After Isaacs' wife died in 1930, Charnaud became his political hostess. The couple married on 6 August 1931 – he was 71 and she was 37 and "The Observer" profile noted that this alliance was greeted with "universal applause". From this point on she became Marchioness of Reading – usually addressed as Lady Reading. A biography notes that while the transition from secretary to marchioness and wife of a man twice her age who was also foreign secretary (Rufus Isaacs held this role briefly between August–October 1931) might have been a formidable challenge for many women, she adapted easily to the role and gained widespread acceptance. In 1932 she became chair of the Personal Service League, a voluntary organization concerned with helping ameliorate poverty during the Great Depression.