âFrancis, Francis! Have you caught wind of the latest news?â Imogen yelled.
Francis was leisurely perusing a file, âWhatâs got you all in a tizzy now? How many times have I told you, you need to keep your composure. Youâre Mrs. Tanner now, and you canât be acting like you used to.â
Imogen clapped her chest repeatedly, âI rushed over here as soon as I saw the news and I couldnât worry about my composure. Just look at this!â
âWhat could possibly have you so spookedâ¦â As Francis took a glance at the headline, he was initially unfazed, but when he paired it with the accompanying photo, his face immediately turned to stone.
âRidiculous!â He slammed his hand on the solid oak desk, startling Imogen.
She quickly grabbed his hand to inspect his palm, which was already reddening.
âThereâs no need to hurt yourself just because youâre angry, is there?â
âWhen did this happen?â Francisâs face was ashen, his gaze was unkind as he turned to Imogen.
Imogen pouted, âHow would I know when your darling daughter drummed up this news? If Madeline hadnât handed me the paper, Iâd still be oblivious to the trouble sheâs stirred up.â
Yes, that was the difference between Imogen and Francis. Upon seeing the news, Francisâs first instinct was to feel an overwhelming sense of protectiveness.
Although he could never understand Reginaâs obsession with journalism, their precious daughter, who was always the apple of their eye, had been tackled to the ground by some drunken lout in the middle of nowhere. How could he possibly stand for that?
And the news, with its suggestive and ambiguous language â wasnât it designed tongues wagging? It was slander!
âWhich rag is responsible for this? Iâll sue them.â Francis hit the desk again and sto itching to confront the newspaper office and give them a piece of his mind.
But Imogen stepped in front of him, âWhat good will it do to storm their office now? paperâs already out there and countless eyes have seen it. Stirring the pot will only bri more attention to it. Do you want Regina to ever hold her head high again?â
Francis snorted coldly, âWhat does this have to do with Regina? Itâs these people who ar crafting their stories with deceitful words. You know as well as I do what theyâre trying to pull. Itâs Regina whoâs been wronged; why shouldnât I settle the score with them?â
Fuming, Imogen was grinding her teeth, thinking the geezer still loved her daughter so much even now.
âJust like you, I believe sheâs innocent. But will others see it the same way? Weâre her parents, thatâs why we think so. But to outsiders, itâs a different story.
Francis, I know how upset you are, wanting to tear that journalist to shreds. But think about Reginaâs future. She hasnât even confronted them yet. If word gets out, how will they see Regina? How will we ever find her a match? Do you want her to end up a spinster?â
With Imogenâs gentle coaxing, Francis slowly sat back down, âSo what do you suggest? We canât just let Regina suffer this injustice without a fight.â