“Married?” exclaimed Eleanor. “I’ve just been saved from one marriage, apparently. Now you want to trap me in another.”
James looked perplexed. “I gather he did nothing to you. You are unsullied.”
Eleanor said nothing. It was just the same with James. It was all any of them cared about.
“Nevertheless, there is bound to be a scandal. The best way to deal with that is for me to marry you forthwith, thus demonstrating that you are, despite everything, still a pure, respectable girl. Once people realise that, they will accept things and the scandal will die down.”
Eleanor realised the implications of what he was saying, that had she been no longer a virgin, he would not have dreamt of marriage. Even if she had been deflowered against her will, she would not be good enough for him.
“Howeve
