Bluntness of your own

You nod seriously at her words. "Well, if you like, I will dispense with pretense, as you say. A match between us would have many advantages; in all honesty, your dowry would be a considerable boon to establishing myself on the island. That could springboard me to a place of great prominence on the island." However, something serous weighs on you, and you decide honesty is the best course.

"There is an issue that I must discuss with you. I have...taken an interest in one of the women on my encomienda. How would you feel about this?" you ask, chest tightening in anxiety. While you don't care too much for Isabella (so far, at least), practical matters are still important. And she would be very practical.

The normally sly and sarcastic girl looks genuinely troubled for a moment. "Oh my Alfonso, I would never have expected. I suppose...I suppose I should thank you for being so honest and up front with me about this issue. I must admit, I am in a state of mild shock, so it is difficult for me to respond, especially to something so salacious. But, then again, I know how men can be, especially in marriages of convenience. Perhaps...perhaps I could allow this. But, if I did, and I may come to think differently in the future, I would only tolerate such a thing on the grounds that it is kept quiet. Any children would not be in your will, and they would certainly not share a house with ours" she says, sounding a mix between sad and angry. Perhaps it would have been better to not bring it up. But as you think of lurid tales of adultery you have heard, perhaps not. It seems you certainly cannot get the best of both worlds, but it was worth a try.

The rest of the talk is a bit strained and awkward, but friendly enough. After a polite amount of time passes, you take your leave of Isabella and her father. She never rescinds her offer to meet with you again, so you say your goodbyes and depart with the intention of resuming your courtship for the time being.