Amused and, he had to confess, eager to have some fun with her, as soon as the meal was over, Robert went to collect the box of marbles he kept on top of his dresser. They’d been his most prized possession once – a collection that had taken him years of birthdays, Christmases, and pocket money to establish. Arriving in the parlor where Athena waited, he set the box on the floor and sat down beside it. She came to join him and he poured the marbles out onto the carpet.
“This one was always my favorite,” she said, picking up a hand cut agate marble, its high polish making it stand out among the ones made from clay.
“Mine too. It was a gift from my favorite aunt. She’d seen me eye it every time we passed the shop window, so she bought it for me for my birthday. My tenth one, I think.”
Athena chuckled. “Just imagine. It’s as old as I am.”
The comment gave him pause. He glanced at her, at the smile curving her lips, the rosy flush in her cheeks, at how a few stray curls hung over her brow while she studied the rest of his collection. He was ten years her senior. Wanting anything more than friendship from her wasn’t right. It just wasn’t. And yet, he could not deny his feelings. All he could do was hope and pray he’d be good enough for her and that she would not regret marrying him.
He gave himself an inward shake. There was no guarantee she’d accept his hand, but now was not the time to dwell on such detail. Removing a long piece of red ribbon at the bottom of the box, he laid it out in a circular shape and placed all the marbles inside.
“Pick your shooter. Not that one,” he said when she reached for the agate marble. “That one stays in the middle, to be won by the most skilled player.”
“Oh, all right.” She gave him a cheeky smile followed by a low chuckle and selected a yellow clay marble of medium size. Robert picked out a similar one painted blue. “May I begin?”
“By all means.” Robert watched as she flicked her marble forward with remarkable speed and accuracy, pushing a green marble out of the ring. Athena scooped up both marbles. He narrowed his gaze on her. “You’ve been practicing.”
“I have a niece and nephew now. They love to play.”
“I see.” Robert flicked his own marble and was relieved to find he’d not lost his touch as it pushed two others out of the ring so he could collect them.
They continued to play until the only remaining marble in the ring was the one cut from polished agate. Robert had no doubt he would win it. It was his turn after all, and he wasn’t about to let Athena claim the final prize. She’d had her turn already and missed. Gauging the distance and the speed with which he would have to flick his blue marble, Robert aimed and shot it toward the one made from agate. A gratifying clank sounded as they connected and the blue marble pushed the agate one out of the ring.
“You win,” Athena said, not sounding the least bit put out. She’d always been a good sport.
He picked the marble up so it rested between his thumb and index finger, then turned toward her. “Do I?”
Her eyes met his in question. She glanced at the marble, then back at him. A soft laugh left her. “Of course. You cleared the last marble and you also have the highest count.”
“Athena.” He wasn’t sure what the hell he was doing. Allowing instinct to guide him, he supposed. He held the marble toward her. “I want you to have this.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly. Robert, it’s your most precious one.”
“Which is why it would mean a great deal to me if it belonged to you.”
Her entire face turned a brilliant shade of red. She shook her head again and then she suddenly stood and backed toward the door. “No. I mean, no thank you.”
He’d rushed her. He could see that now. By revealing his intentions before she was ready, he’d pushed her away. Sitting there on the floor, surrounded by scattered marbles, he cursed himself for his stupidity. Taming a woman like Athena took time; winning her would require a great deal of skill.
The next day brought relief in several shapes and forms. For one thing, the blizzard had stopped and the sun had come out. Athena would be able to leave Darlington House and return to Foxborough Hall – a point she made sure to get across during breakfast. And for another, Robert remained scarce while the servants worked to clear the front steps and driveway. When she did see him, he treated her cordially, without any hint of wanting to give her more than what she’d come for – an end to six years of guilt and the chance to move on.
“We’ll set off as soon as we’ve finished eating,” he told her when they met for luncheon. “The snow is fairly deep so I expect the ride to take us twice as long as usual.”
She nodded her agreement and added a smile. “Thank you for your hospitality, and for your forgiveness. It means a great deal.”
The look he gave her in return was full of warmth. “I am hoping it will allow for a new beginning.”
“So you will speak with Charles then and try to make amends with him?”
“I plan to. Yes.”
Her smile widened. “Oh, thank you, Robert. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear it.”
He held her gaze while he sipped his wine, inviting a lovely bit of heat to swirl up inside her. They had, against all odds, become friends during the last two days. She’d pestered him, tried his every last nerve, she was sure, and he’d scolded her for it. But not without a valuable lesson. While her parents and siblings would oftentimes roll their eyes at her behavior, treat her like an impossible child or like an impending threat to their reputations, Robert had tried to tame her without compromising her nature.
She wondered at this and could not refrain from asking, “Do you like me, Robert?”
The question seemed to freeze his movements. He gave her a careful look. “What do you mean, exactly?”
Taking courage, she said, “Most people outside my family try to avoid me. I don’t really have any friends and the ones I did have as a child mysteriously disappeared after Charles’s wedding. Given my personality, I cannot help but wonder if it was my faux pas that turned me into a pariah, or if I’m simply too unruly to like.”
“You are aware that most members of the ton are idiots, are you not?”
The seriousness with which he posed the question made her laugh. “Maybe.”
He pushed out a breath and set his glass aside. “I like you a great deal, Athena.”
“Really?”
“To be sure, you do get the strangest notions sometimes, and I do believe you’ve got a great deal to learn about life and how to manage your willfulness so you don’t put yourself or others in danger. But as a person, I think you’re a gem. I’d hate to see you lose your sparkle.”
Athena’s lips parted in response to his words. She wanted to thank him and yet somehow doing so seemed insufficient when he’d just given her the biggest stamp of approval she’d ever received. Coming from him, from the man whose life she’d ruined, it meant the world. It made her eyes sting and her throat close up tight, so rather than speak, she simply nodded her appreciation and finished her food. The prospect of leaving his side instilled in her the strangest feeling of discontent. In fact, she feared she would miss him terribly once they parted ways. More than that, she feared she would lose her opportunity to learn why her heart beat faster when he was near or why his opinion mattered as much as it did. Within her reach was the chance to figure out something important, and yet, she couldn’t quite seem to grasp it.
Chapter 5
Robert’s gut tightened as he and Athena approached Foxborough Hall. He’d never been prone to anxiety, but the thought of walking through the front doors he could see in the distance and coming face to face with Athena’s family, of giving explanations and then embarking on the most important endeavor of his life, made his nerves clang together.
“Tell me something,” he said. They’d had almost two hours in which to speak, and yet he’d managed to waste them on inane topics and introspection. Walking their horses through deep banks of sno
w, they turned them onto the tree-lined drive leading up to the house. “What is your hope for the future?”
“To be happy, I suppose.”
“And what would happiness entail?”
“I don’t know. I’d like to be respected by my peers, not to be gawked at or whispered about whenever I enter a room.”
“What about courtship, marriage, and children?”
She cast him a startled look. “I, um…” Turning her gaze back toward the road, she swallowed deeply, then said, “I would like to have a family of my own one day – a large one, I should think, with plenty of children and an adoring husband to love.”
Warmth seeped through Robert’s veins. “Do you have a particular gentleman in mind yet?”
“No. As I’ve mentioned, none of the well-respected gentleman I’ve met wants to risk his reputation on me, but I am hoping that will change if we’re seen together. Your public acceptance of me, as the man I once wronged, would help a great deal, I’m sure.”
“Let us hope so,” he murmured.
So she’d not set her cap for anyone in particular. This was good to know since it increased his chances and eased his mind. All he had to do now was open her eyes to what he already knew to be true – that they could have a passionate union filled with many more joyful moments and interesting conversation. Within the confines of his heart he could feel his own emotions shifting, from the almost brotherly affection he’d harbored for her as a boy, to the fierce adoration and want she instilled in him as a man. It was more than purely physical. It was an innate need to protect her, to walk by her side and offer guidance, to bask in the beauty of her sparkling eyes and bathe in the warmth of her smiles.
A shaky breath rose from his lungs. They had arrived.
After dismounting, Robert went to help Athena down. He knew she didn’t require help, but he wanted to give it nonetheless, to take this last bit of closeness for himself. His hands circled her waist and she slid easily into his arms. No words passed between them, but he could see understanding bloom in the depth of her gaze. Her lips parted, but no sound escaped her. Instead, she just gazed at him in bewildered silence.
Robert’s hold on her tightened, ever so briefly – just enough to convey there was more between them than friendship on his part – and then he took a step back and turned for the door.
“Robert?”
Her voice, breathy with uncertainty, prompted him to swing back toward her. She was staring at him as if seeing him for the very first time. Apparently, the intimate moments they’d shared these past two days and the manner in which she’d responded to him were beginning to click into place. He smiled, offered a soft nod to tell her she wasn’t alone, and proceeded up the front steps.
The door opened on the third knock. A servant – clearly the butler – appeared, but the man barely managed to get a single word out before several women crowded together behind him. One was Athena’s mother, Lady Roxley, another was Athena’s older sister, Sarah. Then there was Lady Foxborough and a couple of women he did not recognize.
“What’s all the fuss?” The voice belonged to Athena’s father, Viscount Roxley.
“My lord and lady,” Robert said when the butler moved aside. “I have come to return your daughter to your care.”
“Darlington?” Lady Roxley gave him a shocked stare before brushing past him so she could embrace her daughter. “Goodness, Athena. We’ve been ever so worried.”
“I’m sorry, Mama. The weather wouldn’t permit me to return until now.”
“Well.” Her mother gave a tight smile. “Let’s get you inside. I’m sure you’d appreciate a hot cup of tea while you tell us what happened.”
Robert watched her go. The rest of the women followed. Robert met Lord Roxley’s gaze. “I am hoping you will permit me to have a moment of your time, my lord.”
Roxley gave him a solemn nod. “Of course.”
“I shall make sure the horses are cared for until you are ready to leave,” the butler said.
Thanking him, Robert entered the house and removed his greatcoat, hat, and gloves. He handed them all to a nearby footman and followed Roxley toward a door to the right. The earl gave the room a swift look before he entered and beckoned for Robert to join him. Robert stepped inside what appeared to be the music room.
“My entire family is here at the moment so finding privacy can be a chore,” Roxley explained. “Would you like refreshment?”
“I wouldn’t say no to a hot cup of coffee and something to eat. If it’s not any trouble.”
“Not at all.” Roxley rang for a maid and put in the order, then turned to Robert. “Please have a seat.”
Robert claimed a spot on a wide sofa upholstered in green and gold-striped silk. Roxley chose the adjacent armchair. “Your daughter came to see me with the best of intentions. She wished to apologize for her part in breaking things off between me and Bethany six years ago – or rather, for the manner in which she went about it.”
“I see.” Roxley stared straight back at him with unyielding eyes.
Robert steeled himself against the intimidating expression. “When the snow began, we tried to return, but the weather worsened and it became too hazardous for us to proceed.” He decided to omit the part about her fall. “So we returned to Darlington House and waited for the blizzard to stop.”
“In other words, you and Athena have been living together for the last two days, she without a chaperone and you…” Roxley tilted his head. “Did anything untoward happen between you?”
“No.”
Roxley held his gaze for a long moment until the maid bringing coffee and sandwiches served as a welcome interruption. Robert let out a sigh of relief. When the maid was gone, Roxley said, “I always liked you, Darlington. I’m extremely sorry for the manner in which you were treated. Athena’s actions were inexcusable.”
“I thought so too. At the time.”
“Oh?”
Robert poured them each a cup of coffee and added milk to his own. He took a sip, then prepared a plate for himself with a couple of sandwiches. Leaning back, he took a couple of bites before saying, “Bethany is better off with Charles. They love each other, so from that point of view everything is as it should be.”
“Nevertheless, your reputation suffered. And that is without considering Charles’s betrayal. He was your friend.”
“I’m very much aware.”
“He hasn’t recovered from what he did. The guilt still dogs him.”
Only three days earlier, hearing as much would have given Robert great satisfaction. Now, he was simply tired of all the anger. He wanted to move on, start fresh, find happiness for himself. “Perhaps it is time for me to speak with him – to make an attempt at restoring our friendship.”
“You would do that?”
“Yes.”
Roxley raised his eyebrows and looked at him with pure consternation. “What on earth did Athena say to make you change your mind?”
So Roxley knew his son had made repeated attempts at patching things up over the years. Robert had only responded once – in a manner he wasn’t the least bit proud of.
“Nothing, in particular,” he said. “But spending time with her reminded me of what I truly lost that day six years ago – the welcoming warmth of this family. I was very fond of my summer visits to your estate in the Lake District, and I find that I’ve missed it – that I’ve missed you. All of you.”
“Well.” Roxley sank back against his seat with a startled breath. “I must say I’m surprised.”
“It would mean a great deal to me if you would be willing to join me for supper at my home on Saturday.”
“I’m afraid we have the dance at the assembly hall that evening, but Monday ought to work. If that suits you?”
“It does.” And now he knew about the dance as well. Perfect. He finished his sandwiches, then said, “I trust no one outside this house will learn of Athena’s overnight stay at my home.”
“Of course not,”
Roxley said.
“And you will make no demands of either of us?”
“My intention has always been to offer my children support. Pushing any of them into an unwanted union would only make them miserable.”
“Good.” He’d been hoping her parents would not force her hand since he wanted to be her choice. Still, he felt compelled to say, “I would have done my duty if you’d asked me to.”
“Understood.” Roxley cleared his throat. “But no matter how you may feel about Athena, I love my daughter and mean for her to be happy. Besides, I cannot imagine you’d want to get yourself leg-shackled to the woman who broke up your wedding and damaged your reputation.”
“As I believe we’ve already established, opinions do change.”
Roxley gave him an uncertain look. “What are you saying?”
Steeling himself, Robert said, “I’d like your permission to court her.”
The viscount gaped at him for a full three seconds before laughter shook him. “You must be joking.”
“I can assure you I am not.”
“But…but…” Roxley waved his hands as if trying to catch the words that escaped him. “You cannot possibly want Athena.”
Bristling at the shock in Roxley’s voice, Robert said, “Why the hell wouldn’t I?”
“Well she’s…she’s—”
“I suggest you choose your words wisely, Roxley.”
Roxley blinked. “She’s my daughter and I adore her, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know she’s a handful. And then there’s the whole business of your past and… Good God. Is this your way of exacting revenge?”
“That’s a bloody insulting question to ask,” Robert growled. “Not only because of what you think me capable of but because you clearly can’t comprehend what I see in her.”
“Well,” Roxley said with great hesitation. “What do you see in her?”
“A woman with a lively spirit, someone who would challenge my mind while bringing joy to my life, the sort of person with whom I would never be bored but in whose company my view of the world would be improved. Athena is a delight. Feisty and brazen, yes. But I like that about her.”
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