The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"You know I hate having to leave the court on days with dreadful weather," Nathan said, stepping inside. "But more importantly, I hate being sent to your estate, as it means you are up to no good."

Damien arched his brow. "What happened to conflict of interest? You don’t deal with matters concerning me since we’re acquaintances."

Still, despite his words, he gestured for Nathan to go further in, unwilling to leave him dripping in the doorway.

"It seems they thought I would be able to squeeze the truth out of you," Nathan answered, and, unsurprisingly, Damien found humour in it. "They were going to send me to ask if you have any idea why Clive Wilkins was stabbed in prison, but you’ll only deny it."

Damien smiled. "This town holds one of the finest prisons in the kingdom. To think that I might slip past the watchful eyes of the warden and harm a man would only damage the reputation of the prison, would it not? You mustn’t suggest such folly."

"This is precisely why many of those men dislike you, Damien," Nathan muttered, annoyed by his impossible task. "I am not going to pry about Clive, but I do want to know about your involvement in troubling your aunt’s husband. I thought you were all close."

"You thought wrong," Damien said flatly. "Both about us being close and about me troubling him. I don’t spend my days thinking about Hayden."

Damien walked away from the door as he had other matters to tend to.

"Well, he is quite adamant about you once threatening to harm him, and you have been toying with his life since then. Some witnesses said you two spoke alone," Nathan revealed as he followed Damien.

"That did happen," Damien admitted. "I asked that he and his wife stop troubling my wife. Then I went about my way and haven’t seen him since. It is time that the men of this kingdom stop their drinking."

"I agree," Nathan said, though his suspicion lingered. "But if those two were troubling your wife, I find it very difficult to believe that you would simply let it go."

"I had a wife and young sister to get back to," Damien countered. "You may question my coachman and guards who accompanied me if you wish."

Nathan scoffed, dismissing the offer. "We both know that you hold their loyalty. Even if you ordered them to speak the truth, they would not tell it. I saw Hayden’s appearance when he visited the court. He looks as though he is on the verge of going mad."

Damien stopped abruptly, turning to face Nathan. "You cannot blame me for another man losing his mind. Perhaps it is his business that is turning him this way, or his marriage. I will not take credit when it is not my doing. For how much longer will you follow me?"

"Until I get some answers I am satisfied with," Nathan said, his eyes locked on Damien. "He’s not going to drop this, and if anything were to happen to him after this, all eyes would be turned to you."

"See, this is why they shouldn’t send you," Damien said, losing interest. "This could be seen as you giving me a heads-up. I assure you, I don’t have any part in this. I have been focused on my marriage and, as you might have heard, housing my wife’s cousins."

Nathan stared at Damien, trying to ruin his composure. Yet Damien’s face remained unreadable.

"Would I lie to you?" Damien asked suddenly.

"Yes, you would," Nathan replied without hesitation. "In fact, you have lied to me many times. You have even lied to me while sitting in court after you’ve sworn to tell the truth. I can’t take this."

Nathan pressed his palm to his face. "They truly must send someone else."

Lowering his hand, Nathan continued, "He’s not going to let this go. He’s been frequenting the court quite often, wanting to get the attention of those who might hold power to come after you. From the looks of it, he wants ownership of the estate to fall to Quinn."

Damien wasn’t surprised. "Because he thinks my brother will warm up to him? If he were to succeed, I’m sure he would turn on Quinn and then want power to go to Kyle, until the estate ends up in his hands."

"That would be a bold plan," Nathan said, uncertain if it was Hayden’s goal. "He should know that the estate is a long way from falling into his grasp. Your parents were fortunate to have three sons, and you are married right now. If your wife were to have a son, then Hayden would never get his hands on the estate."

"Even if that were not the case, he would never see the estate," Damien said, his thoughts drifting to darker memories. "I do wonder if he thought that would have happened when my parents died. If he was hoping that I would be so inexperienced that control would have fallen upon him."

Nathan frowned. "Has he ever shown any interest in wanting the estate?"

"It is an estate that comes with a title," Damien stated the obvious. "Any man in the family would eye it. Must I remind you that I was stabbed because of it?"

"Yes, I remember that," Nathan said quietly. "I didn’t take him for a man who would yearn for your place, since you were close to your aunt. Well, this is going to stir up trouble. I suggest that you let the court handle it, as there are a few men who would like to see you arrested. Stand down."

Damien ignored Nathan’s advice. "I have been enjoying my married days, but all of you keep coming to my door, stirring me up. Why don’t you look into the lies he has been spreading about my wife and tell him to be silent? I don’t go looking for trouble."

Nathan sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I hope this is a matter that will pass over soon. The court doesn’t need two men like you and Hayden fighting with each other. We’re already overwhelmed by other matters in the town. The rain caused a lot of damage."

"I would join you to see what the damage is," Damien said, his tone softening slightly, "but I don’t like to travel when the roads are not in good condition. I will offer aid if needed."

"Damien," Nathan said, dropping all formality. "I know how you get when winter comes, and there is good time before then. I hope that since you are married, and your wife seems to bring you peace, it will be better for you."

Damien disliked the mention of winter. "See, this is another part of why they shouldn’t send you. You think we are so close as to have these heart-to-heart moments. We are not."

"Do see your way out, and do not let the door hit you. I don’t want my wife to see you."

Nathan stood in silence, hoping that Damien would listen just this once.

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