"Will you tell him?"
Isobel's hand stopped mid-task, her glove only half on, as she looked up in confusion.
"What ever do you mean?"
"He cares…and he has a right to know," Dr. Clarkson said quietly, coming around his desk to stand in front of her.
She looked away from his serious gaze to finish pulling on her glove. "I do not see how it would matter."
"You know it would…he must know the real reason you broke off the engagement," the doctor admonished.
She remained silent, pulling on her other glove before turning back to gather her bag. He shook his head, knowing he should not press the subject. But her melancholy mood worried him and if there was a way to bring her some happiness, he was willing to change upsetting her.
"I saw you outside…talking to Lord Merton," he admitted. Her back stiffened before she whipped around, her eyes wide and searching. "I happened by the window when you were speaking to him."
"I fail to see how that…"
"Isobel," the doctor said firmly, taking another step closer to her, "he must be told. You owe him that. His sons may be snobbish imbeciles but you know that is not the reason you turned him down."
She looked down quickly to hide the tears that sprang to her eyes. The Doctor hung his own head, wiping a tired hand over his face.
"Please…think about it?" he asked, gently squeezing her upper arm.
She nodded, her eyes still cast down. "Thank you," she whispered.
And with that, she hurried out of his office. The doctor sighed in frustration before striding over to the door, slamming it shut.