Forbidden Secrets Read Free Page A

soldier, she realized with sickening dread. And soldiers die!
    Savannah pressed her cheek against Tyler’s chest. “Please don’t go,” she whispered.
    He gathered her within his arms. “I must go, Savannah,” he said quietly.
    â€œWhat if you are killed?” she asked, her voice quivering.
    He laughed. “I won’t be killed. Not if I have you waiting for me.” He put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back. He gazed into her green eyes. “You will wait, won’t you?”
    â€œOf course I’ll wait. And with you fighting beside Zachariah—”
    â€œBeside Zachariah?” he interrupted in a stunned voice. “I won’t fight beside Zachariah. I will fight for the North.”
    Bewildered, Savannah tried to understand exactly what he was telling her. “The North? You can’t possibly fight for the North!”
    â€œI can and I will,” he said in a low, calm voice.
    Savannah wrenched free of Tyler’s hold and stepped away from him. With one word—war!—Tyler has become my enemy, she realized sadly. He will fight to destroy the South, my home, my family.
    Savannah trembled. Hot tears stung her eyes. “Fight for the South, Tyler,” she begged in desperation. “Fight for my home and my family.”
    â€œI must fight for my home, Savannah. My loyalty is to the North!”
    â€œAnd what of your loyalty to me?” she demanded angrily.
    His features hardened. “I’ll marry you today. I’ll take you to my home in Massachusetts. Then you and my home will be in the North. My loyalty won’t be divided.”
    â€œNo. I can’t marry you,” Savannah said. “Not now.”
    â€œYou will marry me!” he insisted.
    Savannah stood her ground. She threw back her shoulders and lifted her chin in defiance. “If I marry you, I’ll have to turn my back on the South. I won’t do that.”
    His face turned red with rage. “I asked you to marry me, Savannah,” he whispered. “You said yes!”
    â€œThat was before I knew the truth about you!” she cried. “That was before I knew you would fight for the North. I cannot love someone who will fight to destroy my home and my family. I will not love you!”
    He balled his hands into fists. “You have no choice. You are already mine!”
    â€œNo!” she replied. “If you fight for the North, I won’t love you. I will never marry you.”
    Fierce anger glinted in his eyes. A cold shiver raced down Savannah’s spine.
    â€œI am leaving to fight with the northern army,” he said through gritted teeth. “Come with me now.”
    â€œNever!” Savannah repeated, her heart thudding in her chest. “You are a traitor to my home, my brother’s friendship, and our love. I will never marry you!”
    Tears blinding her, Savannah ran to the house. She collapsed against one of the marble pillars.
    The pain of Tyler’s betrayal ripped through her.
    How can Tyler fight for the North when I live in theSouth? How could he be my love one moment and my enemy the next?
    And then she heard the laughter. Victoria’s gleeful laughter. Hysterical. Joyful.
    â€œHe’s leaving, isn’t he?” Victoria asked.
    Savannah looked up. She saw Tyler riding his black horse down the dirt road, away from Whispering Oaks, away from her.
    And her heart shattered into tiny pieces.
    Victoria clapped with delight.
    She is happy that he is going, Savannah realized. Incredibly happy. Her jealousy is so apparent. She can’t have Tyler, and now she knows I won’t have him either.
    Savannah saw Tyler bring his horse to an abrupt halt. He jerked the stallion around. He galloped back toward the house. Dust clouded up around him.
    He’s coming back, Savannah thought joyfully. He’s coming back to me! He will take me in his arms and everything will be all right.
    Tyler drew the