The Invisible Husband by Cari Hislop Read Free Book Online Page A

have inspired palpitations
of excitement my Lord.”

    “I agonised
over what to do. I decided I’d make an offer for you and if you
married me then I’d introduce myself at home where I’d benefit
from…shadows.”

    “And peep
holes? You were watching me in the dining room.”

    The eye
disappeared as the curtain hissed curses on beautiful brothers
in-between soft moans of horror. After several long minutes the
curtain stilled and she felt that tingling sensation that told her
was watching her again. “My brother is an interfering wretch. I
told him not to say anything.”

    “He didn’t…I
can feel when you’re watching me. I started noticing it six months
ago. At first I thought I was mad, but I’m not am I?”

    “No.”

    “I hope there
aren’t any peep holes into my bedchamber. Beware you don’t lose
your good eye as I poke at the wall trying to find it.”

    “I wouldn’t…my
father walled it up after Grandfather killed himself.”

    “Good! Come sit
on the bed. You can tell me what you think of these dresses.”

    “I can’t. I
look like a monster in candlelight; I frighten myself.”

    Eve snuffed out
the candle next to the bed and threw her magazine on the floor. The
light from the fire and the two small candle sconces either side of
her dressing table mirror threw the bed into deep shadow. “I’m
having a hard time hearing you all the way over there.” The curtain
rings slowly rattled towards the wall as the shadow pushed the
curtains back and gingerly climbed onto the mattress beside her.
“Here, have a sweet…”

    “Ouch! That was
my good eye.”

    “You will
insist on having tête a têtes in the dark my Lord…your feet must be
freezing. Here, you can share my hot water bottle… Those are my
feet.” She could feel the shadowy man looking at her, not that he
could see anything. “Have you eaten? My dinner tray is coming at
six.”

    “I ate at five.
My Lady…Eve…I came to…”

    “To kiss
me?”

    Eve felt the
mattress move jostling her against the headboard. She felt the
shadow lean towards her and sigh against her cheek. “No, but…”

    “But you want
to?”

    “Yes, but…”

    “But you can’t
see me so you don’t know where my lips are?”

    “Madam you’re
tormenting me!”

    “Am I? Are you
in love with me?”

    Something hard
whacked against the headboard causing the shadow to groan. Eve felt
the hair on the back of her neck stand up as a long sigh warmed her
ear and ruffled her hair. Invisible fingers reached out and jabbed
her in the arm before lightly tracing their way to her face where
they caressed her cheek. “You’re so lovely in every way.” She
allowed a cautious arm to slide behind her back as more invisible
fingers came to rest on her waist. He might be as ugly as sin, but
his husky whisper and soft touch were causing the most delicious
sensations. She consciously leaned towards him causing the hand on
her waist to hold her closer. “My silly heart heard you speak and
the stupid thing abandoned me to trail you like a dog. I had no say
in the matter. It’s led me by the nose for the last six months.
I’ve been a complete fool, but I…you must think me a wicked
heartless oaf.”

    “Not exactly;
more of a one-eyed demon who secretly reads ladies fashion
magazines. I was frightened out of my wits until I spoke with you
this morning. I’d have preferred to have had a say in who I was
chained to for life, but I’d rather be chained to you than Lord
Mulgrave. You don’t look like a rat do you?”

    “No!”

    “That’s a
relief…”

    “Eve…”

    “Adam?” Her
silent amusement seemed to discompose the arm around her waist.

    “Eve…I need
to…”

    “Kiss me?”

    “No I need to
tell you…Comment Diable! It feels so good to hold you…” Cautious
invisible lips brushed her temples and hovered over her cheek.

    “What do you
need to tell me Adam?”

    The fingers
caressing her face paused as he exhaled into her ear. “Just