Page 30 of The Quiet Wife (Stately Scandals #2)

Frances stared at him, her usual sense of deference to him forgotten. His failure to respond with even a modicum of concern about his family lit something within her that she had tried so hard to bury.

“Children die of scarlet fever, Frederick. Of course I’m worried. All those children who died in Liverpool. The Galsworthy boy,” she reminded him, her voice sharp.

He lifted an eyebrow and gave her a dismissive look. The one that told her she was stupid. Stupid, pathetic, and not to be listened to.

He sighed. “For God’s sake, woman. Perhaps you would be better waiting to see if they really do have it before casting yourself into…” He pulled a face. “The vapours.”

Frances didn’t know what to say to that. Couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Even allowing for her husband’s lack of interest in her and the children his attitude stunned her.

“Frederick… I…” He simply arched an eyebrow.

She stiffened her spine. “Very well. I shall let you know when the doctor has been.” He returned his attention to his ledger and picked up his pen.

She wondered briefly if he had not understood how grave the situation was?

She tried again. “Would you like to see them? They are all afraid and I think it would do them the world of good if you spoke to them. Reassured them.”

“Oh, for…” He bit off what he was going to say and sent her an accusatory look.

“Have you told them they have scarlet fever?” He waited.

She was trying to work out what to say when he continued.

“You have, haven’t you? Well, if you’ve done that, then no wonder they are worried.

Congratulations, my dear. You have succeeded in terrifying the children when you have absolutely no idea what it is they have.

Honestly, Frances. I despair of you. I really do.

” He gave a flick of his hand as though dismissing a servant and went back to checking the damned ledger.

“I didn’t have to tell them anything. They are intelligent girls, Frederick. They know what it is.” She raised her voice at him, the frustration bubbling over at him not even listening to her.

He nodded. “I expect Nanny told them. Isn’t it time she retired? The girls will all be married soon, and my son is barely here these days as it is.”

Frances wanted to hit him. Her son wasn’t at home because of him . Because of his awful temper and refusal to listen to anyone but himself – that’s what had driven Freddie away.

She wanted to rip the pen from his hand and… and…

She cleared her throat. “Elinor asked me if…” she had to pause to quell the tears that threatened to fall. “If she was going to die.”

“That child is too dramatic for her own good. You know that. Yet you’ve chosen to terrify her with tales of scarlet fever. What kind of a mother are you?” he tutted.

“If I’m such a terrible mother, then perhaps you’d like to reassure her.”

At her tone, Frederick’s brows lowered, and his eyes narrowed. Frances didn’t care.

“No. I won’t. I read it is possible to get scarlet fever just by being in the same room as someone with the rash. You should stay away too unless you want to risk coming down with it.”

“Stay away…” she was speechless, thinking he could stoop no lower than his bullying business tactics but the coldness towards his own family was horrifying. “Stay away?” The words came out on a sibilant hiss. “You think I should stay away? Who do you imagine will care for them if I stay away?”

“For God’s sake, Frances, will you calm down? That’s what we have staff for. It’s no wonder the children are anxious if this is how you behave in front of them.” He rolled his eyes and seemed to gesture to the door for her to leave having disturbed him enough for one afternoon.

“Excuse me,” she croaked, feeling herself tremble. She needed to get away from him before she said something she would regret. “I’m going to wait for the doctor.”

She was still shaking as she walked down the corridor away from Frederick’s study wondering how on earth he could be so cold and callous towards his own children.

At that moment, Jemie came out of the drawing room with his mother. Anna immediately scooped her up into a hug.

“Oh, my poor darling,” she murmured soothingly. “Worry not. We will get them through this. I’ve nursed scarlet fever before with every success. We will get them through.”

Frances hugged her back, and just for a moment, let the tears she had been holding fall. She gave a convulsive sob, and Anna Whistler held her tight, one hand stroking her back to calm her.

“There now,” she murmured. “There now.” In that moment, she missed her own mother horribly and was so desperately glad of Anna and Jemie’s presence. With them beside her, she didn’t feel quite so alone.

Frances struggled to stop crying but pulled herself together. Jemie handed her a large handkerchief, and she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

“Now I want you to listen,” Anna said, one arm about her waist, staring straight into her eyes.

“Scarlet fever is bad. We all know that, but to my knowledge, it’s most dangerous in small children and babies, particularly the undernourished.

Your girls are all healthy, and they are almost grown women, so they are much stronger. ”

Frances held her gaze, clinging to it and clinging to her words.

“Truly?”

“I give you my word.”

“I think I need to tell the girls that. They are so scared. Elinor asked if she was going to die.”

Jemie put a hand to his mouth as he squeezed his eyes shut.

“The poor darling,” Anna murmured. “Is your husband coming to see them?”

“He’s busy,” was all she could manage without crying, not wanting to meet Anna or Jemie’s eye for fear of the pity it would hold for her.

“Come, let’s talk to them.” Jemie steered them to the stairs.

“Jemie said you wanted them all together?” Anna said as they walked.

Frances nodded. “I thought they might be company for each other.”

“Then we have work to do!”

Anna sallied forth and Frances followed with Jemie beside her. He caught hold of her hand and squeezed it.

She gripped it tight, taking comfort from his presence before letting go, and they strode along the corridor to the girls’ rooms.

A flurry of maids, footmen, the housekeeper, and Nanny Jenks met them as they prepared Fannie’s room, as that was the larger of the three. It didn’t take too much to move the furniture to accommodate the beds and move the children, particularly as Jemie helped with the heavy lifting too.

“Are they settled?” Frances asked Nanny Jenks when the last of the staff disappeared, leaving a sense of calm.

“They are ma’am.”

“Perhaps we should speak to them now?” Anna suggested.

“I won’t come in with you. I don’t think young ladies will want to be seen when they look less than their best,” Jemie said.

Frances smiled at him. “You’re probably right.”

Frances opened the door and peeped in. Each girl lay in bed appearing fatigued, but they were talking to each other. Frances was sure they would find comfort in that and hopefully it would bolster their spirits in the difficult days ahead.

“Mama, Anna!” Fannie struggled up onto an elbow.

Anna beamed at them and immediately mopped brows, stroked heads, and fluffed pillows. She also opened the window a smidge.

“We need to make sure that you have some fresh air in here. My mother swore by it.”

Elinor pulled her blankets up to her chin and nodded.

The door opened, and Nanny Jenks came in. “Look who I brought,” she tucked a battered rabbit in with Elinor, a bald-looking teddy bear in with Florence, and a stuffed owl in with Fannie. All the girls managed a chuckle and hugged the motley crew tightly.

“I want you all to listen to me,” Anna said firmly.

“I expect you’ve heard terrible things about scarlet fever, and you are worried you might have it.”

The girls exchanged glances, then nodded.

“I thought so. Well, I’ve dealt with a lot of scarlet fever in my time, and it is very dangerous… for babies and very young children.”

“How young?” Fannie asked.

“Oh, about two years old.”

She paused and let her words sink in, allowing them to realise they were not in immediate danger.

“Adults get it, and it makes them feel dreadfully poorly, but they very rarely die from it.”

“Oh,” Elinor said. Florence hesitated.

“Is that true?” Fannie asked Frances.

“It is my love,” Frances promised them, hoping it would stop their worrying which would only weaken them.

“Little Timmy Galsworthy was only three, wasn’t he?” Florence recalled.

“So, I don’t want you getting any silly ideas in your heads. I need you to concentrate on getting better. In the meantime, I will help your mother to look after you,” Anna assured them.

She paused and gave them a meaningful look. “And… I have American remedies.”

“Really?” Florence said. “What are they? Will we have to have our hair cut off?”

Anna appeared horrified. “Perish the thought.”

The girls exchanged relieved glances.

“Where’s Jemie?” Elinor asked. “He was going to sketch me.”

“He’s outside, darling. Waiting to hear how you are.”

After a series of vocal protests at him being excluded, Frances opened the door to find him still leaning on the wall in the corridor.

“The girls would love to see you,” she whispered.

He seemed surprised, but came forward cautiously, and put his head around the door.

“Hello, you lot.”

“Anna is going to treat us with American remedies,” Florence said although she, like her sisters, looked exhausted.

Jemie widened his eyes and put his hand on his heart. “Then you have the very, very best,” he nodded sagely.

“And adults don’t die from this and we are nearly adults,” Elinor added.

“You most certainly are. And as soon as you are feeling up to snuff, I’ll sketch the lot of you.”

They all giggled at the thought, before Florence started coughing.

Anna left with Jemie, and Frances waited patiently whilst Doctor Emslie who’d arrived examined them all. He was a good, kind man, and she hoped he would reassure them just as Anna had.

When he’d finished, he packed up his bag and looked at them all, shaking his head.

“Well, this is a sorry state of affairs.”

They all waited. “I’m afraid you have scarlet fever, and you will need to rest for a little while.”

The girls all stared at him wide eyed.

“You are not children anymore, so I suspect you will feel quite unwell for a few days, but nothing to worry about.”

“Mrs Whistler said that” Florence confirmed.

“Well, Mrs Whistler is a wise lady. Now, I’m going to leave you some medicines to help you feel better.”

“Mrs Whistler has some American remedies,” Elinor piped up. Frances glanced at the doctor, but he just raised his eyebrows.

“My word,” he declared. “Then you are most fortunate.”

For the first time since Nanny Jenks had told her about the girls being ill, Frances felt less lightheaded and that she could breathe easier.

“Thank you, doctor,” she said gratefully.

Frances accompanied him back down the stairs, and in the hallway found Anna and Jemie.

“Allow me to introduce you to Mr Whistler, the artist, and his mother, Mrs Anna Whistler.”

Doctor Emslie shook hands with both of them. “Ah, the very wise Mrs Whistler with the American remedies?” he asked.

Anna smiled.

“And what are these American remedies?”

“Probably much the same as yours,” she said, allowing the American lilt to show.

“I felt a little magic was needed to lift their spirits.” She reeled off what she intended using and Doctor Emslie granted his approval.

He dispensed sensible advice, left some bottles of medicine and some powders before he left and promised to return in a few days to check on the patients.

“I should let my husband know,” Frances announced, thinking whatever astronomical sum Frederick paid to retain him was worth every penny.

Jemie stared at her. “Your husband is at home ? I thought he must be at the office when he didn’t come to see them.”

“He is in his study,” Frances admitted, unable to look at either Jemie or Anna because the shame of it would show all over her face.

“I see. Ah, forgive me, but why in God’s name is he in his study? ” Jemie asked, his temper showing. He was usually the most easy going of men, but he had demonstrated his fiery side on a few occasions.

“Jemie,” his mother murmured in vain.

“He didn’t think that we should worry until the doctor had confirmed what it was.”

“Well, the doctor has confirmed. You can tell him now. I’m sure the girls will be delighted to see him.”

“I’m sure they will. Would you excuse me?” Frances hurried away, knowing that Jemie was right.

***

“Doctor Emslie has seen the children, and they have scarlet fever,” she announced, striding into Frederick’s study.

He nodded. “Thank you for telling me.”

“Are you going to go up and see them? I’ve put them all in Fannie’s room so they aren’t alone and afraid, and it will be easier to look after them.”

“I’ll pop in before I leave.”

“Leave?” Frances clenched her teeth.

He nodded and wrote something on the paper in front of him. “I need to go to Liverpool. I might be gone for some time.”

“Frederick, the children have scarlet fever. Children die of scarlet fever. Please, we need you here.”

“Good thing they are adults then, isn’t it?” he finished what he was writing but didn’t avert his gaze from the page.

“I can’t persuade you to stay?” Frances hesitated, wanting to snatch the pen from him so she got his full attention for a change.

“What on earth would be the point? I can’t do anything; my being here won’t change anything. I’ll only be in the way.”

“You wouldn’t be in the way. The girls would love to see you. You could reassure them that all will be well.”

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Frances…” he said in warning tones that made her cold. She lifted her chin defiantly.

“When do you leave?”

“In about an hour.”

“Will you stay in the flat?”

He nodded.

She walked to the door but turned back to regard her husband. “Would you like to be informed should one of your children die or would that be too troublesome for you?”