Weston Ranch, Fisher's Story (16 page)
Read Weston Ranch, Fisher's Story Online
Authors: Stephanie Maddux
However, for the first time since her parent’s death, Ana felt
trul
y
alone. Her closest relative was her aunt and uncle who lived in America. When
Ana’s
parents died, she had sent a message to them, but she had not yet received a response. Her uncle had married an American woman and moved to the continent when Ana was a small child. She knew they had a daughter who was a year or two younger than she was, but they had never actually met. Now her uncle was the Earl, and so they were needed back in England. Her parent's estates and finances were still in limbo.
Jake had never met her uncle, but he got along well with her father. She thought back to when her father had first met Jake. He had liked the Duke tremendously, not just because of his title, but also for his demeanor and character.
They went hunting together and played chess against each other.
Knowing that Jake’s own father had died in the last year, she wondered how he had dealt with it. He had been so upset when her parents died, and she remembered how he had taken care of her after their accident and death. He was gentle and tender with her throughout the ordeal, and it only reinforced her decision about not marrying him. Occasionally, she had pangs of guilt that she had not sent any flowers or a letter when his father had died. The least she should have done was to acknowledge it, especially since Jake had done so much for her when she was in the same situation.
It had been after Jake approached her parents for her hand, when they decided it was time to tell her about her parentage. Since, he had a right to know before they married. Especially, since Jake’s mother, the Duchess, was a stickler for the rules and strictures of society. Of course, The Duchess had disliked Ana from the start, and she had never attempted to disguise that fact. However, Ana took the coward's way out and never let Jake or anyone else know the truth.
The ton would not be accepting of her as they were now. If they knew the secret, her friends would abandon her, and her life would be in shambles, even more so, than it was now. Scandal would follow her no matter where she went
,
and
everyone in society would shun her. Her place in society would end
,
and
she would not be welcomed in any of the finer homes.
When Jake had proposed, she accepted, because she loved him and she foolishly thought she could go through with the marriage. However, Ana knew deep down that she was only putting off the inevitable. Deeply ashamed, she just couldn’t tell him about her past, but when he began talking about the children he wanted, she knew she had to end it before it was too late.
Therefore, she had walked out
,
and
Jake had not stopped her; he was too proud. It took all the fortitude she could muster, not to look back. Never would she forgive herself for letting her pride and fears get in the way of her love for Jake. If only she had told him, then Jake could have made the decision of whether he wanted her, regardless of her secret.
Now, Jake hated her
,
and
h
e was to marry someone else. I
t hurt
knowing this
. She discovered he still had power over her and her feelings. Her love for him was still strong and that hurt most of all. She had fought her feelings for two years, and she had convinced herself that they were under control. After seeing him again, she knew what was missing in her life.
If she was ever to have happiness, she knew she had to tell him what she could not two years ago.
Although it would not make any difference now, he deserved at least an explanation.
Maybe then, she could close that chapter in her life and maybe, just maybe she would be able to move on.
Wait there’s more……
Author’s
other works:
Weston Ranch
Series:
Fisher’s Story (Novella 1)
Historical Romance Series
The Realm of Peers:
The Duke’s Love (Book 1) Available Now
The
Viscount’s
Predicament (Book2)
Available Now
The Lady’s Rogue (Book 3) Available Winter 2012
Nonfiction:
Crossing the Brid
ge of Autism: Our family Story
Available Now
