The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Damien and Eloise soon departed from Millie’s home, with their destination being the estate.

After a long day, Eloise didn’t have any more energy left. She rested her head on the side of the carriage to get some rest before she arrived at the estate.

Unknowingly, she was moved to rest on Damien’s shoulder. His hand was to the left of her head, but didn’t touch her. He shielded her face so that when the carriage hit a bump in the road, her head would not slip off his shoulder.

Damien watched to see that she was comfortable before his attention went to the rings on her finger. He thought he would need to take the ring to have adjustments to fit Eloise perfectly, but the ring sat well on Eloise’s finger without slipping off.

Damien looked away from Eloise’s hand to the town. He stayed on guard until the Hawthorne gates came into view.

The carriage came to a stop just below the steps.

Gage opened the door and prepared to inform the pair of their arrival, but stayed silent when he saw Damien’s finger on his lips.

Gage left the door open and stepped to the side.

Damien thought of whether to lift Eloise or to wake her, but before he could make a decision, Eloise leaned away from him and rubbed her eyes.

"Oh," Eloise said, startled by Damien’s hand near her face. "Why are you?" she started to ask, but realised she had been lying on his shoulder. "Sorry," she apologised.

"I am the one who rested you on my shoulder so you would be more comfortable. We have arrived," Damien announced.

Eloise looked to her left at the estate she remembered. There were already notable changes, but the estate was still lovely.

"Lady Hawthorne," Gage said, offering his hand to Eloise.

"Thank you," Eloise said, accepting Gage’s hand out of the carriage. "What is your name? I have seen you a few times now, but I didn’t ask your name. Pardon my rudeness."

"It is Gage, Lady Hawthorne," Gage answered.

"I shall remember it well," said Eloise.

Gage placed his hand back at his side after Eloise was safely out of the carriage. He then turned to Damien. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Are you looking for a treat?" Damien questioned Gage as he exited the carriage.

"No, Lord Hawthorne," Gage replied, lowering his gaze.

Gage moved to gather Eloise’s belongings from the back of the carriage. ’He isn’t a jealous man,’ he thought.

Eloise followed Damien inside the home. Already, memories of her childhood in the estate flooded her mind. She was fortunate that the former Lady and Lord Hawthorne were not against her joining her father on some of his workdays and allowed her to play with the children.

It was unfortunate that Eloise didn’t return in time before Damien’s parents passed.

"It is close to what I remember," Eloise commented.

"I tried not to change too much," Damien replied. "There have been small changes with old furniture needing to be thrown out, and Jane started to take a liking to decorating some of the rooms. It is still as my mother made it."

"I do get a feel of your mother’s touch. She adored soft colours, even with her dresses. I am sorry," Eloise apologised, realising she might be speaking of a sensitive topic.

"She has been gone for a few years now, Eloise. You may speak to me about her. Jane is the only one who will not take it well, but I have no issues speaking about my mother. It ignites old memories, so I never forget her and my father," said Damien.

Eloise examined the portraits on the walls of Damien’s parents. It was unfortunate that they were both lost in a carriage accident on the same day.

Eloise didn’t speak of Damien’s parents anymore, as it made her think of her parents. She quietly followed him to the second floor until they stopped by a door.

Damien opened the bedchamber door for Eloise, letting her walk inside first.

"You did not take their bedchamber," Eloise said.

"No. We all decided to leave their bedchamber as they left it. I will give you time to get dressed for bed, and also send a maid to prepare your bath and bring your bags. If it is not to your liking, please speak up. You must be comfortable here," said Damien.

"I will. Where will you be going?" Eloise asked, curious.

"I am going to have my bath in another bedchamber and to see that my siblings returned in one piece. Since we had dinner, I will not have the cook prepare food for us. Will you need more time to yourself before I join you in bed?"

"No," Eloise shook her head. "I would hate to keep you from your bedchamber for too long, and it is best that I get used to this now. You may return when you are ready. I am tired, so I imagine you must be as well."

Eloise was nervous, but since this was now her life, she tried not to worry too much. They had not once spoken of doing more than lying in bed, so there was no need to worry.

"Good. I will see you when I am done. If you change your mind, send the maid to me, and I will come to you. I do not mind if you want to sleep apart for the first night," Damien said, thinking of Eloise’s comfort.

"I am a little nervous, but it is slowly passing. You are my husband now, but it is not as though we are both expecting to consummate the marriage. I will have my bath quickly so you may return."

Damien smiled, eager to see if Eloise would keep her composure all night. "Then, I shall see you shortly."

Eloise watched as Damien exited the bedchamber and sighed in relief. She was thankful that he had not chosen now to tease her.

Eloise felt comfort in Damien not switching his personality now that she was in his home, where he had all the power. He was still kind, so there was no reason to be too wary or shy away.

Eloise observed the bedchamber, getting used to what she would be calling home going forward.

The large empty room did not help with her thoughts as she immediately yearned for someone’s presence. Fortunately, there was a knock on the door.

Eloise walked to the door and opened it.

"Good night, Lady Hawthorne. Lord Hawthorne has instructed me to prepare your bath and to dress you. I am Hannah, your maid," Hannah introduced herself.

The lonely feeling did not go away, but Eloise welcomed Hannah into the room.