Thanking the butler, Robert waited for Athena to rise and then offered his arm. She stared at him for a moment as if unsure of how to proceed. When he did not budge, she eventually looped her hand through the crook of his elbow and let him escort her. Satisfaction settled deep within his chest. He dropped a look at the lady who walked by his side and was pleased to see a pink flush in her cheeks.
Yes, he affected her. And he rather imagined it terrified her to bits.
Chapter 4
When Athena had woken the next day from a dream involving Robert’s embrace, she’d known she had to clear her head, and in order to do so she needed to busy herself with something. What she hadn’t needed was to sit still and think. Doing so would only make matters worse.
Putting her arm muscles into the task at hand, she slid the shovel’s blade under the straw, lifted, and carried. The snow had not let up during the night. Getting to the stables had been an ordeal in and of itself.
Tossing the dirty hay in the muck pile, she went back inside to continue her work – a necessary reprieve from the constant reminder of what had occurred the previous day, and from the man who’d lodged himself in her mind. Lord help her, she could not stop thinking of him or of the mad sensations he stirred in her.
Surely, this wasn’t normal behavior.
She snorted and filled her shovel once more. Of course it wasn’t. This was her, for heaven’s sake, and nothing about her had ever been normal. Shaking her head, she muttered a curse and continued cleaning until the stall floor was bare. After stretching her back and rolling her shoulders, she went to collect some fresh straw.
“Allow me to help,” one of the grooms said.
“No thank you. I can easily manage.” She hefted a bale up into her arms and staggered along with it, certain she heard him say something pertaining to stubborn females. Athena ignored him and kept going. When she reached the stall she dropped the bale inside and panted for breath. It truly was heavy, but it gave her the exercise she required.
She grabbed a knife and cut the twine that bound the straw together, then used a pitchfork to loosen it up so it could be scattered across the ground. Once this had been done, she grabbed another bale and hauled it to the stall. Bending at the waist, she began cutting the twine as she’d done on the previous one and was just about to straighten when a rough voice spoke from directly behind her.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Jolted by Robert’s unexpected presence, Athena sucked in a breath and turned to find him scowling at her. It didn’t help that he looked every bit as handsome as he’d done the day before. She’d rather hoped he wouldn’t – that the attraction she’d experienced had been the product of her imagination and that the dream she’d had would seem ridiculous when she saw him again.
It did not.
If anything, his glower had the strangest effect. Her stomach fluttered while heat slid through her veins. “I’m mucking out the stalls and giving the horses fresh hay.”
His gaze slid over her—over the snug woolen jacket she wore and down the length of her breeches. To her astonishment, his expression hardened further. “You’ll catch your death out here.”
“The exercise keeps me warm.”
He knit his brow. “I won’t have you working like some common laborer.”
“But I—”
“You’re a guest here, Athena. Please try to behave as one.”
The comment smarted. “I don’t like sitting about doing nothing.”
“Then I shall have to find a task for you indoors. One that does not involve you parading about in front of my grooms like that.”
He fairly hissed the last part. Athena scrunched her nose and gave herself a swift once over. “Like what?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose and swore before leveling her with his gaze once more. “You’re not a little girl anymore.”
“I know I’m not.”
“Do you?” he growled.
Unnerved by his strange possessive behavior, she took a step back. “I’ve work to do. I’ll see you inside the house once I’m done.”
“The devil you will.”
Without another word he grabbed her around her waist, hefted her up and over his shoulder, and started walking.
Athena squealed. “Put me down this instant.”
“No.”
“I’m warning you, Robert. I’ll scream.”
“Go right ahead.”
She cursed him to perdition instead.
“Where did you get the jacket?” he asked once he’d brought her into his study and set her back on her feet.
Raising her chin, Athena crossed her arms and gave him her best glare. “I borrowed it from one of your footmen.”
“Of all the…” He spun away and scrubbed his hand across his face. A curse followed and then he faced her once again. “You’ll need to return it. Immediately.”
“Did you think I was planning on keeping it?”
“No, I…” He huffed a breath and before she knew what was happening, he was holding her by her upper arms and leaning in. Stormy eyes locked onto hers. “There’s brazen, and then there’s plain foolhardiness. You cannot honestly think you can walk around dressed like that without anyone taking notice?”
Athena blinked. “I don’t see how my choice in clothes is any business of yours. You’re not my father or my brother.”
“No, I’m most certainly not,” he told her with a fierceness that took her aback. “But that doesn’t mean you are not my responsibility while you are here or that I shouldn’t be honest with you. The fact is, you are providing every man who sees you like this with a fantasy that will stir his loins for the rest of his days.”
Shock thundered through her. His words and what they implied were beyond the pale. No one had ever spoken to her with such crassness before. She clenched her jaw and glared back at him. “How dare you?”
“It’s time for you to be made aware,” he told her darkly. “You no longer have a child’s body. In case you hadn’t noticed.”
She turned her gaze away from his and stared at the wall behind him while taking deep breaths. “I cannot very well muck out a stall while wearing a dress. That wouldn’t be practical.”
“Perhaps you ought to leave the mucking out of stalls to the grooms then?”
She huffed in response to that and crossed her arms in protest. “Fine.”
He released his hold and took a step back. “Athena, I’m not telling you this to be difficult. If I didn’t care about you or your wellbeing, I’d let you gad about as you please.”
Acceptance wasn’t easy, but the sincerity in his voice cut through her defenses until she was forced to acknowledge his point. “I know I can be a handful and that I am not the easiest person to deal with.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being feisty,” he told her gently. “In fact, I marvel at your vivacity. But your innocent naïveté puts you in danger.”
“I’m not as naïve as you think,” she grumbled. “I know there are villains about in the world. My sister-in-law, James’ wife, Abigail, almost became the victim of one.”
“And yet you still ride around the countryside unchaperoned, intent on visiting a man who for all you knew could have harbored ill intentions toward you. What if I’d been plotting a chance for revenge?”
“Were you?”
“That’s not the point and you know it.”
“I never go anywhere unarmed,” she tried, hoping to offer him some reassurance.
He stared at her, then slowly nodded. “All right. Show me your weapon.”
Reaching down, Athena pulled a knife loose from her boot and held it up for his inspection. Pleasure burst through her when she saw the approving look in his eyes. Good. Now he’d know she wasn’t as careless about her safety as he’d assumed. She raised her chin and met his gaze boldly.
“Stay right there. Don’t move.” He crossed to the door several paces away, then turned back to face her. “Now, pretend I’m a
murderous scoundrel determined to have my way with you before I slit your throat. Defend yourself.”
“What?” The word was barely out before he was upon her, one hand grabbing her wrist so roughly she let go the knife. Athena narrowed her gaze at the slate blue eyes staring back at her. “That’s not fair. I wasn’t ready.”
“We’ll do it again then.” Releasing her, he returned to his previous position and started advancing once more.
This time, Athena managed to dodge him once before he caught her wrist and pushed her back against the wall, trapping her there, his hand adding pressure until she was forced to release the knife once more.
She frowned at him. “I don’t want to hurt you. Obviously, if you were a real attacker I would have stabbed you.”
With a snort of clear disbelief, he let her go and went back to the door. “Do it. Try to stab me, Athena.”
“I can’t.”
He tilted his head as if in thought, then went to his desk and opened a drawer. “Use this instead of your knife, then.”
Accepting the wooden ruler he held toward her, she returned the knife to her boot. With the ruler clasped in her hand, she took a deep breath and readied herself for his next attack. When it came, she swung her arm. The ruler grazed his shoulder before he managed to grab her wrist once more. Instinct brought her knee up, but rather than connecting with him her legs swung out to the side, meeting air right before she landed on her back. Straddling her, Robert pinned her arms above her head, removed the ruler from her grasp with unsettling ease, and tossed it aside.
“Do you believe me now?”
Athena stared up at Robert. She’d never felt more vulnerable before, nor had she ever been as aware of another person. Ragged breaths squeezed her lungs in accordance with her jittery heartbeats. He was leaning over her, holding her captive, his face so close she was able to see the small imperfections marring his skin— a tiny scar on his chin, a small bump almost hidden against the side of his nose. His eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction, but it was his smell that stirred her awareness the most. Earthy, with hints of morning coffee, it instilled in her a desire so fierce she believed she might die if he did not kiss her.
“Yes.”
One word – a whisper stirring the air with possibility.
His grip on her tightened. Her breaths grew increasingly ragged.
“Athena.” He murmured her name. His nostrils flared and she saw his lips part. The blue in his eyes deepened.
“Yes,” she whispered again.
He swallowed, his throat working as if in accordance with some impossible chore. And then, as swiftly as he’d knocked her off her feet, he pulled her upright and stepped away. “Get changed so we can have breakfast. Once we’ve eaten, I’ll teach you how to defend yourself properly.”
A queer sense of disappointment raced through her. She studied him as he stood there, partly turned away from her. Incomprehension snapped at her from every angle. She didn’t understand what was going on, why she was being assaulted by all these perplexing sensations. He’d had her in a position that ought to have terrified her, and yet, against all odds, it had thrilled her. She’d wanted him to kiss her, for heaven’s sake. Nothing about what had happened between them just now made an ounce of sense. A burn of humiliation heated her cheeks as she spun away and went to the door, fleeing from him and from the power he wielded over her.
Closing his eyes, Robert waited until he heard her climbing the stairs before he dared move. Christ, he was a fool. What the hell had he been thinking, putting her on the floor like that with himself on top? The position had been indecent – too close a resemblance to that of lovemaking. And she’d responded. By God, he could still envision her parted lips, the sigh with which she told him, “yes,” the glazed look of passion brightening her eyes as he’d leaned in.
When he’d learned she was in the stables, he’d gone to fetch her. Anger had not assailed him until he’d spotted one of the grooms. The lad had been ogling Athena’s leather-clad bottom with a leer so base Robert had nearly knocked his block off. Instead, he’d tightened his jaw and jerked the groom aside. The lad had gasped and scampered away, leaving Robert to deal with his hoydenish guest on his own.
But to think he was able to show her the threat she invited without repercussion had provided him with a lesson in ignorance too. Regardless of her efforts to thwart social stricture in pursuit of freedom, Athena was used to a sheltered life. She’d been raised as a lady and it was his duty to treat her as such, not to toss her to the ground and have his way.
“Damn.”
He raked his fingers through his hair, took a series of deep inhalations, and waited for the surge of lust he’d experienced moments earlier to subside. Drooling after her and getting himself all wound up with need was not the way to woo her. A swift glance at the window confirmed the snow persisted. He hoped it would soon stop so he could get her back to Foxborough Hall and court her as she deserved. Because, by God, he would make her his. Athena needed a husband with a firm hand – a man who could keep her safe without stifling her spirit – someone who knew her well enough to appreciate her vibrant nature.
Robert took a deep breath and felt his chest tighten. He knew he could be that man. The idea of letting another take on the role was insupportable. He thought of Charlotte and Bethany. Compared to them, Athena shone like a blazing star. Thank God, Charlotte had run off with Billings, and thank God, Bethany had ended up with Charles. If Robert had married either, he would have had to watch Athena grow up and get courted by someone else, and that would in all likelihood have driven him insane.
Heading toward the dining room, he braced himself for what was to come. Facing Charles again would be unavoidable. They’d have to talk and while he did not relish the prospect of doing so, he’d suffer through the ordeal for her because…
He halted. It was too soon to suppose he’d fallen in love with her. Wasn’t it? Love took time to manifest. He’d never believed it could strike a person at first sight. Only a superficial appreciation for good looks had the power to do so. As did lust. And yes, he thought Athena stunning. He desired her. But surely that wasn’t all that drove him.
With a shake of his head he accepted the truth. They’d been part of each other’s lives for what seemed like forever. Even if they’d not seen each other these past six years and even though she’d been but fourteen years of age the last time they’d met, with him engaged to someone else, no less, he knew her. More than that, he felt he understood her. He certainly admired her. They had a bond – one that stretched back almost two decades.
Continuing his onward stride, Robert reached the dining room. Letting Athena go was out of the question. He enjoyed her company, her challenging nature, her individuality. Seeing her again had unlocked something deep within him. It was just a matter of time before he lost his heart to her completely. The only question was whether or not she’d return his regard.
Later that afternoon, after a far more appropriate lesson in self-defense during which he’d kept a respectable distance from Athena while teaching her how to block an attack and how to avoid getting overpowered, he made his way to the library. They’d concluded her lesson with luncheon, after which he’d returned to his study to work for a couple of hours while she relaxed with a book. After informing Dartwood that he was to let him know immediately if Athena attempted to go outside, he’d seen to some correspondence, reviewed his ledger, and contemplated the offer he’d make for her when he eventually met with her father.
Reaching the library, he opened the door and prepared to step inside, only to come to an instant halt the moment he saw her. Belly down on the floor and with her feet kicked up in the air, she read one of three books strewn out before her. Every muscle inside Robert flexed in response, for although she was properly dressed now in the same gown she’d worn when she first arrived, her skirt had followed the laws of gravity and lay around her knees, allowing him a direct look at stocking-clad calves and feet.
&n
bsp; He frowned. Where the devil were her shoes?
Searching the floor, his gaze swept the curve of her bottom. No breeches this time, his treacherous brain informed him. And her skirts were already bunched half-way up her legs. Robert flexed his fingers. It wouldn’t take much to…
With a shake of his head he turned away, slamming the door as he left the room. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she meant to torment him. But no. He’d seen the incomprehension in her gaze earlier when she’d been struck by desire. She’d not understood it or known how to handle it. She’d simply lain there, willing to surrender as instinct took over. Which wasn’t at all what he wanted from her. What he wanted, he thought as he grabbed his greatcoat and stormed from the house in pursuit of the wintry chill outside, was for her to come to him without fear or doubt but with full understanding of what would transpire between them.
“I missed you this afternoon,” she told him at dinner. “You said you would come to the library when you were done with your work, but you didn’t. Or was that you, slamming the door?”
“It was. I’m sorry.” He continued eating his soup.
“Is everything all right?”
“It is.”
“You’re not angry with me again?”
“No. I just…” He frowned at her. “Eat, Athena, or your food will get cold.”
She made a huffing sound, but did as he asked. Pleased with her compliance, he finished the remainder of his soup in silence and set his spoon aside. “Perhaps we can play a game of chess after dinner. Or cards, if you prefer.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not especially good at strategy games. I wonder… Do you still have your marbles?”
Robert instantly grinned. “Of course. They’re upstairs in my bedchamber.”
“Then I would suggest you fetch them once we’ve completed our meal so we can compete. As I recall, you won the last time we played and I’ve a good mind to change that.”
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