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Chapter 23
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Down in London, the past twenty-four hours for Oliver had been a roller coaster. He had spiralled between despair and elation multiple times as Fate had toyed with him. Now as he sat eating a quiet lunch in his hotel room he tried to go over the turn of events and rationalise his situation.
Upon arriving at the Gilded Falcon from Lady Daphne's gathering, he was surprised to be denied entrance for the first time. Despite his title and connections it appeared his name had a red creditor mark against it. The odious bald gatekeeper had politely and in a quiet voice reminded him that his previous visit was still unpaid.
Sulking angrily at the bar he watched the other gentlemen gamblers come and go. Sipping a claret, his mind was a torrent of self-pity and unfairness.
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The room erupted into a braying circus, all decorum and breeding seemed to have vanished along with the evening. It was approaching morning and the amounts of claret and brandy consumed had reduced the audience to that of a prize fight mob. I would like to wager ten thousand on this hand – he says so casually! “Have you ever seen the like?” “Looks like the Fairfax family have another clever rogue amongst them!” “I never…Cedric are you taking bets on top for this one?” Cedric, the slim man with slightly bulging eyes who had patiently dealt throughout the night looked over to his concerned bosses, they gave him a subtle sign. &n
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The arrival of Oliver's letters announcing his plans the following day caused enormous upheaval and welcome distraction to both Athena and Felix. Both buried themselves away in their respective studies focusing on arrangements, business and contractors. Oliver returned to Fairfax Manor without any sense of the raging tension between the two people. He was entirely focused on his mission to dazzle his party guests with the completed project. He had even begun to expedite Craig directly, no longer using the lake as an excuse to flirt with Athena. Oliver had to admit that they had performed an amazing transformation. Within two weeks the lake was completely dug, lined and slowly being pumped full of water. The ironwork pagoda had been delivered and was assembl
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After the horse ride to Remmington, Athena had thoroughly stamped down her feelings towards Felix. Oliver's letter and party planning had given her more than enough distraction. She had also ridden Tempest over to Lord McDonald's estate regularly to take tea with Lady Louisa. She had become something of a mother figure, always interested in the projects progress and her opinions on the latest news. These pleasant afternoons with Lady Louisa had yielded a prospect for more work. Lord and Lady Trimble had a country estate that they used as a summer residence when not in London and they wanted to get her perspective. Her latest letter from Lord Trimbles estate manager suggested it best she visit in person to compose her proposal. Lady McDonald assured her they were a respectable family, the Lord and Lady around fifty yea
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The following morning Athena woke to a grimy, cloudy sky that fit her mood exactly. She packed her portfolio and drawing book strapping them to the saddled sides of Tempest. The black mare seemed to read Athena’s downbeat mood, nuzzling her shoulder and behaving impeccably as she prepared. Thomas Mellor had offered her the other horses but Athena begged the use of Tempest. Her temperament was no longer frightening, it was a reflection of their bond and she adored the black eyes that shone out of her shiny black coat like something from another world. The ride to Paven Hall was twelve miles and by the time she arrived at the house her optimistic energy had resurfaced. Determined to put her best foot forward she shook off Felix’s warnings. In all the gossip rags she had ever cast her eye over or parties attended she had never notic
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Sometime later Athena woke to find Tempest gently nuzzling her cheek. The grey clouds made it difficult to trace the time of day but the available shadows suggested she had been knocked out for at least a couple of hours. Back on her feet she examined herself for injury and found apart from a very sore head and aching shoulders where she had landed and rolled, she was largely uninjured but poor Tempest had a slight limp. Athena petted and caressed the strong neck of the beautiful mare. She could not be ridden but was able to walk alongside Athena. She estimated they had another six miles back to Fairfax Manor. Taking the reins in her hand and planting a kiss on Tempest's soft black nose the pair started walking. Another hour passed of gentle rambling and a worry about being out alone in the dark as dusk started to arise.
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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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"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.
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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.
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“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 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 evenings darkness had enclosed London's streets as Oliver travelled towards his destiny with ever increasing anger. Bouncing along the cobbles his mind tortured him with all his errors. The loss of Lady Daphne as a potential love, his upcoming marriage to a woman be did not love. Overarching all of these was a wild jealousy of Felix and Athena. Their easy way with each other and the transformation in Felix was unbelievable. Finally carriage pulled up around the corner. Oliver threw some gold coins at the carriageman, requesting he wait outside. As he walked towards the casino his resolve melted away. Stood outside the nondescript building he was baffled as to why the place had held such a hold over him. Why had this standard columned building haunted his dreams and pulled at his sanity. He knew inside was a bar, a ledger with his fat credit line ready to play and a bar stocked with enough alcohol to drown out the misery. This time winning money wouldn't s
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Oliver had regained his old swagger as he zipped around London with Octavia in the final week before the wedding. There were balls to attend, gentlemens clubs to smoke cigars in, too many functions to name. He was surprised just how well Octavias scheme had worked. As soon as the announcement hit the formal papers, not just the gossip rags all the invitations came flooding in. Hidden Hall was going to be overrun with the nations best, brights and richest young lights with him at the centre. He had left Octavia back at the hotel with her sour faced mother after an early dinner. She had seen through the match but prudently kept her mouth shut. Annoyingly Octvaia remained reverted to some kind of virgin state since their encounter at the bridge. Late at night, after several claret glasses he did occasionally replay that moment
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At Fairfax Manor life had continued steadily, it had been almost three months since they got married, two months since Athena and Felix’s shock marriage and the summer was now at an end. Craig was busy ensuring the manor was fully prepared for winter winds and storms, checking supplies for the skeleton staff that manned the manor in Felix’s absence. He was also responsible for ensuring standards did not slip alongside Mrs Clarke. Thankfully the small teams of people on site were all dedicated to preserving the great hall and all rejoiced in seeing the owner happy again.Athena wrote frequent letters to both Lily and Craig separately, each one dealing with matters of business, finance and matters of the heart to the other. With Craig’s tuition Lily had become adept at reading and writing, improving from a basic knowledge to literate in just a few short months. Sophie was no
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He spent a few more minutes wandering back up to where the horses were, his mind racing with a strange mix of fear and excitement. Weaving his way back through the glade path he heard the noise of the waterfall once more.“Felix…” came a sultry, low call that made him almost trip over the overhanging tree roots. The temperature dropped noticeably once out of the midday sun, the cool shady air was delicious. He realised he was sweating and damp from his searching after her. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks. In the small lagoon, the water at waist height, wearing nothing but a small smile stood Athena, her curling, chocolate-brown hair completely free and hanging down past her rib cage. Her eyes sparkled with victorious happiness as she registered the surprise on his face.“Athena…what are you…&r
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The following weeks in Naples seemed to pass by in a dizzying blur of tours, palaces, churches, and sightseeing. Athena drew almost every day, delighting in the colours and shape of the architecture whilst Felix happily studied the engineering behind the buildings. They could spend entire afternoons quietly in each other’s presence, each happily absorbed in their own pursuits with the occasional glance and smile towards the other. Every so often whilst Athena was at her easel, he would softly approach, tuck away a stray hair and kiss her bare neck causing a shudder of pleasure to rush through her. She did not know that it was taking all his self-possession not to grab her and pull her to him greedily as he did as soon as they were alone. The way her green eyes sparkled and surveyed the world around her captivated him, she was a G
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Deep in one of the groves of the Haddon Hall estate, Oliver paced in an agitated state. The days since Octavia’s letter had dragged and he was eager to know her grand plan. He was also keen to be intimate with her, certain she would want to be, given that she had no qualms at his party. He had a weakness for pale blue eyes as Claudette and Sophie could attest but Octavia’s were unique. The iciness to them never seemed to fade, even in the throes of passion she appeared to be calculating her next move like a boa constrictor whereas he was a man of pure instinct. The fact those instincts had almost left him bankrupt and homeless he did not consider flaws in his character. Finally a gentle pattering of feet amongst the fall leaves alerted him to her presence. She was wearing a fine, lace covered day dress of cornflower blue, her cle
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The hotel was the grandest money could buy. A royal suite had been arranged and every other room on the floor too to ensure absolute privacy. Felix wanted to avoid snooping guests or waiting staff and paid handsomely to avoid being troubled. They arrived via a back entrance, the day had only just passed midday and Athena realised she was faint with hunger. Felix recognised her pale look and immediately requested one of the other suites he booked be prepared for dining. Feeling like a boat caught up the crest of a wave she watched all of these events as a bemused onlooker. In only five minutes she had been exposed to the true grandeur of Felixs wealth. Just in the suites he had spent more money than Athena had ever earned with her contract. The yacht he had charted was eye-wateringly expensive and now she was part of tha
