Madison

“Thank you.” Before the duchess, she lowered herself, her gown blossoming out around her. “When you asked me to come tonight, it wasn’t so he would see the way of things and understand. You asked me to come so I would see the way of things and understand.”
― Lorraine Heath, Beauty Tempts the Beast

“But you do. You understand perfectly. Have the courage to show him. Only then will he truly understand the sacrifices that must be made.” Her entire body, mind, and soul rebelled at the notion. The humiliation she would suffer, the shame, the chill that would settle in her bones. It had nearly killed her before. The months since had toughened her, but was it enough to withstand the bludgeoning she would receive? The duchess clasped Althea’s hands. “If you truly love my son, you must attend the ball. You must force him to see the repercussions of your presence. Otherwise, I fear he will cling to the possibility of having you, and will never seek out another, will never know happiness. I love him far too much not to do what is best for him. I am in this wheelchair because of my love for him and his father, and yet I have never regretted a day of it. Knowing what I would suffer, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. How much do you truly love my son, Miss Stanwick? What would you endure to ensure his future happiness?”
― Lorraine Heath, Beauty Tempts the Beast