Capture The Night Read Online Free PDF

one to Madeline. He took a few thoughtful licks and considered her proposition. Then he said, “Your story has more holes in it than Sam Houston’s socks, woman. While I can see how this marriage idea might work, I want it clear from the git go that I won’t hold to your getting any more ideas along the way to Texas. You needn’t worry about any pallet. I prefer sleeping on deck when I sail.”
    He ignored her incredulous look and continued, “If I choose to take you up on your offer, you can damn well be assured that the minute I step off the boat, I’ll see to securing an annulment. In fact, I know of a law firm in Galveston that’d take care of our business as fast as small-town gossip.” He chuckled softly and added, “The attorneys at Melbourne P. King and Associates would certainly get a kick out of doing so, too.”
    “Mr. Sinclair,” Madeline said, her smile stiff and her hands clasped tightly in her lap, “rest assured that I’ll not do anything to interfere with the securing of an annulment at first opportunity. You are the last man I’d wish to keep as husband and father to my child.”
    “And you can feel certain I wouldn’t wish a mother like you on any of my children, either.” On that note, Brazos finished his candy, licked the stickiness from his fingers, and stood. One corner of his mouth lifting in a wry grin, Brazos Sinclair took Madeline Christophe’s hand and placed a honeyed kiss to her palm. In French, the very last time he intended to use that particular language, he said, “Mademoiselle Madeline, I accept your proposal.”
    He pulled her to her feet. “Come on, Beauty. Let’s find us a preacher and get hitched.”
     
    MADELINE AND Brazos stood at the base of the church steps, each wearing a frown of doubt as they gazed up toward the broad oaken doors.
    “Catholic? Are you certain?” Madeline asked.
    “Not in the least,” he replied. “But this is what the men in the tavern recommended. Supposedly this monsignor fellow, Father Pearson, needs money something fierce. He’s building a children’s home and is willing to do just about anything to get some coin. They said of all the preachers in town, he’d be the most likely to do the deed under the circumstances.”
    Madeline’s stomach felt as heavy as one of the gray granite blocks that formed the walls of the church and adjoining rectory. Sacrilege, nothing less. Oh, Lord, forgive me , she thought, and climbed the first step.
    Brazos grabbed her elbow, saying, “Wait a minute. Before we go through with this, I need to know something. Are the rules any different here than at home?”
    “Rules?”
    “Marriage rules. There are no European knots that a Texan couldn’t untie, are there?”
    She sighed. “Mr. Sinclair, surely the requirements for the granting of an annulment are universal. Besides, I have no doubt there are corrupt officials to be found in Texas just as there are here. And if but one such man exists, certainly you could find him.”
    “Fair enough,” he said, grinning. He took her arm and escorted her to the rectory’s front door.
    Minutes, and a substantial bribe, later, Madeline and Brazos stood before the altar. The afternoon sun beamed through the windows as stained-glass saints watched over the proceedings, the blues and greens and oranges of their robes casting rainbows upon the priest, the groom, and the bride. Madeline looked down. Her pale pink dress glowed bright red. A hysterical giggle threatened to burst from within her.
    How inappropriate , she thought. A scarlet dress as she knelt at her wedding. For though she was known to the man-to-be-her-husband as a fallen woman, she wore the color of the wrong sin. Is it black, I wonder, falsehood’s hue ? A giggle did escape her then. I come to him virgin but far from pure .
    Brazos watched her, scowling, while the monsignor approached. The effort of finding the church and the not-so-good prelate, Father Pearson, had left him grumpier with each