The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Eloise managed to enjoy the long ride to the countryside, while Damien and Jane endured it.

It was night when the carriage rolled into the countryside manor belonging to the Hawthornes.

Jane’s head rested on Damien’s shoulder, still fast asleep.

Damien was awake with his arms crossed as he observed the manor’s garden. It was well kept, or was likely prepared recently for their visit.

"Your family’s manor was so close to where I grew up in the countryside. Perhaps if you had visited, we could have seen each other sooner," said Eloise.

Eloise wished the thought had crossed her mind when she was younger to search for the Hawthornes’ manor.

"I doubt your father would have allowed you to visit. I have been meaning to tell you about why he stopped working for us. I will tell you when we are alone," Damien said, peering down at Jane. "I know you have woken up."

"I have not," Jane whispered.

Eloise wished Jane had not woken up, so she could hear the news. What exactly was the reason her father had left the Hawthorne estate?

Jane leaned away from Damien’s shoulders and rubbed her eyes. "Are we not there yet?"

"We have arrived," Eloise announced. "You may have a warm bath and go right to bed. It is so late that there might not be any supper awaiting us."

"Forgive me, but I will drop right onto my bed and go to sleep. I cannot wait any longer. I know the way to my chamber," Jane said, and stepped outside when the door opened. "Good night."

"The ride drained her," Eloise said, watching as Jane yawned. She turned to Damien and noticed how he watched her. "What? What is it?" she asked, touching her face.

"Nothing," Damien shook his head.

"Is it because of what I promised you? I have not forgotten, if that is what you are thinking. It is hard to forget making a promise to such a man as you. It has been on my mind since the ball. I am surprised you have not brought it up," Eloise said, certain that Damien was plotting.

"I wasn’t going to bring it up now. I was merely admiring your beauty. When I am ready to claim my reward, you will know. I am a gentleman through and through. I will not rush it, so please, stop dwelling on it," Damien said and exited the carriage.

Truthfully, Damien wanted Eloise to ponder it a little more until her nervousness went away.

Damien offered his hand to Eloise.

Eloise remained seated and eyed Damien. "You are plotting. I don’t know what it is, but I’m on to you. I can get out of the carriage by myself."

Eloise lifted her dress and stepped out of the carriage.

"How has this become an argument?" Damien asked, lowering his hand.

"It is not an argument. I am merely suspicious of you," Eloise said, linking her arm with Damien once outside the carriage.

Eloise looked up, examining the manor. "Do you frequent the manor every season?"

"No. I allow other relatives to use it, but we do not come here often. This is the first time in seven years that I have set foot here. It seems to be well cared for," Damien said, inspecting the outside.

Eloise covered her mouth to hide a yawn. "You can have your tour in the morning to ensure that all is well. I need a warm bath and to get into bed. We should have stopped to have a warm bath in an inn."

"There are holes in those walls for scoundrels to peep at bathing visitors. Would you have liked for me to poke out someone’s eyes or set the inn on fire?"

"No, I wouldn’t. I know you want to look around to know that the manor is safe, but can you please show me to our chamber first?" Eloise asked, wanting to get ready for bed.

"I know where the chamber is, Lady Hawthorne," Hannah said, stepping forward to help Eloise. "I can prepare your bath."

"Thank you, Hannah. Then, I shall see you when you come to bed," Eloise said, kissing Damien’s cheek.

Damien watched as Eloise followed Hannah.

"Is it me, or has the countryside made Lady Hawthorne more affectionate? I cannot think of a moment where she kissed Lord Hawthorne before us," Aiden said, tempted to pat Damien on the back.

One look from Damien was enough to change Aiden’s mind.

"I hope tomorrow puts everyone in good spirits," Aiden said as he walked behind the carriage to get the trunks.

The next day, Eloise, Damien, and Jane set out to explore the countryside.

"Are we going to meet your friends?" Jane asked, eager to see Eloise’s life before the estate. She hoped it would give her more clarity on Eloise’s upbringing.

"We are. I didn’t write to anyone, so it will be a surprise. I will do my best to give you a tour of the countryside so you can see it is exciting," Eloise said, eager to show her old world.

"Do not make it too exciting. I would hate for Damien to think of moving here. It is beautiful, but I’m certain it won’t compare to back home. Are there fine gentlemen here?" Jane asked, most interested in the boys her age.

"Jane."

"Yes," Eloise answered at the same time as Damien.

Eloise turned her attention to the window to avoid Damien’s gaze. "We are not here for you to meet with boys your age, Jane. I would be willing to introduce you to ladies your age. That is, if you don’t pay close attention to their status."

"I won’t. For this trip, I will have an open mind," Jane decided.

"Will you be meeting with the friends you spoke of?" Damien asked, remembering a man Eloise mentioned.

"Yes. This will be my only chance to see them. If you are not open to it, I can leave the two of you alone while I meet with my friends," Eloise suggested.

"No!" Jane and Damien exclaimed.

Damien shared a look with Jane. Neither one was excited to be left with the other.

"We are not to be left alone with each other. Perhaps I could join you while you meet with your friends, and Damien could go elsewhere. You do wish for us to bond, right? We can only bond if we are together," Jane said, in an effort to get away from Damien.

"We will go together as a family. Do not pout. Both of you," Eloise said, facing Damien, who pouted. "We are going to act well to not bring attention to ourselves, and if you two for one second bicker, I shall leave you two behind. Do you understand?"

"Yes."