Love beyond the forbidden

ndless small talk that filled the social events of Marlow. But Matthew's words lingered in her mind like a haunting melody she couldn't shake. Every time she closed

made him the ideal match, at least on the surface. Their families had arranged the engagement years ago, long before either of them had the chance to form any real feelings for

ily's parlor, sipping tea and discussing guest lists and floral arrangements, though neither of them seemed truly invested in the conversation. The

y," James remarked, his

ized her silence had been noticeable. "Oh, I've just been busy," she replied

g in his eyes-doubt, perhaps, or suspicion. "Yes,

ambled for an excuse, anything to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "It's ju

dismissed whatever concerns had crossed his mind. He wasn't one to dwell on emotional matters,

tone light and dismissive. "We'll be marrie

s, a life of duty and expectation, a life without passion or freedom. The realization wa

well was a woman of rigid propriety, polished and composed, a reflection of everything the town of Mar

ly. "I wanted to discuss a few details about the engagemen

ached as he greeted Emma's mother. "Of cou

gagement was palpable, and while James seemed dutiful enough, there was no real connection between them.

ersations at the river, the way he had looked at her as though he saw straight through the facade she had spent years building-it all came rushing b

her's voice snapped h

e replied

anted to go with shades of lavender and gold, correct?" Mrs. Stonewell a

y, her thoughts still far

es. "I'll leave the details to you, then. I

nderful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few more preparations to attend to.

y, filled with all the things they weren't saying. Emma knew she should

be going," he said, his tone as formal as ever. "I h

with the weight of their unspoken disconne

ough he wanted to say something more,

ge closing in around her, and the more she tried to ignore it, the clearer it became. She couldn't marry James-not when her heart was

air was crisp, and the leaves rustled gently in the wind as she made her way down the familia

er, but even from a distance, she could feel the pull between them. Her heart pounded in

" she cal

ighting up as he saw her. "Emma," he said, his voice

to steady her racing hear

earching hers as though he could sense the i

quietly beside them, the only sound in the stillness of the evening. "I don't know wh

w said gently, taking

conflict inside her? How could she tell him that every part of her was torn between duty

ce trembling. "That's what's expected of me. Tha

is touch was warm and steady, and the look in his eyes made her feel as though

g. For so long, Emma had accepted the path laid out for her without que

ispered. "I don't know

ween them was undeniable, the tension thick with unspoken longing. Emma could feel her heart racing,

n and kissed him. It was soft at first, tentative, and filled with uncertainty, but as soon as their lips met, the fl

consequences, the life she was supposed to lead-it all disappeared in the heat of the

ir foreheads resting against each other. Emma's heart raced, her

e that," she whispere

shing a strand of hair fro

ces pressing down on her. She had crossed a line she