Love's Guardian Read Online Free Page B

weakness she could use to force his hand. The only surety was the bleak future that awaited her.
    She’d been so confident yesterday, yet he’d defeated her easily. To make things worse, she’d walked straight into his arms. Her cheeks burned at the memory. Why couldn’t she shake the feel of his arms around her, or her insane desire to explain how she felt? It’s not as if he’d care. He’d probably laugh at her fears. Her hands tightened on the reins. Nothing made sense anymore.
    At the edge of the meadow, she slowed, guiding Blade along the tree line at a trot. He sidestepped at the sound of an animal in the undergrowth, so she reached down to give him a reassuring pat. They were both a bit jittery this morning.
    The quick rhythm of hooves pounding the earth drew her attention in the direction of the manor. A huge black stallion bore down on her. The rider, dressed in black, created the illusion that horse and man were one.
    Declan.
    With a sigh, Alex shoved aside a wayward curl that insisted on finding its way across her mouth. She really wasn’t in the mood to match wits with him this morning, but it seemed he wasn’t going to give her a choice.
    She’d initiated the contest, now she had to live with the consequences. Grandfather had warned her about thinking things through before she acted. He was right.
    As he drew closer, she could see Declan’s scowl. She squared her shoulders and reined Blade to a standstill.
    His stallion came to a halt several feet from her horse. “You weren’t at dinner last night.” His calm voice was at odds with the tension in his jaw. “We missed you.”
    Alex dropped her gaze. “I wasn’t well.” She toyed with the bracelet on her wrist, refusing to look up. Lying always showed on her face.
    “May I ask what you’re doing so far from the manor, alone, dressed like that?” He might have been asking how she liked the weather. His voice seemed conversational, pleasant.
    She raised her head to meet his frosty blue gaze. “I’m riding, as I do every morning.”
    Declan’s face became grim, and that damn twitch was back. He appeared upset, in spite of his casual tone. Why?
    “I don’t have to play the lady on my own estate.” Alex swept the hair away from her face and held his gaze, refusing to back down from his regard. “And I prefer to ride alone.”
    Her solitary rides had never been a problem before. Not even her grandfather had feared for her on manor property. “If you’re worried about me, don’t be. I know this area. Besides, I’m always armed.” Alex patted her boot, drawing his attention to the hilt of her dagger, barely visible above her scuffed leather boots. “Nothing’s going to happen on my own land.” She turned her horse and started away from him.
    “ No!”
    His pleasant facade snapped, like a ship ripped from its moorings by the wind. “I don’t care what you have done in the past. From now on, someone will accompany you.”
    Her back stiffened. Was she to be a prisoner in her own home? In his present mood, she doubted Declan would be reasonable. Alex didn’t want to argue with him, but it seemed inevitable, unless she left.
    At a slight urging, Blade shot across the meadow. Where she went didn’t matter, as long as it was away from him . They’d discuss what she could, or couldn’t do, at another time.
    Within moments, he was at her side, his stallion easily overtaking her mount. He hauled her off Blade’s back and swung her around to face him. She tried to back away, but his arm locked around her, forcing her tightly against his chest. Alex managed to look up so she could breathe, and wished she hadn’t.
    Everything seemed different, more intense. The horse stopped, but anger, outrage, and anticipation spun thru her at an amazing pace. The moment hung in the air, like a gull in flight. Damp earth and heated horseflesh mixed with the smells of a new spring day. Declan’s eyes reminded her of blue crystal under his thunderous black