Chapter 39

39

Two weeks later…

Patience hurried up the stairs of Chastity's round turret in the east wing of Rath Hall, her heart pounding. Just a moment ago, she had heard a loud explosion coming from the tower and feared for her sister-in-law's safety.

As she burst through the door, she stopped. Shattered glassware littered the floor, and a thin layer of smoke hung in the air. Chastity stood in the middle of the room, her hair disheveled and her face smudged with soot.

"Chastity! Are you all right?" Patience rushed to her side, checking for any signs of injury.

Chastity coughed and waved away the smoke. "I'm fine, sister. Just a small mishap with my latest experiment."

Patience looked around the sunlight-filled laboratory, taking in the damage. The large tables in front of the diamond-pane, leaded windows were covered in broken beakers, flasks, and test tubes. The air smelled faintly of burnt alcohol.

The two women opened the windows to let out the smoke and fumes, then made their way to the adjacent room, a cozy space filled with bookshelves and comfortable armchairs. The same diamond-pane windows let in great light for reading here. Patience rang the bellpull for tea as Chastity sat in an armchair. Patience couldn't help but notice how her hands shook slightly.

"What happened?" Patience asked, helping Chastity to a nearby chair.

Chastity sighed. "I was heating spirits of wine with quicklime, trying to increase the concentration of ethanol. I must have added too much quicklime, and the vapors ignited."

Patience shook her head, relief washing over her. "Thank goodness you're not hurt."

Chastity nodded but said nothing.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to lie down, Chastity?" Patience asked gently. "Shall I send for a physician?"

Chastity shook her head, a determined look in her eye. "I'm fine, sister. It's just frustrating, you know? I'm so close to a breakthrough, but it feels like the world is against me."

Patience reached out and squeezed her hand. "I understand completely. It's not easy being a woman in science. But you're not alone, Chastity. We have each other."

Mrs. Knight knocked and brought in a tray bearing a teapot, teacups, and a plate of biscuits. When she retreated, Chastity poured, the teapot shaking in her hand, and the tea spilled on the saucer.

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Chastity as she picked up a snow-white linen to wipe up the brown drops. "I've never had a visitor here before. Mrs. Knight and the maids don't count. And I'm afraid my social manners are the weakest quality I have."

Patience smiled kindly at her. "Please, sister, do not worry. I'm not a visitor. We're family. "

Chastity nodded, her sky-blue eyes wide and beautiful behind her spectacles. "We are. Never did I think I'd have a sister who's a scientist, as well."

"Neither did I," said Patience, beaming as she picked up her teacup and sipped.

"Would you like a biscuit?" asked Chastity, picking up a plate of cinnamon biscuits. Patience swallowed an onslaught of nausea.

"Oh, no, thank you. Those make me queasy."

"Right…" Gingerly, she placed the plate as far away from Patience as she could—so far that it balanced precariously on the edge of the table. "I'm sorry, sister. I didn't mean to do anything that made you uncomfortable. In your condition, especially."

Patience shook her head and sipped more tea. "Don't worry, you couldn't know they would disturb me. And you can always learn social manners if you wish. Though I would argue you have much more important qualities. Like a brilliant mind many would envy."

Chastity picked up her own cup and sipped. "Don't most ladies and gentlemen value beauty over brains?"

Patience cocked her head. "I'd take brains any day. I hope my child is as brilliant as you are."

Chastity's normally serious expression brightened as a small smile curved her lips. "Thank you, sister. I hope the baby will be the perfect blend of you and Dorian—beautiful, strong, and fiercely intelligent." Before Patience could respond, she continued, "It's fascinating the changes in a female body during pregnancy. I hope you will allow me to document the progress of your condition."

Patience sprayed a little of her tea with a chuckle, her own social manners flagging. "Oh, darling, of course! Are you conducting new research on pregnancy? "

"No," said Chastity. "But I do not come across pregnant women often—especially not those that are willing to answer questions from time to time. You never know what I might observe or what use I might find for the data in the future. Wouldn't it be useful to know how to help pregnant women with nausea, for instance?"

Patience beamed. "It would. And since we're already slipping into the meat of the discussion, allow me to officially call the first meeting of the Misses with Microscopes Club to order!" Only a few days earlier, they had decided to create a club for themselves and any other women who wanted to study science and support each other in a society where they had to fight to be heard.

Chastity grinned and straightened her back. "Indeed!"

"What are you working on?" asked Patience. "And can I be of help?"

"I have a theory that infection, often called ‘blood poisoning' or ‘sepsis,' occurs when wounds are not handled with clean instruments or hands. I believe some impurities enter, so small we cannot see them. I am working on a disinfectant that will, I hope, kill any impurities that may enter a wound."

"Fascinating!" said Patience as she set her cup on the table. "That is what you put in Dorian's medical baskets! You must need some real people to try out your solutions on."

"Well," Chastity said and sighed. "Yes. Indeed, I do. But I don't have patients here."

"Of course not. Then how do you experiment and learn?"

Chastity pursed her lips. "All right. This is a secret club, isn't it? Nothing we say here can be shared with anyone."

"Of course not. Not unless specifically allowed."

"Even if you might think it's in my best interests to inform say…my brother? "

Patience frowned. "Goodness, what in the world are you talking about?"

"You must promise you won't say anything to Dorian. That's what I'm trying to say."

"I won't."

"Even if you think it's dangerous?"

"Even if I think it's dangerous."

Chastity seemed to relax a little. "Good. It's Lady Seaton, Jane. Do you remember her?"

"Of course. She's Lord Richard Seaton's wife."

"Exactly. She…um. Did you know her half-brother is Thorne Blackmore?"

Patience's eyebrows drew together. "The owner of Elysium?"

Chastity chuckled. "Yes. Did Dorian tell you about him?"

"He did. He told me about the monthly meetings he used to join, the ones Lucien and the rest of the dukes go to."

Chastity licked her bottom lip at the mention of Lucien and raised an eyebrow in an angry contemplation. "Yes. That one. Anyway, when I told her about my project, she made an interesting suggestion."

"Oh?" asked Patience.

"Mr. Blackmore has an associate…or rather a close friend. The same way the seven dukes are close, that's how Mr. Blackmore is close to that man. His name is Brace Sterling, and he's a doctor in Whitechapel… Well, he's not officially licensed. He spent some years in Oxford, but he never graduated. He runs a free clinic and a hospital for the inhabitants of Whitechapel."

Patience blinked, her mind putting all the pieces together. "Oh. And so you…?"

"I volunteer there. No official hospital in London wanted to recognize my work, my research, or support my medical claims," she said, her voice breaking but her back straight .

She may not know the perfect manners of a socialite, but she was every bit a duke's sister—proud and stoic.

Patience shook her head. "Why?"

"Because I'm a woman," she said. "I swear, Patience, had I had any other passion suitable for a woman—embroidery, painting, music, anything at all—I'd be so happy. Had I had a male organ, my research would have been accepted with open arms. I'd have received funding. I'd have earned respect. But all I got was rejection and pitiful glances. As if wearing a skirt means I do not have the brains or courage to do medical research and help people."

Patience sighed. "I hate that this is so for you. That's why we have created our club. And that's why it's secret."

"And that's why I had to go and ask Mr. Sterling if he would consider using my methods on selected patients and allowing me to observe them while also caring for them as a nurse."

Patience nodded. "And he agreed?"

"He was the only one who agreed. I suppose, in the underworld of London, the social rules and standards of the ton don't matter. In the slums, women can do science and run their own businesses. And bastards can be kings."

Patience gave a sigh and couldn't stop a chuckle. "Bastards and women of science. That's quite a team."

Chastity giggled, and Patience joined her. Together, they laughed, spilling tea and not caring.

"If he needs a botanist, I'm happy to help," said Patience as she wiped away tears of laughter. "But are you quite safe in Whitechapel?"

"Of course," Chastity said and hesitated. "I mean, besides being alone with a single man… And walking among thieves and criminals…"

Patience's eyes widened. "Goodness. Are you sure?—? "

"It's Jane's brother's area. Thorne Blackmore is the king of Whitechapel. Nothing happens without him knowing. I'm perfectly safe."

"Is Mr. Sterling a gentleman?"

Chastity's cheeks flushed. "Oh, please. There's no danger of any man trying anything with me. No man would see a woman in me, or anyone they might be interested in!"

Patience blinked. "Forgive me for such harsh words, but that is nonsense!"

Chastity chuckled bitterly. "Oh, it is not. Not that I'm interested in marriage in any event."

"Truly?" asked Patience. "Have you never fancied anyone?"

To Patience's great surprise, Chastity's cheeks flushed. "Well…I wouldn't say that."

Patience grinned. "I knew it. Who was it?"

Chastity scoffed and reddened even more. It was quite fascinating to see this smart, confident, brilliant woman blush like a little girl. "I…er…"

"You know I will never tell anyone. You're my sister and my friend, and a fellow Miss with a Microscope!"

Chastity looked at her hands. "Um…"

"Come on, Chastity, it feels good to open up. Have you never talked about this with anyone?"

"No. I suppose there's no harm in it. It's in the past anyway, and nothing will ever be possible. Nor do I want it to be."

"Well, never say never… Who is it?"

Chastity sighed and put her teacup down with resolve. "It is…it was …Lucien."

Patience raised her eyebrows. "Lucien? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He does favor you. I just didn't realize you favored him, too."

"You're mistaken. He does not favor me, nor did he ever. In my silly adolescent years—and only because we practically grew up together—I had thought I loved him. And we were close, so I thought he might love me back… But there is nothing like seeing the boy you fancy kiss a maid to clear such silly notions."

"And Dorian would kill him," said Patience, nodding. "There's no man in England who has had more liaisons than the Duke of Luhst."

Chastity nodded. "Precisely. We could not be more different. His way is passion. My way is science. Not Lucien. Not marriage. And I never want children. So you see, it is quite liberating that I'm not attractive to men. Truly."

Patience shook her head. "I cannot fathom why a beautiful and smart woman would ever think of herself that way! You are a diamond of the first water. Any man would be lucky to have a drop of your attention. But…you both are attending Pryde's upcoming month-long house party. Will you manage?"

Chastity scoffed. "Of course I'll manage. It's a mere inconvenience with my research. Nothing more." She cleared her throat and put on a strict face. "Anyway, I would appreciate it greatly if you would read my findings so far and give your feedback." She pointed at a stack of handwritten papers lying on the tea table.

Patience agreed eagerly and then asked Chastity's opinion about her next hybridization project, the challenges and opportunities.

The two women spent the next hour discussing their projects and excitedly planning their new club, Chastity's earlier mishap all but forgotten. They were deep in discussion, giggling like schoolgirls, when a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?" Chastity called out, trying to stifle her laughter.

"It's Dorian," came the muffled reply. "Is everything all right in there? I heard a loud noise earlier, and there is a strange odor in the hall."

Patience and Chastity exchanged a conspiratorial look. "Everything's fine, brother," Chastity called back. "Just a small accident in the lab. Nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?" Dorian's voice was laced with concern. "I could come in and help clean up."

"No!" both women exclaimed in unison, dissolving into another fit of giggles.

"We have the situation under control, Dorian," Patience managed between laughs. "We are discussing women's matters. We'll see you at dinner."

There was a pause, then a sigh of resignation from the other side of the door. "You know it's not polite sending your husband away like this."

Patience's smile tugged at her lips. "Perhaps said husband may need to discipline such a rude wife…later?"

"I'm afraid measures must be taken," he said, and Patience's skin heated.

Chastity frowned. "She wasn't really rude, Dorian! Don't you dare hurt your pregnant wife."

Patience felt her cheeks flush as she turned to Chastity. "Oh, no, dearest, we've been just jesting. Right, Dorian?" she called.

"Of course," he called back, his muffled voice amused. "Sister, you know I'd never really— Er…all right, ladies. I'll leave you to it."

As Dorian's footsteps receded down the corridor, Patience and Chastity grinned at each other, their hearts light with the promise of their new adventure. The world may not always understand or appreciate their passion for science, but together, they would face any challenge that came their way .

For they were Misses with Microscopes, and nothing could stand in the way of their quest for knowledge and discovery.