Chapter 5

I thought William would never go against his father.

But in the middle of the night, my bedroom door was pushed open.

In the darkness, I opened my eyes without making a sound.

Someone climbed onto the bed beside me.

I let out a faint whimper, nothing more.

That tiny sound was enough. The moment he realized I was awake, he could no longer hold himself back. "Emily, be with me. Be my woman, will you?"

A sudden crack of thunder split the night.

White lightning flashed through the window, illuminating William's face—his eyes burning with desperate longing.

I cupped…