Chapter 224: Sweet home [2]
Aiden placed the axe behind his back in an effort to hide it from Damien’s eyes. "Lord Hawthorne."
"I have already noticed the axe. Do you not recall the last time you had one in your hand, and why I forbade you from using them? Silas almost lost his hand," Damien said, stepping closer and reaching to take the axe from Aiden. "I would not like it slipping out of your grasp and flying towards the windows."
"I have been careful, and I must admit that what happened to Silas wasn’t an accident. I was aiming for him because he would not shut up," Aiden confessed, holding back his laughter. "I always regret not connecting with his hand. He would have deserved it."
"So you have been destroying my home with your awful axe skills on purpose all this time? Is this much wood truly needed?" Damien asked, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the towering pile.
"I might have gotten carried away because it was fun, and I have been letting out my anger for not getting to hit Millie’s son. I hate when men place their hands upon their mothers," Aiden muttered, itching to swing the axe at another trunk.
"What occurred?" Damien inquired, setting a piece of wood upright for himself to cut.
"When we arrived, there was noise coming from her home. Her son was arguing with her, but fortunately, Lady Hawthorne sent him off. He didn’t try to fight your wife," Aiden assured him. "He only wanted to speak to get close to you. He said she was greedy."
Damien chuckled, raising the axe and bringing it down with a sharp crack that split the wood cleanly. "Eloise is greedy? I knew in time some of her old peers would come seeking help, but I did not expect it to be Millie’s son. More will come," he said with certainty,
Many who didn’t help Eloise in her time of need or show up to comfort her over the loss of her father would slowly come to see what they could gain. Acting as though they had always been present for her.
"I do not believe you have to worry about Lady Hawthorne asking you to help them. She said she didn’t want to trouble you with insignificant men. She’s well aware they are trying to use her, and she’s not going along with it," Aiden replied.
Damien tossed the wood onto the pile. "It seems I missed a good show. I’ll need to place a guard at Millie’s home."
"Lady Hawthorne has made that order already."
"Did she? My wife is starting to be one step ahead of me. It is tiresome that annoying men are popping out of nowhere. If only I could dig up her father’s home and place it on the estate, I would do it," Damien said, his gaze lingering on the modest dwelling.
"I’m sure you could find a way to succeed in doing so. What if you take down the walls one by one?" Aiden suggested, half-seriously.
Damien’s eyes flicked to Aiden. "Sometimes you scare me, Aiden. I am not going to seriously try to move a home. I am going to keep my wife in the estate where she cannot be bothered."
"Did she cry at any point here or in the carriage?" Damien asked, his tone softening. "I worried most about whether she would cry over the matter with Quinn."
"I only heard what sounded like tears when she went back inside after the son left. Other than that, she looked deep in thought, but Millie brought out a smile when they started to cook," Aiden answered honestly.
Aiden hesitated, then added, "I think Lady Hawthorne will be well. I am only her guard, but I believe the real issue is that she needs more to do with her time. The estate is quite large, and since she hasn’t socialised yet, she is only with your family and Lady Rosalie."
Aiden would grow tired of his family if he were constantly surrounded by them.
"I would take her to gatherings, but she doesn’t quite enjoy them. Fortunately, the countess is here in town. She might have some friends to introduce Eloise to. That, or I should force Zayne to host a dinner at his home," Damien considered.
"Isn’t his home always dark? Wouldn’t it scare your wife? It scares me a bit, and I am not afraid of the dark," Aiden admitted.
"With a little convincing, I can get him to add light for Eloise’s sake. You have been quite wise today," Damien said, surprising Aiden with the compliment. "I must let her surround herself with others. Anyone would tire of being in close quarters with family every day."
"She has Lady Rosalie, but with the troubles Rosalie faces in her marriage, she will not have proper time for Lady Hawthorne. A quiet woman who doesn’t seek to share news with the town would suit your wife," Aiden suggested.
"Though most of the ladies who want a quiet life tend to turn to the countryside or keep to themselves. I could ask Beatrice about ladies who are in need of friends. Her business has been doing quite well," Aiden added, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
"You appear to be quite close to the dressmaker. Never let there be a day you become so comfortable with her that you share details about my wife. I don’t mind what you do in your private time, but my business stands within the estate," Damien warned, not wanting more trouble for Eloise.
"She has never once asked me about your private matters. To better your mood, I will share that I overheard Millie asking your wife about children, and the response was quite entertaining," Aiden said, watching Damien’s expectant expression.
"Spit it out," Damien demanded. "What is the point of speaking of it if you will not share it?"
"It was a pause for dramatic effect. Lady Hawthorne responded with," Aiden paused again, teasing.
Damien gripped the axe, tempted to hurl it at Aiden’s head.
"She said that she wished to have many children. That is what she has always wanted," Aiden blurted quickly before Damien lost patience. "Must you be so violent when I am sharing a secret with you? I felt bad listening to their talk."
"There is some use for you after all," Damien said, releasing the axe with a smile. "Are you certain it is what you heard? Not just about having an heir?"
"It is exactly as I heard. Should I find medicine to help you? You wouldn’t want to unperform. Lord Hawthorne!" Aiden yelled as Damien picked up the axe and threw it. He ducked in time, but he still gripped his chest. "You could have killed me."
"I didn’t aim well," Damien replied, disappointed.
