‘Off you go now, girls,’ Millie said, clapping her hands. ‘The chores won’t do themselves.’
When the girls went off, Athena was able to express her fears to the only person who might be able to supply answers.
‘Tell me,’ Millie said. ‘Something is bothering you.’
‘I’m nervous,’ Athena admitted.
‘Of being found here?’
‘Yes. Sometimes my gift for healing feels more like a curse. But, Millie, if you could have seen that poor young man…all the money in the world, and yet nothing was being done to help him. I simply had to do what I could.’
‘Of course you did.’ Millie sent her a shrewd look. ‘What is it, lamb? What are you not telling me?’
‘Oh nothing. I’m just being fanciful. I must be more tired than I realised.’
‘It’s the duke.’ Millie’s compassionate gaze rested on Athena’s face. ‘You like him?’
Athena had never been able to keep a secret from Millie. ‘Yes,’ she said with a heavy sigh. ‘God help me, but I do. It’s ridiculous, all the opportunities I’ve had, and it’s a duke who breaks through my reserve. Not that it matters. I’ll get over it soon enough.’ She shook her head. ‘I’ve never felt like this before. When I think of all the men who have wanted to…and I have not. Now I choose to fall for a man so far above me, he might as well be the king of England.’
Millie, instead of laughing or lecturing, patted Athena’s hand. ‘He’s a charming rogue, and I could sense the attraction between you, even when you thought he was a plain Mister. But have a care. He knows how close he came to death, and that you are responsible for saving him. The fact that you wouldn’t accept a reward is probably unusual enough to give him pause. You said yourself people always want something from him, and he’s come to expect that.’ Millie’s eyes softened. ‘You’re beautiful, Athena, far too beautiful for your own good. If you were not, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in now. Anyway, it’s only natural he should think well of you, but he’s to be married to another before long and there’s an end to it.’
Millie’s calm common sense was Athena’s undoing. The floodgates opened and tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
‘Oh, Millie, what am I to do?’
Millie pulled Athena into her arms, probably alarmed because Athena prided herself on never crying. She needed to be strong for the others, and not once during all the setbacks they had lived through had she resorted to tears. Now a dashing rogue with compelling charm and a not entirely civilized air about him had reduced her to a watering pot. Millie soothed her back as she sobbed on her shoulder, simply letting her cry. Boris pushed his damp nose beneath her hand in an instinctive gesture of solidarity, causing her to cry harder still.
She cried for everything they had worked for and been forced to leave behind, for the straitened circumstances the twins now found themselves in. Most of all, she cried for the emptiness she felt inside and for what could never be.
Chapter Ten
Athena woke at her usual early hour and slipped out of bed without disturbing the twins. She intended to visit the woods again, but this time she wouldn’t be searching for mushrooms or injured dukes. Instead, she had noticed a patch of common elder flourishing in a clearing that would give a fresh, outdoors appearance to the walls of the barn. She doubted whether elder was permitted to show itself in the sculpted grounds of Winsdale Park, and so Athena would just have to take it there herself.
With Boris for company, Athena cut as much elder as she could manage to carry and staggered back to the cottage with it spilling over her arms. Having given vent to her emotions the previous evening, she felt much more in command of herself, and could even chide herself for her silly, unrealistic infatuation. She would face the duke with equanimity, should their paths happen to cross and was perfectly prepared to wish him joy in his forthcoming marriage to whichever lady engaged his affections. And after that, she would think of him no more.
She absolutely would not!
Thus resolved, Athena turned her mind to the tasks she must undertake that day. She would be driving herself to Winsdale Park, after visiting Miss Dawson’s establishment with the rest of the merchandise they had so far produced for her. In spite of the upheavals at Whispers’ Bottom, the twins had applied themselves the previous day quite industriously. Athena vowed to spend the afternoon working alongside them. Helping the local gentry to prepare for a party was all well and good, but Athena had a living to make.
‘Breakfast,’ Millie said firmly, placing a bowl of porridge in front of Athena. ‘And don’t try telling me you’re not hungry. You barely ate a bite at supper last night.’
Athena knew better than to argue with Millie when she was in such an intransigent mood. She dutifully ate her breakfast, listening to the twins’ bright chatter as she did so. Selene mentioned Ned more than once. Apparently, he was the young man with whom she had been in such animated conversation when Athena arrived home yesterday.
‘His father is the village blacksmith,’ Selene said, her face pink with pride.
‘Don’t worry,’ Millie said, presumably in response to Athena’s appalled expression. ‘The young man wouldn’t dare take liberties, or he’ll find himself on the wrong end of his father’s branding iron.’
No, he certainly would not take liberties—not with Millie acting as the twins’ chaperone. It was the thought of them reaching the age to need a chaperone at all that worried Athena. They were only fourteen—surely too young for their thoughts to be turning in that direction?
‘Right, girls, I must be away. I shall only stay at Winsdale Park for a short time. Will you start on that new pattern for the fans which we discussed last night?’
‘Yes,’ Selene replied.
‘I wish we could come with you to Winsdale Park,’ Lyssa said wistfully.
‘It must be very grand.’
‘Were they kind to you?’
‘What is the duke’s brother like?’
‘Did you make him better?’
Athena threw her hands up as the questions came too thick and fast for her to keep track of them all.
‘We will spend the afternoon together,’ Athena replied, laughing. ‘And I will tell you all about it then.’
A short time later Athena drove off with the bed of the cart full of elder, her precious lace carefully packaged and placed beneath the seat to keep it safe. She blushed when she recalled the superb lawn petticoat that sat beneath her gown, rubbing against her skin like an elicit promise. Eli had given her not one, but two, beautiful undergarments, the likes of which she had never thought to own. Millie didn’t approve and was all for sending them back. Athena knew she ought to, but simply couldn’t bring herself to part with them. When had she last treated herself to anything? Any spare money had gone towards the twins clothing these past six months. Athena’s gown might be shabby when set against the spectacular backdrop of Winsdale Park, but at least she had the comfort of the soft lawn nestled beneath it. It gave her a perverse sort of confidence and, should the situation arise, the strength to resist the duke’s unquestionable charms.
When she halted the cart outside Miss Dawson’s establishment, the proprietor herself came out to greet her, her faces wreathed in smiles.
‘Mrs Defoe. How nice to see you again. Your lace is causing quite a stir already, and the duke’s guests haven’t even arrived yet. Mrs Peterson is quite put out because she cannot complete and is losing customers as a consequence.’ Miss Dawson nodded with evident glee towards her rival’s establishment across the street. ‘Do you have more things for me?’
‘I’ve brought you everything we have, Miss Dawson, and we’re working as fast as we can to produce more.’ Except I am not.
‘Do bring them inside. Here, let me help you.’
Several early customers browsing inside the shop glanced at Athena with open interest. Damnation, that was just the sort of attention she especially didn’t wish to attract. She smiled absently at the ladies, but didn’t allow hers
elf to be pulled into conversation with them. Promising Miss Dawson more of their lace as soon as they could produce it, she climbed back into the cart and drove towards Winsdale Park, her heart fluttering with nerves. She felt a perverse sort of pleasure, driving her ancient cart and nondescript pony up the pristine driveway. The cart, she and the pony were so out of place in such surroundings it made her smile.
To their credit, the duke’s grooms didn’t sneer when she arrived at the stable yard. Instead, one lad came to hold Meg’s head and another offered her a hand down.
‘Is this for the barn?’ he asked, indicating the foliage in the bed of the cart.
‘Yes, if you would be so kind.’
‘I believe Lady Susan is already there.’
‘Then I shall go in search of her.’ A whinny sounded from deep inside the yard, causing Athena to smile. ‘Oh dear, I fear his grace’s stallion doesn’t have very good taste. He’s rather taken with my poor pony, you see.’
Athena wished the same could be said of the duke, and he might be attracted to her for reasons other than gratitude. Reminding herself she had vowed to think of him in that light no more, she followed the two grooms carrying the elder and applied her mind to the decoration of the barn.
‘Oh, Mrs Defoe, there you are.’ Lady Susan sent her a dazzling smile. ‘What do we have here?’
Athena explained her plans for the walls. ‘I thought we could use rose hips, hawthorn in berry and sloes, if you have any here, and twine them around honeysuckle. If we then add fruits and nuts to the mix, perhaps some wild hops, too, and it will be very festive.’
‘Oh, that is such an inspired suggestion!’ Lady Susan turned to the grooms. ‘Please see if you can find any of those things for us. Consult with the gardeners.’
‘At once, your ladyship.’
‘I was thinking, we could fashion extravagant sheaves of corn and bind them with autumnal coloured fabric fashioned into rosettes. Do you have anything suitable?’
‘I’m sure something could be found in the attics. I will send word and have my maid conduct a search.’
How easy it must be, Athena thought, to have an army of people just waiting to do one’s bidding.
‘How is Lord Shelton?’ Athena asked, as she worked beside Lady Susan, threading nuts and apples onto long pieces of string.
‘Oh, I meant to say. He came down to dinner last night, looking just like he used to. We could scarce believe the difference in him. And today, he has ridden out with Eli to inspect the coppicing taking place in the northern spinney. He would go, even though Mama thought it might be too much for him.’
‘You must trust him to know how he feels.’
‘Yes, you’re right, of course. He’s been indoors for far too long, and the weather is still so mild, at least during daylight hours. Anyway, we are most terribly grateful to you. You have saved not one, but both of my brothers.’
‘Hardly that. Lord Shelton will never be cured, but hopefully we’ve found a way to control his malady.’
‘You are so clever, Mrs Defoe. I wish I possessed one tenth of your skills.’
‘Mine, such as they are, are mostly born of necessity.’
‘Meaning I have never had to do anything to help myself if I had rather not?’ Lady Susan’s smile took the sting out of her words.
‘Well yes, I suppose, if you put it like that.’
‘Be that as it may, you are a very good example to me, Mrs Defoe, and I shall certainly apply myself to these decorations.’
Athena laughed. ‘If you will take the other end of that honeysuckle, Lady Susan, we might try and twine it around these strung apples to see how it looks.’
As they worked, Athena was conscious of every footstep made by the people who came and went, running errands for Lady Susan. At one point, she heard a deep, rich voice, so like the duke’s, her heart quickened. Was he here? Had he come to find her? No, it wasn’t him. Athena persuaded herself it was just as well, but couldn’t dispel the sinking feeling that gripped her when she considered his inconsistency. Yesterday, he would have her believe she had bewitched him. Today he appeared to have recovered from that temporary aberration with a speed that belied true conviction. He was cruel and unkind, and Athena was quite out of charity with him.
‘There.’ Lady Susan stood back to admire their handiwork. ‘That really does look very wild and pretty. After luncheon I shall have some of the gardeners fix it to the walls, and then we will get a better idea of the overall effect.’
‘I believe Lord Johnson will be impressed with your inventiveness.’
‘Oh.’ Lady Susan blushed. ‘How did you know—’
‘The duke mentioned something,’ Athena said hastily. She had spoken out of turn, and hoped she hadn’t overstepped the mark or given offence.
‘Eli told you that?’ She raised a brow, suddenly the haughty daughter of the house, a side of her character Athena had not yet seen. ‘How extraordinary.’
‘You must excuse him, Lady Susan. When we conversed yesterday morning, I was unsure if I could spare the time to help you, knowing what a large task it would be. He told me how very much it would mean to you personally, which is what persuaded me.’
‘Ah, that explains it.’ She sighed. ‘The problem is, though, even if Lord Johnson does admire the decorations, I can hardly pretend they are a result of my inventiveness. All of the ideas were yours.’
‘He doesn’t need to know that.’
‘You’re too generous, but how can I lie?’
‘We shall be economical with the truth, nothing more.’
‘Well, I suppose that’s not so very terrible.’ Lady Susan laughed, her good humour restored, and Athena knew her blunder had been excused.
The morning passed quickly after that. Some order was emerging out of the chaos, and Athena decided it was time to leave.
‘Oh no, you can’t go yet. Mama wishes to meet you. We are to have luncheon together.’
The duchess! ‘Why would she wish to meet me? I am hardly—’
‘You saved both of her sons, you goose. Of course she wishes to know you and to thank you.’
Athena glanced down at her crumpled gown and despaired—at that and at this family’s assumption she had nothing better to do than to dance attendance upon them. ‘I am really not sure I can spare the time.’
‘Please, for me.’
Athena had formed a great attachment to Lady Susan during the hours they had spent together in the barn. She treated Athena quite as an equal, chatting to her extensively about her feelings for Lord Johnson, now she was aware Athena knew of her attachment. Athena suspected she had no one else to confide in and was glad to lend a sympathetic ear. She even offered a little advice, suggesting Lady Susan might make her feelings less apparent and allow Lord Johnson to pursue her.
‘Flirt with other gentlemen, you mean?’ Lady Susan wrinkled her brow. ‘Do you imagine that will work?’
Athena laughed. ‘If the gentleman has feelings for you then I am sure it will incite his jealousy.’
‘But what if he does not and merely thinks me inconstant?’
‘Is it not better to know?’
Lady Susan bit her lip. ‘Yes, you’re right. I would rather know what’s in his heart.’
It was strange to see such a privileged, assured young lady looking…well, unsure of herself. She reminded Athena of the twins when they encountered setbacks. Athena did everything within her power to reassure them and was equally determined to set Lady Susan’s mind at rest.
‘Very well,’ she said in response to the luncheon invitation. ‘Since you insist.’
‘I’m sure you will like Mama. She isn’t nearly as terrifying as people imagine.’
Lady Susan linked her arm through Athena’s as they left the barn.
‘We can wash our hands in here,’ Lady Susan said when they reached the house.
The room Athena was ushered into on the first floor was clearly Lady Susan’s bedchamber. It was large and airy, decorated
in light colours, and enjoyed a lovely view over the park. A maid Athena had already seen once or twice, coming and going from the barn, had a ewer of steaming water waiting for them, and Athena was also able to tidy her hair. She looked like the lowliest of poor relations, but of course she couldn’t even lay claim to that position.
‘Come,’ Lady Susan said. ‘If you are ready, Mama will be expecting us.’
Lady Susan led the way into a small sitting room with yet another, different view over the gardens. There was a round table in front of the window laid up for four. Who was the fourth? Athena’s heart stammered. Please, not the duke!
‘Mama, I’ve brought Mrs Defoe to meet you.’
A tall lady with immaculate hair pulled into a neat pleat, looked up at Athena, assessing her through eyes as grey and candid as her son’s.
‘Your grace.’ Athena curtsied.
‘Mrs Defoe.’ The duchess offered up her hand and Athena shook it. ‘I believe I am indebted to you.’
‘You owe me nothing, your grace. Anyone would have done the same.’
‘That’s a matter for debate, and we will not fall out over it. Suffice it to say, I am exceedingly obliged to you.’
‘The pleasure was all mine.’
The duchess was formidable. The self-assured matriarch determined her son should marry, and marry well. The duchess sent Athena frequent glances, openly assessing her, suspicion occasionally flitting across her features. Athena was in no mood to be intimidated and fell back on the manners that had been drummed into her as a child, when her life had been so very different, to see her through this initial inquisition.
‘Ah, and here is my sister, Lady Baintree,’ Lady Susan said.
Again, Athena curtsied to a woman a year or two older than Lady Susan and not quite so handsome. She too had easy manners, but wasn’t quite so carefree as the engaging Lady Susan. Marriage was not always the panacea guileless young ladies supposed it to be, Athena thought, reminding herself that was one of the reasons she was determined to avoid matrimony. Such autonomy as she currently enjoyed over her own affairs would be taken from her in a trice, and that would never sit comfortably with Athena. She would prefer to live in the hovel they currently occupied than give up her independence.
To Defy a Duke: Dangerous Dukes Vol 1 Page 12