My Forbidden Mentor Read Online Free PDF

received a verbal lashing today,” she explained as her eyes shifted in John’s direction.
    John could feel her fixed look on him that he sensed was a cry for help. After loosening the saddle straps he glanced up, finding Melissa smile in relief as she continued with introductions.
    “Father, this is Lord Blackburn. Lord Blackburn, this is my father, Phillip Howard.”
    He was aware of her quick introduction as a way of diverting her father. Both reached across to each other and shook hands. “Mr. Howard,” John said, giving a courteous smile.
    “Lord Blackburn,” Phillip responded. Thankful to see his daughter had arrived home safe, he also had a nagging concern regarding the possible underlying reasons for the lord’s assistance. Phillip Howard cherished his daughter, and now that his wife had been gone for three years his daughter’s life had become his. She was the epitome of his wife: headstrong, independent, and with a strong affection for horses. He realized it was unusual for a woman to be racing horses but he knew Melissa would thrive if given the chance. His daughter was very unique in her personality, intelligent, and above all, beautiful. Yes, he was a doting father. Being twenty-one, in the eyes of society she should have married by now, but Phillip respected her wish to marry when she was ready to, believing marriage was for a man and woman who truly loved each other, not just for convenience. Regardless, he would keep a watchful eye on the lord. Eventually a kind smile appeared on Phillip’s gentle face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. And I thank you for returning my daughter to me,” he relayed before hearing Miss Beckett call to him. He turned to his daughter. “Melissa, I’d like to have a word with you,” he ordered.
    Without falter she obeyed. They stood close, averted from John’s view. “Yes father?”
    “Your auntie needs my help. Don’t let him leave until I can talk to him.” His look was stern and meaningful.
    She let out a breath of frustration. “Why father? He’s done nothing wrong.”
    Phillip’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “That’s not the point. I need to talk to him before he leaves.”
    “You mean warn him.” She was about to argue further when she realized her father’s eyes were hardening with fierce domination, meaning he’d reached his capacity of being civil. “Yes father, I’ll tell him to wait.”
    Phillip didn’t say another word. Once Melissa complied he went inside to help Miss Beckett.
    John witnessed in amazement the way Phillip handled his daughter. He couldn’t hear their words but he didn’t miss Melissa’s reluctance to back down, but in the end she did. He gave her father a lot of credit dealing with such a wild cat. How did Phillip keep from going insane with such bold women in his household? How did he deal with male suitors? At this last thought he looked in her direction again. Her father had just entered the house, closing the door behind him, and Melissa remained standing there. John lifted the saddle off Thunder and took it into the barn.
    Meanwhile Melissa led Thunder into the corral, thinking about what to say next. How was she supposed to tell a lord, “By the way, my father would like to lecture you about his daughter?” She was twenty-one years of age, for heaven sakes.
    John strode out of the barn, interrupting her thoughts. “You’re smooth, I must say,” he shot out while retrieving the extra rope used to tie her gelding.
    Melissa stepped over to him. “What do you mean by that remark?” she inquired, observing his strong hands working with the rope.
    Averting his gaze from his motion to her face, he spoke with absolute audacity. “You, trying to work your father,” he told her. Whether she realized it or not, that’s the way it had happened.
    He started to place the wound up rope in its proper compartment amid the carriage when her hand clasped over his, getting his full attention. “I do not work my