The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Francis, Francis! Have you caught wind of the latest news?” Imogen yelled.

Francis was leisurely perusing a file, “What’s got you all in a tizzy now? How many times have I told you, you need to keep your composure. You’re Mrs. Tanner now, and you can’t be acting like you used to.” This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

Imogen clapped her chest repeatedly, “I rushed over here as soon as I saw the news and I couldn’t worry about my composure. Just look at this!”

“What could possibly have you so spooked…” 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.

“Ridiculous!” He slammed his hand on the solid oak desk, startling Imogen.

She quickly grabbed his hand to inspect his palm, which was already reddening.

“There’s no need to hurt yourself just because you’re angry, is there?”

“When did this happen?” Francis’s face was ashen, his gaze was unkind as he turned to Imogen.

Imogen pouted, “How would I know when your darling daughter drummed up this news? If Madeline hadn’t handed me the paper, I’d still be oblivious to the trouble she’s stirred up.”

Yes, that was the difference between Imogen and Francis. Upon seeing the news, Francis’s first instinct was to feel an overwhelming sense of protectiveness.

Although he could never understand Regina’s 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 – wasn’t it designed tongues wagging? It was slander!

“Which rag is responsible for this? I’ll sue them.” 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, “What good will it do to storm their office now? paper’s 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?”

Francis snorted coldly, “What does this have to do with Regina? It’s these people who ar crafting their stories with deceitful words. You know as well as I do what they’re trying to pull. It’s Regina who’s been wronged; why shouldn’t I settle the score with them?”

Fuming, Imogen was grinding her teeth, thinking the geezer still loved her daughter so much even now.

“Just like you, I believe she’s innocent. But will others see it the same way? We’re her parents, that’s why we think so. But to outsiders, it’s a different story.

Francis, I know how upset you are, wanting to tear that journalist to shreds. But think about Regina’s future. She hasn’t 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?”

With Imogen’s gentle coaxing, Francis slowly sat back down, “So what do you suggest? We can’t just let Regina suffer this injustice without a fight.”