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“You were interested in making medicine?” he asked, because that seemed the logical conclusion.
“Yes.” A smile flashed across her face before rapidly disappearing. “I wanted to learn to produce the remedy that my mother wasn’t able to obtain in time so that I might spare someone else the pain of experiencing the death of someone they loved from a disease that could be countered.”
“And did you?”
She nodded. “I make quinine regularly now, and I’ve been trying to determine how to extract the active compounds from willow bark in a similar manner, but I’ve been unsuccessful so far.”
“You produce quinine,” Trevor echoed, staring at her in disbelief. He’d known that she had an interest in the sciences, but this was beyond anything he ever could have imagined.
Seraphina had experienced a tragic loss, and instead of simply grieving and allowing time to heal her wounds, she’d decided that she was going to do something to prevent others from experiencing a similar loss in the future. He couldn’t begin to fathom how difficult it must have been for her to learn chemistry without a tutor, nor for her to hide what she was doing with the tincture woman.
Not only that, but she’d somehow found a way to procure the equipment she needed and distribute the medicine.
Good lord. He considered himself something of an academic, but she’d done all of this and in secret.
It boggled his mind.
“Trevor?” She leaned forward, her hands clasped together. “Won’t you say something?”
He swallowed. “How did you accomplish all of this without your father finding out? I assume he doesn’t know.”
Mr. Dalton didn’t seem the type to tolerate his daughter conducting scientific experiments under his roof.
The corners of her mouth tightened, and she glanced around as if she expected him to materialize from the ether to condemn her. “I told him my interest was in perfumery and that it was what my mentor taught me. She did teach me a little—just enough to fool someone if asked. He believes that I dabble in perfumery and that any equipment he sees is used for that purpose.”
“But a quick look in your laboratory could reveal the truth.”
“He isn’t…” She sighed. “He isn’t very interested in what I do, so he’s never cared enough to look.”
Trevor launched to his feet, unable to believe his ears. “Well, he should! For heaven’s sake, you were never offered schooling in the sciences, and yet you educated yourself enough to produce medicine for others. That’s incredible! He ought to be proud of you.”
She gave him an unusual look, as if he’d said something unexpected. “Unfortunately, he wouldn’t see it that way. If he ever found out, he’d be furious.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Didn’t Mr. Dalton have any idea how difficult it must have been for Seraphina to accomplish everything she had?
His daughter was resourceful, relentless, and driven. Not to mention bloody brilliant.
Her lips curved, her eyes warming by degrees. “I’m glad you think so. I wasn’t sure how you’d react, so this is… rather nice, actually.”
Realizing that he was towering over her, Trevor sat and drew in a calming breath. “Thank you for trusting me enough to share your secret.”
She nibbled her lower lip. “There’s a reason I’ve told you, and I doubt you’ll like it.”
His heart kicked up a gear, and he reached for his cup of tea to keep his hands busy so he wouldn’t fidget too much. “What?”
Her teeth sank deeper into her lip, and for a moment, he wondered if they might puncture it. Fortunately, she eased up before breaking the skin. “Mr. Chester Emerson learned my secret. Apparently, his footman’s nephew used my quinine and reacted badly. He’s threatening to tell everyone if I don’t marry him instead of you.”
Of all the stupid…
“That… that… swine. You can’t marry him.” He set the cup down with a clang. Not only did Trevor hate the thought of losing her, but a man like Emerson, who’d proven to be cruel, would smother her fire until not even embers remained. “I wonder if this is about the bets.”
“Bets?”
“Oh.” He blushed, recalling belatedly that he hadn’t thought to mention them to her. He hoped she wouldn’t be mad about that. “I haven’t seen them for myself, but I understand that a pair of gentlemen made a bet in the book at the Regent that Mr. Emerson wouldn’t be able to persuade you to marry him, and Mr. Emerson made a bet of his own that our betrothal wouldn’t result in a wedding.”
She stared at him. “You didn’t think to tell me this?”
