Love's Guardian Read Online Free Page A

wardrobe, opened the doors, and shook her head. “You really should have more dresses made.” Eleanor studied the meager selection. “Why don’t you wear the green silk? It looks so nice with your hair and eyes.” She removed the gown and laid it on the bed.
    “Fine.” Alex didn’t want to think about tonight, it made her head ache, but she couldn’t think of anything else. If she didn’t keep control of her estates, what would become of Eleanor and the others? They were her responsibility.
    Did Declan think he could put in an appearance and usurp her place? This was her home. Not his. She’d kept the ledgers, instructed the servants, and decided on expenditures. He didn’t know the first thing about Oakleigh Manor. Or her, for that matter, yet he would be allowed to choose her husband.
    At best, he’d let her continue as before. At worst, he might force her into marriage with a man who could destroy the home she loved.
    She couldn’t let that happen. If rapiers hadn’t worked, then she’d have to outmaneuver him another way.
    To do that, she needed to study her enemy. Where had he been the last eight years? From the little information she’d gleaned, he’d kept to himself. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, rumors of his exploits with women were legendary among the Ton. The gossipmongers in the Gazette were forever coming up with a new love interest for him, not that she believed anything in those columns.
    Eleanor came up behind her, rested her hand on Alex’s shoulder, then blurted out, “I hate to ask, but do you think you could curtail your riding and fencing while Lord Worthington’s here? Maybe watch your language?” Her cousin’s refined features appeared drawn. “It would be for your own good.”
    Alex stood and faced her. “You know me better than that. I’ll not pretend for his benefit.”
    “It wouldn’t be for his benefit. There’s no need to make him think worse of you than he already does.” Eleanor clutched her skirt in both hands, a sure sign she was upset.
    Alex opened her mouth to respond, then realized the futility of trying to change her cousin’s mind. They’d had this discussion many times before. People often mistook Eleanor’s gentle nature for a weak will, but stubbornness ran in the family. She stepped forward and pried Eleanor’s hands from her skirt, then clasped them in her own. “Stop worrying. Everything will be fine. I’ll find a way.”
    A tremulous smile appeared on Eleanor’s lips. “No one knows what changes Lord Worthington will make. All I ask is that you do your best to get along with him.”
    Her cousin seemed so forlorn, Alex didn’t have the heart to argue any longer. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything.”
    Eleanor gave her a brief hug. “Things will work out, you’ll see.” She turned back before she reached the door. “If you’d like, I’ll tell him you’re resting till dinner.”
    “Actually, I’m not coming down for dinner this evening.”
    “Alex.”
    “I need some time to think things through. I promise, I won’t continue to avoid him.”
    Eleanor sighed. “I’ll tell him you’re unwell. But sooner or later you’re going to have to deal with him.” Her cousin gave her a quick, sympathetic smile, then left.
    Alex resumed pacing, reliving every moment she’d spent in Declan’s company. He thought he had absolute power over her, but he was wrong. Somewhere, somehow, she’d discover the weapon that would prove most effective against him.
    The wind whipped through Alex’s hair, tangling her curls. They would take hours to comb out, but she didn’t care. Right now, she wanted to feel the morning mist on her face and the power of her horse as they sped across the meadow.
    Spears of sunlight filtered through the fog, promising a beautiful day. Why couldn’t it have been gray and overcast to match her mood?
    Dredging up memories of Declan had been painful and fruitless. She hadn’t discovered a single