The Lady’s Torn Heart (Faces of Love Series #2) by Jessie Bennett Page A

sound of the door opening. Excitement turned to disappointment when I saw that it wasn’t James.
    “Don’t worry, my dear. He will come. They almost always do.”
    “Almost?” I asked, trying to hide the quaver in my voice.
    “You are a handsome girl. I can’t imagine someone would keep you waiting.”
    Her words didn’t really comfort me. The food she brought a few minutes later did help. It was a hardy meal of cold ham and boiled potatoes. I realized that it was the first time I had eaten all day. It did wonders to fill the knots in my stomach, but didn’t bring me peace.
    I could see the day was finally ending as the same faces came in for their evening meal. The second coach had arrived. I was in a flurry of turmoil now. Had something happened to him on his way here? I couldn’t image that James would make such promises to me and not come. I was struggling to hold back the tears as the ramifications of my actions were becoming clearer.
    I sobbed a little into my handkerchief, as discreetly as possible. I was surprised to feel a strong warm hand on my shoulder. Hiccupping, I looked up. It was Gaffton standing before me. The sight of him brought the emotions rushing back anew.
    Gaffton scooted a chair next to me and took me into his arms, allowing me to cry. He waited patiently for me to calm myself. I had never experienced life with a brother, but it was easy to see that the love he had for me was of brotherly protection.
    Finally, I got control of myself again. Gaffton scooted his chair back to a more appropriate distance. “Shall we get something to eat before returning home?” he asked, waving over the owner.
    At first, she looked excited, as she had told me he would come. My sad face showed her that he was not the man I was waiting for. She was grave as she took our request and left.
    “I’m surprised it took you so long to find me,” I finally said.
    “We knew as soon as you rode off this morning,” Gaffton said matter of factly.
    “Why didn’t you come then?”
    “Mary wanted to give you a chance, you know. She is such a romantic at heart.”
    I nodded in understanding.
    “I had planned to come tonight anyway, after the last coach, to make sure you were on your way. We received a letter from James this afternoon. I figured it meant he wasn’t coming, since it was addressed to you.”
    He pulled out a sealed letter from his jacket pocket. I saw that he had been kind enough not to open it. “He wouldn’t send you a letter if he was really coming.” I could hear the protective anger in his tone. “That cad didn’t even have the decency to make sure you were safely brought back home.”
    I took the letter from him. I opened it and read it to myself. I half hoped it was some promise that he had done all he could to come to me. I would have much rather read that he had met some horrific misfortune on the road than the words he had so coldly written.
    Gaffton was doing his best to eat without interest. I shared it with him nonetheless. He read over it quickly and threw it to the side in disgust.
    He had said in a very controlled manner that upon returning home last night, he was confronted by his aunt. She’d had her suspicions. She had laid out for him very clearly that should he continue on the path promised to me, he would lead a life of dire consequences. He apologized, but said he couldn’t disappoint his aunt or the father who had sent him here in hopes of giving him a better life.
    He had known he would go back on his word the night before, but didn’t have the nerve to tell me in person here at the tavern. Instead, he had sent his letter of apology and wishes of good health.
    He informed me that he would be leaving by the end of the week to return to Lord and Lady Hawkins’ home. We would never see each other again. He had meant this as a consolation for the wrong he was doing to me, that at least I would never have to look upon his face again. It stung more bitterly than the