Isobel was older when she chose to marry John. She was the guardian of a young child who was an heir to a great fortune, her own parents only surviving heir. I am pretty sure she would have had ample opportunity to marry elsewhere if she had chosen to. John had been a visitor to her household practically all her life. He was handsome, educated, titled, wealthy in his own right, and most of all has a wonderful sense of humor. Isobel accepted him immediately. Leading me to believe she was waiting for him, wanted him. Knowing John, you know he would have done all he could to make himself the best husband he could be, resigning his commission and I assume his preferences as well, and devoting himself to her. I am pretty sure John would have made a better than average husband for the times. I don't imagine Isobel came with any preconceived notions about how sex should be and was as satisfied as she expected to be. -- LJG Discussion board

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Date Posted: 15:47:07 02/04/08 Mon
Author: Jane
Subject: Isobel was older when she chose to marry John. She was the guardian of a young child who was an heir to a great fortune, her own parents only surviving heir. I am pretty sure she would have had ample opportunity to marry elsewhere if she had chosen to. John had been a visitor to her household practically all her life. He was handsome, educated, titled, wealthy in his own right, and most of all has a wonderful sense of humor. Isobel accepted him immediately. Leading me to believe she was waiting for him, wanted him. Knowing John, you know he would have done all he could to make himself the best husband he could be, resigning his commission and I assume his preferences as well, and devoting himself to her. I am pretty sure John would have made a better than average husband for the times. I don't imagine Isobel came with any preconceived notions about how sex should be and was as satisfied as she expected to be.
In reply to: susiej 's message, "I will say though I am not a "John hater" I don't quite see all his actions in the noble light that so many of you do, and this is the perfect example. I don't see raising Willie as a great sacrifice and upheaval-its actually, as i've said before, Isobel who sacrifices all chance to be loved or have a spouse who actually desires her without even being able to make that choice openly. As for John, this was a golden opportuntiy- how else could he ever have a son by the man he loved- it aint possible any other way. Think of Claire- how did she survive without Jamie all those years- by having his child to love- that's what John gets here. And in this day and age of arranged marriages- he can be absent as much as he wants- like when he goes to Jamaica and she doesn't." on 13:02:30 02/04/08 Mon

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Oh, Jane! You almost had me until that "waiting for him, wanting him" bit- that makes it sad!!! He'll never want her. OK- scratch that line and its all fine. *g* (NT) -- susiej, 16:01:34 02/04/08 Mon
- Susie, I don't know how you feel about spoilers but I have a couple of Isobel related ones from Scottish prisoner I think you should read if you don't hate them. Send me your email address and I'll send them on my address is malty_mom2003@yahoo.com (NT) -- Jane, 18:12:02 02/04/08 Mon
  - You know, I actually discussed this a little with Herself over on Compuserve and she hinted that I don't really know what goes on in the bedroom with the two of them - so I think I see where your going and I appreciate the offer, but yes, I do avoid spoilers. Remember- i told you once that because I do so many rereads in my life, I like to be surprised when i can be which is why I am loving the Lymond Chronicles. Dunnet tricks me again and again!!!! She's amazing. (NT) -- susiej, 08:01:57 02/05/08 Tue
    - True, but the fact is, he will never love her. He can "perform" as he says, he may love her as a friend, respect her, but he will NEVER love her in a way a husband can love a wife. And to me, there is an element of sadness to that. Strange though, John can love Jamie, but can NEVER have him. There seems to be quite a bit of unrequited love in these books. Tom Chrisite, John, maybe Isobel, Frank in a way...gee now I'm getting depressed! (NT) -- Rollaine, 09:54:45 02/05/08 Tue
      - I do believe John loved her in his own way, not like any of us would expect our husbands to love us in this day, but real love none the less. Doubtless more than many men of his class loved wives from arranged marriages that were so common at the time. She could have done much worse..anyone recall Mary Hawkin's Viscount? It was obvious to John that she and her mother needed someone to help the father run the estate even if Willie didn't need a father. I don't think Isobel would have settled for anyone else, it was her choice, nobody forced her. Some BOB bits of info that you perhaps haven't read about John and Isobel's relationship inside. -- Jane, 19:26:53 02/05/08 Tue
        Isobel had her own parent's close marriage as an example and no doubt hoped for the same. I think John has true affection for her which is more than could be said of some societal marriages, he also had his parent's marriage and Benedicta's current marriage of affection as well as Hal and Minnie for examples. We don't know yet what happens to John over the next couple of years that make him decide to give up the army life. Yes, he gains a son by the man he loves but he certainly wasn't in a hurry to take up that role or else he might have married Isobel sooner. (NT) -- kgp, 05:37:11 02/06/08 Wed
        AND he didn't do it till he knew Jamie was leaving! He wasn't interested in living there as Isobel's husband when Jamie was there. (NT) -- Jane, 15:31:11 02/12/08 Tue

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