To Love Endlessly

Chapter Six

It's been three weeks hence since Athena has been nursing her broken heart. Her Mama had been worried sick to her, not knowing what to do. Invitations and male-callers are endless, everyday calling and seeking Athena's attention at their door. And of course, Lady Cottswold politely told each and everyone of them that Athena has been experiencing colds, if not, a headache, alternately.

When Lady Cottswold couldn't take Athena's withdrawal to the world anymore, she requested Athena to go to Bath to find herself.

"I think it's for the best, child," Lady Cottswold said, with an anxious frown on her brows.

"I think so, too, Mama," Athena agreed, her sable head nodding rather weakly.

And so it has been decided that Athena was to leave for Bath on the day after tomorrow. A day passed before the intended day, when suddenly Lady Cottswold visited her in her chambers with an excited grin and air emanating from her.

"Oh you wouldn't believe it, Athena, dear!" Whence her mother squealed like a girl just out of deportment classes, Athena just stared blithely, feeling at a loss on why her mother was acting thus. "Edmond, will escort you in Bath!"

"What?!" she said jerkily. At the mention of Edmond's name, her heart jumped slightly. She ignored it. "B-b-but, Mama, Edmond's a duke. He can't be wasting his time traipsing about in the country, just to escort a broken-hearted girl in Bath to find herself," she explained.

"Nonsense, dearie. Edmond will be escorting you and that's final," Lady Cottswold then laughed. Seemingly more excited than Athena herself.

Athena squinted her eyes in doubt and questioned her mother, "Are you setting us up, Mama?"

Her mother then stopped laughing. "Good heavens! Why are you thinking that way? I know you view Edmond only as a friend. But if you view it that way, thank you for giving me hints to help you get over that undeserving... viscount," she said, disgusted at the mention of a certain viscount. She already has set her mind and heart on despising Matt since her daughter's untowards withdrawal in the world.

"Mamaaaa!" she said whinnily and pouted her mouth. Not knowing what to think when she is within Edmond's arm length. She knew in her mind that Edmond's intention that unfaithful night at the ball after comforting her, that he was going to kiss her, and she almost hopped on and give in when her mind didn't rang.

Her mother then bid her good day and that she should rest well for tomorrow's long travel. Well, her mother doesn't need to remind her that because, precisely, it would be a very, very long, long day. Most especially when an irrisistible chap is going to escort her.

***
Howdy! Haha. Saree to have kept y'all waiting. After five straight days of plunging myself on Jane Austen's works, here's an update, and an unusually long one too. Lols. Don't forget to SVC (SUPPORT. VOTE. COMMENT.)! Love, Yram.