Tempest of Passion by Elyzabeth M. VaLey Page A

her.
Tears filled her eyes and she ran. William covered his face with
his hands. He heard the door slam open and Emily’s feet patter
across the hardwood floor as she ran off. He took in a shaky
breath. She thought he was destroying her life, but in truth, what
he’d just done had destroyed his. The only thought that comforted
him was his realization though their marriage would be soulless and
cold, she’d be alive. Once he discovered who was attempting against
their lives, he’d give her whatever she asked for. If she wanted to
live in separate households, so be it. If she wanted him gone … so
be it. As long as he could watch her. As long as he could make sure
that she was well cared for, he would be content. His Emily had too
much life in her for it to be stolen by an unknown identity. He
would not allow it.

Chapter Twelve
    William
sagged against the coach’s seat and rubbed his tired eyes. He
chanced a glance at his wife. Emily was in the same position she’d
been in since they abandoned Brookenshire shortly after their
wedding ceremony. She had not said a word to him since that
morning. Her red rimmed eyes were downcast. Her lips set into a
line so thin he could barely distinguish them. In such short notice
she had been unable to procure a wedding dress and wore instead a
bright coral dress with long sleeves and golden trim. He supposed
it had been chosen to bring out the color in her cheeks but her
pallor was still visible. The white flowers that had adorned her
hair were gone. He guessed she’d given them to her mother before
their departure.
    She was clearly unhappy and he hated himself for it. He wanted
to make her happy. He wanted to see her smile, to hear her
laughter, to see her eyes shine with merriment. Instead he was
bringing her into his world without her consent. A world of death,
misery, pain … and loneliness. His only comfort was that now, as
man and wife, she’d be at his side and he’d keep her safe. He’d die
before he allowed anything to happen to her.
    “ Emily,” he began.
    Her spine stiffened and her knuckles turned white as she
pressed her hands more tightly together over her lap. Pain lanced
William’s heart. What had he done?  He rubbed his neck and
stared out the window. The landscape rolled by. A mirage of lush
green forest and weather perfect bright blue skies that mocked his
unhappiness. The horses’ hooves clapped against the dirt path
mingled with the rattling noise of the wheels and the quiet
whispers of the driver and the postilion. His wolf whimpered. He
wanted to shift and run alongside the coach like he’d done as a
child when they visited their summer residence. Life was easier
then. All he had to worry about back then was not getting trampled
by the horses.
    He closed his eyes. Immediately Emily’s scent became more
accentuated. It was sweet yet earthly, like fresh crushed jasmine
flowers after a summer storm. He ran his fingers through his hair,
tugging at the ends in a futile attempt to lessen the sharp pain in
his chest. Her fragrance was permeated with overpowering sadness.
He’d done this to her. He’d cornered her into a marriage she did
not desire. Instead of waiting two weeks or reading the banns, he’d
called in some favors and had obtained the license swiftly. What he
would give to have been able to do things the right way. To have
Emily smile once throughout the ceremony. Instead, she’d stood at
his side, her face an unreadable mask and her eyes a soulless pit
devoid of spirit. Affected by her attitude, the wedding party,
comprised of Emily’s parents, one of her cousins and Reeves, had
been just as serious. Anyone that had looked in on them would have
thought they were celebrating a funeral and Emily would have been
the cadaver, for even her hand had been cold when he’d grasped it
at the chapel.
    William glanced at Emily again. She had her eyes closed but
her steely posture gave away that she was not asleep. His only hope
was that Reeves had