Chapter 246: A storm [1]
Back at Eloise’s childhood home, Damien was hard at work outside, trying to tidy its appearance so it looked as though someone still lived in the home.
Eloise sat on the step, watching Damien as he moved around. He had rejected her offer to help and dismissed the idea of using the guards outside.
Rather than press him, Eloise allowed herself the quiet pleasure of observing him in this different setting. Damien had that rare ability to blend in anywhere.
"I could do it far better," Aiden grumbled, frustrated at being denied the chance to cut more wood. "Would you not agree that I cut the wood perfectly, Lady Hawthorne?"
"I don’t think it was a matter of how perfectly you cut it," Eloise replied gently, trying to spare Aiden’s feelings. "There was concern about the axe slipping from your hands and striking someone or a window. If you want to help in the yard, you only need to ask Damien nicely."
"That only works for you, Lady Hawthorne," Aiden muttered, discarding the idea with a shake of his head.
"When he is done, I will find a task for you. One which I know you can do well. You do not smell the stew burning, do you?" Eloise asked, glancing back inside, the faint aroma of simmering meat drifting through the doorway.
"I do not. It is a long way from dinner. Why have you put on a stew now?"
"It shall make the meat more tender and the flavour richer if it cooks slowly for hours before dinner. It is what I was taught," Eloise answered.
"Lady Hawthorne, I have noticed that since your husband has been working outside, you have not looked at anyone else when speaking to him. I do not think you are blinking as much as you should," Aiden teased, trying to get Eloise to look at him.
"Well, how often would I get to see Damien working so hard with his shirt off? He is not doing anything to arouse me, and yet I am drawn to him," Eloise admitted, her gaze lingering on Damien’s broad shoulders glistening faintly with sweat.
"Then you would have liked when he trained with the men," Aiden said, feeding her fantasy.
"I just might have," Eloise agreed, her lips curving into a smile.
Damien paused his work to wipe his brow, his expression darkening as his eyes fell on Eloise. It wasn’t her smile that troubled him. He relished Eloise eyeing him, but Aiden’s grin unsettled him.
"Don’t you have something better to do, Aiden?" Damien asked, shoving the cloth he had used into his pocket.
Eloise rose gracefully. "Would you like some water?"
"No. I would like my wife to be focused on me," Damien replied with possessive intent.
"That bastard," Aiden muttered, realising Damien’s ploy. "He was purposely trying to seduce you."
"I was well aware of his plot," Eloise confessed, her cheeks warming. "I don’t mind falling victim to his plans when I enjoy them."
Aiden shook his head and sighed. "I will see that there is no danger at the front of the home."
"You should plant trees out in the yard. There is plenty of space for two. I admire how your father worked to afford this home. It is spacious, with so much potential," Damien said, surveying the grounds.
"He worked every day, though it helped that his employers were generous. Our home in the countryside was far smaller than this. My bed was in the dining room, and my father would take the floor," Eloise said, smiling wistfully at the memory.
"He must have waited until he had enough money to settle down before moving back," Damien assumed.
"Perhaps. He was always determined for us to return. We could plant trees that bear fruit. If we get cherries, then Millie can bake us pies. Or I can learn," Eloise considered.
"It seems you are hell-bent on having me dismiss the cooks. I am growing fond of only your cooking," Damien confessed, his tone both teasing and sincere.
"I will not have you take the cooks from their work. I have so much to learn before I could ever reach their talents. Besides, I might only cook for you so far," Eloise said, not yet ready to cook for anyone else.
"Well, then, I like being so special. You must promise me not to cook for anyone else. Not even for our children."
Eloise shook her head, laughing softly. "You are awful, Damien. I am going to fetch you some water. Hopefully, that should clear your mind. Welcome, Gage," she added, greeting him as he entered the yard.
"Good afternoon, Lady Hawthorne," Gage said, bowing his head slightly.
"I will get some water for you as well," Eloise offered before stepping inside.
Gage turned to Damien and handed him a letter. "A letter from the estate, sent by Kyle."
Damien tore it open, scanning the contents. His jaw tightened as he realised the situation in the estate. After a brief silence, he said, "Ready my carriage."
"Right away," Gage replied, hurrying off.
Damien crumpled the letter in his fist and strode into the kitchen.
Eloise was already pouring water. "I am almost done," she said, looking up at him. "What is wrong?" she asked, noticing his expression.
"I need to visit my aunt and return to the estate. Camille went there and struck Jane," Damien said, handing her the letter. "Gather your belongings and prepare to leave when you are finished. I cannot leave you here alone."
"Very well," Eloise agreed without conflict. "We were to leave tonight anyway. Would you like me to come with you?"
"No. I’ll have Aiden take you straight to the estate. I want you to go to Jane while I am away. She has never been struck, and she always looked up to Camille. She must be devastated," Damien said, knowing more than the slap had wounded Jane.
Eloise stared at the letter again. "Why would Camille strike Jane?" she whispered, bewildered.
Every time Jane spoke of Camille, it was with admiration.
"I do not know, but I shall find out. Go straight to the estate and stay put. I will be with you all soon," Damien said, pressing a kiss to Eloise’s forehead.
Eloise watched him leave to dress. She worried for Jane, but even more for the confrontation with Camille.
It would not be pleasant.
’She must have known Damien would come to her,’ Eloise thought, her mind racing to understand Camille’s motives.
Now that Damien was no longer before her, his expression hardened. He was furious and rightly so.
A storm was heading towards Camille.
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