Captive Hearts Read Online Free Page A

side.
    “I, Matthew David Hamilton, take thee, Katherine Elizabeth Leighton as my wife—” His deep voice steady, he repeated the vows the minister recited.
    She clenched her teeth, setting her jaw. She would not wed a man who judged others by the gossip spread about them. He knew nothing of what had happened. Not even she could attest to all the events of that night.
    The minister shifted in her direction. “Repeat after me, Katherine Leighton.”
    Her violet gaze warred with Matthew’s pale blue one for several silent moments.
    “Will you not honor your word any better than your uncle did?” Matthew’s voice, though soft, seemed to fill every nook and cranny of the sanctuary.
    She half turned to look over her shoulder at her uncle. What had he done? Beneath her accusing stare, his long thin face flushed red.
    If she ended the ceremony, Edward would once again be on the hunt for some unsuspecting man to wed her.
    The next man could have less to lose and thus be less eager to agree to her terms. Her gaze rose to Matthew’s face. She would be confining him to prison once again and to Mr. Hicks’s care.
    Damn all men. Damn their untrustworthy, manipulative, uncaring hearts. If she never saw or spoke to another one, it would be too soon.
    “I, Katherine Elizabeth Leighton, take thee Matthew David Hamilton as my husband.” Rage made her voice shake as she recited her vows without benefit of the clergyman’s prompting. Matthew slid the plain gold band on her left ring finger.
    “You may kiss—” the minister began.
    She stiffened as Matthew’s arm slipped about her waist drawing her close against his tall, lean frame. His fingers grasped her jaw bringing her face up for his perusal. Pale blue eyes traced her features one by one, the look in their depths bringing an airless feeling beneath her ribs and a weakness to her limbs. A feeling of panic set her heart to flight as his lips neared hers. She placed a restraining hand against his chest to no avail.
    The fierce possession of his lips parted hers and without preamble, he tasted the interior of her mouth with the tip of his tongue as he curved her body into his.
    Shock held Katherine immobile. He tasted of brandy, sweet and smoky. He smelled of sandalwood soap and man, clean and natural. The movement of his tongue at first startled her then brought a titillating heat to life in the most intimate areas of her body. A desire to move her tongue against his in response tempted her.
    The minister clearing his throat reminded her they stood before a company of strangers. She pushed with greater strength against Matthew’s broad chest and attempted to wiggle free of his grasp.
    He raised his head at his leisure, his blue gaze holding a warmth she found disconcerting. Her face felt hot, as did the rest of her. Her heartbeat raged against her ribs.
    “You must sign the marriage contract or the bond will not be legal.” The minister fixed them both with a stern, disapproving look. ”Please follow me.”

CHAPTER THREE
    Talbot Willingham allowed the leather shade to fall closed over the coach window. “St. John and his guards have broken away finally.” He covered his wife’s hand in the bend of his arm, his head bent protectively close to hers.
    Katherine thought them a couple in contrasts, yet they seemed to fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
    Talbot’s stocky frame off set his wife’s slenderness, his white hair provided the perfect backdrop for her raven dark locks.
    “It is only a small reception, Matthew,” Matthew’s aunt, Clarisse Willingham, spoke from the coach seat facing them. Her pale blue eyes, so similar to her nephew’s, moved from Matthew to Katherine then back again.
    Talbot cleared his throat. “Lord Rudman insisted he and Lady Rudman attend the ceremony and the reception.”
    “I wouldn’t have expected anything else.” Matthew made a dismissive gesture with his hand. His attention swung to Katherine. “We’re going to be thrust