Page 63 of The Quiet Wife
Frederick glanced up at her and frowned at the intrusion. “Is something wrong?”
She nodded, hands trembling. “I’m afraid so. We think the girls have scarlet fever.”
She waited for his response. For him to get up, come around the desk, and demand to see them. To take her in his arms and tell her everything would be fine which was really what she needed to hear.
He frowned, put down his pen, laying it carefully before him. “We? Who is ‘we’?”
“What?… Nanny and myself. They have all the signs.”
“Has the doctor seen them? Hashetold you that is what it is?”
Frances stared at him, unable to fully understand what he was meaning because he seemed to be rather detached about it all. “Not yet. I’ve sent for him. Oh, Frederick, I’m so worried.” She moved forward until she reached the desk. She really wanted him to hold her, to feel that sense of reassurance. To see that he cared.
He raised an eyebrow and sat back in his chair, moving away from her. “I can see that.”
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 reallydohave 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 youtoldthem 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. Theyknowwhat 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 ofhim. 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 perhapsyou’dlike 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 shouldstay away?Who do you imagine will care for them if I stay away?”
“For God’s sake, Frances,willyou 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.”
