My Forbidden Mentor (18 page)

Finishing with her boots, she heard his footsteps approaching. When the door opened, she quickly uttered, “I’m ready.” She could tell she’d already pushed her limit by letting him dress her this morning.

To her relief he gave her a smile. “Good,” he said, swooping her into his arms to be carried down the stairs. He propped her up on top of his mare and slid up behind her.

A short time later his large manor came into view, with three enormous stable houses and beautiful thoroughbreds prancing about. Their racing bodies were in superb condition, their muscles lithe and sleek with every springing step.

John slid off Clara then helped Melissa down. One of his stable hands came over to take care of Clara for him. “Thank you Todd. Have Simon ready Chief for me, will you?” John directed as Todd nodded in agreement. After Todd took Clara John shifted back to Melissa. Anxious to gather necessary belongings and be back into Melissa’s warm bed, he led her to the front door. “Would you like to come in with me or see the horses? I noticed you studying them on our way in.”

A smile appeared at his observance. “Well, if you don’t mind, I have been eager to see your horses up close. May I?”

His smile mirrored hers. “You don’t have to ask, sweetheart, and I don’t mind at all. It shouldn’t take me long.” He leaned over and planted a gentle kiss upon her lips. “Simon should be in there. You’ll know him when you see him, he’s the one giving orders. He’ll help you with any inquiries you have until I return.”

“All right,” she said and turned toward the stables.

John followed her movements before pivoting toward the front door. He missed the inconspicuous, unmarked carriage parked behind a shading limb of trees that graced the side of his manor.

Once inside Charles got his attention. “Good day my lord.”

John headed for the stairwell, saying in passing, “Good day Charles. It is a marvelous day in fact, is it not?” Sensing something was wrong, he inquired just as Charles was about to speak again. “Is there something else, Charles?” His gleeful pace stalled halfway up the stairs.

Charles winced before responding. “Yes my lord,” he said, stepping next to the railing of the stairwell. “There is a female visitor here to see you and she’s been here quite some time. Her visit was unannounced. I tried to tell her you weren’t available but . . .”

He never finished, for John just wanted to know who it was. “Who is it, Charles?” John’s brows were creasing in frustration because he wasn’t in a generous mood when it came to any delays that could thwart the plans he’d already made with Melissa.

“Yes sir. It is Baroness Lindsey Pope.” Charles shot a brief glance toward the closed doors of the sitting room, adding in a whisper, “Ghastly chit if I may say so my lord.”

John chuckled at Charles attempt at humor. “You may say so, Charles, and may I say that I agree with you one hundred percent.” John spun down the stairs to take care of the disturbing annoyance once and for all. “I’m freeing you from her company Charles. You may go.”

John heard a sigh of relief and chuckled some more.

Sitting in a wingback chair, sipping a cup of tea, was a young lady sporting auburn hair and green eyes, someone he’d had a one-night fling with some months ago, which had been enough for him. She’d begun stalking him after that, becoming overly possessive. Finally he’d had to put her in her place by reminding her she had a husband who might be interested in her extracurricular activities. Since then she’d left him alone until now.

Looking up as he entered, she stood and pranced over to him. “Lord Blackburn, how nice to see you. I’ve been waiting some time. I assume you’ve just arrived.” Seduction was written all over her entrapping features.

He grinned at her attempts to wile him. She was playing a dangerous game with a non-existing player. “So proper, Lindsey. What brings you out to the country?” he asked, even though he already knew.

Her hands reached for the collar of his shirt. “It’s been awhile darling. I thought you might be lonely.” Her voice downshifted an octave. “Lonely for my company. I sure am for yours. Remember how much fun we had?”

His hands caught hers before they could get a grip on his collar, a reaction that temporarily stunned her. Lindsey Pope was used to getting her way and this time she wasn’t.

John’s annoyance shifted to mild rage. Her persistence on a matter that had been resolved months ago astounded him. “I’m not interested Lindsey. You should have gotten the message the last time we conversed,” he told her, making his point clear once again. He didn’t need this now. She was wasting his precious time.

Stepping over to the large framed window of the sitting room, looking out into green lush landscape, her eyes scanned along its entirety. Numerous corrals dominated her view and past them a particular female caught her eye. The young lady seemed to be very enthusiastic about John’s horses along with Robert.

Yes, Robert, another conquest if he’d be willing. Her green eyes full of spite left Robert to focus on the young lady accompanying him. “Who’s the young lady chatting with Robert?”

John strode over to the window, seeing Melissa and Robert. “She’s a student of our company.” There was a sternness to his voice, revealing his rising anger.

Her smile turned devious. “Your student, huh? What are you teaching her?”

“None of your business Lindsey,” he spoke through tightened lips and clenched teeth.

“She’s certainly attractive.”

John was beyond the point of caring. She was taking up too much of his time. His eyes narrowed when he turned to face her. “It’s time for you to leave Lindsey. I’m not able to service you anymore, you need to go elsewhere.”

His mind was made up she thought as she walked back over to the couch, picked up her purse and headed for the door. She gave it one last effort. “If you ever change your mind, I’m available,” She informed him while disappearing through the doorway.

Relieved that she was gone he headed for his bedchamber to finally change his clothing and gather necessary items.

But as John’s mind was preoccupied with his own ideas, Lindsey took full advantage of the possibilities presented to her, namely intimidating his female student. What in the world was he teaching her anyway besides the pleasures of his bed.

She approached Robert and Melissa before taking her leave. With a toss of an auburn ringlet and a smile bearing an undermining recourse, Lindsey played her part well. “Hello, Robert. It’s been a while.”

Robert knew the hell John had gone through with this wench and if he’d been alone he wouldn’t have had a second thought about being rude to her but for Melissa’s sake he behaved. “Hello Lindsey.”

Assuming she’d have to introduce herself since Robert hadn’t done the liberties, she faced Melissa with her hand outstretched. “Hello, I’m Baroness Lindsey Pope.”

Melissa smiled but was overcome with a sensation that this woman had a deceitful nature. “Hello, I’m Melissa Howard.” She shook Lindsey’s hand, catching a distinct beam in her eyes.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Howard. John tells me you’re a student of his company?” Lindsey asked, waiting to see what kind of reaction she would stir.

Melissa wasn’t aware that John freely mentioned she was his student to anybody but as he had to be the only one to tell her she went along with Lindsey’s inquiry. “Yes I am. He’s a very thorough teacher. I’ll be forever grateful for his knowledge,” she stated, hoping her words revealed a double meaning like this libertine woman wanted to believe.

Lindsey retaliated by giving her a sneering smile. “Yes, I’d have to agree with thorough.”

Annoyed, Melissa tried tuning out this obstacle of a woman by letting her attention wander to a nearby mare.

Lindsey caught her drift and shifted her gaze to Robert. “It’s certainly nice to see you again, Robert. If you ever get lonely for company I’m available,” she offered.

Appalled, Robert couldn’t believe the gall of this woman. His reply was direct and plain. “No thank you Lindsey, I’m already taken, remember?”

Well her progress surely lacked today. Three evading attitudes in a row wasn’t terribly flattering. Her eyes flashed toward Robert and then to Melissa. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Howard. Good luck,” she remarked, spun toward her carriage and was off.

Melissa watched as she left, still annoyed by her tactics, telling herself not to give in to this proposed jealousy. And what did she mean by good luck?

Robert noticed Melissa’s apprehension. “She’s not worth it Melissa.”

Melissa’s attentions turned to Robert. “I had only heard about women like her. I see now they exist,” she stated as if ridding the taste of disgust from her mouth.

Agreeing with her, Robert confided, “Yes, they do.”

“Please excuse me Robert but I’d like to finish looking at John’s horses now,” she said and with a smile proceeded to the stables, on the way trying to clear her thoughts regarding Lindsey Pope and John.

Robert responded with a faint, “Sure,” as his focus lingered on her departing form. He had to get a hold of John.

“Robert, how are you this fine day?” John asked upon finding his friend standing at the front entrance.

“I’m fine,” Robert replied.

They walked together to the stables when Robert stopped halfway.

“What is it Robert, you look serious?” John inquired, realizing Robert’s quietness was not without a reason.

“Can you spare a few moments?” he said, his arm’s crossing over his broad chest.

In unison, John’s arms crossed as well. “Of course. What is it?”

“It’s about, Melissa.” Robert was at odds about approaching John in such a manner regarding a woman, but Melissa wasn’t ordinary and John had never been this serious before. Even if John was denying it, Robert saw the visible truth. John was falling in love. “I like her a lot, John.”

“I like her a lot too.” John’s brows creased in bewilderment. “What is this leading to Robert?”

“You seem quite serious about her,” he said before giving a straightforward opinion. “Look, John, if you’re serious like I think you are, you might want to advise her about previous women you’ve been with.” Robert’s hand gestured in the direction that Lindsey’s carriage had left. “That bitch Lindsey didn’t help matters. She even propositioned me in front of Melissa.” Robert watched John shake his head in dismay as he added, “Melissa handled herself well but I could tell she had some doubts about your relationship.”

John sighed while sweeping a hand through his unbound hair. “That bitch,” he muttered.

Robert responded out of concern. “Whether Melissa is long term or not John, she definitely doesn’t deserve that kind of harsh treatment.” Even as he finished Robert noticed the intent expression on John’s face, an almost painful demonstration of the confused emotions he was dealing with. Robert smiled to ease the tension.

“I know,” John mumbled. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. He would speak with Melissa but in the meantime he’d relish their private moments. There would be plenty of time to inform her about obnoxious types of women.

With the seriousness his best friend displayed Robert sensed progress in John and Melissa’s relationship, otherwise John would have reached a decision by now. Maybe yesterday’s talk went better than expected Robert concluded and decided to him question further. “Did you two have a talk yesterday?”

John looked directly at Robert curious by what he meant. “Sort of. Why?”

Robert’s smile broadened. So she had taken his advice. “I just figured that since you two were alone you’d been able to sort things out.”

“Are you talking about the misunderstanding Melissa had about me the day of her accident?” John asked.

“Yes, precisely. I knew you two could work it out,” Robert replied, revealing the most mischievous grin.

John immediately became aware of Robert’s devious plan. “One moment. How did you know before me?” John inquired in defense.

“John, ease off man. You’re forgetting my visit with Melissa a couple of days ago. We compared stories and I advised her to tell you what happened. She was quite humiliated about it. I hope you didn’t make it harder for her?” John didn’t reply but Robert guessed by the guilty look on his face that he most certainly had. “You did more than work it out, didn’t you?” By now Robert saw John as clear as a blue sky without clouds.

A slight grin appeared on John’s lips. “Let me just say that everything is going quite well right now.”

“Was going well, John. I really think a little subtle consolation is needed.” John kept grinning while Robert voiced his thoughts aloud. “At least you two haven’t,” Robert stopped when he realized what John had meant by his words. “You’ve bedded her, haven’t you?”

John bent forward so his eyes could stare into the toes of his black riding boots.

Robert wasn’t surprised and took the opportunity to harass him. “What happened to being professional?” Robert readily reminded John.

John’s head lifted. His stance appeared triumphant as he returned his gaze toward Robert. There was no reason to feel guilty about this he told himself no matter how protective Robert was being in regards to Melissa or harassing toward him. “You know how long I’ve wanted her, how long I’ve waited. Anyway, it just happened,” he ended on a sigh and added in order to ease Robert’s protective mind, “And it wasn’t against her will, it was mutual.”

Robert’s brows arched at John’s statement, coming back with his opinion of the situation. “Well you’ve just verified my hunch. You’re hooked.”