Chapter 4

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. 

The other, a young woman with fiery red hair in a grey tunic with a white apron stood behind her.

"Good Morning, I am Mrs Pauline Clark, head of the household and this is Miss Lily Atkins. Ms Athena, Lily will show you to your room and assist you as required with your toilette"

Athena recognised that familiar look in Lily's blue eyes as she tried to subtly take in Craig's form. Her delicate eyebrows arched as she attempted to conceal her interest. Craig paid her no attention and kept his eyes focused on old Mrs Clarke and her black bonneted face as she rattled on.

"Mr Thornfield I understand you have requested your lodgings to not be part of the main house, we have a gamekeepers lodge just back down the driveway prepared for you."

"Excellent, I am most grateful."

"Your meals can be taken with the rest of the staff in the kitchen and I understand Ms Athena will either dine in her room or with the gentlemen of the house"

"You are correct. Again, thank you for such a warm welcome" Athena reiterated, keen to get moving and unpacked. 

Eventually, they were shown to their quarters. A balding, gruff-faced labourer named Mr Hughes arrived to show Craig whilst Lily accompanied Athena.

Athena gasped as she entered the main hallway, flanked by a huge mahogany split staircase. A wide initial section, divided into two upward sections to the east and west wings of the house. It set the tone of grandeur for the rest of the manor. 

Dark wood, tapestries, ornate brass chandeliers and candelabras dominated. Athena's room was on the second floor at the front of the property and it offered full views of her future construction site. It was only a bedroom and bathroom so she would be setting up her drawing materials in the library.

"Thank you Lily it is a really lovely room, and the manor house is stunning."

"Oh it is ma'am, and I am excited to have a lady to look after if you don't mind me saying."

"Only the Barons are in residence?"

Athena asked this lightly but she cursed her lack of restraint. Why would it matter to her if Baron Felix had different women every week!

"Normally the only guests when they put a hunt on and guests stay over, the house is lovely and busy then, do you ride ma'am?"

"I love horses."

"Hopefully you will get to participate then, it looks so daring as they charge about! We have one in two weeks I believe. "

Lily was a bright, attentive girl and Athena knew they were going to get on just fine. She was also pleased she hadn't asked about Craig as some tactless servants tended to. 

"I shall leave you to unpack, Barons Felix and Oliver typically dine at about eight if you wish me to call for you?"

A flutter rose in her chest and a quick "Yes please, thank you, Lily, I shall call if I need you."

Lily bowed as she exited and Athena turned her face to the window and sighed wishing the butterflies would settle before meeting the man who dominated her imagination.

Little did she know that her arrival had already been viewed from a distance. Baron Oliver had eagerly watched for their arrival from the library. He had enjoyed her resistance to his wit when they met, perhaps she would be more of a challenge than the usual victories. 

He was aware Felix regarded his taste in the local women with disdain, but a girl in uniform did something to him. His ego delighted in their trembling breath,  batting their lashes as they inevitably gave in to his advances. 

Oliver's dark eyes, short curly black hair and tall build pleased the eye but he knew his title was what made them drop to their knees. In his experience nothing made a poor woman enter his chamber quicker than the idea they had a chance to be a Baroness. 

He smirked at the thought. They were just sports, when he wanted to settle down he'd be aiming a damn sight higher than the young women who cleaned out his fireplace on a morning. The fact he wouldn't get the remaining bulk of his inheritance until he was married was only a minor irritant at present.

Now Athena Thornfield, a woman of the highest recommendation and reputation, would be a new effort. Those green eyes had sized him up and her slender figure, curvy bust and smooth wide pink lips would surely offer many nights of pleasure.

Luckily he had avoided any blemish attached to his name, his brother's notorious year in Europe had given the gossip-mongers more than enough material. Any romantic mishap he had encountered was swiftly quietened.

He had no interest in Athena's accompanying cousin, the hulking brute who would be leading the men. He rubbed his chin in thought, he would certainly be insisting on regular updates from the lovely Athena.

As she entered the hall and left his sight he clapped his hands and rubbed them together. Let the hunt begin, he muttered under his breath.