A Sordid Situation Read Free Page A

words.

     
    * * * *

     
    When telling any story, it was always best to start at the
beginning.
    “I’m destitute,” blurted Eugenia, not knowing any other way to
put it. She paused, waiting for Jordanna’s reaction.
    “You can’t be serious? I can’t fathom…. How did this happen?”
Jordanna sat back in her chair, in an obvious state of shock and disbelief.
    “William apparently had a penchant for gambling. I mean, I knew
he liked the cards and that he frequented the halls, but I never thought he’d
be so irresponsible to lose everything. And now the collector has come calling
on the debts. He was here yesterday and presented me with the proper documents.
Legally, I don’t have a leg to stand on. I no longer own anything, nor do I
have any money.”
    Jordanna listened in obvious awe, yet Eugenia knew by the look on
her dear friend’s face that none of it was sinking in. “This isn’t right. It
has to be some mistake. You must do something.”
    “What can I do? Don’t you think I’ve went over that many times
already? It’s a done deal. Mr. Hawthorne has the right to collect what’s owed
to him.”
    “How could William do this to you? And to think, to add further
insult to injury he then went and—”
    “Killed himself,” Eugenia finished. Her heart still ached for
William at times. It was hard to say those two horrible words aloud.
    “I’m sorry. I should never have brought that up. It was never my
intention to upset you further. I can’t even imagine going through something so
terrible.”
    “If only you knew. The whispers, the looks. They pretend it never
happened, but it did. And nothing can ever change that. It was a selfish act
and at one time I hated him for it. There, I said it. I admit to hating him for
a short period.” But unfortunately her anger only provided a minor release. “I
do forgive him, and in time I will forgive him for this too. It will take time,
but it will come. Everything happens for a reason and I just need to believe
that. Never question the divine, for what will be will be.”
    “Oh dear, this is so depressing. We need to get out, have some
fun, and attend a ball or two or even three. A year has passed. Your mourning
is over.”
    Eugenia sighed. “Fun’s the last thing on my mind. I can’t fathom
doing such things right now.”
    “So this man, this Mr. Hawthorne, what’s he like? After hearing
this, he seems to be a downright dastardly rake. But that’s just my opinion,”
stated Jordanna.
    “He’s handsome and I know I shouldn’t notice such things, but
it’s hard not to when it’s presented right in front of one’s face.” She
blushed, remembering what he did.
    “Do go on,” encouraged Jordanna, her eyes popping with curiosity.
“Did he make any advances towards you?”
    “It was more than that. He kissed me and, well…”
    “Scandalous, I love it,” squealed Jordanna. “If I had a glass of
champagne, I’d make a toast. It’s about time you loosened your strings. You’re
far too uptight. So what else?”
    “He made me an offer.”
    “Marriage?” Jordanna’s eyes lit with excitement. “A spring
wedding would be so utterly romantic. Wouldn’t that be glorious?”
    “It isn’t marriage, I barely know him. However, he proposed that
I may be able to stay at Collingwood, if I agree to his terms.”
    Jordanna gasped, leaning forward. “You’ll be a mistress! I think
you should go for it. No one needs to know, and you have nothing to lose but
everything to gain. That is of course, unless you’re not interested in him.”
    “He’s fetching, I can’t deny that. But if people were to find out
the rights of it, I’d be ruined.”
    “You’ll be ruined none-the-less if they find out William left you
penniless. You’ll become an outcast. I shudder to think how cruel some can be.”
    “It’s nothing new, Jordanna. You came from nothing and I came
from less than nothing. We both hide our pasts out of sheer survival. It hasn’t
been