The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Jane stormed out of the room to find her other brothers.

"Damien has threatened to send me to live with our aunt if I do not behave," Jane said, looking to Kyle or Quinn to aid her.

"So, you know that you are not behaving?" Kyle asked.

"Kyle!" Jane whined and stomped her right foot.

"I am just as surprised as you that he is getting married so quickly, but it is his wedding day. We can save our questions for another day and celebrate with him now. Would that be so hard?" Kyle asked, but talking to Jane was like speaking to a brick wall.

"What Damien told you isn’t a threat. For you, it might do some good to be raised by our aunt. It is a discussion Damien once had with Quinn because you are being raised by three brothers. You need lessons," Kyle said, folding his arms.

"I do not need lessons." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Says the one who is ruining the good mood of a wedding. I truly suggest that you don’t spoil this mood, no matter how you feel. Damien has made his choice, and once we get to know the bride, we shall understand it. If you do not behave, I will act like a fool at your wedding," said Kyle.

"Funny, you think there would be an invitation with your name. I do not like this," Jane said, but she sat down beside Kyle. "What does her family do?"

"Her father used to be our groundsman-"

"A groundsman?" Jane yelled, shocked. "Has our brother lost his mind? He sits on wealth, and he is quite popular around the town. Why would he settle for the daughter of a groundsman? I think she is pregnant and he is taking responsibility."

Kyle laughed. "Would you have him be a bastard and not take responsibility? And how do you know about making children? Who talked with you?"

"He should take responsibility, but he didn’t need to marry her. It is rare that a woman has a child out of wedlock. He shouldn’t marry such an irresponsible woman. My governess says nothing good comes from being around those women," said Jane.

"Remind me to inform Damien to change your governess. Be quiet," Kyle said, and covered Jane’s mouth. "It is starting."

Jane’s voice was muffled against Kyle’s hand. She watched as Damien walked to the altar where a priest was waiting for him.

How was she to object if her mouth was covered?

"The lovely bride is coming," Kyle whispered, taking Jane’s attention from Damien to Eloise. "Where is her family?" He asked, puzzled by the lack of support on Eloise’s side.

Quinn looked up and searched for Eloise’s family.

Where was her father? Her uncle and his family?

Was the woman beside Eloise her only family?

Quinn faced forward, losing interest in Eloise and her family matters.

"Quinn, you know most about her-"

"Do not question me," Quinn snapped.

Jane reached to cover Kyle’s mouth so he could have a taste of his medicine.

Millie walked Eloise close to the altar and let go once Damien came to take her hand. She sat down on the right side of the church, filling one of the seats on Eloise’s side.

Though it was a marriage of convenience, Millie grew emotional. While the other guests watched the ceremony, Millie clasped her hands and prayed that something genuine would come out of the union and for Thomas to get the justice he deserved.

Kyle kept Jane’s hand covered until the priest declared the couple husband and wife. "Now you may speak," he said.

Jane glared at Kyle. She was not pleased, but there was nothing she could do now.

Jane could only sit with her arms folded and a pout on her face as she watched Damien with his new bride.

’There were no personal vows. What kind of wedding was this?’ Jane wondered, suspicious.

Jane eyed the pair with suspicion as Eloise seemed hesitant to kiss Damien.

"She’s shy," Jane heard Damien inform the priest.

On the altar, Eloise sighed in relief that she did not need to kiss Damien before a crowd.

"Thank you," Eloise mouthed to Damien. "It went by very quickly. I am still surprised how you managed to get this all in order in so little time. Was this the wedding you imagined for yourself? Did you have a dress lying around?"

"I have money," Damien bluntly answered. "Money helps to make people move faster. We shall speak when we are alone."

Eloise nodded.

"Brother, congratulations on your wedding," Jane said, deciding to be civil. "It was quite interesting. A bit lacking in the fairytale I had imagined for you. Will you introduce us?"

"Eloise, this is my little fifteen-year-old sister who likes to think she is the oldest. Jane, this is Eloise Hawthorne," Damien introduced the two.

"It is nice to meet you, Jane. I remember hearing the news that Lady Hawthorne was pregnant with you. You look so much like your mother," Eloise said, seeing a glimpse of the former lady in every child.

"It seems you hold deep ties to our family. Is your father still a groundsman, or has he struck gold and become wealthy? Perhaps-"

"Jane!" Damien snapped.

Eloise tried to keep a smile. She maintained a firm grip on the bouquet, using the pain from the clipped ends to distract her.

"What?" Jane asked, seeing no harm in her questions. "I want to get to know her. I do not know her as you and Quinn do. Kyle also wondered why her side was not filled with family."

"My father has recently died, and I am not on good terms with my other relatives. He was a groundsman for your family years ago, but he has worked other honest jobs since then. No, he didn’t strike gold, and neither did I," Eloise answered.

Eloise sensed the tension between Damien and Jane. She didn’t want it to get out of hand.

"I do not mind answering her questions. It is only a handful of people who know my father is dead," Eloise said, trying to be civil.

"She can save her questions for another day when she gets her act together," Damien said as he reached for Eloise’s hand. "You should speak to Millie, since she is on the verge of tears."

Jane was left alone as Damien took Eloise away.

Kyle clapped his hands as he approached Jane. "Well done, Jane. I applaud you."

"Why are you so happy?" Jane asked, finding Kyle’s behaviour to be odd.

"Well, with you angering Damien, he should forget I ruined his carriage and spent too much money. Finally, you have some use," Kyle said, grabbing Jane’s head to kiss her forehead.