All Chapters of The Baron's Cold Proposal: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

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

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

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."  

Oliver sat in his chair still waiting for Lady Daphne Stockwell. Checking his pocket-watch he noticed she was running late but dismissed this as the actions of a lady of fashion. The gold and jewelled bracelet was ready in the pocket of his jacket to give to her. Hopefully, her agreeing to meet privately was a sign of her serious interest in him, it was certainly a step up from the public outings amongst mutual friends.   He noted sadly it had not even been twelve hours since he had been thrown out of the Gilded Falcon drunk and enraged. He vaguely remembered being restrained by Milo at one point as he was tossed out of the back entrance into a cobbled gutter. Every penny to his name was lost. Everything and more.    The bracelet he had in his pocket he probably could not afford now. His hotel bill would likely default too. 

A floor down from the Luptons suite, Oliver was bracing himself to knock upon Athena's door. Below him the sound of guests arriving and the band in the ballroom warming up added to his hurry to address her. "Athena, may I have a quick word?" He called out as he sharply rapped on her wooden door. He heard the lock turning and a slight opening revealed Athena's wide-eyed face of surprise. "Good evening Oliver, happy birthday for today," she whispered nervously. "I have a quick matter to talk to you about. May I come in quickly, assuming you are dressed of course?" "I am, come in," she replied cagily and opened the door fully to him. He was briefly struck by her appearance, finally he saw the beauty beh