Read Online Tempest of Passion by Elyzabeth M. VaLey - Free Book Online

clutched
the sheet with white knuckles. It was too late.
    “ You asked him
to stop contacting you? Are you out of your mind, my child? A man
of his position is fixed upon you and you attempt to scare him off?
I will not allow it. Getrude, Violet. Gertrude.”
    Jane hurried
to the door, screaming the maids’ name. Determination poured out of her like
water from a broken pitcher.
    “Gertrude. Violet. Violet. ”
    Emily’s knees buckled and she sat back
down.
    “ Bring me
quill and ink, Ge rtrude. Quickly.” She turned toward Emily. Dissuading such
a fine gentleman. What are you thinking, Emily? I did not bring you
up like this. Truly, child, I will never understand your aversion
to marriage. What is it you fear?”
    Emily shook her head. She tasted blood
on her lip. Her mother would never understand. It seemed no one
would.

Chapter Nine
    Emily rose to her feet after her mother as the door opened.
Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of William Dalton. He
wore trousers of nankeen, white shirt and a black claw hammer coat
that fitted his large frame to perfection. The desire she’d cast
aside as a fleeting fancy came crashing back. Her body burned as
the memory of his touch returned with a vengeance.
    “ Mr. Dalton.”
    Jane Bunsbury bustled toward him, eagerly welcoming William
into their home. Her mother’s words became a distant buzz as
William’s gaze found hers. It was barely an instant, her mother too
persistent in her attention for them to linger, but everything
inside her curled up in needy want, creating a throbbing ache
between her legs.
    Had he always been so handsome or had the week long separation
caused her to lose her mind? Perhaps, it had to do with the
letters. In a way, they had helped her learn his mind better, for
though her mother had kept an eyeful watch on her while she wrote,
she had been able to sneak in words that she failed to understand
but William did.
    “ I will leave you two alone.”
    “ What?”
    Emily snapped to attention. Her mother smiled widely, patted
her arm and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Dread made her stomach churn unpleasantly.
    “How do you do, Ms. Bunsbury?”
    Emily veered to face him. His dark gaze found hers, causing a
shiver to run down her spine and stoke the aching throb at her
core. She pressed her back to the door, her hand on the cool pommel
as the urge to flee his overwhelming presence washed over
her.
    As if he knew about her reaction, his lips curled into a
smile. His eyes twinkled with more than friendly intent. Her heart
faltered. No. Emily pressed her lips together. She would not run.
She had a right to deny any proposal and that was what she would do
if such a thing occurred. Never mind the way he made her feel. She
pushed away from the door, lifted her chin and squared her
shoulders.
    “ I am well, Sir. You?” She returned to her seat.
    “ I have been better.” His smile vanished and he twirled his
hat in his hands.
    “ Would you like to sit?”
    Emily waved her hand toward a chair. She tried and failed
miserably to not watch William as he moved toward the offered seat.
He moved with grace, his steps barely making a sound over the
Brussels weave carpet. He placed his hat on the seat at his side,
crossed his ankle over his knee and looked at her. Sunlight
streamed through the partially open curtains, lighting his eyes to
an almost amber color. She cocked her head. William looked
exhausted. Heavy bags lined his eyes and there was tension in the
corners of his mouth. What was wrong? His letters had not indicated
any sort of trouble. He was immersed in work and still trying to
make himself at home in town. She leaned toward him, her hand
almost reaching toward his … eager to calm and soothe whatever
ailed him.
    “ You look lovely, Emily.”
    She caught herself just in time. Furious at her slip, she dug
her nails into her palms and forced a lop-sided smile onto her
visage.
    “ Are you well, Sir? You look tired.”
    Why