The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Eloise stayed by Damien’s side for the remainder of the hour. Other guests approached them, but it was a small gesture to be polite.

Having seen enough, Eloise was ready to return to the estate, so Damien escorted her outside.

While Eloise stood with Gage, waiting for the carriage to come around, Damien went to speak to Rosalie.

"Are you two leaving already? I think I just might do the same since the night has been spoiled for me," Rosalie said, dwelling on the death of the maid.

Rosalie stood alone as Cole spoke with prominent men and Victoria danced with a gentleman who might become her husband.

"Palace balls aren’t entertaining anymore. Your gathering was better than this," Damien said, in an effort to make Rosalie feel better.

Rosalie looked up. "Am I hearing wrong, or were you trying to cheer me up? Either way, thank you. The ball is fun, but the news about the maid spoiled it for me. I will have to return and inform the servants of the death."

"Seeing your friend and husband walking together didn’t upset you?"

"Why should it?" Rosalie asked, hoping Damien wouldn’t fuel her fears. "You shouldn’t make awful assumptions, Damien. This is my husband and best friend. If you don’t have any proof, don’t speak of it."

"I don’t have any proof, but it is evident you have some doubts. That tale they told didn’t make any sense-"

"Damien," Rosalie sighed, not wanting to hear more of her doubts. "You are usually not one to stick your nose in others’ lives. I beg you not to do the same now. Victoria and Cole are close because of me. I like that my friend can be so comfortable and trust my husband to protect her."

"I noticed it at first glance and thought I should advise you to pay attention. Victoria looked quite guilty when she heard the maid’s name. Would you prefer I keep quiet on what I notice?" Damien asked, willing to do so.

"No, but I would prefer that you have proof. I could lose both of them if I am wrong, and quite frankly, I trust them. They were both at my side when I was sick. I think because we are all so close, it is easy to misunderstand," Rosalie concluded. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Rosalie looked out to where Victoria danced with a gentleman. "Victoria is eager to get married and start a family. I must be present to help her just as she helped me. I am thankful that you came to me, but it is not as it seems."

"I did my part to inform you. My wife likes you, so I will not stop you two from meeting, but she will no longer frequent your home when your husband is present. I have a feeling about your maid, and until it is proven wrong, Eloise will stay away," Damien said, placing Eloise’s safety first.

Damien watched Cole from where he stood.

There was no doubt in his mind that Cole was having an affair with Victoria, or he wanted to, and the maid witnessed it. It couldn’t be a mere coincidence that the maid who helped Victoria was the one found dead.

Damien glanced at Rosalie. Her expression gave away that she was starting to have doubts, but she didn’t want to believe it. She didn’t want to turn on the ones she loved.

"I am not telling you to leave your husband now, but I am advising you to open your eyes and keep watch of your surroundings. If I am wrong, I will apologise to you and your husband. If I am right, you will be safe," said Damien.

Rosalie wanted to turn Damien away, but she knew he was rarely wrong. She could not deny that he spoke up out of concern for her.

"I understand. This might all be a misunderstanding. Victoria and Cole have spoken in secret before to surprise me. I am certain it is all a misunderstanding, but I will keep watch as you said," Rosalie replied, forcing a smile.

"I also understand not wanting to send Eloise to my home until the matter with the maid is dealt with. I am certain that once it gets out, others will stay away from my home," said Rosalie.

"It is not the death which concerns me, but who did it. Do you not find it odd how your servants treated you at your gathering? I recall your father speaking of sending some of his servants to your home when you first got married," Damien said, unable to forget the speech.

"He did. My servants treat me quite well," Rosalie replied, uncertain of what Damien was trying to say.

"They ignored your table for hours. Any servant who worked for the duke would never be so bold. Your father placed his servants in your home for a reason. To watch over you. Perhaps they are still there, but they weren’t picked to work for your gathering."

"You were sick for a long time, Rosalie. Do you know what occurred in your home? What changes were made? Or have you been so busy enjoying the season that you didn’t stop to notice?" Damien wondered.

"I trusted that Cole had it all together in my absence. If Eloise were sick, wouldn’t you take control of the estate and not bother her with small matters? Wouldn’t you want her to be carefree?" Rosalie questioned, trying to fight all that Damien pointed out.

"I would, but Cole and I are not the same. For one, I am honest with my wife. Get home safely," Damien said, parting from Rosalie.

Damien did his part; now it was in Rosalie’s hands to decide whether to watch her husband and friend.

Damien walked towards the exit of the ballroom, wanting to reunite with Eloise, but he saw someone he needed to speak to.

"Lord Hawthorne, you were finally able to part from your wife. What a shame it is when you are leaving," Charlotte said, enjoying the moment alone with Damien. She peered at where her husband stood with Rosalie’s husband and others. "We didn’t get to speak."

"I am a married man. You’re a married woman, though you like to forget it. There’s no reason for us to speak," Damien said, annoyed by Charlotte’s advances.

"Yet you spoke to Mrs Presley. Do you avoid me because we could have gotten married in the past? Does this fact make your wife unhappy? It isn’t good for a woman to be so jealous of the past-"

"You sent that woman to spill that wine on my wife’s dress. Don’t deny it," Damien said, before Charlotte spoke. "I was going to keep it a secret, but now I feel inclined to share about that baby you got rid of. The one before you got engaged."

Charlotte’s eyes widened.

"You must start telling the truth. We didn’t get engaged since I wouldn’t be fooled by you. I wasn’t going to raise another man’s child, and you didn’t have time to wed your husband and fool him into thinking it was his, so you got rid of it," Damien shared.