The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Eloise and Damien soon returned to the festival for one last lap around the stalls to get all that they needed and see the performances before reuniting with Jane to leave.

Jane stared at the four headpieces sitting on Damien’s head. She wanted to comment on Eloise and Damien showing off, but the little things like this would prove the gossip wrong.

’Their marriage is fine,’ Jane thought, glancing back to see if everyone was watching. They should all watch and see that the gossip was all lies.

"Jane, you haven’t given anyone your headpieces. No one caught your attention?" Eloise asked, noticing the pieces still in Silas’s hands.

"I know who I will give them to. I would be foolish to give them to the boys here and have them delude themselves that I am waiting for them in the capital. I won’t marry any of the boys here," Jane said, her gaze falling upon the flowers in Silas’s hands.

"There are good boys here," said Eloise.

"Yes, but I am returning to the capital. I shall have my season there and live there after. Besides, no boy who has approached me tonight will give me the life I desire. So," Jane said, taking one of the headpieces from Silas. "This one is for you," she said, offering it to Damien.

"Eloise said it isn’t all about being romantic, but about someone you love. I love my brothers at times, so this one is for you," Jane said, avoiding Damien’s gaze. She didn’t want to see his face, as he would only tease her.

"So the other is for Kyle or Quinn?" Eloise questioned, drawing Jane’s attention to the fact that she had only one left. "You have three brothers."

"Why should I make one for those two when they are not here? It is for Silas," Jane decided.

Silas tensed, his gaze immediately going to Damien. He wanted no part of what he was being pulled into.

"Silas has been guarding me all night, and since there is no other gentleman I care for, it only seemed fair that I give it to him," Jane explained.

"I guarded Miss Jane as well," Gage said, eyeing the headpiece.

"Then rip it in half and take a piece each. This is why it is so difficult to be kind," Jane said, stepping into the carriage.

Eloise shook her head.

"You could have given both to me," Damien said, snatching the flowers from Silas’s hands. "Get in the carriage. It is time we leave."

Silas stood still, staring at his now empty hands.

"That is much better," Gage said, laughing as he walked past Silas.

"I should return later to collect all the gifts the ladies were handing me," Silas considered, sneaking a glance at the crowd, the distant music and lantern glow pulling at him. "I am enjoying the countryside."

"Because there are plenty of ladies for you to entertain and leave after one day? I beg you not to become a scoundrel by bedding them and then running off, leaving them to bear the responsibilities alone," Gage said, judging Silas.

"Gentlemen," Eloise’s voice caught both men off guard.

They turned to face her.

Eloise stood by the carriage door with Damien waiting beside her to help her inside. "I don’t mind what you speak of in private, but Jane is present, and she is a young lady. There are certain topics which shouldn’t reach her ears. Don’t you agree?"

Silas pointed at Gage. "He’s the one who started it."

"Me? You spoke of returning to the festival to entertain ladies. It is he who started this, Lady Hawthorne," Gage said, casting all the blame onto Silas.

Aiden walked around the two of them, relieved to be no part of the scolding.

"It doesn’t matter which one of you started it, as I am finishing it. Your voices carry, so save what you are speaking of for when Jane isn’t present. And Silas, I do ask that you not fool around with anyone you aren’t serious about. Life isn’t easy here," Eloise said, holding Silas’s gaze until he looked away.

"Lady Hawthorne, I wasn’t intending to do so. Gage got the wrong idea," Silas tried to plead his case.

"I hope that is the truth. Excuse me," Eloise said, accepting Damien’s hand into the carriage.

Damien stared at both men but said nothing as he followed Eloise inside.

"I think he’s angry with you," Gage spoke softly before leaving Silas to find his seat on the carriage.

"You’re the one that started it," Silas muttered.

Damien closed the carriage door and sat beside Eloise. The carriage wheels moved beneath them as they set off. He looked across at Jane, inspecting her appearance. "You didn’t get into any trouble while you were away? No young lady or her mother will be at our door in the morning?"

"One will," Jane answered without looking at Damien. "I invited Odette to the manor, so if her mother says yes, she will come in the afternoon. I know I should have asked your permission first, but will you be present, Eloise? A lady will need to be there."

"I don’t have any plans for the afternoon other than beginning to pack, so I can sit with you. Damien, you will have a break from the two of us. It might be the right time to go and make a friend," Eloise suggested. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"No, thank you. I have already had first-hand experience of how tiresome the friends here can be. I will lie in bed, and no one other than Eloise should bother me," Damien decided, willing to continue what they started the night before.

"Well, that is hardly fair. Why is it that only Eloise can bother you? I was in your life first," Jane said, thinking herself more important. "If I want to bother you, I shall. In fact, I feel quite inclined to jump on your bed in the afternoon."

"You are welcome to jump, and I am well within my rights to push you off. Can you land like a cat, Jane? Shall we test it when we get home?"

"We were all doing so well," Eloise sighed, turning her gaze to the dark window and the countryside passing quietly beyond it. "Can you two bicker in silence? It has been a long night, and I am hardly in the mood for the two of you arguing."

"We are not arguing," Jane corrected Eloise. "This is how we have fun. We annoy each other and then get along an hour later. It is what having siblings is like."

"Well, it is an experience I am glad I missed. Wake me when we arrive," Eloise said, resting her head on Damien’s shoulder and closing her eyes.