Mr. Finch was unaware of Melody's visit the evening before and thankfully he'd left the house by the time Mr. Crouch called upon them. Anything related to Melody's marriage troubles was best kept away from him. Even though Marianne had the reputation of being the 'mean' parent, Mr. Finch would have been less understanding for Melody's woes. He'd always been closer to their son than any of the girls.

Under different circumstances, Marianne would have never accepted Reuben Crouch in her house. She wanted nothing to do with the man who'd stolen her daughter's honour. However, Marianne knew that this had something to do with the fight that had brought Melody to her doorstep the day before. Melody must not have returned home the day before and he'd come looking for her. Or maybe Melody had gone and done something foolish and dramatic, like hurt herself?

The mere thought made her heartbeat race, so she pushed the thoughts away, just as Reuben Crouch entered the room.

What an uninspiring man. He had a handsome face, but he was otherwise unimposing. He seemed miserable, too, confirming Marianne's theory that he'd spent his time after the fight drinking and moping. Was this man truly that better than Mr. St. John-Black? Was he worth seducing (as Melody had admitted to the night before) and eloping with?

Marianne would have only seduced a man if he was the Victorian equivalent of Jeff Bezos.

"I know who you are, Mr. Crouch," Marianne replied sweetly as she moved to take a seat. She waited for a bit, just to make him uncomfortable, before gesturing to a seat opposite of her. "What brings you here today?"