Read Online Goddess Born by Kari Edgren - Free Book Online

purchased gold bands from his waistcoat pocket.
    Henry moved first, reaching down and gently lifting my left hand. As he slipped the ring over my finger, I felt a slight shake and guessed he was equally nervous despite his calm demeanor. Emboldened by his actions, I placed the gold band on his hand and then turned back to face Mr. Jones.
    “Very good,” the magistrate said when we were done. “By the power vested in me by the governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and His Majesty King George II, I pronounce you man and wife. If you will each sign here, the marriage will be official.”
    With great efficiency, Mr. Jones blotted the wet ink and handed the certificate to Henry. “Here you are, Mr. Kilbrid. May I be the first to wish you a most joyous life together.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Henry said, accepting both the certificate and good tidings.
    The magistrate packed up his belongings and walked with Ben to the door, eager to collect the rest of his bribe and be on his way. I didn’t know how much his silence had initially cost, but if he buried the evidence of this marriage in the bottom of a desk drawer then any additional money was well worth the cost. Assuming of course, that my cousin refrained from altering any more essential details. Otherwise every farthing would have been for naught.
    I held my peace just long enough for Ben and the magistrate to leave the room. “Congratulations, Henry Kilbrid ,” I said, rounding on my new husband once we were alone. “Is there any particular reason why you felt impelled to change my cousin’s name and birth date?” We hadn’t yet moved apart from the ceremony and were standing uncomfortably close.
    He shrugged. “The date slipped my mind so I used my own. As for the name, it’s a small concession in light of everything else I’ve agreed to.”
    “Everything you’ve agreed to!” I repeated, incredulous at his gall. “I saved you from Mr. Fletcher!”
    “You took advantage of my situation and forced me into an undesirable marriage. The least you can do is allow me the use of my first name.”
    “Do not presume I wanted this marriage any more than you did.” My cheeks flushed hot with anger. “Believe me, Mr. Alan, marrying you was truly my last option. Why else would I willingly connect myself to a servant when half of the single men in Hopewell wanted my hand?” Well, maybe not half, but I wasn’t really going for accuracy at the moment.
    “Then why didn’t you take one of them instead?” he asked, giving me a sardonic grin.
    “That is none of your concern.” I lifted my chin, but he was so tall my nose barely topped his sternum, taking away from my attempt at a dignified air. “You are making such a fuss, I almost wonder if you would have preferred Mr. Fletcher’s company to my own.” I smirked at him, pleased with the insult.
    The elegant curve of his mouth tensed in warning, but I was not about to back down after being so rudely insulted. It was high time he remembered who was an heiress to a great fortune and who had arrived a day before, indentured for service with nothing more than the clothes on his back. Undesirable , indeed!
    “Was it him you wanted instead of me?” I asked, pushing a little bit further.
    His green eyes flashed dangerously as he leaned over me, bringing us almost nose to nose. “A wife should never doubt her husband’s natural desires,” he said menacingly.
    Disconcerted by his closeness, I started to move away when he grabbed my upper arms and pulled me hard against him. Inhaling sharply, my rational mind scattered beneath the heady scent of soap and masculine spice. Without thinking, I drew another breath, and my eyes strayed to his mouth.
    A soft chuckle vibrated deep in his chest. “So that’s why you’re angry.”
    I jerked my gaze upward. “What do you—”
    His fingers tightened on my arms. Then, with a dip of his head, he pressed his mouth to mine. The suddenness so startled me, I forgot to kick and