Love in One Act

By Marilyn Vix

Elizabeth Bonicetti, a Victorian London actress, is propositioned by a young man, Mr. Lionel Conner, to be his first, and to teach him the finer points of love to be ready for his new wife. Trying to not let her feelings get in the way, she is determined to teach the "lessons" without becoming attached. But she can't help but fall for the young Airship captain. Determined to keep their relationship temporary, she continues with the "lessons" until their final consummation in which he reveals his secret. Can she still except him after this revelation? Or will she reject him for the secret he refuses to reveal. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shadowcat Publishing
• Release date: May 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386039259

Marilyn Vix

Marilyn is a paranormal romance novelist. She enjoys the characters that just don't fit in. From witches to time traveling researchers, she is letting her imagination soar to explore new worlds and write all the details down. Marilyn has traveled to Paris, London, Sydney, and Munich. She loves to include these in her settings as much as possible. Best of all is letting her reader enjoy them through the perspective of a character. She currently lives in Northern California with her husband and cat. The cat, of course, is the center of attention.

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Love In One Act

(A Steampunk Erotic Romance)

By Marilyn Vix

© 2018 Marilyn Vix

All rights reserved.

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This book is intended for readers eighteen or over. Adult content is meant for entertainment purposes. This book is a work of fiction. All the character names, places, or incidents are fictional. Similarities to real people, places, or events are coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of products that are mentioned in this work of fiction.

Love In One Act

(A Steampunk Erotic Romance)

Format: .epub Ebook

Author: Marilyn Vix

Cover Design: Melody Simmons

Developmental Editor: Jen Graybeal

Line Editing: Claudette Cruz 

© 2018 by Marilyn Vix

London

1893

DAMN, I NEED A DRINK. The din of the applause was cut off as Elizabeth shut the dressing room door. The rustle of taffeta and skirts didn’t daunt her from her numbing purpose: get out of costume and finally relax from her day. She had her own private dresser during the performance, but didn’t need help out of the last costume. So Elizabeth had let Marie off early tonight to chase after her young man.

She snorted. Young. She knew that there had been a time when she was considered young and ravishingly beautiful. She still was, but in an older-woman way. At thirty-two, she was quite old by actress standards. When she’d arrived in London to take on the stage world, she’d been buxom and naïve. Now, she felt her folly. She was alone, but hadn’t always been. She had experienced all the wonderful things fame had to offer: the standing ovations, the acclaim for her performances, the men who desired her. Those memories would always bring her joy.  She could never be an old maid as an actress, just seasoned.

She squinted in the dim gaslight. The theatre was cutting down on costs again. Less gas, less cost, but more stumbling around. At least it would be harder to see herself as she got undressed. She reached up to pull off the feathered hat, undid the pins, and her hair fell down in blonde curls around her shoulders. Her frock coat and blouse were next to find their way onto the hangers, ready for tomorrow’s show. The taffeta skirt required a bit more effort to reach the buttons and ties that held everything in place. As it slipped from her body, she felt cool air against her over-warm skin and relaxed. All she needed was that drink now.

Down to her bloomers and corset, she walked to the table where the essentials were stored. Her dressing counter was full of pins, brushes, and pots full of face paint and powder. She poured a drink from the wine bottle sitting next to a bone comb. Then, she raised the glass to the older woman gazing back at her from the mirror. To another night of being a top actress. All of your dreams came true, babe. She sighed. Somehow the reality was not quite what she imagined it would be.

She took a large swallow and quickly added more to her glass. The red love seat in the corner had been a thoughtful gift from an admirer years ago. She eased back into the pillows and stretched her arms above her head. She could feel the red velvet of the settee brushing her bare shoulders, the corset giving her support as she settled into the cushion.

She crossed her legs, and closed her eyes, waiting for the wine to take effect. She could hear the sounds of London outside the small window of the dressing room. The clatter of hooves on cobble echoed back to her as she heard the patrons taking cabs after the show. The din of voices chatting and laughing echoed into her room, filling her heart with the burden of being single.

What was the use of being successful if you are alone? She asked the question to the sounds outside. Taking another drink she answered, "Because you wanted it so bad, you’d have done anything to