My Forbidden Mentor Read Online Free PDF Page A

considering this opportunity.”
    “I can foresee the possibilities. And now that we’ve made preliminary plans, I don’t see a need to be so formal. You can call me John.”
    “Melissa, please.”
    “Are you sure it isn’t Mel?” He teased with a grin.
    “It’s Melissa.”
    “Melissa it is. Let me escort you home.”
    “Yes. That would be nice.”
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    On the way to her home John asked Melissa about herself and she didn’t leave out any details. John discovered she was born in Darlington and had lived there most of her life. Her father had a carpentry business and was an incredible talent to his field. He was a very proud Scottish man.
    Her English mother came from a background of prestige, met Melissa’s father, and fell in love. In happiness her parents ran the carpentry business together, Anna taking care of the books, Phillip creating works of art.
    They had a live-in nanny turned housekeeper named Miss Beckett, known to Melissa as her auntie. Since Miss. Beckett had been a part of the family so long it had only seemed natural that she continue to remain with them after the passing of Anna. She’d been a comfort indeed.
    After Anna’s passing the family decided to start fresh and so they moved to Scotch Corner. While living in Scotch Corner Melissa came to love the rural countryside and the freedom of open land all around. She gloried at being able to ride her gelding by rows of long-stemmed wildflowers and smell their delectable scent along the way. She painted a very descriptive picture for John, and though he had passed by the outskirts of Scotch Corner a number of times before, he had never ventured about the quiet land. Now he had a reason to.
    The extent of John’s sharing about his personal life bordered on private boundaries. John limited his information, telling Melissa he was from Richmond and had lived there his whole life and that his father was Duke Albert Blackburn with whom he didn’t readily associate. He also told her that his mother had been deceased for quite some time. After the mention of his mother their conversation dwindled until reaching Melissa’s home.
     
    Arriving before nightfall, they both emerged from the carriage. John gave his driver Jess a break while he himself tended to Melissa’s gelding. Both proceeded toward Melissa’s gelding to untie him when Melissa came to an abrupt stop, seeing her father stepping out the front door of their cabin.
    Expecting to give an explanation of her whereabouts Melissa spoke first before her father could. “Father, hello.” She was cut short by her father’s angered state.
    “Where have you been Melissa Louise?” He spoke through tightened lips and narrowed eyes.
    Feeling like a young child again and conscious of being humiliated in front of Lord Blackburn, her words were hurried. “I’ve been at the races in Middleham and this kind gentleman escorted me home,” she told her father, and immediately winced while waiting for the eruption.
    John continued tending to Melissa’s horse keeping his eyes averted on the gelding.
    Mr. Howard focused on Melissa, not paying attention to John or John’s fancy carriage yet. “Middleham? You didn’t inform me that you were going to Middleham!” His voice grew in volume with the shaking of his head “I should have known you’d be intrigued with the races going on right now,” he said as his eyes beamed into hers. “You worried me half to death Melissa! Bloody hell, at least mention it next time.”
    Melissa stepped toward her father, reminding him, “Father, if I had told where I was going, you would have forbidden it,” she said, continuing to argue her point.
    “Precisely,” Mr. Howard agreed. “I can’t believe you went by yourself. I tell you girl, you’ve got more gumption than your own mother had.”
    It was much more difficult defending herself to her father than anyone else and he did have a right to worry. “Forgive me father, but I’ve already