Renewed Hope (Chapter 3)

~Chapter Three~

One cold winter’s night in the month of November 1873, it was discovered that Mariah had contracted scarlet fever. Louise, Mariah’s sister, was sent to live with her Auntie in Bath while their mother was to stay home to take care of her daughter. The news of Mariah’s illness circulated around London quickly, and was the main topic of gossip for days in the higher circles. Questions such as “could she die?” and “What will happen between Horis Ingleton and Mariah Beenleigh now?” were frequently asked and discussed. The people of London whispered every time Horis, Duchess Charmaine or Lydia, Mariah’s mother, walked through the streets. Everyone, it seemed, was concerned about Mariah’s health and the attachment between Mariah and Horis.

Viscount Horis Ingleton was beside himself in grief at the thought of losing the one woman he loved, and wanted to marry. He was driven mad in the knowledge, that he could not go and see Mariah, due to the contagious nature of the illness. After four days of not being able to meet with his beloved, he sent a message to Beenleigh House to request Mariah’s hand in marriage.

Upon the arrival of this message, the house went into up raw. Mariah, who had been drifting in and out of consciousness was brought too, and told the news. To which she said yes. The prospect of having a man to share the rest of her life with gave Mariah a new sense of hope, and a reason to live.

* * *

In the following weeks, Mariah’s body weakened, despite having this new-found hope. Her temperature heightened, her weight dropped and every day she grew frailer and frailer.

Mariah’s sister was as beside herself as Horis was. She could not bear the thought of losing another member of her family. After losing her father, the thought of losing her only sibling as well did not at all comfort her. Louise was inconsolable. She had been forced to stay away from home, away from the two people she loved most and it was taking it’s tole on her.

Every day Louise wrote to her mother and sister.

Dear Mama and Mariah,

Another day goes by where I cannot either see or talk to either of you in person, and it saddens me. I miss you both dramatically, and I pray every day that we will be reunited the next day, but sadly it hasn’t happened yet.

Life here in bath is not very exciting at the moment, as I do not have either of you to share any of my amusements with.

My sister, I do hope you feel much, much better tomorrow.

With my love,

Louise

Little did Louise know, that she made Mariah’s day much brighter as their mother read one of these small letters to her.