A Treacherous Engagement by Beers Laura

Author:Beers, Laura
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Dinah sat on the bench in the back of the gardens and wiped away her tears. All she wanted was to not feel so alone. She was fortunate enough to have her aunt in her life, but the ache in her heart at the departure of her sister and absence of her parents threatened to consume her.

Why did Evie have to leave her? What had she done to deserve such treatment? Evie had left her behind, just as her parents did. Dinah knew she wasn’t being rational, but she was so tired of pretending that all was well. She couldn’t do it anymore. Her life was crashing down all around her, and she had no one to help pick up the pieces with her.

She looked heavenward. “You said you would never leave me, but you did,” she murmured as tears welled up in her eyes again. “You left me, and now I have to face this world without you.”

To her surprise, Mr. Collier appeared over the back fence. “Is this a bad time?”

Dinah swiped at the tears streaming down her face. “I’m afraid it is,” she replied.

Mr. Collier made no attempt to move. “May I ask who you were talking to?”

“Myself.”

“That was evident, but who did you hope would answer?”

Dinah lowered her gaze. “My mother,” she admitted. “This is where I come to be close to her.”

“I remember you saying as much earlier,” Mr. Collier said, walking over to the gate. “May I enter?”

“This really isn’t a good time…”

Mr. Collier came through the opening anyway. “You are a damsel in distress, and I am here to assist you.”

“I am not in distress,” she huffed.

He gave her a look. “You have been crying.”

“So I have,” she replied defiantly. “It is not uncommon for women to cry.”

Mr. Collier approached and stopped a short distance from the bench. “You may be right, but this is different.”

“In what way?”

“It was quiet, but I could hear the anguish in your voice, and I cannot in good conscience walk away and leave you be.”

Dinah met his gaze. “Why do you care?” she asked.

“I’m not rightly sure, but I feel as if you could use someone to talk to right now,” he said. “Am I incorrect in my assumption?”

The compassion in his eyes was undeniable, softening her stance slightly. Swallowing her pride, she admitted, “You are not.”

Mr. Collier gestured at the seat next to her. “May I join you?”

“You may,” she said, moving to create proper distance.

Once Mr. Collier sat down, he shifted on the bench to face her. “Now, what has you so upset?” he asked, his eyes not straying from her face.

“I was just thinking about my sister,” she hesitated, “about how she up and left me of her own accord.”

“I know that must be painful, but you don’t know her reasons.”

Dinah bristled. “Please do not pacify me, sir.”

“I’m not trying to,” Mr. Collier said. “I’m afraid I am not acquainted with your sister, so I cannot speak to her actions.”

“She left me. That is all that you need to know.

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