“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, ROBERTwaited 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, heknewher. 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.
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.
