Cecil

[Barbara]

I don't think he loved her, he was using her. He gave her the ring because it meant nothing to him personally, and it bought him more favors.

[Kerry]

No, he did not love her. I agree with Barbara. He was just a cad!

[Michelle]

There was a degree of emotion at the outset, as opposed to simple, calculated seduction, but in the final analysis, no. If he’d truly loved her to any extent, he would indeed have fought harder to find her, especially upon suspecting she was carrying his child. And barring doing so, he’d have removed himself from his family upon discovering they’d banished and betrayed her. As to the ring, it seemed a gesture born of youthful passion and rebellion, that he could take an heirloom and gift it to someone with whom he shared a connection despite it’s being inappropriate. That he kept the ring may have been significant, but ultimately it was a symbol of a failed and feeble attempt at independence.

[Betty]

Cecil acted like most men did at that time - I think he may have liked her but there was no future with him in his place. He certainly did not step up when she was in trouble with the law.

[Renee]

Michelle wrote: "There was a degree of emotion at the outset, as opposed to simple, calculated seduction, but in the final analysis, no. If he’d truly loved her to any extent, he would indeed have fought harder to ..."

yes, I agree, very good comment

[Maxine]

I believe he had feelings for her but not love. Like some men,he took advantage of her.

[Retta]

Love for Cecil was his wily seduction using all his fliratatous words and physical endearments and honing his lover's skill set of trickery.
With a dominant stepmom over Cecil's father and stepchildren Cecil was aware this was dalliance of rebellion was his retort of the family social hierarchy making the naive Evangeline the perfect target.
Sadly he was a cowardly privileged Englishman who did not intervene and clear Evangeline from her false convictions. Ruby was his reckoning of his empty soul.