Free Web NovelChapter 128: Rumors (4)
It was unfortunate to Gilbert that he wasn’t his younger self where he would be able to have his pick of the young women looking to be married. Many of them had caught his eyes but they weren’t looking for someone his age. However, thanks to his wealth and the items he supplied to many of the most prestigious families all over the kingdom, he had been able to marry younger women whose families were in desperate need of money. freёwebnoѵel.com
He sent back his last wife to her family after becoming bored of her and was looking for someone to replace her. When Samuel Hamilton proposed he marry his sister in exchange for the resources he could offer, Gilbert was delighted. Although he came to the Hamiltons to serve Minnie, the young Samuel would soon be taking over the business. Gilbert was keeping an eye on who would have power in the Hamilton family in the future. A chance to have Regina Hamilton was a good deal to Gilbert. She was the most sought-after daughter at this moment.
Gilbert had his eyes on another young lady with white hair he had seen here but Minnie always hid her away from his eyes. If not Regina, he wanted the other young lady. "Greetings Regina. Enjoying a walk on this beautiful day?" He greeted her as they closed in the distance of one another. She was even more beautiful up close even when not dressed up as she would be at parties.
"Good afternoon Gilbert. It is a beautiful day so I went for a walk. I must go back to my room for my studies now. I last saw my grandmother in her private room. Excuse me," she stepped to the side to go around him but he also did the same. She had an inkling of what the man wanted to talk about and she cursed Minnie for it. "Is there something you need?" She asked deciding to get it over with.
"I’ve been wondering why a beautiful young lady like yourself has not gotten engaged yet. Too many suitors to choose from or have no one proposed an offer to you as yet? They would be blind if they hadn’t taken a look at you. You are the prize of this year’s pool of young women." He expected her to be engaged by now and found it suspicious that her brother was willing to get her engaged to him. The family was clearly desperate to overthrow Minnie and use Gilbert’s help to do so.
Gilbert enjoyed it when people were in desperate need of his help because he could set a list of things that he wanted.
"Thank you," she stepped to her side once again to get rid of the man but he took the step with her blocking the path. Of all the times he had to visit, why was it when she was out on a walk? Wasn’t he needed in some urgent meeting with Minnie? "Is there something else you need from me? I’m quite busy at the moment and I am sure that my grandmother is looking for you. I don’t want to keep you for too long."
The man’s greedy, disgusting smile was starting to make her skin itch. How could possibly think anyone would want to marry him? She felt bad for the women who had married him because of their financial situation. Not everyone should have the wealth to abuse it like this.
"Ah yes. It’s a shame the rumors going around about Minnie might affect your options when it comes to a husband. Your family is one of the most respected in the town but the people have always loved your grandfather. The idea that Minnie might’ve cheated on him even though it is just rumors doesn’t sit well with most of them. I feel bad that your family might hate their reputation. Cheating on your husband isn’t a good thing."
Regina almost laughed at the double standards when it came to things like this. A lot of women confided in others about their husband’s affairs. Some husbands did not even care to hide their mistresses and flaunted them. She wasn’t on the best terms with Minnie but Regina still had things like this she couldn’t allow sliding by. "I don’t see people being upset when husbands cheat on their wives. Isn’t that a bit unfair?"
"That’s a bit different dear. A woman’s husband is her provider after he has taken her from her father. She should be grateful for the lifestyle he provides for her and continues to do her duties as a wife. Sometimes work becomes stressful and husbands need to turn to other places for release. A woman wouldn’t understand," Gilbert tapped her shoulder ignoring how uncomfortable she was. He stuck to his belief that women should just sit pretty and quietly.
"I understand what you are saying perfectly. That there are bullshit excuses given to men when women will have their names dragged through the mud. If it’s wrong for one it should be wrong for all. Needing to find release is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. Is it truly only the girls being tutored? Shouldn’t men put down their swords and learn something because they start thinking like you?" Maybe all the sword-fighting men had to do growing up messed with their brains.
Gilbert was appalled by her behavior. He expected her to be a little less bold because of how reserved she appeared when they were out at parties or other settings with other people. She was always mute when topics like this were being discussed. Now he realized, it must have been her mother beside her that was stopping Regina from saying nonsense. "You can’t just change how the world works. No one will feel bad for Minnie and admit that out loud. It will never be the same for a man and a woman."
’Not with people like you in the world,’ she thought, tired of his presence. Why was he torturing her through all of this? Couldn’t he see how uncomfortable this had been becoming? "If that is what you think," she replied, stepping aside but this time, Gilbert did not try to block her place. Good afternoon, Gilbert."
"I have all the things in the world that I desire. I can also help someone achieve all the things they want in the future. That is how wealthy I am. When your brother came to me with a-"
"No offense but I do not wish to hear anything about a marriage between you and me. I am not interested in getting married to any men my age and certainly not one around my father’s age. If Samuel has promised you anything in exchange for your resources, you’ll have to look into marrying him because I do not care about any of this. Excuse me," she started to walk away. Did they honestly think she was going to sit and be used for an exchange with a man like Gilbert?
Regina was certain Gilbert wouldn’t speak a word of her behavior to Minnie because he would have to mention plotting something with Samuel. If he did mention it and didn’t bring up Samuel, Regina had no issue with throwing Samuel under the carriage. He would do the same to her given his actions these days.
"I hope you remain this way the day this house becomes ruined. Even though I hate your behavior now, I’ll come to get you the day this house falls and with the rumors going around it might not be too far away."
Regina picked up her paste to get away from Gilbert. The man was nothing more than a perverted man who needed to be banned from going into anyone’s home. Regina didn’t understand why people would allow him to come to their homes to harass the young women all because he had money. Aurora was always disgusted with the man and so was Regina. Minnie would tell them to be out of sight when he came around but wouldn’t the better solution be to just not have him around?
Though the rumor was affecting Minnie’s reputation now, Regina knew it was only a matter of time before things go back to normal. That was how much of a hold Minnie had on the society here. She had years of practice on how to deal with rumors.
There was something seriously wrong with Gilbert’s openly wanting to talk about some deal he had with Samuel about marrying her. The man was too old for her and she didn’t care if the king himself wanted them to get married, she’d kill all of them if she needed to.
Gilbert was trying to scare her that no one would want to marry her because of the rumors going around about Minnie but he didn’t anticipate that she didn’t want to get married in the first place. Still, to raise her position in this home she was going to look for a young man to be engaged to. All she needed was for Minnie to hurry up and allow them to leave the property.
"If I have to run into Gilbert again I am going to pull my hair out. This just made me even angrier with Samuel," Regina sighed heading back to her room to avoid more annoying people.
