The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"If there is anyone to go against the family wishes and do as they want, it would be you. I only hope you think of how this new life will affect her. The men already have an ease with life, while the ladies face great difficulties. Her background will make the path far more challenging," Camille said.

"Her name is now Lady Eloise Hawthorne. If anyone questions her background or insults her, I will deal with them. Life had been a bit of a bore before she arrived. I pity the fool who troubles her," Damien said before drowning the last of his wine.

Camille stared at Damien, trying to decide whether he was in love with Eloise. "Marriage is not to be taken as a joke. It is a serious union."

"Yet so many marriages around us started as arranged from birth or arranged in the latter years, without the bride and groom knowing each other. Those marriages are not questioned, yet you would speak to me about marriage being a serious union," Damien said, uninterested in the lecture.

"I don’t care about the others who entered those marriages. I care about you and the future of this estate. You are Lord Damien Hawthorne. Your son will one day take control of this estate. I wish for you to be happy with the woman who will be the mother of your heir," Camille explained her feelings.

"I am happy, but that happiness is running thin with us going back and forth. I must bring Eloise here before she overthinks and makes herself more nervous. Avoid shaking her hand," Damien said, setting his glass down on a table.

Camille remained seated.

There was no possible way she could change Damien’s mind. They were lucky there was a lady in town to convince Damien to settle down. Now the estate wasn’t without a lady.

"Will she be well?" Camille wondered, thinking of the challenges Eloise would face.

Camille couldn’t lie to Eloise and promise that this journey would be an easy one. Even with Damien’s support, there were battles the ladies had to fight on their own.

Camille sighed. "Brother, what have you left me to deal with?"

Camille twirled the jewel on her necklace as she thought about Eloise’s father. He was a good man who acted fast to protect her reputation, but what he got in the end was to be fired from his work.

"It was not my sole decision," Camille whispered. She had been young and foolish.

It was unfortunate she did not have the chance to apologise for how Thomas was removed from the estate, and to properly reward him for saving her.

"Aunt Camille," Jane’s voice disturbed Camille’s thoughts.

Camille looked up. Her heart warmed at the sight of Jane.

"Jane, dear. Are you hiding from your brother? Come to me," Camille said, patting the empty seat beside her. "He has gone to get his wife."

"Did you scold him?" Jane asked, hopeful that Camille had talked sense into Damien.

"No, I did not. Jane, I advise you not to write to any of the relatives. Your brother might be accepting of me, but he will not tolerate it if you involve the others. Still, I thank you for telling me," Camille said, pleased she wasn’t left in the dark.

"Was it not wrong that he wed her without addressing the family prior? Then he surprised us by revealing that her father was a groundsman and did other jobs. She is the only one who benefits from this marriage, and you know it," said Jane.

"He should have told us well in advance and allowed me to plan a proper wedding, but it is his life. We can only support him from this point on. Rather than being upset by how it started, why don’t you get to know her? Now there is a lady in the estate for you to speak to," Camille said, looking at the bright side.

Camille found relief in knowing Jane would have another lady in the home to help her grow into a proper lady.

"I have had governesses and tutors all my life. I assure you that her father could not afford such luxuries. What if I am forced to teach her how to be a lady? What if we are to attend the same gathering and she embarrasses me?" Jane asked, imagining the horror.

"I will ask about her upbringing and offer to help her. I remember her father as a kind man, and it is thanks to him that I avoided a large scandal. Please, do not make this time in your brother’s life difficult. Marriage is to be celebrated, and it is already unfortunate she has lost her father," said Camille.

"Am I to pity her because I have lost my parents? Am I to be kind to every lady in town who has lost their parents?"

"No, Jane. I am asking that you give her some grace. Before we judge her, why don’t we have a talk with her? Isn’t she owed the chance to prove herself before you try to cast her to the side?" Camille asked, trying to sway Jane.

"I suppose so. I will give her a chance," Jane decided.

"Good. I hear footsteps, so they must be near. Show what it means to be a lady, Jane. Be welcoming," Camille said, shifting her body to face the door.

Jane decided to start anew, but only because Camille asked.

Camille stood up to greet Eloise. "You must forgive me for how I acted. I won’t enter the bedchamber without permission again. It is lovely to see you again, Eloise. Damien reminded me of your father."

"And you as well, Mrs Bennett," Eloise greeted Camille. "I remember seeing you quite often when I visited the estate in my younger days. I vaguely recall when you got married out in the garden."

"You do? Were you a guest?" Camille asked, but soon realised the low chance of Eloise being a guest. "Forgive me."

"It is fine. I watched from the sidelines since I joined my father for his work that day. The wedding was lovely," said Eloise.

"So lovely that I was asked to marry her that day. It was the first time I got married," Damien shared.

Eloise let out a nervous chuckle. "We were only playing a game. It wasn’t serious."

"I didn’t know you two were so close. Well, it appears you two were destined to get married. Damien, why don’t you run along while the women talk?" Camille suggested, seeking a moment alone with Eloise.

"I shall stay here," Damien responded, unwilling to leave Eloise with Jane present.