Read Online Love Everlasting by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online

She looked at him in disbelief but said nothing. “I know that most people think me heartless and all business, but the truth is, I have fallen quite in love with you.”
    â€œOh dear,” she said in a whisper that sounded quite contrite.
    â€œIndeed. I can scarcely think of business or other affairs without you coming to mind. When you sent Mr. Booth to break our contract, I can tell you quite honestly . . . well, I took to my house and hid myself away, neither eating nor drinking for two days.” The lie sounded natural enough and given her willingness to believe everyone truthful, Priam felt confident she would buy into his story.
    She bit her lower lip. He might have laughed at her anxious expression had he been less determined to get her to reconsider the contract. “You see,” he continued, “when you gave me hopethat we might have a future together, I was the happiest man alive.”
    â€œBut I did not give you hope,” she protested. “I told you I was certain I would not fall in love with you. Now I know quite well why I was so confident of the matter. My heart belongs to another, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.”
    He sighed. “Then there is no hope for me?”
    â€œThere is always hope for each of God’s children, but not by courting me,” she declared. “You truly must seek another avenue, Mr. Welby, for I am not the means to happiness for you.”
    He tried to appear thoughtful. “And I can do nothing to convince you otherwise? You did give me your word that you would give me time to woo you.”
    â€œI am sorry, Mr. Welby, but to do so would be dishonest. Our contract allowed for either of us to dissolve it should anything arise to cause conflict with the contents. I came to realize that my love for Wade Ackerman was one that would lead us to matrimony. I cannot entertain another gentleman who has thoughts of wooing me when I am all but engaged to another.”
    â€œSo you aren’t formally engaged?” he asked.
    She sighed. “It’s just a matter of making all the announcements. As far as Wade and I are concerned, we are engaged and preparing for marriage.”
    He put his hand to his heart. “You have no idea how this grieves me. It pierces my heart as if you’d plunged in a knife.”
    â€œMr. Welby, you have made this matter much more than it ever was or will be,” Abrianna began. “I was honest with you from the start, and anything I said or did to otherwise convince you of the possibility that I would fall in love with you is simply a misunderstanding on your part.”
    Welby worked hard to keep his ire in check. The fact that shetold the truth didn’t bother him. The fact that she was unwilling to yield to his will was infuriating.
    â€œPerhaps you should speak to Mr. Ackerman about this.” Welby fixed her with a most intent but pleading gaze. “Would he truly wish for you to go into the sanctity of marriage having had no other man to consider? What if you are the one mistaken in your feelings? Did that not ever occur? What if what you both are experiencing is just a fleeting summer emotion brought on by the devastation of the city and the urgency of time? You’ve long been friends. That much is true. But friendship and love are two entirely different matters.”
    Her brows came together, giving her a rather worried appearance. Welby felt confident he’d gained a tiny bit of ground and pushed on.
    â€œAnd if that is the case, then not only are you doing your friendship a disservice, but you are denying yourself a chance at happiness with me, as well.”
    â€œMy friendship with Wade has always been very important to me,” she murmured almost as if he wasn’t there. “Everyone has told me that friendship is an important foundation for marriage. So even though your counsel is otherwise, I believe that I am better acquainted with