Becoming Countess Dumont Read Free Page B

mistake.
    “The room will be perfect, dear,” I murmur to the whore. My lips connect with hers but my eyes are on the dark-haired woman I can still see through the window.
    Edith rolls over in my arms so that our chests touch, jerking me from my thoughts, and I stare at her. Even asleep, she manages to intrigue me. I want to know what it is that she thinks about all day. Do I ever cross her mind? Does she ever wonder what it would be like to make love to me?
    I slide a palm up to her cheek and stroke her gently. This shouldn’t feel so comfortable. However, I find myself relaxing and losing consciousness as I hold this woman.
    My wife.
    When did things change?

MY ROOM IS DARK BUT I sense that it is morning. Every bone in my body aches and the memories of yesterday flood me. I curl into a ball on my bed, seeking warmth further under my covers.
    In a happy marriage, a husband would comfort his wife. However, in my marriage, I comfort myself apparently. For once, I simply want to be held by someone that loves me. It would seem that my punishment in this life for what I did to Elisabeth will always prevent me from having what I desire most.
    To be loved.
    “Edith,” Alexander’s deep voice calls from the doorway.
    I pretend to still be sleeping. I’m not ready to deal with him today. Yesterday, he valiantly rescued me from Victor. For a moment, I assumed maybe he cared for me. But then, he sulked in the corner and stewed about the entire ordeal. Never once did he ask me to talk about what happened. I was left to manage on my own.
    The floor creaks as he steps into the room and strides over to my bedside. The bed squeaks when he sits beside me. My heart flutters at his proximity and I desperately attempt to calm it down.
    “Edith, dear, we’re leaving.”
    This certainly gets my attention and I twist to face him. His brows are furrowed but I can still see them in the room that is becoming less dark by the second as the sun rises. I try not to notice how handsome he looks with his dark hair styled in a floppy way on his head. He has dressed fancier than his usual attire and it reminds me of our wedding.
    To keep from staring at him all morning, I draw my attention from him and over to the window.
    “Where are we going?” I rasp out. My throat is still sore at the abuse I suffered at the hand of Victor.
    I startle when he swipes a finger over my forehead and pushes my hair aside. “Havering. It’s time, Edith. I’m ready to present you to my family as my wife.”
    We never discussed leaving today so I’m slightly alarmed at his proclamation. “When?”
    “In two hours. That should allow you enough time to have breakfast with me and pack a suitcase.”
    I’m still reeling from his plan to take me to Havering. I cannot argue though for the simple fact that I agreed to this. Six months ago, I assured him I could be his partner in this unusual scheme.
    “I shall hurry, Alexander. Can you see to it that I get some tea?”
    He smiles at me. “It will be ready upon your arrival to the dining room.”
    A small grin tugs at my lips. When this husband of mine is nice, I sort of lose my head and become mesmerized by all that is him. He grows more handsome and it is in those moments that I crave for him to kiss me.
    It was just last week that I had to physically refrain from throwing myself into his arms during one of those rare moments he had me swooning for him.
    Ouch!
    I found myself sidestepping to avoid the cat that lives in the inn and tripped over my dress. One moment I was in mid-sentence greeting Alexander for dinner, and the next I was on my hands and knees.
    “Edith!” Alexander shouts and I hear the scrape of the chair as he gets up from the table and makes his way over to me. “Are you okay, darling?”
    I roll over to sit on my bottom and stare up into his concerned eyes. My chin quivers but I hold it up bravely. “I’m fine. I just bruised my knees.”
    He frowns at me as he squats before me and brushes a