Free Tangled Betrayals by Lynn Wolfe Page B

yourselves! If only you had some faith in me.”
    Thinking on what she ’d said and now knowing in her heart the truth about everything, Mary reluctantly continued in a somewhat kinder voice, “Yet, I realize all those letters I wrote to James and you were never received, were they? Father had seen to that. And he would have never given me any letters from you or James even if one had been written. None of that matters now.
    “ If there’d been letters between us, this conversation would not be taking place. Father got exactly what he wanted and he is the only one who did. Although, I think you and James seem quite happy and content with your lives, wouldn’t you agree?” But Mary continued before Thomas had a chance to say anything further.
    “ But I swear father’s pompous attitude will be changing once I see him. I shall inform him in no uncertain terms how I, too, plan to move to America, once I save enough money. I must get far away from him, for I shall never forgive him for what’s been done. If America is as big a country as you claim, I can live there without the worry of ever running into you or James again. Maybe someday, Thomas, a very long time from now, we might make amends. I don’t know. Right now, I need to be alone. I’m not in the mood to feel forgiving towards anyone today.
    “ So this is goodbye, Thomas. Promise me you’ll never tell James what happened. Not now, or ever. I think one destroyed life is enough. I don’t want James to pity me. I would much rather he hated me for what he thought I did, than to feel sorry for me for what I’m now left to endure. You owe me this, Thomas. You owe me!
    “ I know James well enough to know he’d try to make up for the situation. But there is nothing he could say or do to help me. Now leave, Thomas, and I pray you have a very happy life, one I shall envy, one filled with someone to love and share your life with.”

Chapter Twelve
     
    London
    As T homas turned to leave he saw Minnie in the doorway. She said nothing as he passed but she didn’t need to. The sadness on her face combined with her tears assured him he acted like an ass. He knew she loved Mary as much as he did. He was relieved she remained silent. Although, he might have felt better had she given him the tongue lashing he deserved. Anything she might call him would have been no worse than what he had been calling himself.
    The only solace Thomas had was to know Mary had Minnie to help her through this. But what good would that do? Mary would still be left alone. Thomas knew Minnie would forgive him far sooner than Mary. Who could blame Mary for hating him and James? Certainly not him.
    Thomas could not remember a time when he felt so low. How could he have doubted Mary? Yet, he knew how, because he foolishly believed his father. Why would any parent do that to their child?
    Thomas started to panic knowing he would have to push down his feelings deep within him once he returned to the hotel. He needed to appear happy tonight when he met James, Susannah and Anna for dinner. He wasn’t certain how well he could pretend everything was fine. Anna knew him too well. So did James.
    Could he really pull this off ? Making the others think he was happy while he knew they thought the worst of Mary? He understood what Mary was asking. He would never want anyone to pity him, for any reason. He was in an awful position. Yet, Mary had been hurt enough. He thought maybe she was right, maybe he should allow everyone to believe the worst, at least for now. What a dilemma to be in, damned if he told the truth and damned if he didn’t.
    Would Mary ever be the fun-loving, kind and sweet spirited person she’d been before any of this took place? He feared and knew in his heart that this would change Mary. He hoped she could rise above the pain and hurt. Mary would now think twice before trusting any man----especially now, when she knew she’d never have her fairy tale ending.
    Poor, poor, Mary, Thomas