The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Eloise’s laughter surprised Quinn since he was being serious.

Eloise turned around to face Quinn. "This marriage only consists of Damien and me. If I ever become concerned about his feelings, I will speak to him, but thank you. I shall keep it in mind, but you truly don’t need to be concerned. Have a good day."

"I am serious," Quinn said, taking a step towards Eloise. "I know my brother more than you do."

"I don’t think you do. If you did, you wouldn’t push this matter. It feels as though you want me to run away from him. I will decide if I must leave Damien’s side, and right now, I will not consider it. This talk is over. I don’t want to ruin a good day," Eloise said, turning her back to Quinn again.

"He never opens up to anyone. You deserve better," Quinn said, but Eloise did not spare him a second glance.

Quinn raked his fingers through his messy hair. He didn’t mean to make the matter more complicated.

"I should have ignored her," Quinn muttered.

"You should have," Jane agreed.

Quinn turned around just in time to see Jane step out from where she had hidden. "This estate is large, yet you managed to be here at the right time."

"I always do. I was going to find my new shoes to show to our dear aunt when I heard the two of you speaking. Tell me, what did she do to upset you? Do you know a secret I should know?" Jane asked as she approached Quinn. "You mustn’t keep it to yourself."

"You mustn’t eavesdrop, Jane. Someone must look into how you get around the estate so quickly. Run along to show the shoes," Quinn said, shooing Jane with his hand.

Jane folded her arms and eyed Quinn. "Why are you so worried about Damien loving her? We should be worried about her not being in love with Damien. Do you not hear all the tales about ladies like her? I have a friend who is suffering at the hands of the woman her father married."

"Eloise is not an awful woman, nor is she after Damien’s wealth. If she’s anything, as I remember, it is not in her heart," said Quinn.

"You confuse me. You appeared more upset than I was when Damien shared that he was marrying a common woman. You argued with her a moment ago, but now you are defending her. Do you hate or like her? Quinn? Quinn!" Jane yelled as Quinn walked away from her. "I do not understand any of them."

Jane wished she had been earlier to hear the start of Quinn’s conversation with Eloise. There was far more to the stories about Damien, Quinn, and Eloise than was being shared with her and Kyle.

"Forget it," Jane said, losing interest in Eloise. She needed to focus on getting Camille to convince Damien to let her attend a gathering.

Meanwhile, Eloise succeeded in finding her way back to her bedchamber. She closed the door and leaned on it, taking a deep breath.

It was upsetting that she had not fixed the matter with Quinn, but she was more interested in what Damien found out about the wills.

"He certainly does not know his brother," Eloise muttered as she thought of what Damien said to her earlier.

Damien was teasing her, but Eloise also felt there was some honesty when he said he only had an interest in her.

"I don’t have time to think of this," Eloise said, shaking her head to rid herself of her thoughts. "I need a distraction," she muttered, deciding to tidy the room.

By the time Damien returned to the bedchamber, Eloise had made the bed three times.

"Eloise, why are you cleaning our already clean bedchamber? Did someone trouble you while I was outside?" Damien asked and cautiously approached the bed.

"I spoke with Quinn. Did you make it seem as though I was complaining to you and wanted him gone so I would feel comfortable? I did not know he wasn’t here this morning because you sent him away for my sake," Eloise said, dropping the pillow in her hands.

"I did not say you were complaining, and I sent Quinn away because his reason for being angry was silly. He needed some time away from us, and I do not regret it. I will not apologise," said Damien.

"I never want your siblings to feel as though I am trying to put them out of their home. It is foolish to even think I have that kind of power over you. My talk with Quinn didn’t go well, but I won’t dwell on it. Did you find out about the wills?" Eloise inquired, disappointed by Damien’s empty hands.

"I did. He claimed to have a copy of what he created for Clive and the original your father made. I set it in my study and was going to search for you. I expected you to be lost somewhere, not here, cleaning," Damien said.

"So," Eloise said, moving around the bed to get to Damien. "Does that mean I can keep the home and all that is inside it? I can start proving that Clive’s hands are not clean?"

"You can," Damien answered.

Eloise jumped for joy and hugged Damien. "Oh," her eyes widened. "I’m sorry. I got a little excited."

Damien placed his hands on Eloise’s waist before she backed away. "Don’t apologise. I don’t mind the hugs as a reward for a job well done. Perhaps a kiss," he said, tapping his cheek.

Damien awaited a grand show of Eloise trying to get out of his hold, but she surprised him by kissing his cheek.

"It is small in comparison to what you have done for me, and thankfully, I can afford it. I still owe you plenty," Eloise said and started to think of ways she could repay Damien. "Damien?"

"Then, a kiss every night before bed will suffice. As you said, it is a payment you can afford. For your sake, I have come up with a simple answer," said Damien.

"Ah, yes. You were thinking solely of me," Eloise said, going along with Damien’s ploy. "How thoughtful of you."

"It is thoughtful, and I am quite serious. One is to be rewarded when they do well, right?"

"I did not think I would always have to repay my husband. What of the men who helped you? Am I to kiss them goodnight as well, to be fair?" Eloise asked, testing Damien.

"You may if you intend to have them killed shortly after," Damien answered.