The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"Damien, would you be so kind as to explain why you had a rushed wedding without any of the other relatives present? In Jane’s letter, your bride only had one guest," said Camille.

"Do you truly think it is odd I didn’t invite the other relatives? Aside from yourself, have I ever shown interest in others?"

"No, but it would have been polite and the right decision to make," Camille answered.

"It was my wedding day. Why would I surround myself with people I don’t care for? That was the mistake you made for your wedding, and I hear you grumble about it each time you celebrate the anniversary. I saved myself from a headache," said Damien.

"You did not answer me as to why this wedding was rushed. I had been taking my time to create a list of young women for you to meet with or simply consider as a bride, but you weren’t interested. Now, you wish for me to believe you found a bride by yourself?" Camille asked, sharing Jane’s suspicions.

"Damien," Camille sighed. "Your wife is an important matter. You cannot select any young lady."

"I can, and I did. If you have come here to speak of divorce, I will have to show you the door. I will not have you or anyone filling her head with divorce. So, what will it be?" Damien asked as he poured himself a glass of wine.

"I have not come here to tell you to divorce her. I would never be so confident as to think you would listen to me. I only hope you have put some thought into this. Jane said your bride’s father used to be a groundsman," Camille said, still surprised by this detail.

"Our groundsman. I’m certain you remember Thomas Wilkins, who used to bring his daughter to the estate. Quinn and I would play with her down by the garden," said Damien.

"I do not recall a-"

"When you were having your debut ball here, and a young man tried to attack you to have a scandal, who was it that saved you?" Damien asked and took a sip of his wine.

"It was," Camille said, the face slowly coming back to her. "I do remember him. He did have a little girl. Have you married his daughter? Was it because he saved me?"

"I like you, but not enough to marry a lady simply to repay your debt. I have always cared for Eloise. Her father was an honest man, and if you would take a moment to look beyond his old work, you would find that she is a wonderful woman," Damien said.

"Was? Has he passed?" Camille asked, hoping it wasn’t so. She would like to see the face of her old saviour.

"He was killed by his brother," Damien shared.

Camille touched her necklace and twisted the jewel with her fingers. "How unfortunate. I could never think of killing my brother. How awful for a young woman to experience."

"Yes, so she doesn’t need to hear anyone’s lectures about who would be a good wife for me. If not for her father, you wouldn’t have been able to marry your husband. That scandal would have ruined your season," Damien pointed out.

"Are you trying to guilt or threaten to expose this?" Camille asked, certain that Damien would do it.

"I am reminding you of how you should be grateful for what he did. As I recall, he didn’t take any money for being so helpful, but eventually, he was asked to stop working here despite being good at his work. Do you recall why?" Damien asked, though he already had the answer.

Camille lowered her gaze to her lap. "I do not know. Your parents had full control of the estate then, or perhaps the butler did not think his work was needed anymore. I was most grateful he helped me and would have liked to help him."

"Hmm."

Camille didn’t like Damien’s response. She sensed there was more he wanted to say, but rather than bring it up now, he would let her dwell on it.

"Why did you marry her? I remember you were close to her as children, but that was when you were children. I have not heard of this family since he left. Were you writing or meeting with her all this time?" Camille asked, curious about how the pair reunited.

"She recently returned to town with her father, but then had to stay with her uncle’s family because her father was ill. They were living in the countryside before," said Damien.

"Recently? Then you have not been meeting with her for long. Is she pregnant?" Camille asked, afraid Damien would sully the young woman.

"This town must come up with another answer for a rushed wedding. How could she be pregnant in so little time? Eloise isn’t that kind of lady, and I would appreciate it if you don’t bring up a child when she joins us."

"I apologise, but it is always the correct answer. This estate needs a future heir, but not in that way. The Hawthornes do not have children out of wedlock, and I intend to keep it that way. I will try not to judge her before getting to know her, but Damien, I fear not everyone will be so accepting," Camille said, being honest with Damien.

"I don’t care for everyone to accept her. Didn’t I make this clear enough for you? A lot of the relatives have spouses I do not care for, but I don’t speak about them," Damien said.

"Your face speaks for itself, Damien. We know who you do not like. This union is not what everyone placed for you. She will not be given a warm welcome, even by your peers. This is not an easy world to step into, and she will constantly be reminded of her father’s work," said Camille.

Camille thought the marriage was worth reconsidering.

"Eloise is not ashamed of what her father did for work, and his work as a groundsman doesn’t bother me. I am not going to divorce or look down on her, so I suggest you see her as a member of this family if you want to be allowed to visit," Damien warned Camille.

"Damien, I grew up in this estate. I was here before you were born," Camille said, thinking it would be wrong for her to be banned.

"But now I am Lord Hawthorne, so my word is law. I care for you, but I will not allow you or anyone to disturb my life. Care for some wine?" Damien asked, offering his glass to Camille.

"No, thank you. How kind of you to offer wine after threatening to ban me from my childhood home," Camille muttered.