The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Back in the Hawthorne estate, Damien laid in bed with Eloise as they awaited the start of dinner. After long hours of searching for Iris since his return, he cherished his time alone with Eloise.

Eloise rested her head on Damien’s chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, while getting a bit of rest before she would have to leave the chamber. She had been running around all morning since her arrival, keeping Rosalie distracted while still worrying about Iris and Damien’s well-being.

Eloise was close to drifting off to sleep, and Damien knew it too.

Damien stroked Eloise’s hair, his fingers brushing through the soft strands, trying to help relax her. If she missed dinner, then it wasn’t a cause for concern. She needed the rest.

Not knowing of Damien’s plan, Eloise’s eyes remained open.

"What is on your mind?" Damien asked.

"Everything. There is just so much to think about. I thought Quinn and my uncle were all that I would need to come back and face, but I was very far off. I’m hoping that wherever she is, Iris is well," Eloise said, dwelling on where Iris slept at night. "I don’t think she is sleeping outside."

Eloise thought of what she had spoken of with Quinn. "Iris might be working as a maid. She would have shelter with the work, but tracking down which homes hired new maids will not be an easy task. I’m sure if she ran into trouble she would come to us."

Eloise’s only concern was Iris being fooled by people who appeared kind but had other plans for a young lady travelling alone.

"I have been thinking today that I would offer my father’s home to her. She wouldn’t need to give me any money. There is money my father left for Iris in his will that she hasn’t gotten yet because of her disappearance. It would be a nice start for her," said Eloise.

"What if she takes your father’s home and lets her mother enter it?"

"She knows that wouldn’t sit well with me. Still, I suppose you can’t offer someone a gift and have many rules attached to it. I only hope that since Iris has turned away from Agatha, she wouldn’t easily accept her into the home," Eloise said, though she could only hope.

Eloise rose to sit on the bed, the mattress dipping beneath her weight. "Iris tried to help me find proof against her father. I should help her now to ensure that she is well. There is some comfort in knowing that Reece is here to help."

"Do you think Reece has told his mother the news about his wife and child?"

Eloise looked back at Damien and tapped his arm lightly. "Here I am worried about the well-being of my dear cousin, and you want to know if Agatha has fainted. You must know when not to ask such a question."

"I thought knowing the news surprised her to death would cheer you up. It would most certainly cheer me up, and knowing that her mother is unwell would surely bring Iris out of hiding. Wouldn’t it?" Damien asked as he sat up to be at Eloise’s level.

"It would, but let us not make it a plot to lure her out. Now that Reece is back, I am going to let him carry out his plans to take his mother away. Though I do agree with you that he shouldn’t take Agatha to meet his wife," Eloise said, worried Reece could lose his new family.

"I would leave Agatha behind. In fact, I think it is wise for him not to pour all his money into the debts. Knowing Agatha and Clive, they are always going to want to portray that they live well, so they will search for more money. It is unfortunate," Eloise said, feeling sympathy for Iris and Reece.

They both could not save their parents, no matter how hard they tried.

"And it is also not your trouble anymore. Aside from helping Iris and speaking to Reece, I advise you not to get too caught up in their family matters. Don’t think about their troubles too much," Damien advised Eloise, his hand resting on hers.

Damien didn’t want Eloise to second-guess her plans regarding Clive. Killing Clive was the only way he would be punished.

"I know. I won’t go any further than speaking to Iris and Reece. We need a break from speaking of this. I have some news to share with you, and I want you to be honest with me. Kyle and I are thinking of starting a business here in town. Either importing rum or opening a gentleman’s pub," Eloise shared.

"Do I know this Kyle you speak of?" Damien asked, wishing it wasn’t his brother.

"Damien, you know that I speak of your brother. I didn’t mean for it to be my business at first. I was offering an idea so he had something of his own and wouldn’t need to turn to you for money. A business he can keep for himself or future family," Eloise explained.

"Well, while it would keep Kyle busy, I don’t know how to feel about you joining him. Kyle isn’t one to be interested in doing work alone. I don’t want him passing on all the work to you," Damien shared his concerns.

"I know that there is good reason to be worried, but he seems so excited," Eloise said, not wanting to disappoint Kyle.

"This is what Kyle always does. He gets excited and then loses interest. This would not be the first time he has been presented with a business idea. You are just easier for him to pass all the work onto. I would need to see that he is quite serious so you aren’t left with the work," Damien said.

"That is fair," Eloise nodded, agreeing with Damien. "I will let him prove himself first. I truly hope he doesn’t disappoint either one of us. I am certain that Kyle can do well as long as he stays motivated. Are you not upset that I would want a business?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Why would I be?" Damien asked, amusing himself by toying with Eloise’s hair. "You don’t leave the estate for gatherings, and you don’t have many peers to meet with. You should have something to keep you busy."

Damien would like the business to keep Eloise occupied so that she would stop thinking of their relatives.

"I trust that you would pour your heart and soul into it. I cannot trust Kyle," Damien honestly said. "Give it a bit of time to see what he does," he advised Eloise.

"Very well," Eloise agreed.