The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Damien stared at the large clock in his study. He waited patiently to give Eloise more time, though she said she did not need it.

Damien stood up from his chair, deciding to go to the bedchamber to see how Eloise was faring.

The hallway was quiet with little to no light as the servants had retreated to their beds.

Damien knocked on the bedchamber door before entering. He immediately searched for Eloise and found a figure wrapped in a blanket on the bed. She appeared to be fast asleep already.

Damien walked to the table beside the bed and blew out a candle that the maid likely left for Eloise to use.

Unaware, Eloise took the side of the bed Damien preferred, but he dared not wake her to move her. He went around to the left side of the bed and took his place there.

Damien laid with his back to Eloise. He listened to whether the movement had woken her, and once there wasn’t a response from her, he closed his eyes.

"You did not need to sneak inside," came Eloise’s voice. "So you know, I am a light sleeper."

"I did not want to wake you," said Damien.

"I know. It is not easy to fall asleep and stay asleep in a large room. I cannot stop thinking, and I hate it," Eloise said.

"Unfortunately, the smallest room we have is a closet for brooms. You do not want to sleep there. You only need a few days to get used to it, and luckily, I will be here."

"You don’t need to have your bath elsewhere. This has always been your bedchamber, so I don’t want to displace you now. Until I get used to this new setting, I would like this bedchamber to be noisy. I hope I am not troubling you," Eloise said, tempted to look over her shoulder.

"You are not troubling me. I would rather you speak what is on your mind than suffer silently. If you need company, my arms are here-"

"Good night, Damien," Eloise said, closing her eyes.

Eloise found Damien’s laughter to be comforting. She knew he was teasing her to make her feel more comfortable.

"Good night, Eloise."

Eloise stayed awake a little longer before tiredness came over her. When she woke up, there was light in the room and from her line of sight, Damien was buttoning his shirt.

Eloise closed her eyes, not wanting to be rude by staring.

’Why there?’ Eloise wondered. It was as though Damien wanted to be seen.

Eloise wouldn’t put it past Damien to be standing there on purpose.

"Good morning," Damien’s greeting revealed she had been caught. "I have never seen anyone squeeze their eyes in that manner when they are sleeping. Were you not the one who said I could have my bath here?"

Eloise opened her eyes. "I did not think I would have to witness you getting dressed."

"Do you think I have my bath with my clothes on? Would it help you to familiarise yourself with my body so you don’t get embarrassed?"

"No, it would not. Are you always this cheeky? You said that you are not always a man who likes to tease. That you can be serious," Eloise said as she sat up. "You are not very serious right now."

"Oh, I am quite serious. Every suggestion I make to you, you should take seriously. Breakfast will be served within an hour, so I suggest you get ready now. Later, I will send my guards with you to select what you need. Dresses, bags, shoes and whatever every lady seeks to have," said Damien.

"Why? I do not think it is necessary. I came with my own dresses and shoes," Eloise said,

"You came with one bag. I have maids who show up with three bags. Those dresses won’t last you long, so take the offer to buy new dresses. You need a day of distraction, Eloise. Go clear your mind a little while I search for the man I spoke of," Damien suggested.

"I do not think shopping can distract me from thinking about my father’s death. I have always found shopping too overwhelming. I am not good at deciding what dress suits what occasion, so I find it to be boring," said Eloise.

"I recall you having a lot of pretty dresses when you were younger, and you liked to show them off."

"My parents were the ones to dress me. When my mother died, my father gained an eye for good dresses. I now find it rude to reject your kind offer," Eloise said, realising she should accept. "Can I take Millie with me? I would love some company."

"You may. I am going to find a maid for you. Did you like the one from last night?" Damien inquired.

"I did. She answered all my questions and worked fast. I do think she found it difficult to accept that you are now married, but she didn’t let it get in the way of her work. I should get ready now, as you said," Eloise said, gripping the blanket.

"That you should. Are you waiting for me to leave so you can get out of bed?" Damien asked, noticing her hesitation. "I wasn’t shy, and you are fully dressed."

"I am not you," Eloise responded.

Damien laughed. "I am going to get the maid," he said, and this time, he walked out of the bedchamber.

Eloise sighed, thankful to have lasted the night, but she had to remind herself that this was only the beginning.

"Breakfast," Eloise whispered, thinking of having to sit with Damein’s siblings. "Quinn seems angry, Jane is unhappy, and Kyle wishes to use me. No," she shook her head. "I shouldn’t be worried after one interaction."

Eloise stood up from the bed, determined to have a good day.

A maid came to get Eloise dressed quickly so she could go down to breakfast on time. Eloise followed the maid to the dining room since Damien had not returned. She heard Damien’s siblings conversing with each other, but it stopped when she came into view.

Jane looked at Kyle and whispered, "I did not know she was here."

"Where else would his wife live?" Kyle whispered back.

"Good morning," Eloise said as she made her way to the empty chair beside Damien.

"Good morning, my dear sister-in-law. I am surprised you can join us this morning. Did Damien not fulfil his duty last night- Brother!" Kyle cried out after being struck in the face by bread.

"Shut up," Damien said, his hand close to a glass which he would throw next.