He had been heir to the titles, estates and its people. His had been a life of responsibility; of duty and of honour. His people respected him, feared him a little perhaps, as he would be responsible for upholding justice and it would not do to get too close to those whose lives he was a guardian for. That was how he saw his role then, as protector, a shepherd maybe. To guide and care for those who worked his lands. He knew some aristocrats treated their people as serfs, slaves in all but name, but his family took pride in treating people well: the tithe was never more than they could manage, there was always a feast at harvest time and they were never beaten without genuine cause.
He'd heard stories about his brother of course, but had considered them the bitter words of a former tenant who'd been dismissed when caught stealing. However the stories continued, and eventually having seen the distraught daughter of Jean his farrier, badly beaten and raped by Thomas, he could no longer keep quiet. He'd confronted his brother violently and only their beloved father had been able to stop him from killing him there and then. Still breathless from the fight, Athos had told his father the truth about Thomas, demanding justice for Michelle and Jean. That had been the hardest of blows; to look in his father's eyes and see that his father had known all along: he had protected Thomas, and he knew then that the previous rumours were also true.
They had argued for hours; his father spoke of the disgrace to the family name, the loss of their reputation and how this would impact everyone, including the peasants he wished so much to protect, and finally he had called on Athos's honour and loyalty to the house of la Fere. Athos anger turned to fury at his father's assurances that he would make Thomas marry, then he would settle down. What about Michelle, Athos had demanded. His father had shrugged and suggested money usually solved that problem. Athos stormed out, unable to hear another word, disgusted with his father, ashamed of his brother and angry with himself for not seeing the truth sooner.
He rode away from the house not caring where he went; just needing to be free from those who had betrayed his loyalty. It was nearly dark when he realised he was lost, having not followed the road. Still not ready to return he was forced to continue until he saw a road or settlement: and that was where he met her. He had ridden almost to Paris when he found the inn she was serving in. He'd often wondered in the years since if he hadn't been out of his mind following the events of the morning, would he have fallen so completely in love with her, a woman he didn't know.
They returned to the house as a married couple a week later, his father still firm in his determination to protect his brother, fuming that Athos had married without his consent, ruining his plans to unite his house with that of that of Catherine d'Marcy. Still angry with his father, he lashed out with words and told him, Catherine could marry Thomas and then all their problems would be solved: and for a time it seemed they were. Although his relationship with his father and brother never recovered, he was so obsessed completely with his new wife Anne and it seemed, she with him that nothing else mattered.
He'd tried to approach Jean a few days after his return, but discovered a new family in the tied cottage. When he tried to ask where Jean and his family were he was simply told they had left the area; but he couldn't help but notice the new man's wife, would not meet his eyes. When his father's heart gave out only a few months later, Athos blamed himself. He knew the tension in the house and his dark mood had put strain on the aging Compte but he also blamed his brother. He laid it out simply for Thomas, made it clear he would not tolerate any deviant behaviour and that if so much as a rumour found his ears, Thomas would feel the full weight of the law and if that meant the noose so be it.