Tangled Betrayals Read Online Free Page A

isn’t entirely true, Minnie, I made a fool of myself, didn’t I? I thought James was madly in love with me. And I am still in love with that bastard!”
    Minnie’s heart was breaking , too. She would have done anything to spare Mary this pain. “I can hardly absorb or understand what you’re telling me. I’m sorry this has happened. I can’t believe James would do such a thing. There must be a reasonable explanation, Mary. There has to be.”
    Mary shrugged her shoulders. “My life’s now empty, Minnie. What am I to do? At least father will be happy to know I’ll now be staying in England. I can barely stand the thought of how I’ll have to hear him say he told me James was nothing but an arrogant American. I should have listened to him. Even drunk, father knew he wasn’t what he claimed. Father was the only one who saw through his lies.”
    Minnie couldn’t believe it; she too, had been fooled by James. She had always prided herself in the ability to judge people. This was the first time she’d failed in her analysis of someone’s character.
    There ’d been nothing about James to alarm her he wasn’t the wonderful man he portrayed himself to be, until he hadn’t written to Mary. Even then, Minnie only had some unproven doubts. Now, watching as Mary struggled to barely hang on, tore her apart. James would pay for what he had done to Mary, Minnie vowed silently. Somehow, someday, he would pay.
    Then, Minnie thought of Thomas. He and Mary had been as close as siblings could be. They had shared everything. Thomas would have known this would destroy Mary, yet, he did nothing to stop her from going to the docks today. What happened in America to change Thomas into such an uncaring person? Minnie hadn’t a clue.
    “ Mary, child, once you are able, please go home. You need a few days off. I’ll explain your situation to Alice, she can finish any work you’ve started or take over any commitment you’ve made, until you are up to returning. When our regular patrons come to the shop, I’ll explain your wedding was called off as gently as I can. By the time you return, many of the customers will be aware what’s happened and little should be said,” Minnie pleaded, but she saw to no avail. The look on Mary’s face told her she wasn’t about to go home.
    “Aye, but that will not end my pain. Think of the pity I’ll receive. Poor, Mary Ball, jilted right before the wedding. Or would they say I should have known better than to expect a wealthy American to marry a seamstress. I feel so stupid. I hate myself for having been so trusting. I’m nothing more than a mere, naive child! No adult would be so foolish.
    “ But what really hurts, as much as anything, is not only did James betray me, my own brother allowed me to believe I’d be getting my ring once I reached the ship. He should have warned me! I would have warned him if the situation had been reversed. I would never have allowed him to be humiliated.
    “And I don’t wish for anyone to pity me, Minnie, not now, not ever! Everything I ever wanted is gone. Still, I won’t have people pitying me!
    “ All the while I’m planning my future; James is making his home with someone else. I’ll never allow myself to be put in that situation again. Ever! I shall never marry! I’d rather remain alone the rest of my life, than to endure this horrible pain ever again.”
    Mary knew s he’d never allow any man to take her heart after today. Minnie survived just fine without a man in her life, and she would, too.
    “Mary, don’t go saying things you’ll regret. You’ll fall in love again, trust me. And when you do, he’ll be a better person than James Parker.”

Chapter F ive
    Mary rested on the sofa. No, she thought, she wouldn’t fall in love, again. Finally, after several minutes, she was somewhat composed. She saw Minnie observing her. “I know it’ll take a long time to rid my soul of that bastard.”
    “Aye, Mary, it will. But another hard cry will