âSeriously, donât you trust me? Youâve got to weigh the pros and cons of this whole deal. Do you think anyone could line up a marriage to Nolan so smoothly?â Imogen lounged back with a leg draped over the arm of her chair, oozing arrogance.
Madelineâs heart raced with understanding. To secure her marriage to Nolan, she needed Imogen to whisper sweet nothings into Francisâs ear. But now it was clear she couldnât keep Imogen in the dark any longer.
âWell, hereâs the scoop. Last week, I overheard something at the kitchen door. Apparently, the Harrises owe a huge favor to the Tanners.
When Grandpa Tanner passed, Nolanâs granddad made a special trip over. He promised Dad that he and his descendants could ask for anything they wanted, no strings attached, from the Harris family.â
Imogenâs jaw dropped. âYou sly fox, youâve got your ear to the ground! Looks like youâre all set to be Mrs. Harris. It must be fate!â
With Imogenâs words, Madelineâs joy bubbled over.
âRight? So I told you, Mom, thereâs no need to fret. Just bring it up with Dad. The Harrises take their promises seriously. Once you mention it to them, Nolan will have to marry me, whether he likes it or not.â
âIf Mr. Harris knew he was getting our angel-faced Madeline, heâd be over the moon! Who needs that promise, anyway? Donât worry, darling. Iâll make sure this engagement happens without a hitch, and youâll be betrothed to Mr. Harris in style.â
Meanwhile, Regina, having heard Imogenâs approaching footsteps, quietly slipped away. Only when Imogenâs silhouette vanished down the hall did she silently follow.
If they were so keen on marrying Madeline off to Nolan, then sheâd be damned if she didnât throw a wrench in their plans.
From that day on, Regina was determined to stand against them, even if it meant turning the Tanner household upside down. Ever since the day Imogen brought Madeline into the Tanner family, they had been shortchanging her. She hadnât picked a fight over every little thing all these years, but now it was time to settle accounts.
She was going to make Imogen understand that every action had a price.
âFrancis, with all those wealthy young men at the party, did anyone catch your eye?â
Imogen feigned concern for Reginaâs matrimonial prospects, secretly hoping sheâd marry a nobody.
Francis, massaging his temples, was about to relieve a headache when Imogenâs familiar hands took over the task.
He patted the back of her hand in comfort. âAfter all these years, your massage skills only get better.
With you by my side, work isnât so tedious.â
Imogen chuckled softly. âWeâve been married for over a decade. How could I not know you by now?
Every time you frown, itâs a headache coming on. Surely, with all those gentlemen, there wasnât one who caught your fancy?â
âItâs not that I didnât approve; itâs just that Regina is my daughter. I know what these rich kids are like.
Polished on the outside, but who knows what kind of dirt theyâre into behind closed doors? How could I let my daughter marry into that? But there was-â
âThere was what? Did you find someone you like? Francis, Iâm not rushing you, but Reginaâs already twenty. Look at Miss Meisner at her age, she was already engaged and settled down.â