filled seconds later with a voice she’d feared she might never hear again. “Juliette.” Florian spoke as though the world was ending and the only life he cared about saving was hers. “Please open the door.”
“Are you alone? I will not put anyone else at risk.”
“I told your brother to wait outside while I came to check on you.”
Relief swamped her, bringing on fresh tears as she unlocked the door and fell into Florian’s arms. “Vivien died this morning,” she cried. “I tried to save her but...”
He stroked his hand over her hair. “It is not your fault, Juliette. You did what was right and your friend at least had the comfort of knowing you cared.”
A torrent of tears overflowed from her eyes, wetting Florian’s jacket and closing off her throat until she could scarcely breathe.
“Hush now,” he whispered against her ear. “You must calm yourself so you can get well.” Without warning, he gathered her up in his arms and headed toward the stairs. “I am taking you to my house so you can receive proper care.”
“But Lady Arlington...” Fighting the heat that burned in her eyes, Juliette looked toward the dowager baroness’s bedchamber as they passed it. “We cannot leave her here.”
As if he refused to listen, Florian marched on. “I am sorry,” he told her tightly, “but it is too late for her as well.”
With that ominous remark, the remainder of Juliette’s energy failed her and she sagged against Florian’s chest, allowing his vigor to carry her forward. Arguing over where they were going or how her staying in a bachelor’s home would affect her reputation was futile at this point. She was in his hands now and doubted any amount of resistance on her part would sway him from his determination to see her fully restored. Which was just as well, since the only thing she wanted to do was sleep.
Having placed Juliette inside Huntley’s carriage, Florian spoke to the duke. “You cannot ride with us, Huntley. The risk is too great.”
Huntley nodded. “I understand.”
“And I intend to have this conveyance burned once we have finished with it.” Considering the rampancy with which typhus could spread, Florian dared not let anyone else use it later.
“My biggest concern is Juliette’s propriety.” Huntley winced. “I know it sounds ridiculous under the circumstances, but I had hoped to offer her a respectable life and an advantageous marriage. She cannot have those things after spending so much as a single night in your home.”
“I know. But I dare not take her to the hospital or anywhere else. At present, I am the only person I know who seems to be immune, which makes this the logical course of action. I shall care for her, Huntley, and do my utmost to ensure her survival.”
“And your servants?”
Florian knew the scandal of what he proposed was immense, but he could not think of another choice. Not when it came to ensuring everyone’s safety. “They will remain belowstairs for the duration of your sister’s visit.”
Distinct discomfort colored Huntley’s cheeks. “I know you are a physician, Florian, but still, I cannot pretend to be in favor of this idea.”
“None of us are, least of all Juliette, I suspect. But if the situation calls for it in the end and you think it necessary, I will do what must be done to save her reputation as well.”
Clenching his jaw, Huntley stuck out his hand and Florian shook it. “Thank you. My sister is lucky to be in your care, but as much as I appreciate your offer, you ought to know I would never insist she marry for reputation alone.” He withdrew his hand and crossed his arms in a solid display of dukely authority. “My family has braved scandal before and shall do so again before sacrificing happiness for the sake of appeasing Society.”
