Read Online The Lady’s Torn Heart (Faces of Love Series #2) by Jessie Bennett - Free Book Online
Authors: Jessie Bennett
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, series, Friendship, 19th century, Inspirational, Bachelor, Rogue, Betrayal, Forever Love, Single Woman, Clean & Wholesome, Faces of Love, Tragic Secret
Ads: Link
trying to cheer him. “Certainly the Duke and Duchess would also. And of course, your family would.”
“Yes, I suppose you are right,” he said with a weary half-smile. “Sometimes I wish my brother and I were in each other shoes. That way I could stay home with my family and look over my lands as he does.”
“I have recently learned that there are sacrifices one must make, no matter one's station in life,” I said very seriously.
“Yes, I am sure you have,” he agreed. It was the closest we had come to outright saying what had transpired between James and me.
“It wasn’t right, what he did,” Henry finally blurted in a serious tone.
“What I did wasn’t right either.”
“No, but nonetheless, he made a promise and a gentleman is nothing if he cannot be held to his word.”
I shrugged. “What’s done is done.”
“Will you recover?” he asked, true concern on his face.
“I believe others have come back from far worse sorrow than mine. I think my pride is hurt more than anything else.”
“When someone you are affectionate for is removed from your life, it is hard to see that you could ever feel that way again.” He looked at me lovingly. “I know it can happen again, though. No matter the depths of sorrow you face.”
“You sound like Gaffton,” I replied with a playful wrinkle of my nose to lighten the mood. Tears were brimming in my eyes at his sincerity. I had cried enough recently; I didn’t need to do so in front of him.
“He is a good man,” Henry said, looking in Gaffton’s direction. “A superb friend too.”
“And big brother,” I agreed.
He looked back at me. I could tell a thought was on his lips, but he was hesitant to say it. I waited for him to form the words.
“I wonder, since we have been good friends all this time, well at least I think we have been, I thought, if you wouldn’t terribly mind it-”
“Henry, it can’t possibly be that bad, just spit it out.”
“Could I write to you?”
I could see the hopefulness in his eyes. I noticed the way he also wrung his hands nervously. Despite all I had done to deter his affections for me, they were still there. He was a better man than I ever deserved. I found warmth spreading through the marrow of my bones and rising to my cheeks. “I would like that very much,” I said, just above a whisper.
CHAPTER 17
WORDS MEAN NOTHING IN THE FACE OF ACTION
“I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly.” - Jane Austen
* * *
O ver the next year , life returned to normal. Of course, Mother was mortified upon the news of my social status. She couldn’t believe that of all her children, her prettiest was now unmarriageable. I settled into my new life. Without the added pressure from Mother, I found it remarkably more peaceful.
I received regular correspondence from Mary and Scarlett. I also received letters from Henry when he was able. I hadn't told anyone about his request. In my mind, he did care for me, but knew that with the reputation I now had, it could never be more than just feelings. He was a kind-hearted man, though, and a good friend, and was unwilling to let either be deterred by my reckless behavior.
When in town the following season, I was thrilled to receive correspondence that Henry would be given a holiday in a few months. He asked if he could call on me in London. I quickly responded that I would love to see him again.
Both Mary and Scarlett were in town for the season. Mary, of course, didn’t attend many social events, since she still had her beautiful baby girl. Juliette was now a year old and just beginning to walk. I loved her so dearly. I was half considering returning home with Mary to make their home my permanent one.
Enough time had passed to dim the memories of sorrow that place had once held for me. Life living with Mary held so much more joy for me than the monotony of spending my days with Mother and Father.
One afternoon, while Mary was over for tea with
“Yes, I suppose you are right,” he said with a weary half-smile. “Sometimes I wish my brother and I were in each other shoes. That way I could stay home with my family and look over my lands as he does.”
“I have recently learned that there are sacrifices one must make, no matter one's station in life,” I said very seriously.
“Yes, I am sure you have,” he agreed. It was the closest we had come to outright saying what had transpired between James and me.
“It wasn’t right, what he did,” Henry finally blurted in a serious tone.
“What I did wasn’t right either.”
“No, but nonetheless, he made a promise and a gentleman is nothing if he cannot be held to his word.”
I shrugged. “What’s done is done.”
“Will you recover?” he asked, true concern on his face.
“I believe others have come back from far worse sorrow than mine. I think my pride is hurt more than anything else.”
“When someone you are affectionate for is removed from your life, it is hard to see that you could ever feel that way again.” He looked at me lovingly. “I know it can happen again, though. No matter the depths of sorrow you face.”
“You sound like Gaffton,” I replied with a playful wrinkle of my nose to lighten the mood. Tears were brimming in my eyes at his sincerity. I had cried enough recently; I didn’t need to do so in front of him.
“He is a good man,” Henry said, looking in Gaffton’s direction. “A superb friend too.”
“And big brother,” I agreed.
He looked back at me. I could tell a thought was on his lips, but he was hesitant to say it. I waited for him to form the words.
“I wonder, since we have been good friends all this time, well at least I think we have been, I thought, if you wouldn’t terribly mind it-”
“Henry, it can’t possibly be that bad, just spit it out.”
“Could I write to you?”
I could see the hopefulness in his eyes. I noticed the way he also wrung his hands nervously. Despite all I had done to deter his affections for me, they were still there. He was a better man than I ever deserved. I found warmth spreading through the marrow of my bones and rising to my cheeks. “I would like that very much,” I said, just above a whisper.
CHAPTER 17
WORDS MEAN NOTHING IN THE FACE OF ACTION
“I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly.” - Jane Austen
* * *
O ver the next year , life returned to normal. Of course, Mother was mortified upon the news of my social status. She couldn’t believe that of all her children, her prettiest was now unmarriageable. I settled into my new life. Without the added pressure from Mother, I found it remarkably more peaceful.
I received regular correspondence from Mary and Scarlett. I also received letters from Henry when he was able. I hadn't told anyone about his request. In my mind, he did care for me, but knew that with the reputation I now had, it could never be more than just feelings. He was a kind-hearted man, though, and a good friend, and was unwilling to let either be deterred by my reckless behavior.
When in town the following season, I was thrilled to receive correspondence that Henry would be given a holiday in a few months. He asked if he could call on me in London. I quickly responded that I would love to see him again.
Both Mary and Scarlett were in town for the season. Mary, of course, didn’t attend many social events, since she still had her beautiful baby girl. Juliette was now a year old and just beginning to walk. I loved her so dearly. I was half considering returning home with Mary to make their home my permanent one.
Enough time had passed to dim the memories of sorrow that place had once held for me. Life living with Mary held so much more joy for me than the monotony of spending my days with Mother and Father.
One afternoon, while Mary was over for tea with
Similar Books
