Winds of Betrayal Books 1 & 2: The Cry For Freedom and Embrace of Enemy by Jerri Hines

Author:Jerri Hines [Hines, Jerri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-02-09T05:00:00+00:00

Finally, Hannah turned to discover Susanna standing in the garden in her night dress. She looked quite distressed.

“Oh, Hannah,” she cried. Her face was drawn and distraught. “I saw. I should have told you before.”

“Told me what?” Hannah asked, puzzled by her cousin’s reaction, trying desperately not to betray her emotions. Her cousin grabbed her hand.

“Come back to my room and we will talk,” she answered. Hannah shook her head. “No, tell me now,” Hannah stubbornly refused.

Susanna hesitated momentarily. “Hannah, Marcus…” She sighed and breathed deeply. “Marcus is married.”

“Married?” Shock vibrated through her. Hannah heard herself ask. “Then why would he act in that manner? Why would no one tell me?”

Susanna looked at her. “Come. We’ll talk.”

In a fog, Hannah followed Susanna to her room where she closed her door tightly. “Remember when I told you he had lived down the street? He lived here with his family, his wife and child. If I remember correctly she was with child when she left. I met her on a few occasions. A haughty woman. I believe she felt the colonies beneath her. If I’m not mistaken, she’s a daughter of a duke of some sort. She bragged about returning to their estate in England, away from the wilds of the colonies. From what I gather, he’s the second son of an earl.”

Hannah sat and listened to her cousin’s words. Comprehension of what her cousin said slowly sank in. “I appreciate your frankness, cousin, but don’t concern yourself. He’s leaving, and I assure you I’ll stay as far from him as possible upon his return if I’m still here. He’s playing with me.”

Susanna gave her a quick nod, but a half-fearful look lingered in her eyes. “Hannah, with what you’re doing, it would be for the best. I couldn’t bear if anything happened to you. I should have said something before because I’ve seen his fascination with you. I have heard that men like him marry for position, but love…”

“No, don’t say that.” Hannah shook her head. “It’s not a fascination, Susanna. He’s trying to intimidate me. That is all. He knew of me before the raid. I don’t believe he feels I’m as helpless as I pretend.” Hannah reached over and squeezed Susanna’s hand.

Susanna shook her head. “I hope you’re right. With your Gabriel leaving you, I couldn’t blame you if…:

Hannah stood. Her voice quivered. “Gabriel hasn’t abandoned me. Obviously, he was detained and couldn’t…” She paused, for in truth she couldn’t understand why he had left her here. “I’ll take heed, I promise. I won’t trust anyone. Clearly, they all look down upon us. To play me so…as if I’m no better than a common whore. No, cousin. I won’t be treated such, not without reason.”

“Take care with that reason, Hannah,” Susanna answered.

* * * *

Hannah steamed over Marcus's behavior. She couldn’t stop thinking about it. How dare he! But in reality, should she have expected less? Hadn’t she a job to do? Wasn’t he a distraction? His departure alleviated a pressure she hadn't comprehended existed until he was no longer in the scene.

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