Free Becoming Countess Dumont by K Webster, Mickey Reed

is missing something Edith has. And if I’m honest with myself, it has nothing to do with their outward appearances. Nicolette doesn’t even carry a small spark in comparison to the blazing personality that is Edith.
    Edith infuriates me yet turns me on.
    She is crazier than any loon at the asylum, yet I want to keep her as mine.
    My wife is average, if you will, in comparison to this exquisite blonde before me, yet I still desire to be with Edith and not Nicolette.
    “Father lost his property. The taxes were too much of a burden on him and it was all repossessed. Your father asked how he could be of service to my father. But he didn’t want to incur any more debts and instead only asked that he employ me so that I may have a solid roof over my head and food to eat.” She frowns after her explanation.
    I blink thoughts of Edith away and regard Nicolette, who now has a tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I murmur.
    Apparently, Alcott isn’t to blame for her sudden appearance, so I drop my guard. She must sense my release of tension, because she throws her arms around my neck. Her lips attempt to find mine, but I turn away.
    “Nicolette, that’s enough,” I bark out. My words are stern, and she gasps as if she’s been stung. “I’m a married man now, and it’s inappropriate for us to even be alone, much less your being all over me.”
    “How could you, Alexander?” she demands. “We were supposed to marry! And now? Now, you’ve gone off and married some plain bore of a woman.”
    I know she’s hurt, but it is the course of our life.
    “It’s done, dear. There’s no changing it. And quite frankly, that ‘bore of a woman’ has done nothing but entertain my thoughts and my heart for months. I’m quite fond of her. Excuse me. I must be going,” I growl.
    “Fond, maybe. But love? You can’t love her like you love me.”
    I clench my jaw and spit out my response. “I don’t love you.”
    She attempts to kiss me again, but I push her away easily, as she’s a slight woman. Her tears aren’t silent as I stalk out of the pantry and toward the billiard room. I hope that Mother and Edith don’t hear her hysterics, because I don’t want to explain the situation.
    “You’ll always come back to me Alexander. You always do.”
    Her last words send a shiver of uncertainty through me.
    Unfortunately, she’s right.
    Can a man really change his ways?

    Drinks with my father and brother weren’t of interest to me. After my talk with Nicolette, all I could think about was seeing Edith again. To convince myself that I could, in fact, become a changed man.
    Now, as I reenter the dining room with them, I’m certain that I can.
    Edith tilts her head back and peals of laughter bounce throughout the room as she’s entertained by something my mother has said to her. The sound brings a smile upon my lips, and I have the desire to make her laugh more often. When she truly lets herself free of the stiffness she usually hides behind, she’s quite a beauty.
    I nearly groan aloud as I watch her lick the cream from her spoon. She’s quite fond of her sweets after dinner and I am quite fond of watching her devour them. In fact, that was one of the first times I had truly noticed her in a sexual way.
    I’m boring her, much like every evening. However, the woman needs to prepare to meet my father. And knowing all that she can about my past and my family will only assist her for their meeting.
    “And Alcott went to boarding school in—” I start but am interrupted by her eyes widening.
    “Sorry to bother you,” the innkeeper chirps as she enters the dining room. “But, I made the absolute most delicious teacake that I insist you both try.”
    I grunt out my thanks as she sets down a lemon dessert dusted in sugars and then leaves us be. With my spoon, I scoop out a piece of the dessert and catch a glimpse of Edith that causes my dick to go hard.
    “Oh my,” she moans with closed eyes as she licks the food