Read Druid Surrender (A Druid Quest Novel Book 1) for Free Online Page B

just further proof that it’s not safe for you to be on your own.” He set the horses into a fast trot, effectively ending the conversation.
    After months of secrecy, she’d finally worked up the courage to confess her deepest secret, and he didn’t believe her. She didn’t know if she should laugh or be offended. Back straight, he rode without a care in the world. She could almost believe him when he said he would protect her.
    May the goddess save them both.

Chapter 4
    B righid’s first view of Wyatt’s house threatened to send her heart thumping out of her chest like a scared rabbit. The urge to run was nearly overwhelming. She’d expected a normal house, not a huge, three-story manor comprised of large gray stones that only the gods could have created. Every window shimmered like crystal as the panes captured the early morning light.
    “You live here?”
    Wyatt glanced at Brighid, the cynical side of him expecting to see calculation tarnish the innocence in her lovely green eyes. When he saw the pure dread, he bit back his initial sharp reply and simply nodded.
    “Who are you?” Her voice trailed off into a strangled whisper.
    Raw terror darkened her eyes, and the expressive face he found so enchanting vanished behind the polite society mask he detested, stealing the sparkling life he found so fascinating. He tightened his hold on the ropes connecting them, as if to prevent her from shutting him out, too.
    As if sensing the tension, her horse sidled. When he nudged his mount forward to rescue her, he watched in admiration as she brought the animal under control in a smooth move only duplicated by the most skilled riders. The doubts he harbored about her increased. Though this girl might not be dressed to London’s high standards, she sure as hell wasn’t the commoner she pretended. What was she doing hiding in his village?
    “Wyatt Graystone, Fifth Earl of Castelline at your service, my lady.” He spoke in a fake, highbrow voice, hoping to lighten her mood and break through the barrier she’d just erected between them.
    She shot him a suspicious look, and he couldn’t help but give her a devilish smile. Maybe if he could keep her off balance, she’d trip up and reveal more about herself.
    “This is my estate, Graystone Manor.” His spread his arms to encompass the land, pride filling him. After years of hard work, he’d finally been able to put the estate back to rights, though it had taken more money than he’d believed possible.
    Just when he had everything within his grasp, trouble tainted the peaceful homecoming he’d been craving for so long.
    He had to discover who wanted to destroy his factory, and remove any danger that threatened Ms. Legend, before he could settle into the peaceful existence he’d spent most of his life working toward.
    He’d been consumed with recouping his dwindling fortune, submerged himself in a dangerous world of espionage to get it, but that life had palled. He wanted a new future. The marriage certificate burned in his pocket, but the thought of being tied to the husband-hunting young misses of his class chilled him to the bone. He touched his pocket reassuringly, and his eyes wandered to his companion, easily able to envision himself spending time arguing and laughing with this waif of a girl.
    She was the first woman in years who gave him hope of more than a sterile union. Like a compulsion, he wanted to discover everything about the mysterious goddess who had so suddenly appeared in his life. Something about her ignited all his protective instincts.
    Despite practically kidnapping the girl, he couldn’t legally lock her away. It was imperative that he find a way to ensure she stayed of her own volition. He couldn’t bring himself to set her free before ensuring her safety. If that meant keeping her near, that was fine with him.
    In spite of the exhaustion that carved dark circles under her eyes, she was a gorgeous creature. He felt like a cad for delaying