The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

"I find the town to be more pleasant now than in the years I used to visit. I got to meet with a few of my peers who are unable to travel to the countryside. My husband is on his way, but in time, I will return to the countryside," said Viola.

"I am well aware. It will be unfortunate to have to see you leave. I am almost tempted to steal you and hide you away in the estate so Eloise can always have you," Damien said, partly as a joke.

Viola laughed it off. "Don’t underestimate me. I just might be the one to take the two of you and take you to the countryside. I hope to see the two of you back in the countryside soon. I will make sure there is no drama."

"Unfortunately, we cannot escape the drama," Damien sighed.

"I will take you into my home. No one will be able to trouble you then, and I have already dealt with the small matter you left behind. I’ll make the second trip better," Viola promised, already plotting to get rid of pests.

"I shall take your offer as long as you take care of yourself. I would hate to hear news of your husband outlasting you. That would only ruin how highly I think of you," Damien said, playing into her promise.

"You’re a cheeky little fellow, but I like you. I can return to the countryside in due time and not worry about Eloise. Before I go, I promise to help her become better at her duties. It is what she wants, though it seems you would rather she be carefree," Viola noticed, reading Damien’s heart.

Damien nodded. "I would. She has dealt with far too much."

"She has, but Eloise is a perfectionist. She will want to be good with her duties. You can’t get her to change wanting to be good. You will also never be able to shake the difference in status. She will try to make up for it with her duties," Viola informed Damien.

"But don’t see it as so bad. I can tell that she truly enjoys the role she plays. If I didn’t know Eloise, I would think Jane is her younger sister with the way she cares for her. I am quite happy Jane is growing more respectful," Viola said, recalling her earlier frustrations with the girl.

Viola continued, "I would have hated to need to straighten out a young girl, regardless of her being your sister. It is already difficult to marry into families of men like you and raise our children. To have to raise your siblings is an even harder task."

"I know. I don’t expect her to become a mother figure to Jane or put up with any games started by Jane. Fortunately, they have become quite close. I would say they are more sisterly, and luckily, Jane won’t be with us for long," Damien pointed out.

"My husband used to say that about our daughter until it came time for her season. That need to get her out of the home changes when it comes time to pick a husband. I wish you well."

"Jane is eager to get out and find herself a husband, so I won’t get in her way. I will only get rid of the bastards not suited for her. While I am enjoying our talk, Eloise might soon wake and search for me," Damien said, glancing back at the open door.

"The kitchen is down the stairs to your right. There should be enough bread to fill your stomach, and if you are fortunate, there will be fruits in a bowl. There should be a jar of water already in Eloise’s bedchamber. Don’t have wine so late," Viola advised Damien with a maternal tone. "It will make you more emotional."

"I didn’t plan on drinking any wine at this hour. I wish you well and hope you have a good night," Damien said, turning towards the door. He caught a glance at the handkerchief Viola was trying to hide and didn’t see any blood.

"Lord Hawthorne, though it doesn’t seem so in the moment, there will come a time when you will be able to move forward and overcome what you feel now. It gets better now that you have the answers you have been seeking," Viola assured Damien.

Viola continued, "You might have had a lot of pent-up anger after their deaths and even now that your suspicions have been confirmed. I will share a story I have not told in years."

Damien returned near the bed.

"I once had a friend who was like a sister to me. We got married around the same time. I became pregnant with my first child; she did not. She did not have her first even when I had my second. She was found dead a year later, with claims she did it to herself. She didn’t," Viola said, shaking her head.

"I always refused to believe it. She might not have had the joy of having her own children, but she was eager to take a child into her home. I suspected her husband did it to avoid divorce, but I didn’t have any proof," Viola continued.

Damien remained silent. He had heard stories like this too often.

"I spent months angry that there was no answer, but then came the proof when he tried to do it with his second wife. Two women is not a coincidence. That bastard was the one unable to have children. He’s still rotting in prison as we speak," Viola said, her fist ready to punch him.

"I keep hearing of women dying at the hands of their husbands," Damien said.

"We’re not truly protected, no matter the status of our family. Once I heard he had been arrested, I cried for hours that day. I cried as I had never cried before because she was my special friend. Then I accepted that she might be able to rest now," Viola said, no longer filled with anger.

Damien smiled as Viola reminded him of Eloise. "I see now why my wife thinks of her parents resting. I am slowly starting to realise how much time the two of you spent together."

"You shouldn’t forget how close we are."

"I won’t. Take your medicine and go to bed shortly after," Damien said, ready to leave once again.

"Don’t tell your elder what to do, and by the time the other ladies wake, I expect you to be out of my home. You are allowed to visit at night given what you face, but during the day, you are not to be here. It is the ladies’ break from men," Viola said, her humour returning.

"I will be busy tomorrow, so I might not have time to visit. Do keep the women busy and stop my wife from drinking the water. It is making her awful at telling jokes. I won’t take up more of your time," Damien said as he headed towards the door.

"And Viola, I have ties to the prison. If you ever want to see him, do let me know," Damien offered, then stepped out of the chamber.

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