The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Damien left Viola’s bedchamber and closed the door so no one else could stumble upon her current state. He gathered what he needed from the kitchen and returned to Eloise’s bedchamber.

He had been fortunate that Eloise didn’t wake during his absence, but the moment he settled back onto the bed, she stirred in her sleep.

Damien sat still, watching as her hand patted for his presence. Seeing how she sought him even in slumber, he couldn’t help moving again.

"I am here. I went to get water," Damien said, grabbing her hand to place on his chest.

"Did you get it?" Eloise asked without opening her eyes.

"I did. You can go back to sleep," Damien said, stroking her head with his hand to calm her.

Eloise didn’t think anything of it and drifted back to sleep.

In the early hours of the morning, Damien got out of bed to leave the mansion, as he didn’t want to overstay his welcome.

Eloise sat up, wanting to see him off. "Be careful. Even though Hayden is in no position to hurt you, there are still others all around. Do come to me to share if there is more trouble. I don’t want to hear of it from anyone else."

"I will be careful," Damien said, returning to the bed to kiss Eloise goodbye. "It is you who needs to be careful. You are quite popular with the ladies here. They’ll have you moving about all day."

"Viola is having some ladies she is close to come to speak to us, and I will invite Rosalie. Once that has passed, I intend to rest with my book until dinner is ready. I am thoroughly enjoying being a guest," Eloise said, palming Damien’s face before he pulled back.

"Though they are Viola’s peers, you must be careful. They might be good to her, but it doesn’t mean they will be good to you all because she adores you. Always be careful," Damien advised Eloise.

"I know. That is why I am sending for Rosalie to join my side of the table. With Iris, Jane, and Rosalie, I can feel good at the table. You must keep an eye on your brothers," said Eloise.

"They are already out of the estate. Quinn is doing whatever he does, and Kyle has been focused on the business. They are out of trouble," Damien assured Eloise, though he knew they could find themselves in trouble quickly.

"I hope so. It seems too soon that we must part, and then you aren’t coming to see me tonight," Eloise said as she got up from the bed.

"I will come to you tomorrow. I don’t want to impose on your time with the other ladies since there aren’t any other gentlemen here. It would be wrong of me to keep showing up, and you need this time with people you care for," Damien said.

"You don’t need to see me off," Damien said, wrapping his arm around Eloise’s waist to pull her close. He kissed her cheeks, then her lips, lingering for a moment longer than he intended.

"Be careful as you are setting yourself up not to leave, Damien," Eloise said, clinging to his shirt. "One more kiss and I cannot let you leave."

Damien chuckled, but he heeded her warning and didn’t leave another kiss. "I must leave now. Enjoy your day," he said, stepping back before he stayed longer.

Eloise smiled and waved until the door closed.

She sighed, already worrying about him again, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the dangers he faced.

Eloise lingered in her chamber for a while until a maid came to help her get dressed for meeting some of Viola’s peers.

Once dressed, she followed the maid to where the other ladies were set to gather.

"Eloise!" Iris called, getting her attention. She ran to where Eloise walked with the maid. "Good morning. The seating arrangement needs to be changed, so Viola wanted me to inform you that you don’t need to go out yet."

"I see. You are dismissed," Eloise said, sending the maid away. "Where is Jane?"

"She has decided to change her dress. She is a bit nervous, but I suppose it is expected due to the ladies she shall meet. I heard you had a visitor," Iris said.

"Damien was here after dinner and left early in the morning. His plans seem to be going well, and he has all the proof that he needs. Zayne is safe as well," Eloise said, certain Iris was worried. "He has been helping Damien."

"I am confident he is being so helpful because he wants us to return to the estate to start planning our announcement. I have been making plans in secret," Iris confessed, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"If you need any help, even if it is merely to write down your plans, I am here," Eloise offered.

"There you two are," Rosalie’s voice was heard behind them. "I have been searching for you two since the seating isn’t ready. I was almost left with the other ladies."

"I did not know you had arrived," Eloise said, approaching Rosalie for a hug.

"I came early in hopes of speaking to you before we all sat together. I wanted to know how you have been faring as of late," Rosalie said, embracing Eloise. "And you as well, Iris. Oh! There is a ring," she immediately noticed.

"Zayne and I have become engaged," Iris shared with joy.

Rosalie held Iris’s hand to admire the ring. "You managed to pull him out of his home. Well done, and congratulations to you. His mother must have been quite happy when she heard the news. She has been eager for him to find a wife."

Iris lowered her hand back to her side. "I have not met her yet or any of his relatives. He has only met my brother so far."

"Well, I wouldn’t worry if I were you. She is a lovely woman, and seeing that you have made Zayne interested in marriage, she will adore you. You should gather both families and have a sit-down soon," Rosalie suggested.

Iris smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "That would be wonderful, but only my brother would be able to attend. My father is dying in prison, and my mother has run off."

"Oh. Forgive me," Rosalie said, covering her mouth to hide her shock.

Eloise placed her hand on Iris’s shoulder and said, "I shall be present since I am family. Well, as long as it is allowed."

Iris’s smile returned. "Of course you are allowed."

"I truly am sorry. There has been so much on my mind that I didn’t think. I didn’t mean any harm," Rosalie said, her voice soft with regret.

"It is fine. I like that you forgot. It makes me believe the rest of the town might be forgetting. We should go sit," Iris said, attempting to move on.

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