The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

The day was spent looking over the damage around the estate and helping the servants to put it back in good order.

Eloise helped the gardeners to restore the garden, and once it came time for a break, she sat to write a letter to Viola asking if she was well and requesting to stay at her home for a few days.

When the reply arrived sooner than expected, Eloise’s spirits lifted. Viola was safe and was welcoming the visit to her home.

While Eloise prepared for her visit, Camille faced an issue she could not ignore. She returned to her bedchamber, where Hayden sat with a paper spread across his lap. T

"What have you come to say now? Are you here to speak of wanting to leave the home again? I suggest you not do so while it is so wet outside," Hayden said without looking up from his paper.

"The rain has stopped," Camille replied sharply. "The servants are out tidying the home. Do you not think you should go take a look? It is already a pity that I needed to cancel my gathering."

Hayden’s brow furrowed, though he did not lift his gaze. "You did not need to cancel it. You could have moved it indoors. Surely no one you invited was so affected by the rain. Or did you invite the common folk?"

Camille couldn’t believe his nerve. "Are you mad? If I were to continue with it today, I would appear heartless, with no consideration for what others face. You should show some interest in seeing that our home is well."

"That is what the servants are for," Hayden said, interested. "I don’t enjoy that you are picking on me as of late, trying to find fault in every little matter. If I were not present, you would have relied on the servants."

"But you are here," Camille countered, her voice rising. "You should be leading the charge to see what is damaged and what stood strong. The butler directs his questions to me, but it is you whom he ought to consult. This headache persists because you will not help me."

Hayden set down his paper at last. "I thought you wouldn’t need any help after all that you said. What was it again?"

"You must stop dwelling on our spat," Camille snapped. "The children were terrified during the storm, and rather than be out helping, you sit here. Doing what, might I ask?"

Hayden shook his head. "I can never please you. You wanted me to help after Damien tried to kill you. Did you forget?"

Camille couldn’t forget her pleas. "I remember quite well. I told you to let it go. After seeing how you treated the coachman, I would only end up a widow if this continues. I don’t want to see Damien, and he doesn’t want to see me. I can live with that."

Hayden leaned forward. "No, you cannot. You will always worry about Jane. If you play your cards right, she can end up in your hands."

Camille shook her head. "Jane doesn’t want to come here, and you were the one who said I should focus on my children. Why should I bring another here to bore you?"

"Jane will soon be of age to marry," Hayden pressed, his mind now changed. "She wouldn’t need to be with us for long. It is what your brother would have wanted."

Camille’s heart ached at the mention of her brother. "Do not bring my deceased brother into this. I already feel guilty for being at odds with his children. He would have wanted them all together, with me stepping in at times to help Jane. Do not think of bringing her here. I have moved on."

Hayden’s jaw tightened. "Well, I have not moved on. You feed his ego by letting him escape punishment. I shall not be the same. Damien needs to be reminded of his place."

Camille laughed. "His place? He is Lord Hawthorne. He can’t forget his place. Or do you think you rank above him? Is there some title you hold that you failed to share with me-"

"Be silent!" Hayden yelled, his voice echoing against the chamber walls.

Camille stepped back, her eyes wide, and her hand flying to her chest. "You... you dare to yell at me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"I am forced to when you act this way," Hayden retorted. "You pestered me about getting even for what he did to you. For what he did to our children. It shall never be forgotten that their cousin tried to kill their mother."

Camille resisted the urge to cry. "It is already forgotten, as no one speaks of it. It was only one child."

Her eyes glistened, and she whispered, "I hope I will soon be told that the man standing before me isn’t my husband. That you are his twin, and I shall soon have the man I love back."

Hayden’s lips curled into a cold, bitter smile. "I could say the same about you. Focus on hosting your gathering and tending to the children. I shall continue with my plans concerning your nephew."

Camille’s voice softened. "Hayden, I asked that you defend my name and protect me. Not that you would spoil my family’s honour. I am still angry with Damien, but that doesn’t mean I want you to keep going after him."

"You should have thought about that before you pestered me," Hayden said coldly. "This has now become bigger than you. That bastard has been toying with me, thinking he holds more power-"

"He does, you fool," Camille cried, her voice breaking with desperation. "That is no secret. I had hoped you would heed my words and forget about all of this. If you die and I become a widow, your grave will know no peace. I truly should leave."

Hayden wasn’t moved by her pleas. "Had you been wiser, had you pushed for control of the estate, you would be in a far better position now. You might have swindled your way to become Lady Hawthorne."

Camille’s arms fell to her sides. "Swindle my way? I have three nephews. Even if I were to care for them after their parents’ deaths, I would never have become Lady Hawthorne. They would all have needed to die. What has gotten into you?"

Hayden’s tone was chilling. "I think the estate fell into the wrong hands. You always said it was unfair you didn’t get a chance to be the heiress. If you cannot have it, then Damien should not have it either. Wouldn’t Quinn be better suited? Or Kyle?"

Camille stared at him, her heart pounding. "You are losing your mind," she whispered.

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