Tangled Betrayals by Lynn Wolfe Read Free Book Online Page A

become somebody? As Mary looked out, she was relieved to see Thomas coming down the opposite side of the cobblestone street. She couldn’t help but notice neither father nor son acknowledged the other as they passed from a distance.
    Thomas hadn’t even got the door closed before Mary spoke. “Thomas, I tried to reason with him. It’s no use. He’s determined to stand by his words. If you leave with James, I might never see you again.”
    “Mary, what if James asks for your hand in marriage? Will you turn him down and remain with a father, who will never allow you happiness? He only wants us here to abide by his every whim. I’m almost twenty years of age. I must leave, Mary. It’s too good of an opportunity for me to pass up.
    “ You already know when I leave England; I’ve no plans on returning. You know I can’t remain here just to please father, and neither should you.” Thomas stated pleading for Mary to understand. He loved her dearly and didn’t want to even think of the possibility he may never see her again.
    “ Thomas, I’ve waited two years for James to make a commitment to me. I feel fairly certain he’s going to do just that when he returns this time. At least, he indicated it was his plan. I pray he will. I’ll then have some time to work on father. Maybe I can make him understand our dreams. Yet, I’m aware we both have a connection to the man father hates. It scares me to think what lies ahead if we both have our wishes granted.”
    “What lies ahead is nothing but a better future than we have now to look forward to. James should be here any day. I cannot stand this bickering which goes on between father and me. He treats me like I’m a fool. I shall miss you more than you’ll ever know, Mary, I hate to leave you alone to handle father, but I must follow my heart.”
    “ Aye and I hope to follow mine,” Mary said through tears.
    Mary knew all the pleading in the world was not going to change her father’s mind. Now it may be Mary’s turn to take on her father. He had been relentless in his hate for James. Mary refused to allow her father’s hate to destroy the love she held for James. But the hurt she held inside for going against her father was painful. She loved her father, even though he had changed so dramatically after her mother died, he was still her father.
    She owed him her love , but not her life. She wanted more than anything to become the wife of James and move to America to start a new life and live near Thomas. That’s what she was going to do, at any cost. Even if James Parker hadn’t come to the same conclusion!
     
    *****
     
    The next day things remained unsettled in the Ball household until Thomas returned home and informed Mary The Emerald had docked and James would be coming to dinner that evening.
    Mary anxiously waited for James. When she finally heard the door open, she saw James peeking around the door trying to surprise her.
    “ You caught me!” James remarked with a smirk. “Mary, my love, I’ve missed you so much! Especially your freckles,” he teased as he swept her in his arms and gave her a long lingering kiss. He almost smashed the flowers he carried. 
    “Put my sister down, James ! I’m hungry. You can cuddle later when you walk to the bridge, after we have eaten. Sure smells good, Mary.”
    Mary knew her face was red as a beet from such a passionate greeting, especially in front of her brother, yet, she tried to pretend nothing had happened to embarrass her. “
    “ Tonight, we’re having lamb, potatoes, carrots, and chocolate cake. We can eat whenever you release me, James, so I can put the food on the table and the flowers in a vase.”
    James leaned down to kiss Mary on the tip of her nose just to annoy Thomas.
    “The flowers are lovely, James. And please stop kissing me in front of Thomas. He’ll constantly remind me of your immoral behavior and not give me a minute’s peace after you leave.”
    “ The flowers are not as lovely as