An early start saw Athena and Craig leave the inn well before dawn. Whilst he regaled her with tales from his new acquaintances from the Inn, it was her turn to be lost in her thoughts. Whilst she knew the tales Nancy Mellor had spun must be exaggerated she was still intrigued.
Finally, the carriage arrived at Fairfax Manor. A long gravel driveway leads to a dark grey Gothic Manor house. Stark turrets and arched windows looked over the surrounding lawns, meadows and forest.
Both Athena and Craig smiled in excitement as they approached. The change they were going to make was unparalleled.
An arched double wooden door opened as they exited the carriage and two women stepped out to greet them. One in a black senior servant's uniform, her hair in a grey bun.
The other, a young woman with fiery red hair in a grey tunic with a white apron stood behind her.
"Good Morning, I am Mrs Pauline Clark, head of the household and this is Miss Lily Atkins. Ms Athena, Lily will show you to your room and assist you as required with your toilette"
Athena recognised that familiar look in Lily's blue eyes as she tried to subtly take in Craig's form. Her delicate eyebrows arched as she attempted to conceal her interest. Craig paid her no attention and kept his eyes focused on old Mrs Clarke and her black bonneted face as she rattled on.
"Mr Thornfield I understand you have requested your lodgings to not be part of the main house, we have a gamekeepers lodge just back down the driveway prepared for you."
"Excellent, I am most grateful."
"Your meals can be taken with the rest of the staff in the kitchen and I understand Ms Athena will either dine in her room or with the gentlemen of the house"
"You are correct. Again, thank you for such a warm welcome" Athena reiterated, keen to get moving and unpacked.
Eventually, they were shown to their quarters. A balding, gruff-faced labourer named Mr Hughes arrived to show Craig whilst Lily accompanied Athena.
Athena gasped as she entered the main hallway, flanked by a huge mahogany split staircase. A wide initial section, divided into two upward sections to the east and west wings of the house. It set the tone of grandeur for the rest of the manor.
Dark wood, tapestries, ornate brass chandeliers and candelabras dominated. Athena's room was on the second floor at the front of the property and it offered full views of her future construction site. It was only a bedroom and bathroom so she would be setting up her drawing materials in the library.
"Thank you Lily it is a really lovely room, and the manor house is stunning."
"Oh it is ma'am, and I am excited to have a lady to look after if you don't mind me saying."
"Only the Barons are in residence?"
Athena asked this lightly but she cursed her lack of restraint. Why would it matter to her if Baron Felix had different women every week!
"Normally the only guests when they put a hunt on and guests stay over, the house is lovely and busy then, do you ride ma'am?"
"I love horses."
"Hopefully you will get to participate then, it looks so daring as they charge about! We have one in two weeks I believe. "
Lily was a bright, attentive girl and Athena knew they were going to get on just fine. She was also pleased she hadn't asked about Craig as some tactless servants tended to.
"I shall leave you to unpack, Barons Felix and Oliver typically dine at about eight if you wish me to call for you?"
A flutter rose in her chest and a quick "Yes please, thank you, Lily, I shall call if I need you."
Lily bowed as she exited and Athena turned her face to the window and sighed wishing the butterflies would settle before meeting the man who dominated her imagination.
Little did she know that her arrival had already been viewed from a distance. Baron Oliver had eagerly watched for their arrival from the library. He had enjoyed her resistance to his wit when they met, perhaps she would be more of a challenge than the usual victories.
He was aware Felix regarded his taste in the local women with disdain, but a girl in uniform did something to him. His ego delighted in their trembling breath, batting their lashes as they inevitably gave in to his advances.
Oliver's dark eyes, short curly black hair and tall build pleased the eye but he knew his title was what made them drop to their knees. In his experience nothing made a poor woman enter his chamber quicker than the idea they had a chance to be a Baroness.
He smirked at the thought. They were just sports, when he wanted to settle down he'd be aiming a damn sight higher than the young women who cleaned out his fireplace on a morning. The fact he wouldn't get the remaining bulk of his inheritance until he was married was only a minor irritant at present.
Now Athena Thornfield, a woman of the highest recommendation and reputation, would be a new effort. Those green eyes had sized him up and her slender figure, curvy bust and smooth wide pink lips would surely offer many nights of pleasure.
Luckily he had avoided any blemish attached to his name, his brother's notorious year in Europe had given the gossip-mongers more than enough material. Any romantic mishap he had encountered was swiftly quietened.
He had no interest in Athena's accompanying cousin, the hulking brute who would be leading the men. He rubbed his chin in thought, he would certainly be insisting on regular updates from the lovely Athena.
As she entered the hall and left his sight he clapped his hands and rubbed them together. Let the hunt begin, he muttered under his breath.
Athena dressed carefully for dinner, by trying to wear something charming, yet understated yet professional. Finally, she decided on a mint green and white dress with a wide white ribbon tied under the bust. Her hair was loosely up with some curls escaping and falling in delicate tendrils. As she waited in her quiet room for Lily to summon her, the impatience built to a crescendo. As the time neared nine, she accepted she wasn't being summoned tonight. Her embarrassment at such a start made her cheeks burn and her eyes sparkle. She headed out of the bedroom and headed to the kitchen to find her meal. As she strode down the corridor and quickly took the stairs she stopped at the sound of voices. It appeared to be a study where at least two people had retired for a drink and a smoke. Slowing her walk to minimise noise she headed away and to the other end of the hallway. A door behind her banged open sudde
A daily routine was established by the end of the first week. At dawn, Athena and Craig would quickly go over their aims for the day then after breakfast Craig would join the men in their labours. Athena would then be based in the library for her drawings and assessments or walk around the grounds trying to gauge the success of the designs from every vantage point. Any issues found or were hers to cost and find solutions for. Invariably Oliver would appear and entertain her with amusing questions about the design. To humour him she had produced a sketch of a maze area complete with a confused Oliver at the centre. He had guffawed and promised to show Felix. The mention of his name did more to her nerves than all of Oliver's flattery. Lily and Sophie, anothe
The Manor was finally brought to life the following Friday as half a dozen carriages containing the guests for the weekend's hunting arrived. Tonight there would be fine dining, music and entertainment followed by a dawn start on horseback. Athena too had found new energy. The manor had transformed as it hummed with activity, the grey stone walls no longer intimidating, instead, they were a welcome source of strength within the harsh landscape. Oliver assured Athena during their conversations she could borrow a horse named Tempest. His original promise of accompanying her to the stables had fallen by the wayside, however. She had not chased up his attention though, aware of the implications she could give by hounding him. Attempting to avoid the buzz of new
The evening’s festivities saw Athena worrying about what to wear, something she never normally cared about. Lily kindly informed her what the other visiting ladies had taken out for the evening so she could wear a similar style. Out of sheer relief, Athena had wrapped the gentle Lily in a hug, thanking her for preventing her embarrassment.She wore a tightly wrapped purple evening gown. Underneath that layer was a white semi-corset bodice that offered a good hint of cleavage. The sleeves were three-quarter-length but not puffed out as per the trend. Instead, they clung to her limbs, highlighting her youthful figure.Around her neck, she wore her gold circle locket, and her hair was styled into a stylish nest of curls with sparkling pearl pins placed within.
Stood silently at the top of the stairs Athena did not dare turn around. The severity of his voice had rendered her frozen to the spot. The sound of heavy footsteps climbing the stairs to reach her pounded in time to her heartbeat. Finding herself fighting a tingling sensation in her lower stomach in anticipation she kept her eyes firmly to the floor. He quickly completed his ascent. His pace slowed as he stalked around her silently, his body close to hers like a wolf readying for the kill. Her eyes slowly lifted from the ground upon seeing his black leather boots in her peripheral vision. Finally the footsteps stopped, he was stood directly in front of her, and her eyes slowly travelled the full length of his body to meet his own. His dark suit and waistcoat fitted his large figure, he couldn't look more perfect if he tried. Although his jaw was set sternly, his eyes an intensely dark brow
As the day started and the house buzzed once more with activity, both Felix and Oliver looked for Athena to appear for breakfast. She remained irritatingly absent and Oliver joked that perhaps she had run off to the nunnery instead of riding. Whilst some at the group had laughed Felix had stood up and walked away silently, disappointed in his brother. Partaking in the hunt were Oliver, Felix, Lord McDonald, Lord Dacre, David Buxton and Harold Lupton who had arrived late. Athena was the only female rider but as the men strolled out of the large doors chatting they found Athena already mounted on Tempest. Felix could not help noticing her excellent posture upon the horse, her green eyes shining with grim determination. Her hair was tightly pinned under a black bonnet glowing coolly in her ruby red tightly fitted riding habit that w
Felix’s lips embraced with a passion that took her breath away. She closed her eyes and basked in the passion and strength of his embrace, eagerly returning his kisses and searching for more of him. Knowing her hands were held tightly by her side was so frustratingly teasing, she longed to run her hands over his chest, or through his hair. His tongue lapped gently at her mouth causing her to open it more fully. She found herself softly finding his tongue with her own, trying to experience as much of him as she possibly could before this dream ended. She let out a loud gasp of pleasure as his mouth suddenly left hers and instead started planting a mix of gentle and rough kisses up her neck. She shuddered as his hot breath teased her skin. The little ki
Smartly dressed in a lilac cotton gown, tied beneath the bust with a purple ribbon Athena descended the sweeping wooden staircase once more. Though she looked identical to last night, everything was upside down in her mind. She had lost her mind in the stable, she had put everything at risk for a quick tryst with a known womaniser. She resolved to be the stronger person in this situation. Felix was a Baron of unparalleled riches, she would just be another conquest to him. The fact he was employer and had that hold over her fate was both terrifying and enticing. Complete the job and get out became her calming mantra. Lightly treading into the library she found the abandoned ladies playing cards and reading after lunch. There was no sign of Felix, which settled her nerv