The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Agatha shifted her gaze to the key to her survival. Eloise was sent to their home to be cared for while her father was treated, but she would soon lose all she once cherished.

Agatha’s lips curled into a smile as she thought of how Eloise wasn’t as fortunate as others claimed her to be.

"You must marry her off after Iris has found herself a spouse. It cannot be that Eloise came to town and found a husband before your daughter. You should hear all that is said about Eloise," said Agatha.

"You speak as though it is bad. From this night alone, I have had four men come to ask about arranging some time tomorrow to bring flowers to Eloise. It won’t be long before we can marry her off to the right suitor," Clive said, thinking of the status they could claim.

Clive thought Eloise was shaping up to be the belle of the season.

"There cannot be enough money to help us with our finances and marry both ladies off to a good man. If you must pick one, you must use the dowry on Iris. She will marry Lord Hawthorne. It would have been well if your brother paid us to keep Eloise," Agatha muttered.

Agatha was still upset with Clive for offering to take in Eloise without payment, despite knowing that they couldn’t feed an extra mouth.

"My brother was sick when he sent the letter to me. How could I have possibly asked him about money then? He hadn’t worked for a month, so there wasn’t any money to offer me. Just hold on a little longer," Clive said, tapping Agatha’s hand. "His home is the prize."

Their money drought was close to ending.

Clive frowned as he thought about his brother’s death being the reason his prayers would be answered.

’How could I have such thoughts?’ Clive asked himself.

His late mother would wake from her grave and slap him senseless if she were to know what he was plotting.

Clive had a change of heart when his eyes met with the very men he owed money to. His brother didn’t need the money, but he did.

"I have been holding on quite long. Instead of being excited about what your niece is doing, I suggest you shake hands with the men present to find more work and find a way to place Lord Hawthorne before our daughter. He must fall in love with her," Agatha said, unwilling to let the chance pass.

Agatha noticed the younger Hawthorne brother and thought Damien was close to making an appearance.

"Eloise!" Agatha called the young woman.

"Yes, Aunt Agatha?" Eloise replied as she walked to where Agatha stood.

"It is a bit chilly outside. Be a dear and get my shawl for me," Agatha said, giving Eloise a little nudge. She kept glancing at where Kyle stood in hopes she would see Damien.

"Why send Eloise, mother? Maids are walking by," Iris said, wanting to keep Eloise close.

"It is fine. I shall be back quickly," said Eloise.

"Then I shall come-"

"No," Agatha stopped Iris. "There is a gentleman I must introduce you to right away. He is finally alone."

Iris pouted. "Then, father must escort Eloise. She cannot be alone in an unfamiliar place. It is not safe for a lady."

"I do not mind going alone. I shall be quick on my feet and return before anyone notices I am gone. You should go with your mother," Eloise said, urging Iris to go.

Eloise picked up that Agatha wanted alone time with Iris and didn’t want to intrude.

"See, she doesn’t mind. Now smile," Agatha said, taking Iris by her arm to pull her away. "Where is Lord Hawthorne?"

"Be quick," Clive instructed Eloise.

"Yes, uncle," Eloise replied, turning on her heel to search for the shawl.

As she exited the garden, Eloise kept looking back at the musicians. She wanted to listen to the music playing as it was a song her father adored.

"Oh!" Eloise gasped, her body colliding with someone. "I apologise. I wasn’t looking where I was- Lord Hawthorne."

"Miss Eloise," Damien said, his hands on Eloise’s arms to keep her steady. "Wobbly feet?"

"Excuse me?" Eloise asked, taking a step back.

"Twice now you have bumped into me. It’s either you want my attention or your feet are no good. From my memories of you, you have always been a terrible runner, but now your walking is affected."

"It is neither. I was trying to get a glimpse of the musicians, but I should have been watching where I was going. I apologise once more," said Eloise.

Eloise averted her eyes from Damien as his gaze became intense. She gulped, nervous she had done something wrong."Is there something you wish to ask me, Lord Hawthorne?"

"How is your father faring? It pains me to hear that he is ill."

"My father has always been one to fall ill, but his health has drastically declined in recent weeks. Despite what the doctors say, I am holding onto faith that he will overcome this, and then I will be back where I belong. You won’t be troubled by me stumbling into you," Eloise said, making light of her clumsiness.

"It is unfortunate that he is ill, but I am quite enjoying his request to send you here. I got to witness how you have shrunk," Damien teased Eloise.

"I always assured you that you would grow taller than me. Now, I regret it," Eloise said, since Damien grew to be cheeky. "If you have time, my cousin Iris has been wanting to speak to you."

"With all due respect, I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t push her forward. I would love it if Miss Iris could do me a grand favour and give her cousin a nudge forward," Damien said, peering down at the puzzled young woman.

"What? I do not understand," said Eloise.

"You will understand in due time. When you write to your father, give him my best wishes. Whilst I would like to hear about what I have missed in your life, I must depart before the proposals start. Be careful where you walk," Damien said, bidding goodbye to Eloise.

"Goodbye, Lord Hawthorne," Eloise curtsied.

"It would be wise to stay away from him," Eloise muttered.

Eloise didn’t want to cross paths with the man her aunt so desperately wanted her cousin to marry.

Eloise continued her search for Agatha’s shawl, and after help from a passing maid, she returned to the garden.

"I found the shawl," Eloise said, offering it to Agatha.

"What? Oh, it is time to leave," Agatha said, taking the shawl from Eloise’s hands. "How unfortunate Lord Hawthorne appears to be hiding."

"He is not hiding. Lord Hawthorne has left. I stumbled upon him whilst I was searching for your shawl," Eloise shared.

"You did?" Agatha inquired, suspicious. "Did you speak to him? Do you not know a lady and a gentleman shouldn’t be alone?"

"We didn’t speak. I only arrived in time to see him leaving," Eloise said, hoping the interrogation would soon end.

"Hmm. Be quicker next time. Iris," Agatha called for her daughter to follow. "You’ll have a chance next time."

Agatha spared Eloise one final glance. A conversation between Eloise and Lord Hawthorne could not happen again.

’I need to find a bastard to marry her off to,’ Agatha vowed, plotting to trap Eloise in a scandalous marriage.