Chapter 6

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, another servant girl, had become very helpful during this time and she enjoyed their company. Although still reserved there was a lot more fun to be had chatting with two engaging women than sitting on her own all day. Sophie was a curvy young blonde with a boisterous laugh and a big personality.

They amused her with tales of the recent hunts, especially Sophie whose bright nature excelled at telling stories. Apparently, some of the women had tried to persuade Baron Felix to call off the hunt when it looked like rain, to which he had simply flicked his horse's bridle and galloped away without a word. 

"You should have seen their faces as he disappeared down the drive!" she giggled loudly. “I remember Baron Oliver cleared a fence on his horse and made them all squeal like mice too!"

Lily was more earnest, she worked quietly but Athena frequently noticed her watching out of the windows at the men labouring. It made her smile to see Lily’s blue eyes take on an eager brightness as she snuck a glance outside. It was Craig she admired, she wasn’t the first woman he had produced that effect on.

After Athena declared her love of horse riding, Lily offered to show her the stables and maybe even arrange a horse for her to borrow. Nothing dusted the confusion from one's mind like racing across the countryside at full gallop. 

The season was bursting into spring with flowers and greenery emerging in the borders as she took a walk around the outside of the estate. In her dark green overcoat, tightly fastened at the waist she stood completely still on the large stone terrace. 

Lost in her thoughts she stood still, cocking her head at a huge ornate fountain. While her brown curls danced in the wind she was struggling to imagine how the new lake would look. Suddenly a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

“May I wake you, Miss Thornfield?”

Her startled green eyes landed once more upon Baron Oliver Fairfax, a triumphant grin on his face at having caught her off guard.

“Oh, yes I suppose I do look somewhat vacant like this!” she laughed gaily, “I was picturing how the new lake will look from this vantage.”

“What if I wanted to keep it how it is now?” he teased, looking into the muddy pit that was currently being excavated. 

“Well sir, they have about a hundred square feet removed so far, they have another three thousand at least to go so if you like mud you should be delighted” she chirpily replied as they started walking together.

“Three thousand!” he blurted, "I shall have to take up swimming!"

“Well, you can actually, with how it's designed. Shall we design a diving platform from the pagoda? They are becoming more fashionable. "

"I shall give some serious thought...certainly would liven up the hunts!"

"Shall we start at 10 feet high to enable tricks and spins?"

"Of course...and maybe five feet for those on horseback?"

She fully laughed at his ridiculous joke and a smile stayed on her face as they walked. The conversation was easy and gently teasing. Chatting about progress there was a lightness that relaxed her though she did not dare mention his elder brother directly.

"May I ask when the next hunt is scheduled?"

"A week on Friday...do you ride Miss Thornfield?"

"I do, but I'm afraid I sit like a man, I never mastered side-saddle."

"Well, we absolutely must have you upon a horse!"

"As long as I am not intruding on an arranged gathering…"

"Not at all, the more competent riders we have the better the chase!"

They spent an hour walking around the grounds whilst Athena explained her plans animatedly. The gothic Manor loomed over them, the arched windows and grey walls were stark and bleak. Under the low spring sunshine, the shadows cast were long and gloomy. Athena discussed her plans for adding climbing plants that would soften the facade and Oliver listened with apparent interest.

Arrangements were made to visit the stables together in the next few days to select a suitable horse, however, they parted ways with starkly differing opinions. Athena was pleased to have found a friend, Oliver considered the foundations to his inevitable seduction well under construction. 

Both were unaware of the large figure of Felix observing from a library window. With the sash window partially open he had heard most of the conversation. He was surprised to find himself bothering to listen. More surprising was the discovery that Miss Thornfield was light and engaging and not the standard society bore he had assumed. 

He brooded silently, one muscular arm against the window frame as she walked away, his dark unyielding eyes watching her hips gently swaying. Running a hand through his dark hair and furrowing his brow he wondered what his brother thought of her.

Oliver needed to sort himself out, stop fooling around with servants before his reputation was tarnished. Perhaps someone as grounded and intelligent as Athena would be the ideal candidate. Her restricted wealth was of no consequence, she had the correct breeding and could move properly within polite society. 

The fact her green eyes had dazzled him the other night he tried to ignore. A young woman like that was not for him and his...desires. He was only approaching twenty eight and felt world-weary already. 

He also couldn't help but notice her skin. It was not the typical wan porcelain of delicate ladies but charged with colour and health from all her time outside. He idly wondered how those delicate brown curls would roll through his fingers if he held her face, would she resist? What about if he pressed her roughly against a wall and pinned her arms up over her head?

Slapping the window frame with a force that echoed around the library he swiftly retreated to his study where such foolish imagining could be put to one side. 

He resolved to allow Oliver the chance to court Athena. He was the elder brother and he had to put the needs of the younger Oliver first. Oliver needed someone like Athena, Felix insisted to himself he only wanted her because she was unattainable.

Finding a bitter taste rising in his mouth as he came to his decision, he rang the bell to summon Sophie for some tea.