Tangled Betrayals by Lynn Wolfe Read Free Book Online

flirted with him I’d have surmised you might be interested in seeing him again.”
    “For goodness sakes, I only met him tonight. He doesn’t really impress me, Thomas.  And I didn’t flirt with him.”
    “Mary Ball, don’t you pull your contrite act with me. You would love to have him back for a meal. And you were flirting! I sat right here and watched you.”
    Mary couldn’t go on any further with her denials. “Oh, alright, I did enjoy his company very much. Does that satisfy you?”
    “Yes, Mary. But be careful, I don’t know how he treats women. He may be a skirt chaser for all I know.”
    “Maybe, Thomas. But he doesn’t appear to be , at least to me. I do hope he returns soon.”
    “I bet you do ,” Thomas said, pleased he could bring some joy into Mary’s life. He knew all she’d been doing for the last few years was working long hours and living a dull life at home.
    Fortunately , this night their father didn’t come home until the wee hours of the morning. Mary wondered what was going to happen once their father found out James would be returning.
    Yet, i t didn’t matter. There was nothing he could do to diminish the feelings of warmth and excitement James brought into their cottage and into Mary’s heart. She now believed the stories told about love at first sight. They must be true, for Mary felt she may have loved James Parker from the first moment she saw him. She wondered if he found her attractive. She prayed he did.

Chapter Eight
     
    London 1829
    “Bloody Hell, Thomas, if I ’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times you’re not going to America, there is no future there! You make a decent living working at the docks, which has made you into a man, at least physically, mentally you’re a twit!”
    “Father, why can’t you see I don’t wish to make my living unloading and loading cargo all day long? Do you think I wish to end up like you? A drunk who manages to keep his job only because he can beat the living hell out of anyone he comes up against? Tell the truth, Father, you haven’t used your fists on me for the last year or so and we both know the reason why. I can best you now!  Would you like to try me, Father? Heed my words! I’m leaving for America with James once he returns to England. You must accept my decision, even if you don’t like it!”
    “If you leave England, I forbid you to return to this home. In fact, I forbid you to return to England! You’re no longer my son!”
    “As you wish!” Thomas bellowed as he stormed out of the cottage.
    “Mary, you ’ve heard my words. Beware; they apply to you, too. I know you’ve been spending many hours with Parker and I’ve tried to be patient with you. I figured you’d come to your senses as far as that bastard was concerned. But I see by the tears in your eyes, you’ve taken your brother’s side. Don’t cross me on this, Mary. If Thomas follows through on his threat, he’ll no longer be welcome in this house. Do you hear me?”
    “ Yes and everyone else can, too! Why can’t you see Thomas could do far better in America than in London? In America, they care not for titles and royalty! They say land is plentiful and since James and his father have offered to give Thomas a stake to start his horse farm, why would you forbid him to have an opportunity to better himself?”
    “ Because I know best, Mary! You only want Thomas to go to America so if you get the chance to join him, he’ll be there to welcome you. You can’t trust Parker. I’ve told you that for the past two years. Get your head out of the sky, Mary. Parker is toying with you. 
    “I ’m heading for the pub. You’d better think upon my words. If you’re smart, you’ll talk your brother into staying in England where he belongs. If he doesn’t, he’ll no longer be a son to me or a brother to you!”
    Mary watched as her father swaggered out the door. Why couldn’t he understand by going to America, Thomas could have the chance to