Was it possible that he had experienced such losses? Something had driven him to drink. Every one of their patients had suffered; such suffering could lead to madness, or make a mild case of insanity worse.
“He is not dead,” she said stiffly.
“But he needs care, and you have the other patients.” Quentin looked past the bed to the window, with its view of the small vineyard. “This place has a certain serenity that must benefit your residents a great deal. It would be a pity if you had to sell any more of it.”
He’d come just a bit too close—close enough for the small hairs to rise on the back of her neck. She moved nearer to the bed.
“Eavesdropping is not the act of a gentleman, Mr. Forster.” She lifted her chin. “How much did you overhear?”
“Enough to know that you could benefit by an influx of capital.” He looked about for a chair and, finding none, leaned against the wall. “Earlier, we were discussing the possibility of your treating my… propensity for excessive drinking. As it happens, I can pay you well for such treatment. Enough, I believe, to help in your current circumstances.”
Johanna’s skin grew hot. So he had overheard something she’d meant no one, not even her father, to know. And he spoke with such… such presumption, as if he couldn’t imagine her refusing his offer.
“We are doctors. We can’t turn away those who need our help.” Papa had been completely lucid when he spoke those words. He’d lived by them, and she believed in them as much as he did. Even if Forster had been unable to pay, she would have considered attempting treatment. But she hadn’t decided. Now he was forcing her hand.
“If you’ve any doubts,” Quentin Forster said, “the money is in my room. Over one thousand dollars in cash and coin.”
So much? She’d never counted it, of course. The sum was considerable from her current perspective.
“I won it quite honestly, in a game of cards.” He looked up at her from beneath his auburn lashes, unconsciously—or consciously—seductive.
She turned her back on him and gazed out the window. He had made it extraordinarily difficult for her to say no. The need for money was very real, for the sake of the Haven’s residents. With such an incentive, she could think of only one reason to turn him down.
A personal reason. He made her uncomfortable, uncertain. In his presence, she felt a little of her normally unshakable confidence waver. And, at the same time, she was drawn to him, woman to man. He unsettled her, and nothing was nearly so dangerous to a woman of science.
It would not do, not if she was to be his doctor. That would have to be made very clear.
“I could not charge you so much,” she said, “nor promise a cure without further consultation.”
“You haven’t dealt with my particular brand of insanity.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Inebriety is not always equivalent to insanity,” she said. “Do you claim another affliction?”
His face closed up, all the easy poise vanished. She’d seen that look before: Panic. Denial. Fear. The sudden realization that he did not wish to uncover the secrets in his own mind and heart—secrets he was not even aware existed.
But no one was forcing him to stay. He was not, like the other residents, incapable of living in the world. He might be at considerable risk to his health—even of death—but if he chose to leave, she could not stop him.
“I have treated many forms of insanity,” she said. “Very seldom have we failed to see some improvement. But the rules of conduct here are strict. No alcohol. You must get along with the others. And you must also contribute to the daily work of the farm.”
You make it easy on yourself, Johanna, she thought. He’s not the sort to remain steadfast in the face of a challenge. Frighten him enough, and he will leave. He will not be able to unsettle you any longer.
Repulsed by her own cowardice, she faced him again. “Do you understand, Mr. Forster? I will do my best to help you, but I can make no guarantees. I must retain the right to decide if the treatment is not working. But I will not demand an unreasonable fee—no matter how much I may be in need of funds. I do not ask for charity.”