Forever Winter by Amber Daulton

passionate. She longed for his touch, his kiss. She belonged to him and he belonged to her. This chaotic day proved it. Here they were, after every mishap, about to marry. Nothing could stop them.
    Her heart pounded a ferocious rhythm. She barely heard the beautiful music. Barely breathed. She knew Camden had always considered himself strong and proud, a man who needed nothing and no one, but the longing in his eyes defied that knowledge. He needed her . And before she realized it, Susanna and her father were just feet away from him.
    The baron smiled and placed his daughter’s gloved hand in Camden’s, then stepped back and stood beside his grinning sons in the audience.
    Susanna wrapped her arm around Camden’s and felt him shudder. Heat flared in his eyes and she assumed it took all of his willpower to behave. As they approached the reverend, she lifted on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Are you surprised about the dress?”
    An amused grin split his lips. “Very much.” A strand of ivy brushed across his nose as he leaned down to whisper. “The pink is perfect. You couldn’t have worn a better gown.”
    Relief filled her face. The whispering couple quieted once they reached Reverend Chauncey. The tired, middle-aged man leaned against an elegantly-carved wood lectern but straightened at their approach. They nodded respectfully, thankfully , and as the music faded, the guests resumed their seats.
    The reverend repressed a yawn and opened the large, heavy book sitting on the lectern to a particular passage. “I must say I am blessed to be here. After the snow and ice, this morning is truly special for all of us.” Reverend Chauncey rolled his eyes toward heaven in gratitude. “I have known the bride and groom since they were wee ones. They deserve happiness—especially after today. Viscount Camden Beckinworth, the Honorable Miss Susanna Lorican, let us begin.”
    The next half hour passed in a span of minutes. Susanna listened attentively as the reverend spoke lovely words of hope and praise from his heart and recited from the antique Bible. The entire morning felt surreal. She half-expected another mishap. The rest of the ceremony or the upcoming breakfast could be potential disasters.
    As Camden repeated the vows the reverend spoke, he removed her glove and slipped a gold wedding band onto her finger. Their initials and wedding date had been inscribed on the inside of the band. He gently folded her glove and slipped it into his pocket while reciting his vows.
    Susanna swallowed a sob of happiness. His heartfelt words meant the world to her. As the reverend focused on her, she managed to repeat his words through falling tears and slipped a similar band on Camden’s finger. Words of love flowed from her mouth and heart, churning Camden’s gaze with emotion.
    Once the reverend pronounced them man and wife, every thought left her mind except one. She married him. Finally! A man eight years her senior, a young boy she once admired from afar, Camden Beckinworth was now hers! As Camden lifted her veil, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She couldn’t help herself. She needed to feel him all around her and breathe the air he released from his lungs.
    She heard the reverend laugh at her enthusiasm as Camden’s arms circled protectively around her waist. The world spun. Laughter and applause echoed all around them. The sounds barely registered in her awe-filled mind. She closed her eyes and melted into his warm embrace. He held her as if she was the most precious, prized possession he could ever own. And she held him the same way.
    A deep growl escaped Camden’s throat once he finally pulled back. Her eyelids fluttered open and she drank in the sight of her handsome, beloved husband. His dark eyes burned with lust and love, excitement and relief. She never felt more wonderful than at that moment.
    “May I present,” the reverend drew the crowd’s attention, “Lord Camden and Lady Susanna,