Goddess Born by Kari Edgren Read Free Book Online Page A

Harlow will be gone in two weeks, and Ben would sooner die than betray me.”
    “You have forgotten our friend Mr. Fletcher.”
    “He is not important,” I said with false surety. Remembering the redheaded demon, I almost crossed myself on the spot for added protection, but decided to wait till later when Henry was gone. This was a delicate game. Any sign of weakness would diminish the ground I had so painstakingly gained. “We are leaving in the morning, and Hopewell is fifty miles from Philadelphia. Mr. Fletcher will soon find someone else to work the ovens.”
    Henry didn’t look very convinced. “What if I refuse?” he asked.
    My pulse leapt with panic, but having already answered this question enough times in my own head, the words sprang naturally to my lips. “I would have Ben sell your contract to Mr. Fletcher this very night. In seven years you’ll be a free man, presuming you live that long. I’ve heard some of the lads in the brickyard are prone to accidents. But since you’re sure to be the master’s particular favorite, I guess there’s nothing to worry about.” I could hardly believe the callousness of my own words.
    Apparently neither could Henry. He closed his eyes and drew in several long deep breaths while considering the alternative. “Marriage would be the lesser of two evils,” he said at last.
    I crinkled my forehead, displeased by his choice of words. “Don’t think of it so much as an evil, Mr. Alan, but rather as each of us having the means to help the other. I saved you from Mr. Fletcher, and now you can save me from Nathan Crowley.” My logic was decent if not entirely flawless.
    He regarded me closely with those piercing green eyes. A sudden shadow flickered in their depths, vanishing so quickly I would have dismissed it altogether if not for a lingering sensation of unease. The moment passed and a faint, sardonic smile touched his lips. “So, one good turn deserves another.”
    I forced a tight smile in return. “My thoughts exactly, Mr. Alan. You might even thank me in a year or two once this is all behind us.”
    “Well, when you put it that way,” he said wryly, “I would be a fool to refuse.”
    On a whim, I extended my hand just as I’d seen Captain Harlow do countless times at the docks earlier. “Do we have an agreement?”
    Henry nodded, and our hands met, mine disappearing into his as we shook to seal the deal.

Chapter Three
    The Redheaded Demon
    No sooner had Ben returned Henry to their room than he came storming back into mine. Having neither the energy nor the inclination to move yet, I remained sitting by the hearth.
    He wasted no time getting right to the point. “Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?”
    I closed my eyes and sank back into the chair, willing myself to disappear into its dark softness. My head hurt and I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep until morning when it would be necessary to begin again. “I am so tired,” I said. “Can we talk later?” Under normal circumstances Ben tended to act like a doting older brother, readily giving in to my requests, but not today.
    “Your father said nothing about buying another servant. What are you up to, Selah?”
    The use of my first name was a bad sign. Opening my eyes, I looked at him warily. “Trying to spare myself a miserable life. And keeping Brighmor safe from ruin.”
    Ben took a seat next to me. “All right,” he said with forced patience. “Exactly how does Henry Alan fit into all of this?”
    My father had told Ben only the necessary details before we left, giving him a basic knowledge of my problems. As my new plan depended on Ben’s cooperation, he was entitled to full disclosure. “Henry has agreed to assume my cousin’s name for a period of time and marry me tomorrow morning. We will be returning to Brighmor as Mr. and Mrs. Kilbrid.”
    Ben looked dumbstruck. Although my behavior had been unusual, this obviously hadn’t crossed his mind. “The Devil you are!” he