Love's Guardian by Dawn Ireland Read Free Book Online

claim. Lord Lochsdale would never have agreed to this match. He’d loved his granddaughter too much to marry her off to someone like Addington.
    His visitor brushed an imaginary speck of lint from his blue embroidered waistcoat. “If it’s agreeable, I’ll go over affairs here and send you a full report. I imagine the marriage will take place quickly, and you’ll be done with the whole affair.”
    Declan sat back in the desk chair. “I appreciate the offer Lord Addington, but as it happens, I have a fortnight before I need to return to London. If I remember correctly, the hunting in this area is exceptional. I thought to avail myself of the sport. Would you care to accompany me?”
    “I’d be delighted.” Addington produced an enameled snuffbox, then extended it toward Declan.
    “No, thank you.” How the habit had become fashionable, he’d never understand. “Shall we meet here tomorrow morning?” If Declan wasn’t mistaken, he’d just made an enemy.
    “That would be agreeable.” Addington took a pinch of snuff and returned the box to his pocket.
    Declan stood and came around the desk. “Now if you’ll excuse me,” he said, folding his arms and leaning back against the desk edge, “I have a great many papers to go over.”
    Addington looked as if he wanted to ask something, but instead, he rose and walked to the door.
    Before he left, Declan spoke, “Just one more thing. Regarding the Countess of Lochsdale, I’m afraid I promised the poor girl a Season in London with the express purpose of finding a husband.” Declan would love to see Alex’s reaction if she found out he’d called her a poor girl . “Of course, as you’ve been developing a fondness between you, I’m sure you’ll be her choice.”
    Addington no longer appeared quite as accommodating. He gave a curt nod. “As you wish. Until tomorrow, my lord.”
     
    Luther Fenton, Viscount Addington, closed the door with care, although the urge to slam it almost overwhelmed him. The hall appeared empty, so he lovingly ran his hand over the smooth top of a Chippendale table, smearing the polished wood surface. This would be his, just as it should have been.
    He glanced in the hall mirror and studied his reflection. He looked like the lord of the manor. A spot on his coat drew his attention. He brushed at the white patch with his fingertips, then adjusted his cravat. A Season in London would stretch his resources, but perhaps it wouldn’t be necessary.
    Sad, how many hunting accidents occurred each year. The earl would just be one of many. Tomorrow morning didn’t leave him much time. It wasn’t going to be easy, not like the others.
    The initial meeting hadn’t gone well, but the game wasn’t over yet. Luther felt like skipping down the front steps. He perused the well-tended estate and smiled at the black storm clouds gathering overhead. He truly did love a challenge.

Chapter 4
     
    Alex lifted a sapphire-blue dress from the chest in her mother’s bedroom. The silk, as soft and elusive at the memories it evoked, slipped through her fingers. Her mind grasped at the hazy childhood remembrance.
    Wracked with fever, her mother had worn the gown as she lay on the bunk in her cabin. Alex hadn’t been able to do anything but wait and watch as the forbidding shadows of evening threatened to steal her mother’s life.
    A small candle burned, mixing the smell of tar with tallow. The flame, sputtering with the sway of the lantern, barely illuminated her mother’s sweat-sheened face. Her slight body thrashed in a way that had nothing to do with the storm beating at the ship.
    Mother had called her name, over and over. Alex had tried to tell her she was there. She’d gripped her mother’s frail hand in her pudgy round one and held on until...
    “Alex!” Declan knocked louder. He would not be ignored. In spite of the storm wailing outside, his knocking drew servants from all parts of the house, though they all pretended to be busy with