The Unmasking of Lady Loveless by Nicola Cornick Read Free Book Online

faint sound of carol singing.
    Melicent’s hand was warm in Alex’s. She was muffled up in a thick coat, scarf, gloves and boots, but she was so happy that she felt as though she was floating along in a ball gown.
    “I suppose I have forgiven you for suspecting me of being Lady Loveless,” she teased Alex. “And poor Mr. Foster! When Mama said that he was the guiding light behind my work I am surprised that you did not call him out!”
    “I did feel like planting him a facer,” Alex admitted, drawing her to him, “but thank goodness I did not. The man would have thought me mad when all he had done was ask you to work on his architectural guides.”
    He kissed her, his lips cold against hers. “We are here,” he said drawing her down the path to Peacock Cottage. “Mrs. Falconer was understanding enough to allow me to borrow the house when I said that I required some time alone with my wife. It is not let at present. Meadow Cottage is very small and too full of people, and there are things that I need to say to you in private.”
    Inside, Peacock Cottage was blissfully warm. Melicent shed her boots and coat whilst Alex lit the candles. A sumptuous cold meal was laid out, and two beautiful crystal glasses stood waiting for the wine.
    “Are you hungry?” Alex asked.
    “No,” Melicent said. Her throat felt dry with nervousness. To be alone with Alex, here, now…She did not intend to waste the opportunity, but even after all they had shared, when it came to initiating their lovemaking she still felt a little shy. She started to unfasten her gown, and saw Alex’s eyes widen in surprise and darken with sudden lust. An answering spear of need sheared through her, making her fingers shake so much on her laces that after a moment she was forced to admit defeat. “You will need to help me,” she appealed. “I must shamelessly beg you to undress me and make love to me.”
    Alex made an involuntary move toward her, but then held back for a moment, his hands urgent on her shoulders. “Melicent, I need to talk to you—”
    “Later,” Melicent said, reaching up, against his lips. She felt his body harden into powerful arousal as he returned the kiss, and desire swept through them both, hot and fast, deep and fierce.
    “I expect there is a very big bed upstairs,” Melicent whispered when they stopped kissing for a moment in order to draw breath.
    “Later,” Alex said, his fingers urgent against her breast, his lips tender on the soft skin of her throat.
    As it turned out, the wide, cushioned sofa in front of the fire proved to be a very acceptable substitute for the bed, and when they rolled off that, the rug was soft enough. By that time Melicent had lost the last of her inhibitions and pushed Alex onto his back and straddled his thighs, glorying in his harsh gasp of torment as she eased her body over his, sliding down, taking the whole hard length of him tightly inside her. A wash of exquisite pleasure pierced her and she cried out, and then he thrust his hips upward and drove into her, turning her so that she was beneath him and he possessed her utterly, body and soul.
    Later he carried her up the stairs to the enormous bed and they made love again, falling apart at last in blissful exhaustion.
    “When we were first wed,” Melicent said, dreamily, “we were so bad at this! What changed?”
    “When we were first wed we did not desire each other,” Alex said. A shadow touched his eyes. “I tried to be gentle with you, but I was still angry and confused and I think that you must have realized…”
    “I did,” Melicent said, snuggling close to him. “I knew that no matter how tender you were with me, deep down you hated to touch me because you had been forced to wed against your will, and so I withdrew and was cold and reserved with you even though I loved you desperately.”
    Alex tilted her face up to his. He looked shocked. “You loved me?”
    “Oh, with a silly, girlish infatuation,” Melicent said,