Emily looked to her husband, their object of discussion, and found he was equally looking at her. Though he was trying to keep an indifferent expression Emily still saw how affected he was by her little act. It was there in the tightening of his jaw, in the muscle that throbbed there and those icy ey

At George's entrance, Cole released her, and she stumbled forward, resisting the urge to turn around and snap at him. Forcing herself to smile, Emily affected a calm demeanour and turned to her brother. “Nothing you should worry yourself for—George.”Howbeit, her brother didn't seem to hear her because he was staring over her head at Cole. They were sizing each other up in some kind of staring match that grew the tension in the room a notch high. After a while, George nodded his head and spoke gruffly. “Is that true Tonfield?”For several seconds Cole stared at George. Emily was even beginning to think he would not say a thing when his hazel eyes narrowed at him. And a look of utter irritation crossed his face. “Surely you do not expect me to answer you. You do not deserve an explanation from me. If you want one, then ask your sister for it.” That explanation did not seem to satisfy George because he tur

“Let me make this clear to you, I do not condone what you have done with my house or the idea you are here? I left you at Blakewood manor for a specific reason.”“Which is?”His eyes roamed her face, and he pulled away from the wall. Running one hand over his hair. He turned towards her. “To punish you of course.”For a moment, Cole wondered whether she had heard. Her face showed no reaction to his words; she seemed frozen. Then her brow rose. “I see.”Cole was quite certain she saw nothing. Because punishing her wasn't the only reason he had left her at Blakewood Manor. The earl had discovered he wanted his wife, despite what she did, despite how she tricked him. And that angered him. The idea he could still want her after all that, after all, she had done, caused him to question his sanity. This series of events eventually led to some hard decisions he made.He knew if he stayed with her in one ho

THE HEAVENS didn't have to come down for Emily to know her husband was irritated. It was there in his posture, in the way he held himself. Rigid and stiff. Unaware of Oliver, who was trying to get his attention. Emily felt a slow smile creep up her face as she assessed that with calm eyes. Following the departure of her guests, she had feared her husband would pack up and leave, especially now there were no more strangers in his home. That he hadn't done so didn't mean he wouldn't or that he hadn't contemplated it. Emily was very well aware of that fact and so had acted accordingly. There was little, or no time left to lose, especially with a husband who wanted to foist her to the back of his mind. She refused to be that woman, and she refused to be ignored. She wanted a real marriage and was willing to fight for it. Even if it meant tampering with his activities. (Which was what she was doing now) Emily wanted him to be aware of her as a woman, as his countes

FAIR EYELIDS fluttered at the belabouring clanking coming from the other room.A banging, thumping sound that irritated Emily to the core, causing her to toss and turn on her bed wishing she could escape it, but no matter how much she tried to or even covered her ears with a fluffy pillow, the sound still burrowed into her subconscious, irritating her until such a time when she couldn't take it any more.Angrily, Emily flung the covers from her body, sitting up in one flash. Her short blond tresses were dishevelled. Her face marred with a deep, deep frown. She turned to her side where her husband had slept last night and noticed he had already roused and gone. Judging by the huge dip on the bed. He must not have been gone too long. Emily raised a hand to her head, wincing as the pounding started again. That clank and bang sound that whizzed as if things were being knocked apart.However, what she didn't understand was why it sounded