Chapter 219: Trouble at the door [1]
Eloise looked out of the carriage window at the scenery unfolding as she neared her father’s home. The familiar fields seemed to ease her mind already. All she needed was a little break to clear her thoughts before she returned to the estate in a few days.
She looked forward to tidying her father’s home, making it appear as though someone still lived there.
As the carriage came to a halt before the small house, Eloise noticed flowers placed outside the gates. They were most likely sent by people who had once known her father and were unable to attend the funeral or thought of him now.
Aiden opened the door for Eloise, but rather than offer his hand to help her down, his gaze was fixed on the neighbouring home where Millie resided. A loud noise carried across the quiet gardens, sounding as though someone were arguing with Millie.
Eloise stepped out of the carriage without Aiden’s assistance and turned towards Millie’s house. "Aiden, can you go and knock on her door? It is usual for there to be so much arguing."
Aiden obeyed, and as he walked, he glanced back to ensure Eloise did not make the mistake of following him.
The closer he drew, the clearer the voices became. Millie’s cries pierced through the air, mingled with the harsh tones of a man’s voice.
Aiden knocked, but the sound was too soft against the shouting. He struck harder, the knocks hard enough to almost break the old door and capture the attention of the people inside.
The man’s voice faltered for a moment, but then rose again. A string of curses filled the house.
The door was pulled open by a young man, far younger than Millie. He glared at Aiden, irritation flashing in his eyes, but when his gaze shifted towards the carriage and the young woman he recognised, his anger melted into a smile.
"Eloise!" Leonard, Millie’s son, called out eagerly, his tone filled with anticipation at seeing the new Lady Hawthorne.
Unfortunately, Leonard was stopped short by Aiden’s sword pressed firmly against his chest.
"What do you think you are doing? I am a family friend of your mistress," Leonard protested, gripping the blade with defiance. "Eloise! Tell your guard to lower his weapon if he knows what is good for him."
Eloise did not respond at once, startled to see Leonard home. As far as she knew, since his marriage, he had turned his back on Millie and never returned.
It was troubling that Leonard was alone with her.
"Where is Millie?" Eloise asked, concerned. Leonard arguing with Millie wasn’t good.
Leonard chuckled, glancing back into the house. "My mother is well. Just a little dramatic, that’s all. I wanted to speak to you about your father’s death. I know some men in the court who might help you gain justice."
"My husband is Lord Damien Hawthorne, who holds far more connections in the court and power to aid me. I don’t need anyone’s help. I want to speak to your mother," Eloise replied, moving nearer to Millie’s gates but refusing to enter, with Leonard blocking her path.
Eloise looked to the coachman, who had already stepped forward to help Aiden restrain Leonard.
Only when Leonard was held back and unable to reach her did Eloise begin to move towards the house. The fact that Millie had not come out was a troubling sign.
"You don’t have permission to enter that house!" Leonard shouted, but his words were ignored as the men restrained him.
"Millie!" Eloise called, her voice urgent as she entered. "Millie!" Her cries echoed through the rooms as she searched.
"Eloise?" Millie’s soft reply came at last.
Eloise hurried to Millie’s bedroom, where she found her sitting at the side of the bed, struggling to rise.
"Millie, let me help you," Eloise said, rushing to her side. "Did he push you?"
"No, no. That boy would never hurt me," Millie answered, though her tone didn’t back her claim.
As Eloise helped her to stand, she noticed a mark beneath Millie’s eye. Strong as she was, Millie had never allowed anyone to trouble her, but because she loved Leonard, who had abandoned her, she would never raise her hand to protect herself against him.
"He has hurt you," Eloise said, unwilling to accept Millie’s denial. "He cannot stay here."
"You don’t understand, Eloise. It is nothing more than a little disagreement between us. We haven’t seen each other in ages, so there is bound to be some conflict. But I assure you, I am well," Millie insisted.
"If I were in your shoes, and it was my husband out there, would you say this to me?" Eloise pressed, holding Millie’s gaze so she could not lie. "Answer me honestly."
Millie closed her eyes. "It is the first time I have seen him in so long. I haven’t met my grandchild and thought he was coming here to mend our relationship."
"Then what is he here for? Money? Your home?" Eloise asked.
"He heard of your marriage, and knowing I was close to you, he thought I could help him reach you. But I told him I don’t frequent the estate. I don’t want to place you at odds with your husband by sending anyone who would trouble him," Millie explained.
It pained her that Leonard had come only for what he could gain, not to see his mother. Worse still, he would raise his hand against her when she was of no use to him.
Eloise guided Millie to sit on the bed, brushing her hair gently from her face. "The Millie I know would never take this from anyone, no matter how much she loves her son. This isn’t right. If this is the price to pay for his love, then you don’t need his love."
"My guards are outside. They can send Leonard away, but if the town guards come, I will need your support to say he is not welcome here. Only then will you be able to keep him from returning. Can you support me in this?" Eloise asked, squeezing Millie’s hand with reassurance.
Millie nodded. "I can do that."
"How long has he been coming here? Is this the first time?" Eloise asked, noticing the disarray in the room.
"He came two days ago," Millie admitted.
"Yet you didn’t send for me? Millie, you are my family. If you are being harassed, I want to help you. I should have come sooner to visit," Eloise said, her regret heavy in her voice.
Fortunately, fate had brought her to Millie just in time.
