Persuade

Lyme

Over the next few weeks Anne and the Odinsons saw Barton and the Banners frequently. Barton kept his distance he was cordial but that was it he didn't seek her company out. Anne's eyes would often drift towards him especially when he was in the presence of of Laura who was constantly by his side. Anne though was getting to know Mrs. Banner quiet well and became fast friends. They would take walks together and one afternoon they were in the gardens of Ironhall and Anne saw her archery set all out she smiled with delight. "Oh my brother has been using this I hope your brother won't mind" said Mrs. Banner. Anne shook her head "My brother won't mind at since the set isn't his" replied Anne with a smile. Mrs. Banner tilted her head with a questioning look Anne just pick up one of the quiver and bows as she took a stance the one Barton had taught her. She drawn her bow and then placed an eye on the target before releasing the arrow and almost center of the bull eye. She shoot a few more arrows before turning to Mrs. Banner "The set is mine much to my brother's and sister's dismay but it's one of the few things I truly enjoy" said Anne as she went into another stance Mrs. Banner had a raised eyebrow "Your almost as good as my brother and a similar stance as well" said Mrs. Bannner with a sly grin. Anne was about to respond when "You need to relax a bit more before you release the arrow Miss. Anne" said a voice familiar male voice. This man Anne jump and her releasing the arrow barely hitting the target.

Anne frown and turned to see Captain Barton standing besides his sister. "Captain Barton you startled me" she said Anne quickly. Captain Barton just gave her a sly grin "I beg your pardon Miss Anne that wasn't my intention" he said. Barton just walked over to her his hand went to her shoulder lifting just right and then he got close to her ear "Feet a little more apart Miss. Anne remember what I taught you" he said quietly. His hand was on her waist pulling her close to him. Shivers went down Anne's back and where he was touching her. She was breathing rapidly.  She caught his scent of pine and vanilla. She closed her eyes at of this "Relax Anne" he whispered. Anne took a deep breath and the release her bow it hit dead center of the target. Anne turned her head to meet his eyes. For a brief moment they both were locked on each other like there was no one else in the world.

Then sound of clapping broke the moment and Barton stepped away. "That was brilliant Miss Anne!" exclaimed Mrs. Banner. Anne felt cold and empty but soon Mrs. Banner was at her side "Brother what brings you here I thought you and Bruce would be still out shooting" said Mrs. Banner. Barton smiled "I have received a letter from a dear friend Captain Rogers it seems he has taken a house in Lyme with his wife and daughter but also our dear friend Captain Barnes is staying with them as well" said Barton. Mrs. Banner frown a little "How is Captain Barnes has he recovered from his injury?" She asked. Barton frown a little "As well as one can after losing a arm but that is not all it seems Barnes fiancé has passed away which was Roger's sister Sarah anyway Rogers has invited me to come visit in hope to cheer Barnes up" said Barton.

Mrs. Banner frowned "It sad those two would have been an good match to bad her family wanted him to have a fortune before they could marry, now he has a fortune but no fiancé" replied Mrs. Banner as she shook her head. Barton nodded "It is sad when that all people seem to care about is status and fortune and not whats truly important in life" he said almost snapped while looking at Anne who just looked down. Anne cleared her throat "If you will excuse me I should return to my sister" said Anne with a quick curtsy and left before the two siblings could see the tears starting to flow down her face.

Later that day Anne was sat down at the pianoforte playing a familiar tune. When the parlor door burst opened with Laura and Wanda coming. "Anne you will never believe where we are all going!" said Laura excitedly. Anne just looked over at them with a surprised expression "Laura, Wanda welcome and now where are you going?" she asked. Laura smiled "Anne we are going to Lyme all of us are Captain Barton mention about going to Lyme and Thor heard and thought it would be a good idea for all of us to join him" said Laura. Just then Jane and Thor came in the parlor.  "Has my sisters told you the wonderful news?" asked Thor with a smile. Anne nodded "Yes they have" she responded. Jane smiled "It will be so nice to go the sea it will so calm my poor nerves" said Jane. Wanda rolled her eyes and Laura giggled. "Captain Barton will rent us a house for us to stay" said Thor. "It will be so nice to see the Captain every day" said Laura dreamily. Anne just frowned at the thought of the constant reminder of her heartache.            

A week later Anne was in a carriage with Jane, Wanda and Laura listening to them chatting endlessly. They finally arrived at the house which Barton had acquired for them. When the footman opened the carriage door to help the ladies out Barton was waiting for them he stepped forward and helped Laura down from the carriage. Who looked up at him with a loving smile and he return the smile. Anne watched on her heart just breaking a little bit more. Laura stepped aside and walked towards the house and Barton stepped to help Anne out he gripped her firmly she gave him a small smile "This place is lovely" said Anne. Barton nodded "It's one of the best house in Lyme I promise" he responded. Anne just gave a small nod and walked into the house.

A few hours later everyone decided to take a walk along the Cobb. They were half way down when Laura saw the steps and she ran towards them. "Let's go down them" she said excitedly. The group moved ahead the gentleman helped the ladies down. Laura laughed ran back up the steps. "Captain Barton catch me" she said laughing as she ran half way up the stairs. "Laura you must be careful" said Jane nervously. But Laura just ignored her Captain Barton quickly caught her. "See no trouble especially with the brave man to catch me" said Laura laughing. Everyone just shook their heads. "It's not far to the Rogers shall we head that way" he asked. The group moved forward towards the Rogers house.

Ten minutes later the arrived to a modest house and the door opened to a tall man with blonde hair and kind blue eyes followed by a women with dark hair and brown eyes. "Barton you made it are these the friends you were talking so much about" asked Captain Rogers with a friendly grin. Barton nodded "Yes this is the Odinson Thor and his wife and his sisters Miss. Wanda and Miss Laura. And this is Mrs. Odinson sister Miss Anne Stark" responded Barton. Rogers raised an eyebrow "The Miss Anne Stark the one you couldn't stop talking about?" asked Rogers with a sly grin. Anne looked surprised but said nothing as Barton looked around with a slight blush to his cheeks. "Welcome everyone to my home this is my wife Margaret and this little girl is our daughter Sarah" said Rogers. Mrs. Rogers stepped forward greeting everyone with a smile "Please do come in for some refreshments" she said her arms waving towards the door.

They were all sitting around the table when the door opened to see a tall man with dark hair and deep blue eyes his left arm was missing. Rogers stood up "Barnes look who has come to cheer you up" said Rogers. Barnes didn't say much but gave everyone a small smile. His eyes turned to Anne she just gave him an encouraging smile. She saw he was carrying book of poems "Is that a book of poems by Sir Walter Scott? I do so enjoy his poems" said Anne. Captain Barnes gave a huge smile "Yes his poems truly calm my soul" said Captain Barnes. The soon Barnes and Anne were chatting away like they were old friends. Barton had been watching them closely. "I haven't seen Bucky smile like that since Sarah" said Mrs. Rogers to her husband. Rogers nodded "It's is good to see him not so melancholy, Miss Anne is truly a wonder" said Rogers.
Barton just glared at the two but said nothing.

On the way back Anne was waiting at the top of the stairs when she bumped into a tall thin man. He bowed to her " Excuse me, Miss I must have lost my footing please forgive" he said with a sly smile. Anne just curtsied. "I am well no harmed done" said Anne. The man "I am Mr Loki Laufeyson of Derby" said the tall man. Anne titled her head. "I am Miss Anne Stark" she replied. Mr. Laufeyson smiled " Do you know the Stark's of Ironhall?" he asks excitedly. Anne nodded " Yes that is my family estate" replied Anne. "Well it seems the fates have brought us together for we are cousins" said Mr. Laufeyson with a huge grin.