Isabelle
It had been several months since Isabelle had seen Thomas. There had been no word from him, these long cold winter months. Spring was celebrating the new year with early vibrant colorings, and with a fresh crop of beauty in every form.
Isabelle walked the park with Margaret, watching the youthful play with one another in flirtatious fashion.
The two walked side by side with their arms interlocked, it was the first warm day of the new year. Children screamed and ran laughing. Some girls practiced hoop rolling, while their older sisters looked out for the local patrolman.
Margaret pulled Isabelle closer, “Remember when we used to play that?” She nodded towards the girls. She giggled lightly, “We would run them into Old Man Barnes down at the stable, and swear it was an accident.”
Isabelle giggled, they had not been so old then. “His face turned as red as a radish every time. I thought he’d skin us for sure, just like he did the rabbits.”
“He certainly promised to.” Margaret let out a breath with her last giggle and decided to get to the point of her visit. “When are you going to become engaged Isabelle?”
Isabelle’s smiled faded into solemn silence, as she stared at nothing in the far distance.
“When Reginald asked me to become his wife, I was so enthralled at the prospect. I thought at my engagement party surely you would find a suitable suitor. You turned every one away. I personally though Charles would be an excellent husband for you. He’s not a Duke I’m well aware, but he is an Earl of some sort. That has got to count for something, has it not? You can not be an old spinster, I wont hear of it!” She shook her dearest friend in the world a little as if it would bring her sense back.
Isabelle thought of Thomas, how could she become the wife of another?
“Isabelle!?” Margaret stopped walking and faced her friend. “Where are you?”
Isabelle looked into Margaret’s face. “There is someone.”
Margaret’s face instantly changed from worry and fear to playful devilishness. “Who is he? Did you meet him at the party?”
“I knew him from before.” Isabelle started walking forward on the path.
“Your Thomas? The Scoundrel?” Margaret gripped her by the arm and stopped her from walking. “You can’t be serious. The man is a charlatan! I told you he stole my necklace to pay for safe passage out of the country. That would be a marriage of Opportunity, his opportunity. Oh please listen to me.” She pleaded, “Charles asked if I might inquire if you would see him again. Please! you must consider it!”
“Charles is a very nice suitor, but he would do better with someone prettier for a wife.” Isabelle looked at the other young ladies in the park.
“If you will not see him, he will choose a much younger and prettier bride. That is only common sense, he will not be alone simply because you do not choose him. However, you will be alone if you do not reconsider. It would be a respectable marriage. A fine marriage, in fact. One where you could have children and raise them together in society.” She pulled on her dear friend, “Oh please Isabelle! We could have children at the same time, they could grow up together. Play together. Better friends in the world there would not be! Just as we are, oh please Isabelle, do consider it. Charles has found you to be quite agreeable.”
Isabelle looked into her friends pleading eyes, Margraet was almost to the point of tears. “All right Margaret, for you I will try.” Isabelle gave in.
Margaret’s tears still fell, but in joy and not anguish. “Oh Isabelle! You’ll be ever so happy!”