Every story tells a tale. Every story holds meaning. Every story raises a question…and attempts an answer.
We are who we are, and we make choices our very own way. In THE WRONG BROTHER, Isabella is convinced that she knows what she wants. She’s considered marriage from all angles and knows her mind as well as her heart. She’s chosen Charles for her bridegroom because he’s her best friend. He knows her, and she trusts him. They can talk to each other and enjoy the same pastimes. He makes her smile and laugh, and he respects her.
She knows he’ll be good for her, and she’ll be good for him.
The thought calms her and puts her at ease.
And then Isabella sees Robert.
Oddly, these two would never even have met had Isabella not agreed to marry Robert’s twin brother, Charles. Robert has been traveling the world for years and only returns to England to attend his brother’s wedding. And that is how and where they meet.
Awful coincidence?
Destiny gone wrong?
Whatever brings them together in this rather unfortunate moment, what are they to do? What would you do?
Excerpt:
Her heart and mind strongly disagreed, and to Isabella’s great dismay, it was her heart that came out the victor. The battle was swift and short-lived; so short-lived in fact that Isabella hardly noticed what was going on.
She took a shallow breath, trying desperately to stop the shaking in her legs, and all of a sudden found herself staring in the face of love.
What if you meet your true love and you find yourself married already? What will you do then? Her sister’s words echoed in her mind, and Isabella closed her eyes, willing the flutter in her heart to stop. Her attempts, however, were futile, and as she opened them again, she found herself looking at the man who held her heart.
I’ve never known love at first sight. I can only imagine what it feels like and how it might unhinge one’s world. I suppose only few people have experienced such a life-altering moment. However, I do know what it’s like to instantly like (or even dislike) someone for no good reason at all. None. You haven’t even exchanged a word, and yet, you feel like this is someone you’ll like (or not). It’s just a feeling that that other person who’s just crossed your path could become important to you sometime down the line. It’s nothing more, but it’s there.
Isabella and Robert instantly feel comfortable around each other. There’s a connection there. One look is enough and they know how the other feels. There is no doubt, no uncertainty. They’re kindred spirits, yearning for adventure, for freedom, yearning to see the world and explore, push the boundaries and escape the familiarity of London society.
But society says they can never be together. What are they to do? What would you do? That is the big question.
We all make decisions. All the time. Some are small, and others are big. Some end well, and others we regret. Most can be undone or left behind or changed and corrected in some way. Today, marriage is one of them. As unromantic as it sounds, yeahie for divorce. If you need it, it can give you a new chance to find someone who you feel that connection with, a chance to start over, to begin again and find happiness. Isn’t that what we all want, happiness?
Unfortunately, in Regency England, once vows were exchanged…that was it.
No second chance.
It’s until Death do us part…even if love dies first.
The big question is: if there is no divorce, if until Death do us part truly means until Death do us part, what would you do if you suddenly found your one true love outside of your marriage?
Would you obey society’s rules? Would you uphold your vows and be miserable for the rest of your life…because that’s simply how it’s done? Or would you dare to be different? Would you risk it all and reach for that one person you were meant to be with…after all why would your paths have crossed if not?
Isabella and Robert find themselves confronted by that very thought, and then Charles-whom they both love-offers them a way out. What would you do? Would you take it, knowing he would want you to be happy? Would you?
Or not?
Discuss & Win:
Comment on this blog post, let me/ us know what you think, how you feel about this topic and automatically enter the giveaway to win a paperback copy of The Wrong Brother.
*Giveaway is open worldwide until May 15. Winner will be chosen randomly from the comment section and announced on this blog post on May 16.
Oh to find someone who you know could be your one true love one who turns the butterflies loose in your stomach.
It would be hard to go against what you were taught during that time period but, if a young lady was one who thought for herself she just might have what it takes to go against the rules of society.
If I was Isabella and found myself in that situation, I would struggle with the situation for sure. Till death do you part in a marriage married to someone who you do not deeply love would be devastating especially knowing your true love is off limits to you.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Alana! It’s a truly horrible situation no one should be experiencing.
BUT… I’m happy to let you know that you are the winner of this Giveaway for a paperback of The Wrong Brother! Please send me an email to info@breewolf.com to claim your prize!
All the best,
Bree
I was married very young to the totally wrong man for all the wrong reasons. We parted and I met someone else. At that time there was no divorce in Ireland and wasn’t for nearly another twelve years after that. Then I couldn’t afford it as it was terribly expensive so it was another sixteen years before I could get one.
I feel for the people of those times. It was hard enough in my life time but it must have been an awful trial for people back then.
Please don’t put me in the draw, I’ve already downloaded the book.
Thank you Teresa for sharing your story! I can only imagine how this must have been like!
I’m the type of person who, unromantic as it sounds, doesn’t believe in love at first sight. Attraction at first sight, most definitely, but love? Not a chance.
Love isn’t some magical, instantaneous thing. Real love comes through time, effort, patience, and commitment.
I happen to believe that there ARE times when divorce is necessary, but only if all other options have been exhausted.
Now as to the actual questions at hand, I would definitely stay true– not because that’s just “how it’s done,” but because I made a commitment, and I intend to honor it. Not being in love with my spouse– or falling in “love” with someone else– is not enough of a reason to break my vows. And love– in almost any sort of relationship, romantic or otherwise– can either be cultivated or left to wither. Which means that if I did find myself in such a situation as the one presented, I would take it as a different sort of sign: a sign that my marriage is clearly something that I need to work on and prioritize more. And I would make sure that any sort of connection with the new object of my affections must be nipped in the bud. There is a line, and I could never cross it. Not because it’s what “society” expects of me, but because it’s what I expect of myself, and I respect myself too much to do otherwise.
I do believe in love at the first sight. I have once lived it and it was amazing…. It lasted for several years, we were too young and life wasn’t kind with us! I can’t believe I could be with someone without falling hard! But today it’s more easy ( though in some cases not easy at all) to be with your love. Everything is “simpler”. Then it was everything harder and I would be devastated if something like that happened to me.
True love always finds a way . This sounds like a great read!
I think there is no choice but to uphold the vows you made, as difficult that would be. Marriages of convenience didn’t always end up with people living or even liking their spouse but they had to stay because that’s the way it was and they had made a vow to stay with each other. That said, I think Bree found the only real solution. If I was Robert and Charles suggested it I would take him up on it.