Page 64 of A Gentleman's Wife

Thomas ran a hand through his hair, trying to settle the maddening frustration. “You are ruining what would have been a perfectly happy morning with this nonsense. Marianne has a doctor who is excellent in his field, with knowledge of her conditions specifically. If he says she is physically whole and well enough to bear children, then I will not argue the matter. But all of this is secondary to the fact that I love Marianne, and I will not be parted from her. Not for your sake or anyone else’s.”

“Your emotions have betrayed you. Made you blind and weak.” Grandfather stood to his full height, which did not seem to be very much anymore. “Have you considered if your future children will be born with these same defects? The shame would continue and mar our family.”

“And they would be just as worthy of love as she is.”

“Confound it, boy! Will you not listen to reason?” Face red with a rage Thomas had never seen before, Grandfather dug into the pocket of his coat. “Do you know what this is?”

Thomas’s stomach turned cold. It was a pearl.

“I can easily identify the pearls on your grandmother’s necklace from over the years. So imagine my surprise when I found this lone pearl in the corridor before my departure from the ball the next morning. I tried to convince myself it couldn’t be possible that yourwife,” he spat the word, “would be so irresponsible and foolish to ruin a priceless heirloom. But then I heard gossip, miles away in London, that the reason she had disappeared at the end of the night was because of an epileptic fit. Of all nights, not only did she destroy your grandmother’s prized possession, but she has shamed our family. It is all too much to bear.”

Thomas continuously grew unsettled. “Give me the pearl. We already have a jeweler to repair the necklace, and it will be as good as new.”

Grandfather let out a “Bah!” before dropping the pearl in Thomas’s hand.

“At any rate, I’d much rather the pearls be damaged than Marianne’s life.”

“How dare you.” Grandfather whirled around. “Your grandmother was a cherished woman, and those pearls were a treasured keepsake.”

“My wife is a cherished woman.” Thomas’s voice grew tight in defiance. “I loved Grandmother, but Marianne’s life is worth more to me than any pearls, any amount of money, any crown jewels.”

“No one is worth more than the crown jewels,” Grandfather scoffed.

Thomas straightened. “She is to me.”

“You’re beyond my help.” Grandfather stood. “I will not stand by and let my legacy be so damaged. I swear to you, I will take matters into my own hands if you do not.”

“Grandfather, I beg of you,” Thomas pleaded. “Do nothing. My marriage to Marianne is as I wish it to be.”

Grandfather shook his head, veins bulging above his narrowed eyes. “This is not to be borne. I will use every noble connection I have to reign hell on this house for your impudence!”

Then snatching up his top hat, Grandfather stormed out of the room, leaving Thomas alone in the study without the slightest hope. All his previous happiness had now shriveled into fear that he could possibly lose the most important thing in his life.

His wife.

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