Hand-Me-Down Princess Read Online Free PDF

covered her lips with his thumb. “ We’re not ready for that. Do you want to see the rest of the apartment?”
    Her eyelids fluttered again though her eyes didn’t close completely. Instead, she seemed to stare at the knot in his tie. “We’re done with all of the formal stuff, right? There’s no other events today?”
    Only ones that involved the two of them alone. “Correct.”
    She hesitated still. “Can I change clothes before we look around here?”
    “Of course.” He turned, resting his hand on her lower back, something he’d found himself doing a number of times over the course of the day. “Our things are in here.” Malachi led the way to the master suite. “They were supposed to have been brought over anyway.”
    Malachi tried to keep his mind off the idea that he was walking into his new bedroom with his new bride. It was time to change into something more casual and see if she liked the idea he was going to surprise her with.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Jessabelle stood a few feet inside the master bedroom and tried to keep her focus anywhere but on the exceptionally large bed across the room.
    “The closet is through here.” Malachi kept his distance from her, which made her feel a bit more comfortable. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t felt anything when he brushed his thumb across her lips or rested his hands on her waist. Her new husband was devastatingly handsome, but she’d already known that. She hadn’t known how charismatic he was or how solicitous he’d be to her as soon as he realized she needed something.
    Right now she needed out of the heels. Before she even reached the closet, she stopped and slipped both shoes off, squishing the plush carpet between her toes, breathing a sigh of relief.
    “Feel better?”
    Jessabelle looked up to see him leaning against the door frame. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets and he’d already dispensed with his coat and sword. His tie hung loose around his neck with a couple of buttons opened at the collar. The crown he’d been wearing since the ceremony had disappeared.
    Devastatingly handsome didn’t begin to describe it.
    Maddeningly casual wasn’t right.
    Irresistibly sexy? Something, at nineteen, she’d never thought about anyone before.
    Almost.
    She couldn’t begin to form words around her stomach as it took up residence in her throat so she nodded.
    His full, drool-worthy grin appeared. “Why don’t you go on in and change? I’ll wait out here. You’ve got to be a lot more uncomfortable than I am.”
    Heat rushed to her face as she brushed past him. “Thanks,” she mumbled and prayed she could get out of the dress on her own. The closet was twice the size of her bedroom at her father’s house. Her little red suitcase sat open and waiting for her. Jessabelle selected a pair of linen pants and a silk blouse. Hopefully, it would be acceptable since they weren’t supposed to see anyone else. Blue jeans would have been her preference, but that seemed a little too casual.
    It took a bit of doing but she managed to twist her arms around behind her and unclasp the hook then undo the ribbon holding the two sides of the gown together. She breathed a sigh of relief as the dress collapsed to the floor with the help of gravity. The relief quickly turned to frustration as she realized she wouldn’t be able to get the corset off by herself. Struggling to hold back the tears, she dressed quickly, leaving it on. Maybe she’d be able to figure it out on her own later.
    At least she didn’t have to put her trouser socks on as she didn’t see the point in removing the stockings. She slid her feet into loafers. Did she need pumps? Heels? The Duchess of Cambridge had been at the wedding, though Jessabelle hadn’t met her. Didn’t the entire world hold the Duchess up as a paragon of fashion? What would she wear? To hang out at home? Who knew? Going out? Probably pumps. This would have to do for now. Jessabelle found a