Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton Read Free Book Online Page B

my absence. And certainly not in my presence,” he added, with a curling smile.
    â€œDon’t humor me,” she said seriously. “If you want my answer now, you have to answer questions that would normally come up slowly, over several conversations.”
    â€œReally?” he asked. “So far as I can see, and I have excellent vision, apart from those few gentlepersons who grew up together, most of them marry because of their family’s plans. Or, if they’re free to choose, they decide on their partner after a few dances and a drive or two round the park together. In fact, I think you already know me better than most women of the ton knew their spouses when they gave consent. But you need more than that, don’t you? Quite right. That’s only one of the reasons I want you, for your wisdom. Here then,” he said, and took her in his arms.
    She hesitated, her hands braced on his chest. “Have you loved before?”
    He sighed. “I’ll be honest. I’ve thought so. Who has not? But time, and meeting you, showed me my error. Don’t make a face. I don’t lie to you, it’s true. There is no one to stop me from doinganything I wish now. And see? Here I am, yours to command. As to that, have you loved before, Eve?”
    She shook her head in denial. He nodded as though he expected that, and smiled.
    â€œYou know. Am I so unpracticed then, that you knew it?” she asked.
    He laughed. “Love isn’t a matter of practice,” he said, as he drew nearer. “It simply is. Let me show you.”
    His lips touched hers lightly. She was the one who sighed and stepped into his embrace. She was the one overwhelmed by the soft velvet of his lips, the warmth of his mouth, the thrilling sensations of his tongue touching hers. She was the one who burrowed closer to him, gripping his shoulders, rejoicing at the feeling of the lithe, strong frame pressed to her own. And when he lightly cupped her breast, she was the one who longed to drag off her ragged gown and press closer, skin to skin with him.
    She realized what she was doing when she realized she wanted to do so much more than that. She stepped back. “Lord!” she marveled, touching her lips. “That’s not fair.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause I was trying to think,” she complained.
    He smiled. “Think then.”
    â€œYou made it more difficult,” she said slowly. “It’s hard to recognize you. I kept thinking, who is this handsome fellow with such golden tresses?”
    â€œYou said you preferred blond men. But poor me. Dark as the inside of a cave. Do you want me to stay this way then? I can. All I need is some dye, and I can always be your fair gentleman. Or I can cast off the wig and be myself again. It’s up to you. Or would you prefer that I nip off into the garden and reappear orange as a carrot, or red as a beet? Color is simple. Hearts and minds are not. What do you want, Eve?” he said more seriously. “I’ll try to be that for you, but remember, I am myself, and I can’t, I won’t, change that. Not even for you.”
    â€œYou don’t ask me to change,” she said. “Why should I ask you? I’ve grown used to you being dark-haired. And in truth, I’ve grown to love the look of you that way. That’s not it.” She hesitated, nibbled on her lower lip, and looked up at him.
    â€œWhat is it about me— me in particular, that drew you to me? I must know, because that’s the sticking point. I know myself. Please don’t suppose I don’t like myself, for I do, or that I underrate myself, for I don’t. I’m actually pleased with who I am, but I know full well that I’m not that special and fantastic.” She shrugged. “You are.”
    â€œI am? Thank you,” he said, bowing.
    â€œOh, you know it,” she said. “But I still don’t know your motives in