Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton Read Free Book Online Page A

is cooler out there,” he said. “And you do know me. While it’s true that anything can happen, nothing will unless you want it to. Will you come with me?”
    She nodded, put her hand in his, and stepped out the door with him.
    It wasn’t dark, though the sky was. Dozens of flickering lanterns hung from the trees, more twinkled on the pathways that dwindled off into the distance: the night garden was like a starry sky. Eve stepped over the flagstones with Aubrey and watched a fantastical parade of costumed guests moving along the garden paths. Fox-headed men and glittering ladies, gentlemen with long furry tails and bird-headed women in ball gowns, clowns and ghosts and demons strolled in the garden under a bright half moon.
    It was enchanting. But nothing fascinated Eve so much as her escort. His remarkable face glowed moonlight pure in the night shadows, and the eerie light made his hair shine white. The jewels on his turban and resplendent tunic smoldered with banked fires as they passed the lanterns and wandered under the moonlight. Eve againwished she hadn’t been so humorous in her costume. She could have worn a golden wig too; she could have glowed as richly as he did. Because the longer they stayed in costume, the more they both adopted the mien of the people who might have worn the garb they had on. Aubrey looked more elegant and imperious by the moment, and she’d never felt so less than his equal, so much his to command.
    He also looked utterly alien. She’d been drawn to his good looks, but now it was a shining stranger who paced at her side. He finally stopped beneath a towering tree. Stars and glowworms twinkled high above them between the tree’s lacy leaves. And, for a miracle, there was no one else nearby.
    â€œSo,” Aubrey said, looking down at her. “Again I ask. That’s twice. I’ll only ask thrice. Even Caesar was only offered the crown three times. It’s a powerful number, three. Less, and I haven’t really tried to win you. More, and I become a figure of ridicule. So, Eve, will you marry me?”
    He held up a hand. “I know: you don’t know me. How many years does it take for a woman to know a man? I’ve heard fifty isn’t enough, I know one hundred isn’t. Every marriage is a leap into the unknown, Eve. How well does anyone know anything? I know that we suit. I know I’m attracted to you. I know you’re intelligent and well-spoken, good-natured and kind. You’d be a good mother and a good wife, simply because you’re a good person.”
    He brushed his gloved hand lightly across her cheek and gazed into her eyes. “What can I tell you about myself that you don’t know?” he mused. “I’m not cruel to animals. I try not to be unkind to people. I’ve never struck a mortal female. I won’t cause you hurt, and I’d only ask that you never cause me any either. What else would you have of me?” He paused.
    â€œOf course, if you aren’t attracted to me,” he added softly, “then we’ll say no more. What would be the point? This wouldn’t be an arranged marriage. Be sure, I want you body and mind.”
    â€œWhere?” she found herself asking breathlessly.
    He cocked his head to the side.
    â€œI mean,” she said, embarrassed at the spell his voice and words seemed to have cast on her. “Where would we live? If we did marry.”
    â€œHere, in London,” he said. “But mostly at my estate to the west. It’s beautiful there, so lovely all say it’s magical. I know you will love it. Why did you ask? Where would you want to live?”
    â€œI just wanted to know.”
    He nodded. “Now you do.” He waited for her reply.
    â€œWould you have a mistress?” she asked. “Many gentlemen of the ton do.”
    â€œNo,” he said. “That I promise. I would not. Nor would I want you to entertain any men in