The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"Then we can move on and get to know each other. I don’t want us to be at odds in the estate, and I was looking forward to getting to know you again. We can be good friends and, more importantly, family," Eloise said, her voice hopeful.

Eloise had some fond memories of Quinn and wanted to repeat them. Then she would have one more sibling on her side.

"To think you have become my sister. I don’t believe our younger selves could ever have predicted this. You seem very happy with Damien, and I hope it continues. The estate is beginning to feel lively again, and I quite like it," Quinn said, gazing out at the garden.

There was a touch missing from the estate which had returned with Eloise’s arrival. Perhaps it was that they had someone trying to keep the family together.

"Perhaps all the estate needed was a lady who could coax Damien into loosening up a little. He deserves happiness after all the years he spent caring for us. I promise I will do my part to help him so he doesn’t feel overwhelmed," Quinn said, having learned he was lacking in his role.

"Damien would like that. Until you and Kyle move away from the estate, you should offer Damien a hand. I cannot imagine what it felt like to carry so much weight on his shoulders. I do know he cares for all of you, which is why he does it," Eloise assured, hopeful the siblings already knew it.

"Still, before you arrived and spoke of it, we had been taking Damien for granted. No wonder he is often angry with us. He has every right to be, since all we do is bring him trouble. If I were in his shoes, I don’t know if I could have stayed for so long," Quinn confessed.

"It must have been overwhelming to care for three younger siblings and fend off greedy relatives. What matters most is that you realise it now and are willing to step up. Even if you don’t help with the estate, help with your siblings," Eloise advised gently.

Eloise noticed Quinn’s faint smile and asked, "What?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"You have always been wise," Quinn said, his eyes softening.

"Have I? I am certain I have made decisions that were not wise. First, staying with my uncle. It seems I might know how to help others, but not myself. I am trying to learn," Eloise confessed, no longer wanting to be pushed around.

"I’m sure you’ll succeed. You have Damien at your side and three of his siblings, though two of them are rather childish. I heard Kyle speaking of a business. Did you have any part in it?" Quinn asked out of curiosity.

Eloise nodded. "I did advise him to start a business. Either a gentleman’s pub or importing rum from neighbouring lands. He spends so much time drinking, so why not turn it into a business? He has asked me to join him."

"Have you decided?"

"Not yet. He said I could be a secret owner and help him, but I want to speak to Damien first," Eloise admitted, her voice giving away her nerves.

"Is it that you don’t think Damien will be pleased about you working with Kyle?" Quinn inquired.

Eloise shook her head. "No, that is hardly the case. Damien knows business well, and I do not. I am not confident about where Kyle and I should begin, so I want to speak to Damien first. I trust him to give me some confidence."

"I see," Quinn replied, glancing down at his shoes. "It is for confidence. I’m sure you will do well, and I have never seen Kyle this excited to work. I urge you to consider doing it with him. He needs this."

"I know. I just don’t want to be the reason he fails. It would help to keep me busy, since I don’t have many gatherings to attend. I am in great need of distractions," Eloise said, uncertain of what she would do with her time.

"Letters came to you from Lady Rosalie. I don’t know if I should use her surname, as I heard she is heading towards a divorce-"

"What?" Eloise exclaimed, covering her mouth. She lowered her hand quickly. "Forgive me. I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you certain?"

"It is going around town that she and His Grace forced her husband from the home. Someone from the court spoke of the divorce being in the works. Letters arrived around the same time as the news. I haven’t opened them since they are meant for you," Quinn explained.

"It seems she is searching for a friend to confide in, and considering you don’t gossip, you might be the best person for her to turn to. I’m sure she would understand if you are waiting until your cousin is found," Quinn said thoughtfully.

"No. I can send for Rosalie to come here. Damien is already searching for Iris, so I can help Rosalie while I wait. She will need a friend. Can you have someone personally go to her home to bring her here? I would go, but I promised Damien I would stay," Eloise requested.

"I will go, and I will bring the letters she sent for you. While there seems to be bad news at every turn, I hope you stay positive. This might not be the return you had planned, but don’t let it spoil your day," Quinn advised Eloise, noticing how all the news saddened her.

"I am trying my best not to let it ruin the day, but I am not succeeding. All I wanted was a peaceful return, but it seems that in speaking of it, I have spoiled it. I hope Iris is well and hasn’t gone somewhere unsafe," Eloise murmured, rubbing her temple.

"You should put yourself in her shoes and think of where she would go. If you were trying to escape your mother, where would you run?" Quinn asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Honestly, I would leave town, but I don’t think Iris would go so far. She wouldn’t turn to her friends, as their mothers might not hide her for long. I would find work where I could have shelter. She knows the town isn’t safe for a lady at night," Eloise said, trying hard to think like Iris.

"Then I would say she likely decided to work as a maid, unless she has the talents and knowledge to become a governess. If she used your name, she might have been able to find work. I will leave and ask my peers," Quinn offered.

Eloise stared at him before stepping forward to embrace him. "Thank you so much," she whispered.

Quinn hesitated, then placed his hand gently on her back. "It is what family does for each other."