Love's Guardian Read Online Free PDF Page B

that.” Her voice sounded strained. “You made your point.” Her errant hair insisted on blowing across her face, so she tucked it behind one ear with a sharp movement.
    The silence stretched between them like a solid entity. She could hear the wind in the rose canes overhead, the dry rustle fraying her nerves. Why was he bothering her if he wasn’t going to talk?
    Alex focused on the dirt she’d just discovered under her thumbnail. “What did you want?”
    “Look at me.”
    She scraped at the offending soil with her index finger.
    Declan slid across the distance between them and grasped her chin with his fingers. She resisted, but he gently brought her around to face him.
    “You and I seem to differ on how you should live your life.” She started to interrupt, but he held up a hand to stop her. “As we can’t agree, I suggest we find someone else to watch over you.”
    Her sentiments exactly. Would he really just return to London, and she’d never hear from him again? Damn the sinking feeling in her stomach. This is what she wanted, wasn’t it? Alex clenched her fists. “I can take care of myself.”
    He gave her a tolerant smile, disbelief evident on his handsome face.
    She took a deep breath. “If you think this is best, may I at least choose who controls my life?” There were several friends of her grandfather’s she could ask, maybe Lord Ellington. She liked him.
    “That’s exactly what I had in mind. I’m glad you’re going to be agreeable.” Declan’s genuine smile momentarily made her forget what they were discussing.
    He stood and walked away, but he’d gone only a few paces before turning back to her. “I imagine we could leave for London in a week or two. I still have a few things to clear up here.
    “London?” Alex shook her head, all at once suspecting she’d missed something. “We don’t need to go to London to find a replacement.”
    “For your grandfather’s sake, I want you to have many men to choose from.” He gave her a wry smile. “I have to admit, I’d like you to make your selection and marry as soon as possible, but I realize these things take time.”
    “Marry?” Alex couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
    “It will be the height of the Season, so choosing a husband shouldn’t be too difficult.” Declan shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll find someone to your liking.”
    The man was daft. “I’ll not do this! ”
    Declan seemed perplexed, then his brow cleared in understanding. “Ah, you’re afraid you are too old.” He studied her with an assessing gaze. She wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw admiration on his face.
    Abruptly he turned from her, his voice strange, deeper than before. “I don’t think you need worry about your age. Most men will find you attractive enough.”
    Clearly, he wasn’t one of them. Alex bristled, forcing her voice to remain calm, despite the stab of hurt. “I’m going to say this again, so even you can understand. I don’t wish to marry, at least not now. You can’t force me.” She reached for her dagger, only to remember he had it.
    He raked his fingers through his hair. “You will obey me in this, Alexandra. It’s the best solution to an intolerable situation.” He strode to the bench, towering over her. “Aside from the guardianship, I won a wager in which you agreed to follow my wishes.” He held her gaze, the assurance in his voice scraping up her spine like the tip of a knife. “Have you forgotten?”
    Worthington was a snake to bring that up now. Alex held his gaze and kept her voice steady. “I honor my wagers.”
    “Good, then you will go inside, get into some decent clothing, and start to plan what you’ll need for our trip. We’ll leave in a fortnight.”
    Alex rose to her feet. She felt dwarfed by his size, but refused to be intimidated. “As you wish, my lord .” She turned on her heel, and strode back toward the manor. Once out of sight, she broke into a run.
     
    A resounding thud filled the