Betraying Mercy. Amber Lin

she had already joined with Rochford. She had not wanted to live beholden to a man’s fists, as her mother, but the life of a mistress was no better.

      All of that paled against the thought of how this would help her sister. No matter how her marriage turned out, her position as a countess would secure Hannah’s future.

      The vicar said, “If anyone knows any cause why these two may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

      The room was silent as the vicar hesitated just a beat too long.

      The vicar turned his beady eyes on her. “Mercy James Lyndhurst, do you come freely, and without reservation, desiring to commit yourself to this man in the covenant of marriage?”

      Her first try came out as a croak. She cleared her throat. “I do.”