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Chapter 67
The wedding day finally arrived. A riot of colouring flowers greeted guests as they arrived at Hadden Hall, once again admiring Athena and Craig’s garden redesign. Re-treading the same driveway she had left less than a year earlier Athena was stunned at the transformation of her life.
Prickly, quiet, and somewhat lonely, now metamorphized into a kaleidoscope of joy from which she saw no end in sight. With her husband, still a foreign word upon her tongue to describe the man she gazed at so adoringly across the room, she had found herself. His touch, gentle and rough caresses had unlocked parts of her soul that she hadn’t even realised were hidden. Every night they came together in an exploration of varying power, teases, and softness.
She was surprised to find how much she enjoyed overseeing Felix’s pleasure, how readily he submitted to being tantalised by her. Her body, no longer a practical skeleton design to move earth and plant flowers could be a device for both
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The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 68
“You don’t think there is enough there to make with work with Octavia then?” “There isn’t, but to turn back now would condemn us both.” “What changed?” “You did. I saw how happy you were in the hotel the other week and I realised I am never going to experience love like that. My life is a sham. Octavia is a sham.” “Is there a chance that in time love will grow or are you fundamentally different people? For my part I thought you two would prove a good match in time,” Felix offered in consolation, trying not to provoke Oliver into anger but eager to learn the truth.” Oliver sighed and continued to stare at the ceiling, his dark eyes glittering with the threat of tears. “I treat her poorly on our engagement meeting. Bit too rough with her if I am to confess and it has ruined any…possibility of future relations.” “Have you apologised?” “No.” “That might be all it takes. When there is no apology, the heart hardens. But it ca
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The gilded hallways and ornate rooms of Haddon Hall were silent. All of Lord Lupton's family and servants were attending the garden celebrations on the terrace. There was nobody to stop his thunderous pace as he stormed out of the bedroom suite cursing under his breath."Where do you think you're going?" a shrill female voice cried after him. He spun around, slapped his broad hand against the wall loudly and exclaimed."Damn you, Octavia, I have just proclaimed my love and been told I'm of no consequence to you!"Lady Octavia Lupton, a mid-twenties delicate blonde waif of a woman, leaned against the door as she adjusted the bodice of her dress instinctively. Her floor-length lilac gown covered a multitude of sins, including the fact her undergarments were no longer there.
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The crowd loudly toasted Lord and Lady Lupton to the success of the new hunting lodge and gardens whilst Athena silently observed the group. Their work was complete, and it was time to take their leave to another contract. She had enjoyed her time at Haddon Hall, although the stress of knowing Craig was pursuing relations with Lady Octavia had certainly dampened the past month. Still the project had been a success. As usual, her vivid artistic designs coupled with Craig's knowledge had produced a dazzling success. High society wanted to embrace the creativity of metal sculpture and exotic plants from afar and shake off the Georgian style of columns and stark white stone. "We must give special thanks to our talented designer and artist, our guide throughout the process, Miss Athena Thornfield." She was startled out of her thoughts and gave a wide smile and polite nod to her hosts. The sp
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The bouncing, jolting carriage journey carrying Athena and Craig to their new start at Fairfax Manor seemed never-ending. A journey of one hundred miles was a severe distance when trying to transport so much equipment, tools and design material. Though the cousins shared an intense loyalty, Athena had not confided in Craig about her concerns about Baron Oliver. The meeting in the study had seen no further attempts at flirtation and she had decided to regard it as purely a misstep on his part. She could not help but observe a sly grin on his face throughout her detailed presentation. His rich brown hair had shone in the sun glinting through the window and she shook her head at the recollection. Nonetheless, contracts had been signed to construct a vast lake complete with an ornate, romantic pagoda at its centre. The extensive mile-long driveway was to be replanted with vivid foliage and in Oliver's words
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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