Chapter 218: Calming down [2]
"I wasn’t thinking about my own season. Quinn and Kyle have left to speak to the woman involved. I think they are both fools, but I partly trust that they can settle this matter. If they don’t, I will yell at them until they fix it so no rumours form," Jane promised, her hands twisted nervously in her lap.
"I truly do acknowledge that I was a bit of a brat when I first met Eloise, but I do like her now. It is as though I have an older sister. You mustn’t tell Kyle, but I agree that I should ask her more personal questions to get to know her," Jane realised, her tone softening as she spoke.
"I still think Kyle is a fool, and he is quite lazy, but still, you will need to apologise to him. I wouldn’t apologise to Quinn if I were you. I cannot believe that he held feelings for her. I rarely saw those two speaking peacefully, but it explains why he went to the townhouse."
"I don’t want to dwell on his past feelings. I was already aware of them," Damien revealed.
Jane gasped, her eyes widening in surprise that even Damien knew. "Yet you said nothing to me? This is why I wish to have a sister. A sister would have already told me, and I wouldn’t be the last to find out. We are all we have left, so I hope this won’t separate the family."
"Quinn should apologise, and hopefully, he will be wise about who he drinks around, or stop drinking at all. As much as I always wished for you three to be at odds with each other, I don’t want to see it happen now," Jane confessed with honesty.
Damien turned to Jane. "You wished for us to be at odds?"
"I was the only girl in the estate, and there are topics you three wouldn’t share with me. I felt left out at times, and other than misbehaving to get your attention, I thought if the three of you were at odds, then one of you would have more time for me," Jane admitted, her cheeks warming with embarrassment at her childish plot.
"I would damage your carriage and let the blame be placed on Kyle. It didn’t get your attention, but it was fun to see Kyle get in trouble," Jane said, a small smile tugging at her lips as the old memory surfaced.
"Kyle will not be pleased if he hears of this," Damien said.
"If he hears of it. This has opened the door for all of us to sit and speak to each other. I cannot think of the last time I have been so open with one of you," Jane said, her voice softening as she realised she liked her time alone with Damien.
"You are welcome to come and speak to me again. You are slowly maturing, and it is about time that it has happened. It doesn’t mean I shall allow you to marry as soon as your season starts," Damien said, shattering Jane’s dreams early.
"That doesn’t bother me since I have a grand plan. Why bother to be the first young lady to wed during my season? It is better to wait near the end to have a grand wedding at the end of the season. One that makes the other weddings pale in comparison and gives the ladies no chance to compete," Jane planned, her eyes gleaming with ambition.
Damien thought of the money Jane had already imagined using.
"Since you did not have a grand wedding for Eloise and those two fools are unlikely to wed, then I will have plenty to use for my wedding. You and my future husband will need to work together. Before you pout, I shall have a wealthy husband who shall help provide," Jane assured Damien with certainty.
Damien said nothing, knowing her plans would likely not unfold as she imagined. He rose from the bed and said, "I most look forward to your season."
"Truly? Because you want to see the wedding?" Jane asked, happy that Damien seemed eager.
"No, because plans don’t go as we always want them to. I did not think I would get married this season, but I did. We often stray from our plans. As you get older, what you want might change. You might not marry a wealthy man," Damien said, though he knew it was what Jane had her heart set on.
"I know that will not be true because you wouldn’t allow me to marry a man who cannot provide for me," Jane said, not the least bit concerned.
"I would offer the money for you to be able to take care of yourself," Damien replied.
Jane stood up from the bed, ready to leave before Damien granted her a future she did not want now. "Since you are better, I am going to leave you alone. I only ask that you don’t leave until those two return because I will be all alone."
"I am not going to leave until you are well within someone’s care, and I still need to pack Eloise’s belongings. It will take some time before I leave, so stay if you wish," Damien allowed.
Jane glanced back at the bed, her eyes narrowing at the dresses. "You aren’t making wise choices for her dress. Isn’t her maid still here? Or, I can be of some help," she offered, stepping closer.
"If you wish," Damien answered.
Jane moved forward to join him. "Are you truly not worried that Eloise might like being away from the estate and want to stay where she is?"
"No, because she likes the estate as well. She is missing her father and now her cousin. Some time in her father’s home would be good for her. We already had plans to spend the night there, so it has all worked out," Damien revealed, certain Eloise would return.
"You are surprisingly calm. I thought you would have given Quinn a bit more of a beating before you walked away from him. Do you still intend to? Sometimes when you are quiet, it is far more frightening than being loud," Jane said, cautious, watching him closely.
"One punch was enough to settle my anger for now. My focus is my wife."
"I see. What I say next must never be brought up again, but I have seen you as my father once before. Not that you could ever replace him since Father is wonderful, but you are more of a father figure than a brother at times. I shall not admit it again," Jane said, walking back to the bed with a dress in her hands, her cheeks flushed.
Damien smiled as these days he had many secrets from Jane to keep from Quinn and Kyle, but he didn’t mind it.
