Tangled Betrayals Read Online Free

from me.”
    “If you didn’t speak with James, how are you sure he was with her or that he has taken a wife?”
    “Oh, that is the best part . When James left the ship to meet Thomas and the women, I foolishly was calling to him and waving my arms to get his attention. But the only person he was focused on was this woman standing by Thomas. Once he reached her, he kissed her---on the mouth. No Minnie, I made no mistake! That was a kiss from a man claiming his woman!
    “ I nearly fainted right then. I remember putting my hand over my mouth to stifle my scream. But my scream never came. Then, all I could do was back away and try to blend into the crowd praying all the time that neither Thomas nor James would see what a fool I had been.”
    “Mary, I don’t understand. How could something as awful as this happen when you and James pledged yourselves to each other? I wish I had the words that would give you some comfort, Mary. I, too, would like some answers this day.” Minnie said realizing she had worried something was amiss, but never in her wildest thoughts did she think James could be so cruel.
    “The pain is so deep . I can barely stand it, Minnie. Thomas swore he would never return to England after his last fight with father. He swore it! Yet, he did return and he wasn’t even kind enough to spare me this horrible pain and embarrassment.
    “Do you suppose they had a grand time making fun of me? Were they all laughing at the stupid little sister who was foolish enough to think a man of means like James Parker would ever have feelings for a girl who works in a dress shop? Let alone make her his wife!
    “ I believed all those beautiful words he told me. I truly thought I was going to live in America, on a plantation, with the most wonderful man in the world. Only to find out he’s nothing but a bastard. As for Thomas, at this moment words cannot express my anger for allowing me to make such a fool out of myself. In a million years, I would never let anyone hurt Thomas if I could stop it. I would have protected him at any cost.
    “Father always told me James was nothing but an arrogant American. All this time, I thought it was father being the fool. I blindly trusted James.”
    Mary then became quiet. She ran her hands over the pearls which adorned the bodice of her beautiful wedding dress. The dress that was the only thing remaining from the life she had dreamed of having---and a wedding gown she would never wear. She couldn’t bear to look at it any longer. Mary sat back down upon the sofa looking at the floor before she spoke.
    “It ’s a beautiful dress, isn’t it Minnie? It’s as beautiful as all my dreams once were.” After several seconds Mary once again composed herself as Minnie sat patiently next to her allowing her to take all the time she wanted to talk.
    “ I’m so naïve. I’m a simple seamstress who stupidly thought I’d met my prince. You know I was never one who cared if James was wealthy or not. I would have married him no matter what. I loved him for what I thought was a wonderful, sensitive and caring man. Not the bastard he turned out to be! How could I have been so stupid?”   
    “Mary, none of this story makes any sense. There must be some mistake!”
    Mary laughed sarcastically. “ Oh, it’s all true, Minnie. Believe me, I wish it wasn’t. I loved James so much it consumed my life. I’ve nothing left but a broken heart and shattered dreams.              
    “ My brother was aware I’d be going to greet James. He didn’t even send a letter warning me not to come. No, they both allowed me to continue with my false dream for an entire year. They allowed me to go to the ship with expectations of receiving a ring and to be married in a few days! How cruel! They made a fool of me! I have tried my entire life to be a kind person to everyone; I never knew anyone could be so mean and cruel.”
    But then, Mary had some clarity to her thinking. “No, what I said