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that’s so important?”
    “The Home for the Friendless has been placed under quarantine, and—”
    “Is that what this is about? We already know that. In fact, if the two of you hadn’t interrupted us with your unexpected visit, we’d be on our way over there now. I plan to have Amanda sneak out the rear door and come home immediately.”
    “You can’t do that, sir,” Paul said.
    “Don’t preach to me about what I can and can’t do. I’m not going to have my daughter remain in that place with all of those dirty homeless people. They’re probably all carriers of the disease. I’m going to bring her home. This doctor nonsense has gone far enough. Amanda is going to remain at home and conduct herself in a proper manner until I find a suitable husband for her.”
    Sophie shook her head, and her uncle glared at her. “You can’t bring Amanda home because she has already contracted cholera, Uncle Jonas. That’s what Paul has been trying to tell you.” Her aunt’s gasp was enough to alert Sophie, and she promptly lifted Elizabeth from the older woman’s arms. “Don’t fret, Aunt Victoria. Blake will do everything possible for Amanda. She’ll have constant care. He won’t let her . . .” She couldn’t utter the word.
    “Die?” Jonas snorted. “Dr. Carstead can’t control life and death. Not where cholera is concerned.”
    “But God can,” Paul said. “We must be in constant prayer for Amanda and ask God to remove this plague from our city.”
    “Why pray? If God has already determined to let my daughter die, your prayers won’t change a thing.”
    The harsh words were meant as a rebuke, but Paul grasped her uncle’s shoulder. “You’re wrong, Mr. Broadmoor. Prayer doesn’t always yield the answer we desire, but God does hearken to our prayers. Consider Abraham and his pleas to save Sodom. If we expect God to help, we must communicate the desires of our heart.”
    When her aunt slumped sideways and fell against Sophie’s arm, Sophie placed Elizabeth on the settee. With her free hand she motioned to her husband. “Please ask Marvin to bring a damp cloth.”
    Jonas tapped his wife’s shoulder. “If we’re going to go and fetch Amanda, you’ll need to muster your strength. This is no time for the faint of heart.”
    Sophie thought Uncle Jonas an insensitive boor, but his words had the desired effect. Before Marvin arrived with a damp cloth, her aunt’s color had returned, and under her own strength she’d managed to return to an upright position.
    “You’re correct, Jonas. I’ll get my hat. We must be on our way.”
    “She can’t be released to your care,” Paul insisted. “From what Blake tells me, her condition is grave. Even if permitted, any attempt to move her would prove disastrous. Look at the weather. Would you bring her out in this damp air?”
    Victoria stood and steadied herself for a moment before she crossed the room. Pushing aside the curtain, she peered out the window and then turned to her husband. “Paul is correct, Jonas. We can’t risk the possibility.” Victoria withdrew a handkerchief from her pocket and blotted her eyes. “My dear Amanda. This is my fault. I encouraged her to seek a life of fulfillment.”
    “Don’t blame yourself, Aunt Victoria. Amanda was determined to pursue a medical career. Even if she had remained at home, she might have contracted the disease.”
    “I doubt that. We’re all perfectly fine.”
    “ ’Tis true, Aunt Victoria. I’m told Mr. and Mrs. Warford’s daughter Jane is one of the recent victims.”
    Victoria clasped a hand to her throat. “Jane? Oh, her dear mother and father must be distraught. When did you hear this news?”
    “Only late last evening. You see, it makes little difference that you granted Amanda permission to work at the Home for the Friendless.”
    “The Home? I understand it’s been placed under quarantine,” Fanny said, bursting into the library. She glanced at Paul.
    “I’m relieved to see that