‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ she muttered aloud.
Athena had too many responsibilities to indulge in fanciful dreams, and that was an end to the matter. Mushrooms collected, she called to Boris, and they made their way back to the cottage. The girls were at their breakfast and greeted Athena with their usual high spirits. Athena sat with them, eating just a little of the porridge Millie placed in front of her as they discussed their plans for the day.
‘Miss Dawson needs more lace from us, girls,’ Athena said between mouthfuls. ‘I suggest we give her smaller items, such as purses, fans, and perhaps some lace ribbons. They are quicker to produce, and we can make them unusual enough to catch the eye. If fine ladies are here for the duke’s house party, they will have most of the things they require with them, and so we will need to tempt them with fripperies.’
‘We could make a few lace cuffs as well,’ Selene said. ‘So that ladies can have their maids change the look of their gowns.’
‘And fichus,’ Lyssa added.
‘Handkerchiefs, too.’ Millie ladled more porridge in the girls’ bowls. ‘They always go down well.’
‘That’s true.’ Athena shook her head at Millie when her ladle hovered over her own bowl. ‘No thank you, Millie. I have sufficient here.’
Millie tutted. ‘You’ve hardly eaten a scrap, lamb.’
‘I ate a feast last night. Your mutton stew was a real treat.’
‘Why is the duke having a house party at this time of year?’ Lyssa asked.
Selene nodded. ‘Yes, why? House parties are usually held in high summer, aren’t they?’
‘I heard it said in the haberdasher’s shop yesterday his mother is insisting he find a wife. He’s now thirty, you see—’
‘That old,’ gasped Selene, open-mouthed.
‘It’s positively ancient,’ Lyssa agreed.
‘Quite so.’ Athena struggled not to smile. ‘The duke has a duty to produce an heir to secure the future of the duchy. So, his mother has invited several young ladies and their mothers to stay for a week, and the duke has to choose one as his duchess.’
‘Sounds brutal,’ Millie said, sniffing.
‘For the duke or his prospective brides?’ Athena asked, her lips twitching.
‘For the girls, of course. I don’t care about a rich duke, who is probably very disagreeable and curmudgeonly. He’ll just marry one of ’em, and then do as he pleases.’ Millie sniffed. ‘That’s how gentlemen of quality behave.’
‘What do you mean?’ Selene asked, leaning forward expectantly.
Lyssa widened her eyes. ‘Yes, what precisely would the duke do to please himself?’
‘Never you mind about that.’ Millie collected up their empty bowls. ‘If you’re finished, you’d best get to work, both of you.’
‘Why do you always send us off—’
‘Just when the conversation is getting interesting?’
Athena laughed at her sisters’ aggrieved expressions as they left the kitchen and took themselves off into the other room to start a long day’s lacemaking. At least Athena would be able to spend the entire day with them, without the distraction of ailing gentlemen or the responsibility for marketing their products plaguing her mind. She would tell them stories to keep them entertained. Athena had read a lot of classic literature, when she was at leisure to do so, and enjoyed passing on précises of those stories to the twins. She told herself it was education, of sorts, guiltily aware that, thanks to her, Selene and Lyssa were being denied the pleasure of learning.
‘Hey up.’ Millie peered suspiciously through the open doorway when the sound of hooves reached their ears. Boris removed himself from beneath the table, where he had been catching any scraps that happened to fall his way. His hackles were raised and a low growl rumbled in his throat.
‘Go back in the other room now!’ Athena told the twins, who had reappeared to see who their visitors were. ‘Stay there until I tell you otherwise.’
Once they were gone, she and Millie exchanged an anxious glance. This was the moment Athena had been dreading. There was more than one horse coming, by the sounds of things, and they could hear the rumble of wheels on the uneven track, too. They had almost been caught on a couple of previous occasions, just managing to gather up their sparse possessions and flee in the nick of time. But on this occasion they wouldn’t be able to run. If it had been just one man, then perhaps…but what could two women and two young girls do against what sounded like a small army?
‘He must be really desperate to have us back,’ Athena said bitterly, her stomach knotted with a combination of anger and fear. ‘I should have known our good fortune of yesterday wouldn't last.’
‘How did they find us?’ Millie asked, scowling.
‘The lace, I suppose. We’re trying hard not to make it too obvious…but well, I suppose it’s still different enough to lead back to us.’
‘Even so.’ Millie frowned. ‘You only put it up for sale yesterday. It seems awful quick.’
‘Yes, I know.’
‘And you didn’t tell Miss Dawson where we live.’
‘No, but if my uncle discovered we were in the district, it wouldn’t be too hard to find us. We’ve been careful, but still, we have been noticed.’
The two women hugged one another and stood arm-in-arm in the doorway as the small procession pulled up outside the cottage.
‘That’s Mr Bairstowe,’ Athena said slowly, the air leaving her lungs in an extravagant whoosh. ‘The duke’s estate manager. He’s the man who agreed to let me have this cottage for a short time.’ She stifled a smile as she recalled how she had badgered the poor man until she wore down his resistance. ‘Eventually.’
‘Well, we haven’t been found then, but presumably it means the duke wants the cottage back.’
‘I suppose so, but he will have to give us notice, won’t he?’
‘At least we can afford somewhere else now.’
‘Yes, but I like it here.’
‘Good morning, Mrs Defoe.’ Mr Bairstowe doffed his hat. ‘I trust I find you well.’
‘Thank you, yes, but what is the meaning of this?’ Athena waved a hand towards the cart and the men spilling from it.
‘Duke’s orders. We’re to do repairs to the cottage before winter sets in. The thatcher will be here directly.’ Athena and Millie gaped at one another, speechless for once. ‘These men will repair the staircase and make the upper floor habitable. There will likely be disruption for a week or so, but at least you will be snug and secure for the winter.’
‘We can stay?’ Athena asked, barely able to believe her good fortune.
‘Absolutely.’
‘Wh-why are you doing this?’
‘Duke’s orders, ma’am,’ he said for a second time. ‘He was displeased when he heard this cottage had been let in such poor condition and gave orders for something to be done about it.’
‘Oh, I hope that didn’t get you into trouble,’ Athena said, her conscience pricking her.
‘Not in the least.’
‘We can’t afford to pay much more by way of rent,’ Millie said, wagging a finger at Mr Bairstowe.
‘The rent will not change.’
‘It will not?’ Athena echoed. She appeared to have lost the ability to say anything remotely intelligent, or to voice the myriad questions tumbling through her brain.
‘Perhaps you will walk through the cottage with me, Mrs Defoe, and we can discuss what is to be done,’ Mr Bairstowe suggested politely.
‘Oh yes, of course.’
The tour didn’t take long. Mr Bairstowe gave instructions to two men and a lad, who appeared to have responsibility for restoring the stairs. Someone else set about the rotted windows with a chisel. Athena and Mr Bairstowe were in the main room, where the girls stared at them with avid interest.
‘These are my sisters, Mr Bairstowe,’ she said, not giving him their names.
‘They seem very industrious.’
‘Quite so.’
Mr
Bairstowe paused, apparently waiting for an explanation that Athena wasn’t about to offer.
‘This room doesn’t seem to have suffered too much,’ he said, glancing about him. ‘We will arrange for the chimney to be swept, and for the window to be…I say, who made this?’ Mr Bairstowe picked up the ornament Athena had fashioned recently from dried leaves and forest fruits in an effort to cheer the room up and make it appear more homely.
‘I did.’ She flexed a brow, wondering why it could possibly be of interest a busy man like Mr Bairstowe. ‘I picked the berries in the woods around here. I hope I didn’t take anything I ought not to have done.’
‘You are very artistic, Mrs Defoe.’
‘It’s kind of you to say so.’
‘But it also puts me in mind of something. The duchess is having a house party next week, and the harvest party for the estate workers falls right in the middle of it.’
‘Then presumably it will be postponed.’
‘Oh no, the date is firmly fixed every year. The villagers are a superstitious lot, and wouldn’t take kindly to it being changed. They would see it as a warning that next year’s harvest would fail, you see.’
‘Oh.’ Athena really didn’t see what business this was of hers. The girls had abandoned all pretence of work and were listening avidly.
‘The duchess sees no reason not to go ahead with the party, as usual. It is the one occasion every year when the villagers get to mix with the gentry on equal terms.’ He shrugged. ‘Well, almost.’
‘Er, quite.’ Athena sent a curious glance towards Millie, who stood in the open doorway, listening also. The older woman lifted her shoulders, equally puzzled.
‘Lady Susan, his grace’s sister, has taken it upon herself to decorate the inside of the barn that’s used as the hub of the festivities. She has quite taken it into her head that something special ought to be done this year, owing to the fact there will be so many distinguished guests at Winsdale Park. But she…er, well, no disrespect intended, but she isn’t blessed with your talent and originality of ideas.’
‘Is that a long-winded way of saying she needs help?’ Millie asked, sending Mr Bairstowe an impatient look.
‘She did happen to ask me if I knew of anyone who might be creatively inclined. It seems like a happy coincidence I should come here and see an example of precisely the type of creativity she has in mind, Mrs Defoe.’
Why was the man looking at her so intently? Was this suggestion as innocent as it sounded? Athena didn’t see how the duke’s estate manager could be in league with her uncle, but had long since learned not to take anything at face value.
‘Thank you, Mr Bairstowe, but I’m needed here.’
‘I’m afraid it’s going to be rather noisy and crowded for the next week or two. Working might be difficult.’
‘Yes, but even so.’
‘I hesitate to mention anything as vulgar as money, Mrs Defoe, but rest assured if you were kind enough to help Lady Susan in her hour of need, you would be amply rewarded for your efforts.’
‘The duke is already rewarding us by repairing the cottage and not charging more rent. Besides, I’m sure he has no end of servants who are more than capable of helping Lady Susan.’
‘They are more used to taking orders than making suggestions.’
‘You should do it, Athena,’ Selene said. ‘It might be fun.’
‘You would get to see Winsdale Park,’ Lyssa added, eyes wide with excitement.
‘I’m sure you would all be invited to the party,’ Mr Bairstowe said, smiling at the twins.
Athena had wondered how long the girls would hold their tongues, surprised it had taken them so long to speak. She glanced at their faces, animated at the prospect of a party, and her heart melted. They had so little pleasure in their lives.
‘Very well, if you think Lady Susan might be interested in my suggestions, Mr Bairstowe, then I will be happy to offer my advice. However, I have little experience of tackling such matters on a large scale. I merely dabble to amuse myself, so I might not be much help.’
‘And I’m equally sure you will save the day.’ Mr Bairstowe inclined his head, treating her with far greater respect than she thought appropriate for a mere tenant, which was puzzling. Lady Susan must be really quite desperate.
‘Perhaps I could find the time to come across to Winsdale Park this afternoon.’
‘If it’s no inconvenience, I shall be returning there directly, just as soon as I’ve set the men to work. I would be happy to take you myself.’ He indicated a smart curricle, pulled up behind the cart outside the cottage.
‘How will I get back?’
‘Lady Susan will make arrangements, I’m sure.’
Athena wasn’t sure of any such thing. Grand ladies could be very high-handed.
‘Go, lamb,’ Millie said quietly. ‘I’ll keep a weather eye on things here.’
Millie was the most suspicious creature on God’s earth. If she thought there would be profit in Athena going, then who was she to argue? Besides, she admitted to a sneaking curiosity to see Winsdale Park for herself.
‘Very well, Mr Bairstowe. If you would give me a minute to wash my face and hands and tidy my hair, I shall be ready to come with you.’
‘Change into your best gown,’ Millie said, pushing Athena into her sleeping alcove, along with the gown in question. She pulled the curtain across and stood sentry outside while Athena, shrugging at Millie’s assertive ways, dutifully changed her attire.
A short time later, Mr Bairstowe handed Athena into his curricle and drove away at a brisk trot. Athena’s head swam with the speed at which this had all happened. Less than two hours ago, she had been picking mushrooms and planning her day’s lacemaking. Now she was wearing her best dress for the second day in a row, on her way to meet a duke’s sister, no less.
‘Will Lady Susan be about yet, Mr Bairstowe?’ she asked, aware that grand ladies weren’t usually up with the lark. ‘It’s still very early.’
‘Lady Susan is an early riser, as are all of the duke’s family.’
‘What is he like? The duke, I mean, if you don’t mind my asking.’
Mr Bairstowe looked surprised by the question. ‘You don’t know?’
‘How would I?’ She laughed and shook her head. ‘In case you’ve forgotten, I live in a tumbledown cottage in the woods, making lace for a living. Our paths are hardly likely to cross in the normal way of things.’
‘Ah, I see.’
Mr Bairstowe nodded, a faint smile playing about his lips. Athena had absolutely no idea what had become so blindingly apparent to him. Since they had just turned through a pair of magnificent gates, the pillars topped by beautiful marble statues of rearing horses, and the curricle was bowling along a pristine gravel driveway, Athena’s attention was diverted, and she didn’t ask him to explain. There appeared to be a small army of gardeners attending to grounds that didn’t appear to have a blade of grass out of place. Athena wondered what more there was for them to do. There was a huge lake, sparkling off in the distance. Athena had a childish fascination for lakes and wondered if she would have an opportunity to walk around this one while she was here.
They turned a corner and the house came into view. Athena gasped. With the sun bathing the honey-coloured façade with its morning rays, it looked magnificent. And enormous. Wide stone steps lead up from two directions at the front, converging on the terrace, from which Athena imagined there must be a fine view of the lake. She glanced up at the myriad windows, wondering what secrets lay behind them. Everyone had secrets—even people as rich as the duke obviously was.
Especially him.
The thought sprang unbidden into her mind, and she couldn’t seem to shake it. Unlike Millie, she felt a moment’s sympathy for the poor man, being expected to marry a woman he didn’t love and hardly knew, simply because he was required to produce an heir. Suddenly her own existence didn’t seem so very bad. At least when her pursuers gave up on her—as they would eventually have to
—she would have the freedom to do as she pleased. Not for all the lace in Nottingham would she exchange her life for the duke’s.
Mr Bairstowe turned the curricle to one side of the house, presumably in the direction of the stables. It took a very long time to get there. They passed various gardens on the way. One was dedicated to roses. Although the blooms were past their best at this time of year, the perfume was delightful, even from a distance. She sat a little straighter when she saw an extensive herb garden. What she would give to explore that particular patch.
The curricle came to a halt, and a groom appeared to assist Athena from it. She thanked him, straightened her bonnet, although it probably didn’t require any straightening, and looked to Mr Bairstowe for direction. Nerves ate away at her insides and, not for the first time, she wondered what she was doing here. But still, her scalp wasn’t prickling as it normally would if danger loomed, so she forced herself to relax.
‘Please come this way, Mrs Defoe.’
They entered the house through a side door. Mr Bairstowe handed Athena over to a rather fierce-looking butler. ‘Mrs Defoe is here to see Lady Susan regarding the decorations in the barn, Mr Archer,’ he said.
‘Please come this way, madam.’ He walked ahead of her, down a long corridor, the walls of which were lined with elegant paintings, and opened the door to a small, prettily-decorated sitting room. ‘Make yourself comfortable. I will inform Lady Susan of your arrival.’
‘Thank you.’
Athena looked about the room as soon as Mr Archer left her. The walls were painted sunshine yellow, the furniture was covered with a bright, floral fabric, and pictures depicting country scenes graced the walls. This clearly wasn’t one of the formal rooms, but somewhere a family member would come to relax. There was an array of miniatures on a side table. Athena studied them, wondering if any of them were of the mysterious duke.
None the wiser, she gave up on the pictures and wandered to the window, feeling a strange premonition. Athena was unable to decide what it signified, or why she was so unsettled. She knew how to behave in good society and wasn’t that intimidated by her surroundings. She had never actually met a duke before, it was true, but she was sure their paths wouldn’t cross today. Even if they did, she would be beneath his notice. As for Lady Susan, it seemed she needed Athena’s help. If she was too high-handed at that, Athena would simply leave her to her own devices.
To Defy a Duke: Dangerous Dukes Vol 1 Page 7