He's No Prince Charming (Ever After) Read Online Free

had loved each other. Danni’s mission was to give others the chance to have what her own parents were fortunate enough to share: the kind of respect and passion that lasted a lifetime.
    The thought of her mother always caused great sadness to overtake her. Mary Strafford died shortly after Danni’s failed debut in London society six years ago, leaving Danni alone with her grief-stricken father. Her father had quickly immersed himself in his politics, leaving her unsupervised. Feeling both orphaned and abandoned, Danni had been ecstatic when Annabel turned to her for help to elope with one Hubert Tollman. She’d been so desperately lonely and aching for adventure. The events had given her an idea and soon after her business had been born.
    “Go rest. I’ll shout if I need you.”
    “But—”
    “You look exhausted, Annabel. I’m sure I’ll figure something out.”
    “Danni—” The redhead tried again.
    She ignored her friend and stepped through the door that divided the store. With a resounding slam, she shut it in Annabel’s face, effectively cutting off all that was—while not quite illegal—frowned upon.
    A woman running a bookstore was bad enough, but if her actual occupation as lady in shining armor who rescued fair damsels from evil suitors was exposed, said lady’s reputation would be in tatters and her father’s political career would be destroyed. Not to mention the irate mothers and fathers who would cheerfully string her up by her toes for interfering in their fine marriage contracts.
    Her poor toes curled in protest at the thought as she glanced around the storefront. Thankfully, it was empty of customers. Praying no one would enter, she went behind the counter to find the quill and ink pot. Unfolding the daily newspaper across the countertop, she studied the listings of engagements and gossip columns, looking for possible clients. It was just good business sense to be in possession of the latest information, since one of these young ladies could come through her door at any minute seeking assistance.
    At that very thought, the bell above the door rang. Hoping it was actually one of the possible clients she’d been considering moments before, she folded her paper and she walked from behind the counter with a greeting on her lips.
    Her first thought, as the customer appeared from behind one of the bookcases, was that a prior customer had sent a thug to inflict revenge for poor service. Standing before her was a monster out of a fairy tale. The air virtually crackled around him with barely contained violence, an animalistic draw that kept her eyes riveted as if he would lunge at any moment. He towered over her, a giant with mile-long limbs as thick as trees. His square face was littered with the ravages of a hard life. One scar traveled down the left side of his face from his hairline to the underside of his jaw. Another split a fair brow in two, barely missing his eye. The third slashed across his chin, pulling at his full lower lip. He turned the side of his head with the most vicious scar away from her slightly, his overly long white-blond hair shifting across his brow.
    Nothing about this man was reassuring. His eyes made her feel like an object of prey. They were bright as emeralds and just as cold. They expressed nothing, held nothing. If eyes were indeed windows to the soul, this man appeared to have none.
    It took her a full minute to tear her gaze from his face and glance at the rest of him. She noted the way his buff breeches seemed poured over his muscular legs. His broad frame was perfectly fitted into a dark blue super fine coat with a silver waistcoat. He cut a dashing figure—a lordly figure—if one didn’t look at his face. That thought only reassured her that a spurned customer hadn’t sent a thug to murder her. They’d sent a fellow lord instead.
    Taking a deep breath, Danni dug inside for courage. “How may I help you, sir?”
    His lips moved in a cold imitation of a smile.