A Dark Guardian by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online

floral pattern, but Mina loved it and had hurriedly accepted the gown before Theresa changed her mind.

    As quickly as she could with her still injured arm, she braided her hair in two separate braids that hung over each shoulder and fell across her breasts. She then wrapped thin strips of leather around each braid from base to tip for added affect.

    It was the first time in years that she actually felt somewhat pretty. Even her bandaged arm couldn’t be seen. Before she lost her nerve, she rushed from her chamber to the hall below.

    She took a deep breath and walked to the dais. Not even Theresa sitting between Bernard and Cole could upset her. It was the first time in years she felt like a lady, and she planned to act like one, just as her mother had shown her.

    When Mina approached the table, the men rose. The only chair available was at the end, but she didn’t mind. It put her well away from Theresa and Bernard.

    “Here, my lady,” Darrick said as he scooted out of his chair. “Take my seat.” Mina raised her eyes and saw Hugh staring at her. She gave him a small smile and bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at finding herself sitting beside the one man she had wanted to. Once she had taken her seat and Hugh and Darrick resumed theirs, the food was quickly brought out.

    “You look lovely,” Darrick said when she passed him a platter.

    Not one to hear compliments, Mina found herself uncomfortable. “Thank you.”

    “You do look beautiful,” Hugh murmured next to her ear. “That dress becomes you.”

    Her heart fluttered at his praise. She turned her gaze to him, and her mouth went dry. “Th…thank you,” she stuttered.

    His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “I’m only speaking the truth, my lady.”

    Mina knew she ought to look away, but men like Hugh didn’t come to Stone Crest. He was all muscle, good looks, and warrior. A perfect combination, to her way of thinking. Too bad she wasn’t pretty enough for him.

    He turned away to listen to something Bernard said, and she took that time to let her eyes roam over his body.

    His hair was still damp at the ends. She found that she wanted to reach up and tuck the hair behind his ears as he pushed it out of his face. His large, rough hands bespoke many battles, proving he was a man to fear.

    Tonight, he wore a tunic of dark brown that complimented his eyes and hair nicely, though she imagined there wasn’t anything that would look bad on him.

    He spoke, his deep voice soothing her. Never had a man affected her like the mere presence of Hugh did. What was it about it him that drew her?

    She held her breath when he placed his hand on the table next to hers. The need to reach over and touch him was so strong that, for a moment, Mina found herself doing just that. She stopped herself in time.

    “Something wrong?” Darrick asked.

    She jerked her head around. “Nay. Where are your families?” she asked quickly to change the subject.

    One side of his mouth lifted in a smile. “With what we do, it is better if we don’t have families.”

    “So, none of you are married?”
    “Nay,
    my
    lady.”

    She nodded and turned back to her trencher. She had been ravenous when she’d come into the hall, now all she could think about was the man sitting beside her and the pull he had on her.

    Whatever she did, she would have to be most careful that Theresa never discovered her feelings for Hugh. If she did, Mina didn’t want to think about what would happen.

    She made herself take a bite, making sure to keep her eyes anywhere but on Hugh. It wasn’t easy. Especially when his leg or arm would brush up against her, but she was nothing if not determined. If she could survive years with Theresa and Bernard, then she could survive a few hours next to Hugh.

    “We begin tonight.”

    She was so engrossed in turning her attention away from Hugh that she almost didn’t hear his words.

    “What do you begin?” she asked before