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Chapter 29
Athena was forced to remain in her room for several days after the visit to Lord Trimble. The doctor ascertained she had suffered a mild concussion. Oliver sent gifts of chocolates, fresh flowers and funny notes. Lily was a never-ending supply of tea, biscuits and blankets and Athena felt herself turning into an old woman as she quietly rested by the fire.
There was no word from Felix, not that she expected anything seeing as she had shouted at him yet again. She was more convinced than ever that her future lay away from the rigid manners of rich men and their properties. His whisper "I am afraid...of you" she dare not trust as a memory as it formed a part of the black haze of her faint.
Craig visited, somehow always at the same time as Lily but she decided not to tease them about their secret affection for each other. His eyes and s
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The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 30
"Excuse me?" "Are you in love or in a relationship with Oliver? I need to know." His voice was flat and severe, demanding an answer from her. The statement caused her soft pink lips to drop open slightly in shock and a hand to clasp to her chest. "I cannot believe you would ask that of me," she replied in a hurt tone, "I have absolutely no interest in your brother apart from as my client and it has been that way since the day we met. I think I har best bid you goodnight, Sir." She turned her face away from his and started to retreat from the study in anger. In the flickering shadows of the darkened room, she seemed to glow with energy. Suddenly he grabbed her hand and pulled her round to meet his huge frame.
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 31
Athena's begging gasps seemed to send Felix into overdrive. He sped up his touching, rubbing her swollen nub faster, swirling, teasing it alongside her breasts whilst a storm of emotion built up within Athena. An overwhelming wave was about to break down upon her as the ecstasy grew too much to bear. "Felix...oh...I cannot stand...survive...oh," as he gently built her to a peak. She quivered and gently moaned under his touch. He continued to adore her body and lavish kisses and touches upon her as she slowly came back down to earth. In the crook of his arm, she panted and looked up into his dark eyes as their heads rested on the pillow. They were shining and lively, all trace of stern-faced cruelty vanished. She delicately trailed a hand across his jaw and marvelled at his good looks.
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 32
While Oliver was away again Craig fully intended to talk to Athena. He was aware they only had two short weeks left at Fairfax Manor but despite his best intentions, Lily had stolen her way into his heart. After their first kiss by the bench, he found himself hurrying through the morning to see her for lunch. He started surreptitiously taking flower cuttings and other sweet gestures which the men pretended not to notice. Lily gave him gifts of pies and baked goods which were just as joyously received. Lily had made it very clear that although she adored Craig she did not want an affair or anything outside of marriage. Craig respected her wishes and so kisses and close embraces remained their level. Craig found it increasingly hard to resist asking her to visit his lodge, especially as he knew she might say yes. Just once, t
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 33
It was now Saturday, a week before the party and time was passing agonisingly slow for Lily. She spent yet another day completing her chores, bored without Sophie’s company. Craig had not been able to see her since his soaking and a day without seeing his dashing smile and tumbling blonde locks made her heartache. Fiona, one of the scullery maids had agreed to handle the dinner preparations for Baron Felix tonight. He was unlikely to notice a change in servant but even so, she was nervous. Lily enjoyed her job and had never done anything to risk it, until today. As the clock slowly wound its way around to dusk Lily tingled with excitement, she knew Craig would be in his lodge alone. He kept to himself once the working day was completed. The atmosphere of the manor hous
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 34
As Lily stepped into the lodge a shiver of goosebumps trailed up her arms and spine. Everything screamed Craig. The front door opened straight into the parlour sitting room. His heavy working coats were slung over a chair, designs and drawings scattered over a heavy wooden table. The fire was down to embers surrounded by a sturdy black fireplace. There was no art on the wall but some hunting paintings and brasses. There was a small kitchen, with an untouched oven that made Lily's heart ache. He had not been eating regularly at all, no wonder he had been wolfing down her pies. She cursed herself for not enquiring more as to his loss of weight. Her hand trailed softly along the rugged wooden workspace leading to an empty pantry. She dare not explore beyond the parlour room and kitchen as beyond another door lay his bedroom. I
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 35
Upon waking in her bed Athena was left as confused as she was before. Her body ached from the joy of his touch but she wanted more. Had he carried herself here, how long had he let her lay in his arms. The almighty question reigning over all the others remained, did he have any emotional attachment to her yet? His deep brown eyes had followed her into her dreams, the tiniest adjustment changed his expression from cold to adoring but it never stayed fixed. She lay in silence for over an hour as the options swirled before her eyes like competing dance partners . Clapping her hands together she got out of bed with a purpose. Chewing on her breakfast as though preparing for war she unnerved Lily with her silent demeanour. She was determined not to faint today.
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 36
Lady Louisa had no idea of Athena's arrival but welcomed her with open arms. After a silent gallop through the countryside, they had arrived at Lord McDonald's residence, Burniston Hall before lunch. Soon they were seated in a light airy parlour that looked out onto the kitchen garden. The scent of fresh herbs flooded the space and helped soothe Athena's anxiety. The tall, stately figure of Lady Louisa was softened by her kindly face and greying hair. She fussed over Craig and Athena as though they were her children and couldn't welcome them enough. Piling them high with sandwiches, cakes and tea she kept the conversation as bright as possible. "Now I am sorry the proposal with Lord Trimble did not work out but I have some ideas for some lovely contacts I have in London."
The Baron's Cold Proposal Chapter 37
The final few days of party preparation for the Saturday at Fairfax Manor counted down relatively calmly. Felix eventually cornered Craig in the foyer of the manor, forcing a brief conversation to confirm Athena's location. Craig had answered politely and the Baron had merely given a brisk nod and returned to his study seemingly unperturbed. It was now Thursday and the manor was awaiting the return of Craig later that evening in the carriage. Every room was freshened and prepped ready for dozens of guests and well over a hundred guests to the party. Temporary stables and staff had been brought in, giving a sense of organised chaos that Felix sought to escape by riding off on Achilles every day for long periods. Meanwhile down in London Oliver had found himself rising and falling over the previous like a tide. He fough
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