Tangled Betrayals by Lynn Wolfe Read Free Book Online Page B

you, and don’t pay any heed to your brother. He’s quite jealous that I’ve found the most wonderful girl possible from all my worldly travels, and he’s yet to find one to tolerate him for more than ten minutes! Can I help it if I’m much more dashing than he?”
    “ James, I’m not interested in being led around by the nose. I sure don’t plan to allow any woman to consume all my thoughts and time even if she does please me! Now please stop admiring my sister, you two act like you’re in love or something. Right now, I only want to eat and have a pleasant conversation at dinner without you two behaving like there’s no tomorrow.”
    “ Besides James, you’re very lucky our father isn’t here to witness such nonsense, he’d knock you on your ass if he saw you touching Mary,” Thomas said grinning and winking at his sister.
    “When I saw him today at the dock and informed him you were coming for supper, he said in words I won’t repeat, he’d be late coming home tonight. Which means, James, he’ll be drunk and obnoxious when he finally arrives. You may wish to make an early departure after dinner.”
    “ If your father tries to have a confrontation with me, I might surprise him with my ability to fend for myself, for I’m a rather skilled fighter, as you know, Thomas.” James remarked. He could only hope the arrogant Henry Ball would try to take him on in a fight; he’d happily show him a thing or two.
    “Please don’t have an altercation with our father, James. Things are bad enough with Thomas leaving. The thought I might leave for America drives our father to the brink of insanity, I swear.”
    “It would only be out of respect for you, Mary; that I’ll keep my temper in check. It’s been most difficult in doing so, but I agree with you, I don’t want to add any more animosity to how your father feels about me or the plans we’re making for our future. Your father may say he means well for all his blubbering, but we all know differently.”
    Mary noticed the usual silence whenever James said anything negative about their father.      James was aware neither Thomas nor Mary disagreed with his opinions.
    “Mary, let ’s walk to our bridge tonight. Thomas will be fine reading his book. I’ve much to tell you and the walk will do us good after such a wonderful meal.”
    James knew Mary enjoyed their time alone. They held hands and kissed as they slowly walked to the bridge.
    “Mary, when I leave this time, I shall not be back for an entire year. The Emerald i s due for an overhaul.”
    “A year?” Mary cried out. “James, a year ’s such a long time! With Thomas leaving for America and you telling me you shall be gone a year, how am I to survive?”
    Mary knew James could see the hurt he’d caused.
    “Mary, I wouldn’t ask you to wait without a damn good reason . It would honor me if you’d accept my offer in marriage. I know I’m asking much of you, but if you’d be willing to wait, I promise to return and make you my wife before we sail back to America. Will you wait for me, Mary?”
    James held his breath. He knew he was asking a lot of Mary. Yet, he was certain she loved him as deeply as he loved her. He wished he had spoken these words the last time, but he hadn’t realized he’d have to wait a year before returning to England. The Emerald was having some major work done and while the ship was being repaired, he was taking that time to build up his herd of horses on his plantation.
    “ Yes James, I’ll marry you, in one year. I’ll stay busy making my wedding gown and dreaming of the day you return.”
    James grabbed Mary and held her . He knew how torturous this was going to be for both of them. “If you stay busy, Mary, the time will go by much faster. I promise to be back as close to a year as possible. When I return, I shall bring with me my mother’s emerald rings. They have been passed down for several generations. There as beautiful as you are. I shall give you