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

because
I want you as my wife doesn’t mean…” Three sharp taps on the door
were swiftly followed by six soft chimes. He clutched her tighter
as if he was afraid he’d never hold her again. “Blasted clock!
There’s never enough time…”

    “My dinner
tray…Come! I’m starving; you can tell me what you need to say while
I eat. I must have walked five miles exploring the house and
gardens…” Light spilled into the room as the door silently swung
open. The demon’s hands retracted as he rolled off the bed and
flung the pink and white striped bed curtains down the rail to hide
his exit. He’d disappeared back into the secret passage before she
could get out of the bed. Her husband certainly moved quickly for
an old man. “I’ll eat near the fire…thank you.” Eve sat down at the
folding table and lifted off the silver lid and inhaled the smell
of roast beef and potatoes. The extra light was swept back into the
hall as the servants closed the door behind them. She paused as she
listened for movement in the secret passage. Would he come back or
hide away in his room?

Chapter
10

    Adam waited
behind the secret door, his heart pressed against its cage in
furious rage at being deprived her presence. He could still feel
her laughing in his arms; he moaned as the rest of his body joined
his silly heart in grandiose demands. Remembering the soft give of
her skin under his hand made him feel faint as he imagined her
returning passionate kisses. Was he losing his mind or had she
leaned against him? Hissing curses on his ugly face he rubbed his
aching chest and prayed his servants would hurry and take away
their light.

    The faint
closing of a door signalled his heart to increase its efforts. Adam
pushed the button that released the sliding door and cautiously
stepped back into his wife’s room. She was sitting at a folding
table near the fire facing the flames. His heart sighed in relief
and dragged him across the room. Stopping behind her, his heart
ordered him to touch her hair. He silently commanded his inner
organs to be reasonable; the woman was eating. She didn’t want her
demon-husband playing with her hair. His heart sneered at the
pathetic excuse for self-denial and leaned against its cage as if
it could will itself against her. What if she chose an annulment?
The possibility made his heart whimper in pain, as it panted,
‘Eve…Eve…Eve…’ After six months Adam knew his heart wouldn’t cease
calling for her. If he lost her, his heart would slump in despair
and pant her name until it expired. He stared at long golden brown
rippling heavy and straight over her back half way to the floor.
Juliet must have ensnared Romeo with similar hair. His hand reached
out to touch it, but retracted as she turned her head.

    “I was hoping
you’d return.” His heart sighed in ecstasy urging him closer. “What
did you need to tell me? Shall I promise not to talk to snakes or
eat any apples that have fallen from the tree of knowledge of good
and evil?”

    Adam smiled at
her teasing tone. “May I touch your hair?”

    “If you wish…”
Adam carefully scooped up two handfuls of the ends and kissed them
temporarily soothing his heart. He inhaled her scent and
reluctantly released it, enviously watching it rest against her
warmth. “Did you spend the whole day in your chamber?”

    “Yes.”

    “Will you leave
your room tomorrow?”

    “I don’t
know.”

    “Will you come
for a walk with me tomorrow after nightfall? You could wear your
demon cloak. I can’t take another step this evening; my feet are
killing me. What’s the matter? Why are you cursing your heart? What
has the poor creature done now?”

    Adam’s heart
sneered in triumph at having such a protector. “It hates me.”

    “Why would your
heart hate you?”
    “Because of
what I’m going to say…” Adam leapt back into the darkness as her
whole body swivelled around in her chair with apprehension.

    “What are you
going to say?”

    Adam