When William returns to Luella and moves into the palace, Luella juggles two husbands and feels powerless. Do you agree with her decision to let William stay? Was there something else she could have done instead?
I have mixed emotions about her situation with the two men. I don’t really agree with her decisions regarding either of them. If they left, I don’t think I would have taken either of them back. Of course that was then and things were different than now.
It’s hard to put oneself in that position. As a modern woman, I look at the situation as intolerable. Both men exhibited immature behavior and I would have kicked them both out. But, given the fact that this was the 19th century, she probably didn’t have many options.
It made for an impossible situation for Robert- the father of her children. She could have been firm about finding him a different place to stay. One of the themes for the book is Decisions - those we make and those made for us.
I think she should have found somewhere else for William to stay. She had moved on. She loved Robert and he loved and respected her. They had two children together. Robert was so excited when their daughter was born and then their son. He was an excellent loving father and husband. I was broken hearted when he left. I do understand that she felt guilty but still I wish she had not let William move in with them.
1 Like
I was really mad at her and disappointed. William had been gone for a long time. Why? Because he was ashamed that he was partially blind? Or did I miss something? It was a strange love triangle for sure!
I disagreed with Luella taking him in and forsaking her true love. Why did she think it was solely up to her to take care of him? He was once their king. He helped a community get built. She could not ask anyone for help? No one asked her what they can do? This is part of the story where I start to believe Luella can’t speak up and act like the Queen. I was so disappointed in her decision it was hard to for me to accept and continue to read on without being mad!
I agreed with letting William stay when he first arrived. It would have probably worked out better if they had moved him to a new house after two weeks. Either way, Robert should not have left. He should have trusted Luella. Luella was put in a very difficult position. Their lives were so hard so I can understand why she would not want to turn away someone who had been close to her.
I am glad that William acknowledged how he had mistreated Luella before. I am glad that there was a place for him in the long term in the Kingdom and in their family.
Patricia_H I agree with you whole heartedly! It actually bothered me a lot. I will give her a little bit of slack on Robert since he was the father of her children but I definitely would not have taken William back. She should have told both of them to find someplace else to live in the Kingdom but still allow them to be a part of her family’s life.
I think she did the best she could, she loved Robert and he was the father of the children. William was blind and needed assistance, she considered him a best friend. William was a founding member of the community and first King.