Bartered Bride Romance Collection Read Free

Edouard still hadn’t the inclination to seek anyone else as a wife. “You haven’t forgotten her.”
    “I don’t love Celine, if that’s what you mean. What’s done is done.” Marrying Josée without any thoughts of love would be best.
    “Yet you’ll marry someone you don’t care for to please Papa.” Jacques shook his head and picked up a hammer.
    “For honor’s sake I marry Josée Broussard. She has no feelings for me, so we begin the marriage even.” Edouard recalled her dark-eyed expression the other evening at the party, as if she were trying to see inside him. He wasn’t sure he welcomed her curiosity. But at least she didn’t flinch from the sight of his scar. Aloud, he continued, “And perhaps over time she will forget what feelings she thinks she has for you.”
    Jacques shrugged. “I should have never told you what I heard her say the other night, the night of Papa’s announcement and the big storm. Like I said, if I were older—”
    Edouard’s gut twisted, and he glared at Jacques. “Once Josée and I are wed, you’ll not come around and cause trouble. I’m marryin’ her. You are not. And I noticed you speakin’ with several young ladies at the party. I will be faithful to Josée—mon Dieu requires no less.”
    “As you try to forget your lost love Celine!”
    Enough! Edouard shoved Jacques and sent him hurtling over the edge of the cabin’s roof. The young man whimpered like a pup on the ground. Edouard sprang from the roof. He managed to land on his feet, his hands curled into fists. How dare Jacques accuse him of harboring love for Celine?
    Jacques leaped to his feet and doubled over. He used his shoulder to ram into Edouard’s midsection. Edouard let the motion carry him backward and onto the grass. He flipped Jacques over his head then whirled to pin his brother down.
    “I … don’t … love her. Now you see why I wish to be left alone!” Edouard ground out the words. He held Jacques by the shoulders.
    A sudden shadow blocked the light. Edouard glanced up to see Josée standing over them. The summer wind teased her hair, and she clutched a basket over one hip. A tendril of blue black hair, glossy as ink, wafted across her full lips.
    Josée’s capable hand moved the offending wisp out of the way. “I … Mama sent me with lunch. You both must be hungry and thirsty.” A blush swept down her neck. She averted her gaze from their shirtless figures and looked at the cabin instead.
    Edouard remembered where he was and released Jacques. He grabbed his nearby shirt and gestured for Jacques to do the same. “Jacques and I are done workin’ on the roof for today. I can finish the rest on my own. Thank you—and thank Mama—for lunch.”
    Jacques, who took longer putting on his shirt than usual, busied himself with the contents of the basket. Josée ambled around to the entrance of the cabin that faced the bayou. Edouard wanted to stop her. He hadn’t finished making the place habitable for a lady.
    Which is exactly how Josée carried herself. He tucked his shirt into his trousers and caught up with Josée. “The cabin ain’t very big. Two rooms. I have a good fireplace that is easy to cook over and makes good fires. I keep some things cool in the bayou water.” He found himself in a struggle for words. He did not understand the effect this young woman had on his speech. She could see this for herself.
    Yet she paused on the tiny porch and turned to face him and the bayou. “I—I wanted to see the view. If it’s not ready, I won’t go inside. Not yet.” Then came another blush.
    Edouard felt unspeakable relief. “Mornings are best here. Early, you can see the sun risin’ up over the cypress trees and hear the birds calling. The pelicans feed, and you fight ’em for a catch of fish.”
    “It’s very peaceful here,” Josée said. She looked as though she was being fitted for the hangman’s noose.
    He knew she could read and write. Maybe Josée would be better off in