The Invisible Husband by Cari Hislop

wearing on your cloak. They looked like real
stones.”

    “Lord Latham
gave it to me this morning.”

    Mrs Roberts’
eyes widened as she leaned closer. “Really? His mother will be
astounded…did he demand you kiss him first?”

    “No. Why?”

    “How odd…well
perhaps he won’t be as bad as her ladyship fears, but he’s always
been so closed fisted. It’s an awful thing to say to a new bride.
Mr Roberts was generous until I got too fat to…you know!” The
enlarged lady sighed in irritation as the man returned looking
smug. “Where have you been; filling a chamber pot or a chamber
maid?”

    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