William
"You must stay," I repeated, searching her face. Valentina was beautiful, strong, smart, and completely wary of me. Yet it was all I could do not to take her in my arms and kiss her so deeply she felt it down to her toes. I already felt a pull toward this woman, my destined bride.
"I can't stay, sir—"
"William," I interrupted. I loved the way my name rolled off her tongue. And her atrocious etiquette.
"William," she said, her tone dripping with irritation. Heaven help me, I even loved that, because it was still my name on her lips. "I know you're used to lording over all within your domain and all, but in this century, you don't have control over me. I am a free woman, and I will be leaving now."
Seeing her standing defiantly before me stirred something deep within me. This wo
