The Invisible Husband (9 page)

Eve decided
she’d had enough. She turned to the footman who’d been guarding her
throughout the embarrassing conversation. “John, show Mr and Mrs
Roberts to their room and make sure there are two servants outside
their door in case a doctor is needed. If you’ll excuse me I fear
I’m about to have one of my fits. I’m afraid they make me
unpleasant company. In a few minutes I’ll start to say all sorts of
rude things and I may even attack you. For own your safety do
remain in your chamber. I’ll see you at dinner if the fit has
passed, but if not have pleasant dreams. Your carriage will be
harnessed first light to enable you to have a long safe journey.
Good day.” With both Mr and Mrs Roberts staring at her in horror,
Eve managed a straight face until she was out of earshot. After
laughing until her side ached she ran outside and around the house
to the arched window. The silly man was sitting in the dark. She
tapped on the arched window and rubbed her arms.

The shadow
behind the desk was soon opening the door in his hooded cloak. “Are
you trying to catch a chill and break my heart?”

“You have my
cloak and bonnet…” She pressed past him with her eyes lowered, her
heart savouring his nearness. “…any excuse to enter the forbidden
room.”

The hooded man
closed the glass door and turned his back to the window. “They’re
on the desk.”

Eve slowly
picked up her bonnet and fingered the ribbons. “I hate to admit it,
but you were right about those ghastly people.” She could easily
imagine masculine lips smirking in triumph hidden in the shadows.
“I couldn’t repeat Mrs Roberts’s embarrassing tirade without my
cheeks bursting into flames.”

“Did Mother
send her to pump you for personal information?”

“Yes and the
next time you talk to your mother, I warn you she’ll fear for your
safety. I told them I have fits, that I attack people. It wasn’t
really a lie. If I’d had to listen to that horrid woman another
minute I’d have pulled all her hair out. You can laugh! You didn’t
have to listen to the most outrageous lies about you. The way the
woman went on one must conclude that either your mother thinks you
a monster or she sent the woman to frighten me into demanding an
annulment.”

“Mother didn’t
approve of my choice of bride.”

Eve sniffed
unimpressed, “Well I’m afraid if Mrs Roberts is anything to go by,
I don’t much approve of your mother.”

“She lives to
‘help’ her children. That translates to, ‘she lives to control us’.
She feels

deeply
uncomfortable when things don’t go her way. I’m afraid I’ve been a
grave disappointment to her.”

“I’m relieved
to hear it. I suppose you’re waiting for me to leave so you can
resume sitting here staring at the window?”

“Not unless
you’re in love with me.”

Eve’s hands
were suddenly shaking. She pulled on her bonnet and absently tied a
half hearted bow. “How will I know I’m in love with you?”

“You’ll feel
tormented when I’m out of view. The sight of me will make you feel
more alive as if my nearness heightens your senses and makes you
feel…happy.”

“How could I be
in love with you after one day?”

“I was in love
with you in minutes.”

“Not everyone
can be so blessed.”

“I suppose
not.”

With her cloak
buttoned up to her neck she paused next to Adam leaning against the
glass and lightly touched his chest. “How is the creature?”

“Panting for
you…”

Eve felt her
own heart shudder in delight as it pressed against her ribcage
returning the call, ‘Adam…Adam…Adam…’ She couldn’t be in love with
the man. It was ridiculous. Something as serious as losing one’s
heart had to take at least a week, but an invisible magnate seemed
to draw her in the direction of his arms. She resisted the lure
causing her heart to wail in disappointment. She unconsciously
rubbed her chest as she glanced into the dark hood that revealed
nothing, but the outline of a well shaped chin and the beginning of
a jaw line. “May lunch in here with you? I promise not to make a
mess.” The shadow’s quiet laughter caused pleasant chills as she
smiled in triumph. “Come out and wave at me when it arrives.”

“What are you
going to do, stand at my window and peer in at me?”

“You’ll
see.”

“You’re not
going to do your lunatic act again, are you?”

“It just so
happens that Mr and Mrs Roberts windows look out over this end of
the garden. I thought I’d give them something to talk about. Isn’t
that good of me?”

“You’re
incorrigible.”

“You’ve no
idea!” Eve gave into temptation and reached into the dark hood and
pinched his right cheek and then his nose before running out into
the garden, her spine tingling; he was watching her. Her heart
laughed in triumph as she danced around the garden in view of the
study window until a black cloaked demon waved her inside for lunch
with strict orders that she remain near the fire.

The so called
Mrs Roberts, who’d never heard the marriage ceremony, squeaked in
irritation as her accomplice dragged her off the gravel path into a
maze of large hedges snaking through the moonlit garden like sea
monsters. “We’re never going to find them in the dark; they could
be anywhere. I told you we should have borrowed a lantern.”

Mr Roberts,
whose real name was Smith, pulled her to a stop, “Hush…I hear
something…they’re over there!”

His fake wife ignored him and hissed, “I don’t think we should be
out here. You know what his mother said; the ugly man’s in love
with the lunatic. If he thinks we’re out here on purpose to
interrupt his romantic tête a tête…”

“Quiet! You’re
going to ruin everything. They’re over there by the lake…I
think.”

“I can’t see
anything, but endless smelly bushes. Why do aristocrats have so
many stinking plants in their gardens? It’s cursed inconvenient! I
hate the country…all these awful hanging things…”

“They’re called
branches.”

“I don’t care
what they’re called; they keep poking me in the face and slapping
my new hat.”

“Never mind
your stupid hat; if we want the rest of our money we have to ensure
the marriage is annulled. I think I see them; Latham wouldn’t
demand his conjugal rights on wet grass with a north easterly wind
chilling his parts…would he?”

“He’s a Lord!
He’s probably so jaded…”

Mr Roberts
pressed a firm hand over his accomplice’s mouth, “Shut your gob,
you talk too loud!” He swore under his breath as several fingers
were clenched between sharp teeth.

Mrs Roberts
hissed, “Next time I’ll bite off a finger.”

“Harpy!”

“Don’t forget
it! I’m cold…the moon is disappearing. It’s going to rain! He’s
probably dragged her off to his bed. What will we do then?”

“We wont’ get
paid. Are you sure the lunatic said she was still a virgin?”

“I assure you
the blushing-bride hasn’t shared Latham’s bed.”

“I think I see
them. Over there, is that two people or another shaped bush?”

“How should I
know Mr Roberts? I can’t see in the dark. Ooh…I see them! They’re
over there…”

“Where?”

“Over there the
two moving bushes near the lake! I can hear her laughing. I’m
frightened…what if she attacks us?”

“If she was
having a fit he wouldn’t be having a leisurely stroll through the
gardens with her would he? Now stop moaning and remember that we’re
out for a romantic stroll in the moonlight.”

“There isn’t
any moonlight…it’s going to rain and ruin my new boots…”

“Forget your
stupid boots! Remember we’re a loving couple about to have our
first child. Prepare to follow my lead and if I have to kiss you
don’t think I enjoy it.”

“Don’t think I
won’t be sick afterwards. I can’t wait till we get in the carriage
tomorrow morning. These cabbage leaves bulking out my belly are
starting to stink.”

“I can see them
against the lake. Put on your mask Mrs Roberts; we’re going on
stage. Let’s go separate the unsuspecting lovers for good.”

“How will we
explain we’re out here? I’m supposed to be going into
confinement.”

Mr Roberts
rolled his eyes, “You’re walking through the pain…the cool air is
restoring your colour
etc.
You’re a woman; natter about how you’re
worried about dying or something. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Good…we won’t
say anything until we’re close enough to disturb them. We’ll
pretend we’ve stumbled upon them on our walk. Remember, we have to
remain there talking until we ruin the romantic mood.”

“How do we keep
them apart in their bedchambers?”

“We’ll have to
embarrass the bride. One of us will have to bring up the marriage
bed. I’m sure you can think of something to put her to the
blush.”

Mrs Roberts’s
look of doubt was lost in the dark. “You don’t think Latham will
throw us out tonight?”

“He won’t throw
a heavily pregnant woman out of his house after dark. He’s a knight
in shiny armour silly. He’d be plagued by thoughts of you being
attacked by highwaymen. Play your part and later tonight I’ll earn
the rest of our money.”

The sun had
finally set after an agonising eternity of waiting and watching
from the shadows. Slivers of moonlight winked through gathering
clouds. Eve stood next to him, her face hidden deep in her bonnet
as she glanced from the lake towards him. “The garden is beautiful
by moonlight. The lake is shimmering like a pool of magic.”

“Is it?” Her
amused laughter made him smile in triumph. Would he be able to make
her laugh in twenty years? Would she still enjoy his kisses?

“It’s cold. May
I share your cloak?”

“That wish is
most certainly my desire.” Adam’s heart moaned in exquisite
satisfaction as he wrapped his cloak around his shivering wife. It
pressed against his chest calling for its mistress who appeared to
answer by laying her head against his chest. Was she falling in
love with him? His heart sighed in blissful assurance, ‘She loves
me…loves me…loves me…’ His stupid heart would believe the
impossible. Trembling, he held her tight and prayed it was
true.

After several
comfortable minutes she lifted her head. “I hope my poor creature
hasn’t suffered too much today? You were very cruel to make your
heart wait ‘till dark for a kiss. I thought the day would never
end.”

“It’s true it
thinks me abominably cruel, but it agrees that lunch was by far the
most pleasant meal we’ve ever eaten. And though it hates me, it
enjoyed watching you sleep curled up like a cat by the fire. My
tenants with pressing problems would be irritated to learn I
accomplished absolutely nothing and enjoyed every agonising
minute.” Her silent laughter made him flush with pleasure. “When I
make you laugh my heart feels like its conquered the world.”

“I feel like
I’m being conquered. Do you use the black arts Demon-Lord or is
your personal charm always so devastating?”

Adam’s heart
jumped up and pummelled its cage as if Adam hadn’t understood the
implication of her words. He licked his lips as he pulled her
closer. “Your heart; does it…do you…”

“Do I want you
to kiss me? I thought you’d never ask.” His right hand was shaking
as he found the ribbons of her bonnet and untied the bow. Removing
the deep brimmed barrier he threw it aside. He didn’t hear the soft
splash as it fell into the lake or the night birds chatter a
warning of the approaching storm. His right hand explored the nape
of her neck causing his wife to tilt back her head as his left arm
held her close. She wanted his kisses; truth coursed through his
veins like a wasted aphrodisiac.

Panting her
name, his heart ordered him to carry her upstairs to bed. He
ignored the silly creature and bent his head to find eager lips
waiting to give him a taste of heaven. Ten minutes later he
reluctantly released her lips and gravitated towards her ear to
catch his breath, but was ensnared by the temptation of her
earlobe. He was making her laugh with pleasure; the thought made
his head spin. “Eve…say you’ll share my bed…tonight.”

He bit his lip
as he waited five eternal seconds for her reply. “If you show me
your face.”

Adam cringed in
horror. “Why do you have to see my stupid face?”

“Because I need
to see my demon-lord!”

“Why? Revealing
my ugly face could ruin everything and it won’t make my kisses more
enjoyable. And if I repulse you…I keep having this nightmare that
you see my face and demand an annulment.”

“Adam, you have
a scar running across your face and you’re blind in one eye; you’re
not the Minotaur. Come to my room and show me your face.”

“But what if
you look at me and the thought of kissing me makes you ill? I
couldn’t bear it. I’d rather stare down a loaded pistol than see
disgust in your eyes.”

“If firelight
makes you uncomfortable show me your face in the morning.”

“I don’t want
to wait ‘till morning…”

“Then show me
your face.”

“No! I’ll…I’ll
wait till you love me.” Frustrated, but resigned Adam leaned
forward to whisper against her cheek. “Don’t ask me to gamble my
hope of happiness on the improbability that you’ll like my face.
Even my mother thinks me hideous and she’s loved me from
birth.”

“If it makes
you feel that uncomfortable I’ll wait, but I think you should
compensate my disappointment with another kiss.”

“Oh Eve…”
Worshiping her cheek with kisses, Adam had reached the edge of her
lips when the jarring sound of a man’s voice cracked his strained
nerves like a whip.

“Lord Latham is
that you? It’s so hard to see in the dark. Mrs Roberts and I
thought we’d take a stroll before bed…she finds the cool night air
soothing…”

Interrupted in
his own garden by unwanted guests, Adam trembled with fury at
losing a much desired kiss and being forced by politeness to
release his beloved. “What?”