The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"You know, you could have taken Jane’s suggestion and left us while you walked around. I would hate for you to be standing here bored. Have a drink," Eloise suggested.

"I drank plenty last night," Damien said, recalling his late night activities with amusement.

"I am quite certain you did. I would advise you to go and make friends with the other husbands, but knowing how you are, that wouldn’t be an easy task. Next time, I might need to invite your brothers or Zayne, so you have someone to talk to," Eloise considered.

Damien disliked the idea immediately. "That would only make me want the trip to end faster. I am enjoying myself looking around and watching you two."

"Truly? It looks as though you are searching for someone. Is it the cause of all the gossip?" Eloise asked and knew right away she was correct. "Forget it. I overreacted. The pregnancy rumour is the kind of thing people come up with. It is to be expected."

"And the gossip that you are with me for my wealth?"

"As long as you know that is not true, others’ opinions mean nothing to me. What they said about my father upsets me, but I know the truth. It would only waste my time trying to convince them, so I won’t bother," Eloise said, determined to set it aside.

"My attention now lies in creating the perfect headpiece to give you. You will wear it, won’t you?" Eloise asked, holding up a small cluster of roses for him to see.

"I will," Damien answered. "I hope you aren’t planning to make any for other men. Like Aiden or Gage."

Eloise smiled, the guilt plain on her face. "I don’t want them to feel left out. They should get to fully experience the festival."

Damien looked past Eloise to where the two men stood, already surrounded by admirers. "They won’t be short of gifts, Eloise. They are doing perfectly well for themselves."

Eloise turned to follow his gaze, genuinely surprised by the number of women already pushing flowers into the guards’ hands.

"Well, at least I thought of them. I had already started making the pieces, so I hope you are prepared to wear three others. I must get back to Jane," Eloise said, her gaze moving to where Jane sat.

Damien caught Eloise’s hand before she could go. "She seems to be making a friend. If you join her too soon, Jane will pretend she wasn’t enjoying the company."

"That is true, but I also suspect you want to keep me at your side because you are bored. I will stay a moment longer, but I must return to her soon. Where has Anna got to?" Eloise asked, scanning the market for her. "She was just here."

"After you left, she agreed to help me find out who is behind the rumours. She seems quite capable of it. Frankly, she looked as though she could land a punch," said Damien.

"She can, and she will if someone pushes her far enough. I would not trouble Anna on a day when she isn’t in the mood for it. I am grateful you want to get to the bottom of this, but the thought of Anna punching someone worries me more than the rumours," Eloise said, scanning the area with new urgency.

"If she does, I hope to be fortunate enough to witness it," Damien admitted.

Eloise shook her head. "Must you always cheer on the worst possible outcome? You must promise me that unless it is absolutely warranted, there will be no fighting at the festival tonight. No one dies," she said, lowering her voice on the last part.

Damien tucked back a strand of Eloise’s hair that had slipped loose from her braid. "I plan to enjoy the evening with you and Jane. If anyone gets hurt, it is because they pushed me to it. I must be able to defend myself and you."

"You must," Eloise agreed. "I would never stop you from defending yourself. Your name carries more weight in the capital, so try not to get yourself arrested here. I wouldn’t know the first step towards getting you out."

Damien cupped Eloise’s face in his hands. "That won’t happen. I assure you it is not my intention to spoil this night for you. I promise," Damien said, leaning forward to steal a quick kiss.

Eloise relaxed, the tension leaving her shoulders. "I don’t doubt you will be on your best behaviour. It is the people around you that I worry about. I want the night to go well. Not just for my sake, but for yours. I want you to fall in love with the countryside."

"I already have," Damien said, and the look he gave her made it clear he wasn’t only speaking of the countryside. "Your students are trying to get your attention. I may need to release you so you can get back to them. Don’t stay away too long, or your dear husband will grow lonely."

"My dear husband needs to go and make friends. You might not enjoy everyone’s company, but if you find at least one, then you have succeeded. Find a way to entertain yourself," Eloise said, pressing her palm lightly to his cheek. "Go and speak to your guards, but be mindful of the ladies around you."

"What ladies?" Damien innocently asked.

"You think you are so funny," Eloise said, poking him in the chest. "Just remember you have a wife who is not fond of other women touching you. You wouldn’t want me to entertain a gentleman’s attention, would you?"

Eloise let her hand trail slowly across Damien’s chest. "Be wise, Damien."

Damien closed his hand around hers. "I suggest you do the same. Your friends are waiting, Eloise. You should go before I find it impossible to let you leave."

"Calm yourself," Eloise said, pulling her hand back. "I promise not to be long, and it should please you to know that I am working very hard on these headpieces to show my love for you."

"Hmm," Damien responded.

"Go and make friends," Eloise said, giving his chest one last pat before walking away.

Eloise carried her spare flowers back to the group and sat down beside Jane. "I apologise for taking so long. Are we missing two people?" She asked, glancing at the empty seats. "Did they go for more flowers?"

"No, they felt unwell and had to leave. You could have stayed with my brother a little longer. He looks lonely," Jane said, glancing back at Damien with a bit of sympathy.

"I told him to go and make a friend. You’re doing wonderfully," Eloise said, leaning closer to Jane to admire her work. "You didn’t need me at all."

"I must confess that I tried it once in secret at the manor, and Damien told me it was ugly. I am only this good now because of your guidance," Jane admitted.

"Well, now you get to show it off," Eloise said, proud of Jane.