My Forbidden Mentor Read Online Free Page B

carry on as if they’d never met. She continued holding her head high as he turned to the door to make his escape. Shifting toward her gelding in an attempt to ready him to leave, she hadn’t expected to hear anything more from Lord Blackburn, especially his next words.
    “Come here,” he called out.
    She was confused so she hesitated.
    “Come here,” he repeated.
    “What is it?” she asked as he jerked her by the arm and placed her adjacent to the door.
    “Just follow my lead,” he directed, having her face him as he reached for the buttons along the back of her dress, unbuttoning them with speedy intent. He held her face against the lapels of his coat and while dropping his head next to hers he slid a warm hand inside the opening of her dress.
    It was his hand on the skin of her back that had her worried. What right did this man have taking such liberties? Trying to lift her head was made impossible by the intense grip he had on her. Through a tightened jaw she spoke. “What is the meaning of this?”
    She found out immediately when hearing the door creak open. A double burst of laughter gained volume then abruptly stopped. Next Lord Blackburn’s voice sounded.
    “Hello gentlemen.”
    Both groomsmen turned flush, realizing in an instant what was about to take place. Both acknowledged his presence and left, making sure to shut the door.
    After securing the buttons on her dress John released Melissa. He had been prepared to deal with an angry young lady and she hadn’t let him down.
    “Having a grand time at my expense, Lord Blackburn?” she announced, flustered and fixing her hair.
    “Not at all. Did you want to be exposed?”
    Angelic eyes flared before him. “I was exposed.”
    “Not in the sense that I meant. Did you want to be found out?”
    “Of course not, but did you have to treat me like a common,”
    “Don’t say it when you know it’s not true,” he corrected her and noticed that she seemed to be contemplating. “What is it?” he asked.
    “I’ve suddenly realized that I let you use me in the way only a man could use a woman and get away with it.”
    “What else could I have done?”
    His expression showed helplessness, but she’d been unprotected. “Said I was your cousin or something?”
    “How original. Somehow, I don’t see those young men believing I would be caught in this hideaway contraption with my cousin.”
    “What will it take for me to convince you that it is in our best interest to work as trainer and student?” While the weight of his stare bore down on her she offered, “I will camouflage myself. Really I don’t mind.”
    She may be camouflaged to others but not to him. Professionally it would be a risky, bold move on his part to take in a female student. On the other hand, she challenged him, and the desire to take on this challenging situation grew when he imagined her racing his best horse and winning. Her weight was an advantage and so was her strong-willed determination.
    His first obstacle would be her father before making a final decision. “First I would like to meet with your father.”
    “My father?”
    “Yes. I would like to get his opinion.”
    She thought about it before agreeing. “Of course.”
    “Are you not pleased that I’m even considering this?”
    “Yes.”
    The mention of her father created a shift in her mood. “Miss Howard, is there going to be a problem with your father?”
    “No, not at all.”
    “Because I’m getting a notion that there will be.”
    “No, absolutely not. I’m just going to have to explain my whereabouts today and also my meeting you.”
    Virtue and courage came to mind when he thought about the position she represented, and even though his mind still teetered about the circumstances involved, her driving energy kept pulling at him. Her determination was contagious. “I’ll explain to your father. Today, in fact, if that will suit you?”
    Her shoulders fell in relief. “Yes, thank you. And thank you for