Goddess Born by Kari Edgren Read Free Book Online

recall when you first saw me sitting at the docks?”
    He nodded to indicate that he did.
    “Well, I had just received some unfortunate news from Captain Harlow. My second cousin, Mr. Samuel Kilbrid, was also a passenger on The Berkshire. He died while at sea. We were supposed to be married, you see, and as things stand it is now quite impossible.”
    When I stopped to get my bearings, Henry remained silent, patiently waiting for me to continue. “My father also recently passed away, and with my mother dead these past four years, I find myself in a position of great risk. If I had returned to Brighmor a married woman as planned, I would have been sufficiently protected from a particular enemy. By returning home unwed, I could lose everything I hold dear.”
    I took one last deep breath and then pushed forward to the end.
    “Mr. Alan, when I purchased your contract today, it was with the greatest hopes that you would consent to pose as my cousin and, under his name, take me as your wife on the morrow. I know this is quite forward, but please understand the desperate nature of my situation. If you consent, I would agree to significantly reduce your length of service, and once I am safe from my enemy, you can leave Brighmor. Samuel is already dead, so to say he died in a year or two would not be too far from the truth. The marriage would be annulled at that point, and you would be a free man in every way. If by then you decide to stay in the Colonies, my only request will be that you live a minimum of three hundred miles from Hopewell.”
    Henry no longer looked at me, having turned to stare at the empty hearth. It was so quiet, the sound of our combined breathing and the ticking of the mantel clock filled the room. I began to think that my brazen behavior had rendered him mute when he finally spoke.
    “You want me to marry you?” he asked, facing me again. “Are you serious?”
    “Be assured, I am in earnest.” A deep blush crept into my cheeks from what I had to say next. “It would be a marriage in name only. There will be no conjugal rights. No familiarity beyond what is absolutely necessary to make the right appearance.”
    “I see,” he said, looking slightly amused at my discomfort. “And how can such a marriage save you from this enemy?”
    I had to pick my words with care so not to scare him away. “There is a man who is determined to have me for his wife. He has threatened to bring false charges against me if I continue to refuse him. He is very persuasive and could possibly turn the townspeople against me, and then I would be forced to marry him to clear my name. I wish to move his attentions elsewhere by returning home a married woman.” Of course there remained a chance Nathan would see a husband as just another obstacle to be gotten around in his deranged quest to fulfill God’s will. Or that he may still follow through with his threat and have me charged for a witch regardless of my marital status. I considered mentioning this to Henry, but decided not to clutter the issue with unnecessary details.
    Henry leaned back in the chair, a frown creasing his brows. “You are asking me to commit fraud by assuming another man’s name and enter into a contract under false pretenses. Have you considered the consequences if we are discovered? It would mean certain imprisonment and fines. Possibly even flogging if the Crown is so inclined.”
    Up until now I had been so focused on convincing Henry to marry me, the notion of getting caught hadn’t even entered my mind. My smile wavered for a split second. “Surely not so much as that,” I laughed, trying to mask my anxiety by making light of his. “They do not flog people quite so readily in Pennsylvania as they do in England. Maybe a week in the stocks at most.”
    He narrowed his eyes. Despite my jest, I would have personally chosen death rather than be put on public display for a week in the town’s square.
    “I assure you, no one will find out. Captain