AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It was just a dalliance.” Richard took another sip. This time, he was able to hold it down.
Isabel grimaced. “First of all, that is a terrible thing to say about any woman, much less about a woman I truly think you are in love with. She is a kind, caring, and wonderful human being who did nothing but brighten our days at the house party. Even if you didn’t love her, how could you have treated her this way?”
Richard stood sharply. “That is none of your business, Isabel. This is how it works. Gentlemen do not marry actresses.”
Isabel visibly flinched from his words, and he closed his eyes. He hadn’t meant to lose his temper. But more than that, he hadn’t meant those ugly words. His heart ached from the sound of them, and his head ached from the mere thought.
“Why not?” Isabel asked quietly.
“You know why not.” Richard sat back down. “People shall talk. Actresses are all but synonymous with harlots now.” And as much as it pained Richard to say this, he had to. If not for Isabel’s sake then for his own. To remind himself why he couldn’t have Jo. Certainly, some actresses avoided the image of courtesans, and some even married respectably. But not to nobility. “Thetonwill avoid any association with us and when we have children… It won’t be pleasant.” He ended with a shake of his head. Thetondidn’t forgive such misconduct.
Isabel studied him silently for a few moments. “When Sam was compromised, you told her that she needn’t marry a man she didn’t love. That you would take care of it all. You told her we could weather the ruin as long as she was happy. She married him nonetheless, but only because she loved him. And when he hurt her—albeit unintentionally—you were ready to weather the scandal again in order to keep her safe.”
Richard shook his head. “That’s different.”
“When I stumbled into scandal quite literally, you told me to do whatever I wanted. Even though you lost a bride to scandal because of it! Did you forget? Because I didn’t.”
“Isabel—”
“No.” Isabel held up a hand. “Let me finish, please. If you think that you can weather any scandal for us but we can’t do the same for you, you are wrong. Sam and I, we’ve been able to find love no matter the circumstances. Your children, when they grow up, will do the same. Who cares what other people think?”
Richard scoffed. “When you stumbled into a scandal, do you remember the vicious talk? Do you remember how people averted their noses and retracted their invitations? Do not tell me public opinion doesn’t matter when you willingly married a man you actively disliked in order to avoid that fate.”
Isabel pursed her lips. “You have powerful friends. You have a family who will support you as long as you’re happy. I wasn’t in love with another man when I married Rhys. I had nothing to lose. But you do.”
Richard looked down at his hands and Isabel stood. “I shall continue planning the wedding. However… I shall not start addressing invitations just yet. I shall be waiting for you to approve the date.” She paused until he raised his head to hers. “And the bride’s name.”
