Read Online Forbidden Fire by Heather Graham - Free Book Online Page A

incredible philanthropist, Marissa.”
    â€œI told you—”
    â€œSpell it out!”
    â€œI—I have a maid. No, she is no longer really my maid. But she wishes to be married. They are both young and poor and her health is failing, and I want to bring them both with me. She has been a dear friend all her life. And there is a small mining town I wish to help—”
    â€œAnd certain miners?” he inquired politely.
    â€œI tell you, sir, that my intentions are entirely honorable!”
    â€œAre they?” he mused, and he sat at the desk, idly tapping his fingers against the wood as he stared at her. He threw up his hands. “Lady, you did not want a guardian, and yet you would accept a husband!”
    â€œI have explained—”
    â€œAh, yes, well then, let me explain.” He leaned forward, folding his hands upon the table, his eyes seeming to impale her as his temper rose with his every word. “I am not an easy man, Miss Ahearn.”
    â€œYou said that you are often gone—”
    â€œBut when I am home, I can be a tyrant. I am demanding and exacting, and I have a horrible temper.”
    â€œIndeed? What a shock!” she said with wide eyes and sweetly dripping sarcasm.
    â€œYou are asking for this,” he reminded her.
    â€œPray, go on, Mr. Tremayne.”
    â€œBear in mind that I’ve no wish to marry.”
    â€œSo you’ve informed me.”
    â€œThat I shall go my own way.”
    â€œThat, sir, will give me the greatest pleasure.”
    A long finger was suddenly pointed in her direction. “While you, my dear, will be that wonderful paragon you have promised. And you will be at my beck and call for whatever social amenities I might require.”
    Her heart was hammering. It was a devil’s bargain, made in hell. But she had already known that she would pay nearly any price to make this work.
    She had paid part of the price, for the lie she was already living was agonizing.
    â€œYou make it sound like torture,” she murmured, her lashes falling over her eyes.
    â€œOn the contrary, I do not beat or abuse women, Marissa.” The harshness in his voice had suddenly faded, and she opened her eyes to his once again. “I have merely tried to show you your folly.”
    Again she moistened her lips to speak. “I came here, sir, with my mind set.”
    â€œThere are times,” he said quietly, “when you may think I resent you just because we are married.”
    She frowned. “I don’t understand—”
    â€œNever mind. There is no way to explain.” He rose suddenly. “And I make no promises, no agreements. That is understood?”
    She wasn’t sure; she really wasn’t sure what he meant at all, but she nodded, wondering if he was going to agree, or if this was all a charade to humiliate her.
    He stared at her hard. Then he muttered a harsh, “Damn you, girl!”
    And he reached for a handsome overcoat, and touched her at last, taking her arm to draw her away from the door.
    â€œWhere are you going?” she cried.
    He turned to her. Once again, his blue eyes seemed to impale her beneath the rakish fall of the black lock upon his forehead. “I am going for a registrar, my lady. If we’re going to do this thing, we’ll do it now, and be done with it all. I’ve got a license. All we need is a registrar.”
    The door swung shut in his wake. Marissa gasped. Her knees were beginning to buckle and she braced herself with her hands against the door.
    What had she done?
    He had agreed. He had agreed too swiftly! He had given her no time to plot and plan, to find a way to make it all false or to make it all real.
    But he had agreed. He was coming back with a registrar, and she must do something, she must …
    Marry him.
    A coldness settled upon her, and the words kept repeating hauntingly in her mind. Help me, God! she thought. But surely God would not help a