The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Damien left Gage and Aiden to begin noting the damage done to the estate. Soon after, he returned to his bedchamber to see if Eloise had woken and to chase away any lingering company.

By the time he arrived, Quinn, Iris, and Reece had already departed, slipping back to their own chambers.

Eloise was awake, getting dressed for the day.

"Good morning," Eloise greeted, fastening the last ribbon at her waist. "I was coming out to join you, to see how the garden fared. Is there much damage to the estate?"

Damien’s gaze softened at the sight of her. "A few broken windows and puddles of water. Nothing that won’t be easy to mend. I must ride around to see what damage the land has suffered. That bit of rain caused trouble in the town."

"Come with me," he said, reaching for her hand.

Eloise’s brow furrowed with worry. "I should send someone to check on my father’s home and Millie’s. What if one of the windows was not closed, and the rooms have been flooded with water?"

Her thoughts raced, trying to recall whether she had secured every latch.

Damien placed his hands on her shoulders, grounding her. "Eloise, we closed it all before we left. Millie will tend to it for you, and I have been sending a maid to keep it tidy. I’ll send someone out as soon as I am certain the roads are safe."

"Very well," she murmured, nodding.

Damien lowered his hands. "As for your trip to see Viola, I am putting it on hold until the roads improve. I will not risk an incident that might harm you."

Eloise agreed. "I didn’t think we would continue with it. Just one look outside, with all the mud, shows it is not fitting for a gathering, even indoors. I will write to Viola to see that she is well and choose another day for us to go."

"Ask if you, Iris, and Jane might be able to stay with her for a few days."

Eloise frowned, suspicious of why she would stay. "It was only meant to be for a few hours. Why do you need us to stay there? Is there trouble here?"

Damien hesitated, then spoke with honesty. "I have matters with Hayden which I must settle, so I may be away from the estate. I trust you in the company of the countess with Jane and Iris. You may remain here in the comfort of the estate and invite Viola if you wish."

Eloise’s eyes searched his face for lies. "But if others notice you are not present, they will come here to bother me. It would do the three of us good to leave the estate. It would certainly be good for Jane. I will make the request for us to stay."

"But you must tell me what you are up to," Eloise pressed, sensing the storm beneath his calm exterior. "What brought this on? What did Hayden do now?"

Damien’s jaw tightened. "He has been going to the court, speaking of me. Claiming that I threatened him, that I have been troubling him."

"Have you?" Eloise knew him too well to believe he was entirely innocent.

"I have," Damien admitted. "But the court doesn’t need to hear the confession. From his behaviour, I suspect he might have had a hand in my parents’ deaths. He seems far too interested in the estate."

Eloise feared Damien going through what she did. "After what I faced, I wouldn’t put it past anyone. There could be a chance. But what if it comes out he didn’t? What then? Do your troubles with him end?"

Damien laughed at the absurd thought. "Of course not. He has still been troubling us. Even if he didn’t have a hand in their deaths, he seems intent on coming after my title. In doing so, that is a threat to you and any child we may have in the future."

Eloise disliked being pulled in. "How is it that I have not met this man, yet I am pulled into his schemes? And all because I am capable of bearing your child. Why isn’t it being noticed that this disagreement has gone too far? Why would the estate ever fall into another’s hands?"

"There are many whose minds fail to think properly and lead them astray. I don’t think he set out from the beginning to take my title, but jealousy and greed grew over time. You must be careful where you walk."

Damien moved strands of hair from her face and said, "You are my weakness, Eloise, as well as my siblings. Should any harm come to you, I cannot promise I will stay out of prison."

Eloise hated the thought of him being arrested. "You must do so. I will stay out of your way, to let you find what you need about Hayden. I only hope that you remain well."

Damien’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. "I will be. Perhaps all we need to rid ourselves of Hayden is to announce that you are pregnant with our first child."

Eloise’s eyes widened. "That will not be the reason we ever make an announcement. What would you say to the child years later? That their birth helped to kill Hayden or drive him mad?"

Damien chuckled, resting his hand against her flat belly. "We should keep it between us. It would humour me. Perhaps it is too soon for me to part from you."

Eloise swatted his hand away. "I am not going to have a child for you to use against Hayden. If that is where your mind is set, then shame on you."

She turned, walking towards the garden.

Damien followed. "It would have been painless to rid ourselves of him. I wouldn’t need to lift a finger."

Eloise remained in her stance. "No. Whenever we do have a child, I would like to keep it a secret until it is safe to share. Besides, why do you think the news would shock him so much that it kills him? I believe it would make him angry and target me."

Damien’s eyes gleamed with calculation. "I have a plan for all of it. While you are away, it might reach your ears that I am speaking to my aunt. Think nothing of it, as I will be getting closer to her only to plant seeds of doubt in her mind to get my answers."

Eloise turned to him, surprised. "I am astonished you would choose this path, as you seemed never to want to speak to her. But do as you wish. I know you will succeed with your plans."

"Oh," Eloise remembered suddenly. "Last night, Kyle spoke of taking your new black coat-"

"No, he will not," Damien interrupted. Without another glance, he turned and strode back towards his chamber.

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