A/N:This chapter is dedicated to Entreched because she wanted to see jealous!Helen. So tell me what you want to see in reviews and it might just pop up in the story.

"Oh, Nancy, this is such a lovely party."

"You're always too kind, Martha. It's just simple get together. A woman has to take care of her husband's interests after all."

Another one of the women in the circle giggled. "What about your interests, Nancy? Don't' think we haven't noticed all the men you've invited."

Martha gave the women a knowing look. "Our Nancy has her eye on someone new these days."

Nancy fluttered her fan madly. "Oh Martha, stop. You can't tell them."

"Oh please," Marie insisted. "Who is it that's caught your eye this time?"

Nancy smiled at her friends. "He's standing over in the corner there."

The women looked over and gasped. "Why that's John Druitt," one said.

"He's a barrister with your husband, isn't he, Patty?" Martha asked.

"And he's married," Patty added earnestly.

The expressions of the women turned to disgust. "To that strange woman who claims to be a doctor," one of them nodded. "What was her name?"

"Helen," Nancy ground out. Then she brightened. "But it's not like anyone takes fidelity seriously anymore. Why I'm sure he cares no more for her than she does for him."

"Everything I've heard tells me they're a happy couple," Patty disagreed.

"My servants know their cook," Nancy said. "And apparently Mrs. Druitt has several male friends who spend their days at the house. She's always disappearing with them. Especially that James Watson."

"She's not with him tonight either," Martha added. "I've heard that she runs a clinic for…whores."

"She does," Patty nodded. "Down near that awful Whitechapel district."

"It's a front," Nancy said in a firm voice. "Eveyrone knows she's little more than a whore herself. Why else would she flaunt herself so shamelessly with other men?" The others agreed in earnest. No respecting woman would do things like have a clinic for prostitutes or insist on going to college after they had a spouse. Clearly Helen Druitt had joined the ranks of the marked woman.

"I bet she's off with one of her boyfriends right now."

"Of course she is," Nancy stated scornfully. "And that leaves her husband wide open."

Nancy smiled as she fluttered her wide open fan in front of her face. There wasn't a man alive who could resist her charms. Ever since she was a child she'd been told how beautiful she was with her raven black hair and jade eyes. John Druitt would be just one of the many hangers on that doted on her when her husband was too busy.

She thought he was looking particularly masculine tonight. His suit was expertly tailored to show off every inch of his powerful 6'4 frame. The tie holding back his long hair was red to match his vest. But Nancy's favorite thing about John was his eyes. The blue grey orbs were so intense she often felt like she would melt whenever he turned his gaze on her. Idly she wondered why he was frowning now. Perhaps he was thinking about his wife and her indiscretions. That was fine with Nancy; she would put a smile on his face very quickly.

John's mind was in fact on his absent wife. More precisely he was thinking about why she was not here and wishing he could be home with her. His little miracle, Montague, was ill. His powers had always fluctuated more than those of his siblings and now it seemed his healing ability was faltering somewhat. He was sick in bed with a terrible fever. Helen was worried it might develop into scarlet fever.

Monty wasn't the only sick one in the house either. Patricia's lungs were bothering her again. Helen didn't think it was a chronic cough anymore but was still trying to figure just what was upsetting their little dove.

And of course there was his dear Ashley. Her situation was still so delicate with David being away but still sending her letters. According to Helen there was no romantic bent to the letters as of late but it was encouraging that the boy was reaching out at all. The only real problem was that Ashley was having trouble sleeping from worry. She often asked her father to sing her favorite lullaby or read to her at night if she couldn't sleep peacefully. Which was often these days.

Even if he didn't have his myriad of family concerns pressing on him, John would still want some excuse to not be here. He liked balls and parties even less than Helen and to attend any, including those for his firm, without her presence was utter torture. It didn't help that his shirt and waistcoat were rubbing against his bandages in the worst way. All in all he was bored, worried and uncomfortable. John would certainly have to watch his temper and his tongue tonight if he wanted to keep his job. And that job was the only thing keeping Helen's clinic running.

John reached for his pocket watch to check the time. Frowning, he noticed that he still had some time before he could reasonably excuse himself. He glanced around the room and noticed one of the women looking directly at him. If he was not mistaken, she was trying flirt with him using her fan. John couldn't even think of her name let alone what her signals meant.

The last woman he had flirted with was Helen and she didn't bother to use fans to get her point across. John desperately tried to dredge up memories of what it meant. Her fan was wide open and she was fanning quickly with her right hand. That meant something about being independent and…in love? Impossible, everyone knew he was happily married. Clearly the woman was signaling to some other gentleman. He pushed her from his thoughts.

Nancy was annoyed at her lack of reception but decided to pay a call on the Druitts tomorrow to see if a more intimate setting would lend itself to the kindling of a romance.

John was very glad that it was Sunday. No business took place on Sunday which meant he could be at home where he belonged. So he'd taken his paperwork from his study and decided to work in the living room. Monty, who could be out of bed if one of his parents was watching, sat on the floor with his homework. Patricia curled up on the other sofa with a book, Sarah was people watching out the window and Ashley had just breezed in with a new letter. "That from David?" John asked.

"Just came," she replied brightly. She paused in the door way. "Daddy, is there a reason you're shirtless?"

"Momma said it was okay," Monty piped up. He let out a hacking cough before continuing. "She didn't like how his shirts were rubbing against the stitches and such."

Ashley shrugged. "It's not like we're expecting company," she said.

"Of course not," Patricia agreed. "No one visits on Sunday. Now bring that letter over here so we can see it."

Ashley looked to her father. "We can go elsewhere, daddy. I wouldn't want to disrupt your work."

"Never you mind that," John smiled. "You tell your sisters all about what David wrote you. I can handle a few giggling girls."

Ashley grinned at him and settled between her two sisters to gush over the latest news that had come to therm. John just smiled as he listened to them coo and gossip.

The family spent a pleasant two hours in that manner until there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it, daddy," Patricia volunteered. John nodded and she hurried off in a swirl of skirts.

Nancy was surprised to see a well-dressed girl answer the door when she knocked. "Hello," she greeted cautiously.

"Hello," the girl replied. "Are you here to see someone?"

"I'm here for Montague John Druitt. Is he in?"

"Yes, ma'am. Daddy's in the living room. Come inside while I get him."

Patricia allowed the strange woman to step inside before rushing back to where she'd left her father and siblings. "Daddy, there's someone here to see you," she reported.

John looked up from his papers. "Is it one of your uncles?"

"No, it's a lady."

John frowned. "A lady? Did you ask who she was?"

"No sir."

"Very well," John sighed. "Ashley, take your brother down to where your mother is. Sarah, run upstairs and get me a shirt. Patricia, go see if you can find the housekeeper or the butler and have them get this…lady settled."

There was a chorus of 'yes, daddy' as the girls hurried around their appointed tasks. None of them noticed Nancy slipping close to the door to spy what was going on. She licked her lips at the sight of John Druitt, shirtless and stretching his muscles to soothe the aches. Idly she wondered why he was swathed in bandages but it made his strong torso stand out more. He ran a hand through his hair making it look very ruffled. Before Nancy could slip in to surprise him, a younger girl slipped out. Nancy would have sworn she hadn't been there before. "You must be the lady that's here for daddy," the girl stated.

"I am."

"I'm Sarah." As she said this, she reached behind her to shut the door. "You'd better come with me to the parlor."

"But your father is right in there," Nancy pointed out smugly. "Go play, little girl while the grownups talk."

Before she could move a step, an ice cold voice rang out. "But surely a proper lady such as yourself would want to be mindful of their manners." Both females turned to see Ashley standing there. "My father is not currently dressed for company, Mrs. Merriweather, and I insist that you wait for him in the parlor." She gave an utterly fake smile. "Can't have anyone saying our house isn't run up to standard."

Nancy knew better than to argue with the young adult. Unlike her sisters, this one had an air of menace about her that brought the temperature down a few degrees. "Yes, of course. Which way?"

"I'll show you," Ashley said with mock courtesy. She glanced at Sarah and gave a jerk of her head towards the library. Her little sister nodded vigorously to show she understood the message. Quick steps carried the younger girl to where their mother was working so she could report what she had seen.

Ashley delivered the scheming woman to their parlor and went to check on her father. The two met in the hall as John was buttoning up his waistcoat. "Sarah tells me you deposited our guest in the parlor," he said.

In a perfect imitation of her mother, Ashley clucked her tongue and reached out to straighten her father's clothes. "I don't like her."

"What do you mean?"

"She's creepy. And she's up to something."

John chuckled and kissed her cheek. "You are too untrusting, little angel. I can take care of myself." Ashley gave a dismissive shrug and strolled off to finish her letter. John shook his head as he slid inside to the parlor. "Mrs. Merriweather," he greeted. "I apologize for the wait. I wasn't expecting visitors on a Sunday."

"I didn't' want to delay, Mr. Druitt. And please, call me Nancy."

John hid his distaste. Maybe his eldest was onto something when she said this woman had ulterior motives. But she was a client of his firm and he had to be polite. As always he reminded himself that his job supported the family. He would do whatever it took to keep it. "I prefer to stick to formalities when I don't know a woman. Now then, Mrs. Merriweather, what is it that you needed so desperately?"

Nancy gave him a coy look, certain he was flirting with her. "I have a…proposition for you."

"Can I ask why you came to my home rather than say…the firm?"

"This is a delicate situation, sir. It will require many long hours of your time."

Before John could answer, Sarah came barreling in. "Mommy needs you," she stated.

"Sarah, I am very busy right now."

"I know daddy but it's Monty. Mother says you have to come right now."

John bit the inside of his cheek. "Very well. I sincerely apologize Mrs. Merriweather but my son is sick and apparently Helen requires my assistance. Why don't you come by my office tomorrow?"

"I'd be glad to be," Nancy smiled. She couldn't wait to tell all the women how Helen Druitt wasn't a fit mother on top of being a cheating wife.

Neither John nor Nancy noticed Sarah scurrying to the shadows near the stairs where her eldest sister waited. "You owe me money," Sarah stated.

"Five quid," Ashley snapped, pushing money into her hand. "Like we agreed."

Sarah pasued to make sure it was there. "Why did you want me rushing in there anyway?"

"Because that woman is no good. And mother agrees with me."

As Nancy was reading herself for her visit to John the next day, her butler informed her that there was a woman and her daughter waiting in the hallways. "Tell them I'm busy," she snapped.

"That won't be necessary," an ice filled voice cracked. Helen Druitt was standing in the door way. "I believe you should dismiss your servant."

Nancy looked to her butler and nodded. "What do you want?"

"Sit down, Mrs. Merriweather, we have business to discuss."

"I hardly think—"

"Sit."

There was something in the other woman's voice that made Nancy obey immediately. She covered for the slip up by frowning. "Make this short. I'm a very busy woman."

Helen let out a very unladylike snort. "Believe me; I'm well aware of that fact. Half the men in London are also aware of it."

"What are you implying?"

"I don't need to imply anything. We both know what you are. I won't stoop to speaking such disgusting words." Nancy glared but Helen sent her a quelling look of her own. "Now, normally I wouldn't deal with your kind. But you have forced my hand by interfering with my family."

Nancy smirked. "It's not my fault if you can't keep your husband satisfied."

"I assure you, Mrs. Merriweather; my husband is quitesatisfied by our marriage and has no need of yours or anyone else's services. Sadly you seem to be laboring under the delusion that he will become the next notch in your bedpost. Obviously once he refuses–and he will –I've no doubt you'll embark on some smear campaign claiming he forced himself on you or some such rot."

"And what exactly do you plan to do about it?"

"Cut it off before you can even start."

Nancy let out a scornful laugh. "How?"

"By stating this, if you continue to disrupt my family life then I will rip your reputation to shreds. You'll be seen for what you are and I promise by the time I'm done, no man–including your husband–will want anything to do with you."

"No one will believe the word of a woman doctor."

"True. But I have friends in high places. I believe you know a Dr. Millian? He's your personal physician correct?" Helen smiled cruelly as Nancy's face blanched. "He's a close, personal friend of my family. Has been for years. I'm sure they'll believe him."

Nancy's face contorted into an ugly mask. "Bitch!" she shrieked, launching herself at Helen.

Most looking at Helen didn't think there was much to her. She was a woman in a time when the heaviest thing she was supposed to pick up was a sewing needle. The fastest thing she needed to worry about was a crawling baby. But Helen had been raised with Abnormals and she was plenty quick. Quick enough to dodge the clumsy strike and grab Nancy's arm. Then, using muscles made tough from years of dealing with creature much heavier than her, she threw the other woman back into her chair. "We aren't done yet," Helen stated. "Now as I've said, if you approach my husband again under anything but the most trivial of business, I will ruin you in this city. However, leave him alone and you can chase all the rest of the men in England for all I care." Helen set her hands on the arms of the chair and leaned in close. "And spread the word to your friends. John Druitt is mine. And no one touches what is mine."

Helne spun on her heel. "Come along, Ashley. We have to finish the shopping."

Nancy turned an unbecoming shade of purple as she realized Ashely Druitt had been standing in the doorway the entire time. She flashed the older woman a smile before turning around herself. "Right behind you, momma."

Later than night, the Druitt family was retiring in the library when John spoke up. "I hear you paid a visit to Mrs. Merriweather," he said to his wife.

"I wanted to return the call she paid us," Helen replied serenely as she replaced a book on the shelf behind him.

"Really? How did it go?"

"Oh, alright, I suppose love. Why do you ask?"

"Because she sent a servant over to inform me that she needed to cancel our business meeting for today. Seems she doesn't require my services after all."

"Probably for the best dear," Helen said as she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "She struck me as a very flighty woman, very…jumpy. You'd have been driven to a distraction trying to deal with her."

John watched as his wife returned to the embroidery she had started last night with a pleased smile playing about her mouth and shook his head. "And people think I'm the temper in this family," he sighed, flicking his paper back up.

Victorian Fun Facts: (I may do these every chapter. The stuff I learn for thsi story is awesome) . Flirting with your fan was the only acceptable way of flirting in the Era. At least flirting in public. You could flirt with flowers too. Fan Fast- I am independent. Fan with right hand in front of face-Come on. Fan wide open -Love. So basically Nancy was saying "Come on, I love you and I"m independent." I was going to use the signal for kiss me but it was too awkward.

Victorian Fun Fact 2: You had to be pure until you were married but once that was over with as long as you pretend to be a happy family in public, you could have orgies every night and no one cared.