The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Reece made his first visit to the court but found no help there, as the men only assured him that a search for Iris was already underway.

Reece was forced to leave and decided on the Hawthorne estate as his next stop. As he waited for a carriage to take him there, his luck suddenly turned.

"Lord Hawthorne. I found them."

Reece looked back towards the court as three men walked out. He recognised the one at the front as Damien Hawthorne, the very man said to have become Eloise’s husband. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Lord Hawthorne!" Reece called, breaking into a run towards where Damien was walking.

Damien glanced to his right at a man he didn’t recognise, giving a brief look before his gaze returned to his waiting carriage.

Silas stepped in to block Damien before the stranger could get any closer.

"I am Reece Wilkins. You married my cousin Eloise Wilkins," Reece said, holding his ground.

That caught Damien’s attention.

Silas glanced back to see what Damien wanted to do.

"I don’t know what her cousin looks like. You could be an imposter," Damien said, giving Reece a chance to prove himself.

"I’ve been away for work, but I came back after hearing about my uncle, and now I learn that my sister Iris is missing. I had just decided to go to your estate after finding no help here. Is Eloise nearby?" Reece asked, glancing around for her.

"No," Damien replied. Even if she were, the answer would still be no. "I am not familiar with you, so you should be on your way."

"I am her cousin. Only a man with a death wish would approach you with a lie like that. I know you may have doubts about me because of my father’s actions, but I care for Eloise as a sister. I want to know she is well and ask whether she knows where Iris has gone," said Reece.

"Eloise doesn’t know where Iris is, and if you want to speak with her, you should go to the estate. If she doesn’t let you inside, then she doesn’t believe you are who you say you are, and I trust you won’t bother her. Excuse me," Damien said, turning to step into his carriage.

"Wait!" Reece said, moving quickly to keep Damien from going. "I truly am her cousin. I only just returned to the family home and gave my mother money towards our debts. I can answer any question you have about Eloise or Iris."

"If you are searching for your sister, then you won’t mind coming with me. I am searching for Iris on behalf of my wife. Come," Damien said, gesturing for Reece to get into the carriage.

Reece felt the risk of getting in, but he knew he wouldn’t get anywhere near Eloise without her husband’s permission, so he stepped inside.

Reece stiffened as the carriage door swung shut.

"If you aren’t her cousin, I will kill you the moment it comes to light. You have until this carriage moves to get out, if you value your life," Damien said.

"I truly am her cousin, Lord Hawthorne. When Eloise sees me, you will regret not giving me a warmer greeting. She has always thought of me more as an older brother than a cousin. I hope that in time, you and I might get along as well," Reece said, offering his hand to Damien.

Damien looked at Reece’s outstretched hand and made no move to take it. "I have no interest in getting close to you or anyone in her family. If you are her cousin, I advise you not to ask her for money, and not to think of using her to dig your mother out of debt."

"I am a working man, Lord Hawthorne. I would never ask my cousin or little sister to carry that burden. I am going to settle those debts myself, and when I am done, I intend to take my family out of town. That is why I want to speak to Eloise," Reece explained, noticing Damien’s sudden intrigue.

"Not to ask her for help with the move," Reece said before Damien could assume otherwise. "How could I ask her for anything after what my father did? I want to spend time with her before I take my family away. I will be selling our home."

"Hmm. It seems I might find something to like about you after all. I will help find your sister because I made a promise to my wife. Handle your family’s affairs yourself and be on your way when it is done. If you truly care for Eloise, you will keep your mother away from her for good," Damien said.

"I know what she did was wrong, but I would ask you not to speak poorly of my mother," Reece said, as the carriage began to move "I am being respectful towards you."

"There is a great deal I could say about your mother that would be deeply insulting, but what I am saying now is the polite version. I asked only that you don’t seek money from Eloise and that you keep your mother away from her. Would you care to find out how insulting I can be?" Damien asked, eager for Reece to challenge him.

"No, Lord Hawthorne. That would only lead to a fight, and though you have your guards, I am not afraid to fight you when it comes to my mother. I have already admitted that she was wrong. That my father was wrong. I don’t know how it came to this," Reece said, his gaze moving to the window.

"I always liked my uncle. He was the kind of man you could turn to when others wouldn’t listen. He loved Eloise without question and never asked for anything in return, but he treated me as more than just his nephew. That is why you don’t need to concern yourself with me," Reece said.

Reece hadn’t come back to harm or to burden Eloise. She had already been through enough.

"What I want is to apologise. I went away for work outside of town and wasn’t present to help anyone when it mattered. With my father gone, I need to look after Eloise and Iris as best I can. As long as I hold up my end and cause no trouble, I hope you will allow us to see each other," Reece requested.

"I won’t keep Eloise from the family that means her no harm. Now, where might your sister have wandered off to? I would like to be home by dinner," Damien said, his patience running thin.

"Truthfully, only your wife might know where she has run off to. When you grow tired-"

"I’m already tired," Damien said, wanting to return home.

"When you are truly tired of it, I will take over the search for Iris. It is my responsibility," Reece said, unwilling to let the burden fall on anyone else.