The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Eloise was still stuck on the mention of her mother’s name, to care about Clive needing to pay her for his crimes.

Eloise drowned out the noise of Clive’s cries and pleas as he was dragged away, as she thought about what her mother had left her.

’Is that what he spoke of?’ Eloise wondered.

Eloise was now reminded of the conversations she had with her father about a surprise awaiting her when she got married. Since Eloise was not interested in marriage, she had not been too curious about the surprise.

’They both planned for when they wouldn’t be at my side,’ Eloise thought.

"You are not ruining my husband’s life; you are ruining Iris’s chances to find a good husband this season. With all the debts this family has, Iris will not find a good husband. Are you happy now? Is that what you want?" Agatha asked, glaring at the cause of her family’s ruin.

"I didn’t force your husband to take on debt. I didn’t advise him to change my father’s will. Your husband did that all by himself, and you supported it. I know it is easy to shift the blame onto me, but I advise you to go home and think of how to help your daughter," Eloise said, caring only for Iris.

Agatha gritted her teeth. "You came into our peaceful life and turned it upside down. First, you steal the man Iris wanted-"

"I wasn’t stolen. I happily went where I wanted to be," Damien corrected Agatha. "Are we not tired of this tale? Who must I speak with to end it?"

"Must she be here for my father’s will to be read?" Eloise questioned Errol. "This is all emotional for me, and I am not in the mood to argue. I would like for my father’s will to peacefully be read."

"I understand," Errol replied, and looked at Agatha. "Mrs Wilkins, if you stay, can you promise to be civil? You may leave to be with your husband, or I can arrange for you to listen to the reading of the will after the Hawthornes have left."

"What is the point of staying when there is nothing to be left for my family? My husband has been arrested, and I have to face my daughter to share this awful news. I need to write to my son to tell him to return home. I am not going to stay," Agatha decided.

"There is a small mention of your daughter, Iris-"

"My daughter will not want what little has been put aside," Agatha rejected the offer. "I will not accept charity."

Agatha stormed out of the room, following Clive’s cries. With each step, she thought of how she would face the town once news got out.

Errrol shook his head and closed the door. For a woman who had debt, it was foolish not to sit and listen to what her daughter could get. It could have been money.

"I apologise for this meeting not going as you might have imagined it. I would have liked to arrest your uncle before you arrived, but I must follow the rules of the court," Errol explained.

"Isn’t it about time the court has wills be sent here for safekeeping? Orlo worked in the court. With how good he was at making copies, you should have thought to change where wills are kept," said Damien.

"We have been slowly doing so, but it is a long process since there are so many families around the town. Nobles will soon receive notice of sending their wills here, and since you are now married, I suggest you make one quickly," Errol advised Damien.

"For my mother’s will, might I be able to get a copy of it? You are right that I don’t have any recollection of it being read," said Eloise.

"I can have the copy prepared and sent to you by the end of the day. For your father’s will, all of his possessions now belong to you. There is a white box he left as a gift to your cousin Iris. There is no mention of your other cousin," Errol summarised the will. "The home now belongs to you."

"Concerning the money your mother prepared for your wedding, though the wedding has already happened, you will still receive it," Errol assured Eloise.

"Your father carefully detailed what he owned, and fortunately, since you lived with your father, you will be able to take notice of what is missing from the home. Create a list and send it to the court. I urge you not to lie and mention an item you never had."

"I would never do such a thing. Before this meeting, I visited my father’s home and already noticed some of his belongings were gone. I was able to take a few thanks to my husband’s help, but Agatha was at home again. I am certain they took his belongings," Eloise said, fearing she wouldn’t get it back.

"Write it down and leave it to the court so you don’t have to face your uncle’s wife. It is best to avoid meeting with their side for now. As for the accusations about your uncle killing your father, I urge you to be careful. Without proof, you cannot go around with these claims," said Errol.

"Then, the court must look into it. All evidence for why he killed my father is before you. He went out of his way to forge a will so he could have my father’s home. If the court cannot tie it all together, then I lack faith in your ability to keep order in the town," Eloise said, frustrated she needed to find more proof.

"I understand your feelings, but my hands are tied, and so are the other men in the court. Your father’s body was burned, so we could not examine it, but we can speak to his doctor. Your uncle acted too fast to burn the body, so he can be punished for it."

"All of you seem to be finding punishments for all his actions except my father’s death," Eloise said, tired of the biggest justice not being served. "I will not speak of it until I find evidence or he confesses, but I hope the court keeps an eye on this case. I will not rest until my father receives justice."

"I shall keep an eye on it and inform my peers. You should send the list quickly so that I can start the search to get back missing items, or get what they are worth. I thank you both for being civil today. Are there any questions? Would you like me to read the will in its entirety for you?" Errol asked, pulling the papers back toward him.

"No. I already had the chance to read it. Thank you for looking into all the evidence carefully. My husband and I will leave now so I can make the list," Eloise said as she stood up.

"Very well, and congratulations on your marriage. I hope that being married to a calm woman like you will keep Lord Hawthorne out of the court," Errol said, not wanting to see Damien anytime soon.

"Unlikely," Damien replied.