Chapter 252: Comforting [2]
Jane wiped her eyes and stepped away from Eloise, not wanting to dampen Eloise’s shoulders any further. Her chest still ached, but she calmed herself so she wouldn’t worry Eloise or others.
"Where is Damien?" Jane asked, noticing his absence.
"He has gone to speak to your aunt. I am sure it will go well," Eloise replied, softening her tone after seeing Jane’s fearful expression. "They will talk. Your brother is your guardian, so he must oversee all that concerns you. He will be angry, but this must be addressed."
"There is far more to be addressed. She spoke of you," Jane said, realising Eloise did not truly know what Camille thought of her. A knot of unease twisted in her stomach.
"I am not bothered by what she had to say about me. I married far above my status, and I am without parents. I know what can be said about me to a young lady like you. That I am not in any position to help you," Eloise said, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of hurt. She was certain it was as she thought.
"As long as you are willing to let me help where I can, and I am Lady Hawthorne, I shall always care about your well-being. I know there are areas for me to work on, and I am willing to do so. I am going to do well for both our sakes," Eloise assured Jane.
"With Viola here, there is much I can learn. Much that we both can learn. I know that many would not agree with me letting you be carefree now, but we do not get our youth back, Jane. I want you to enjoy these years without care," Eloise said, her voice softening for Jane’s sake.
"I know. If I hated what you were doing, I would have spoken up about it. Speaking my honest feelings got me slapped today. Did I ruin your time with Damien?" Jane asked, worried that she had spoiled the moment.
"No. He was doing work in the yard."
"My brother knows how to do yard work? Are you certain it was him?" Jane asked, stunned. Her brows lifted in disbelief.
Eloise laughed at Jane’s silly expression. "He can, and he did it well. If he were not a lord, he would be wonderful at doing work in yards."
"I do not believe it. I must see it for myself," Jane said, refusing to accept it. "I never once saw him doing any work around the estate."
"It was not complicated work. Shall I put you to the test? I have a stew I am making for dinner, and it would go well with fresh bread and biscuits for us to eat afterwards. Would you care to help me? Then we can see if it is easy," Eloise suggested, her eyes glinting with playful challenge.
"I have never baked before," Jane replied, hesitant yet curious.
"There is a first for everything. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a talent your friends might not have? If they are good, you can boast about it," Eloise said, deliberately coaxing Jane to agree.
"It would make them envy me. I could even bake a few for the next time I am to meet with my friends. Wait here," Jane said, leaving Eloise’s side with sudden excitement. "I must get dressed to look the part."
Eloise frowned, puzzled by what Jane meant. "Look the part of what? Will you dress like a baker?"
"Of course not. I must dress in suitable attire for baking. This is a new dress that I am wearing now. I should not dirty it. I will not be long," Jane promised.
Eloise shook her head, amused.
She used the moment to look around Jane’s bedchamber, as it was the first time she had been welcomed inside. Jane’s bedchamber perfectly matched her personality. Bright, delicate, and full of youthful charm. Eloise could not help but smile.
A knock on the door interrupted the moment.
"I am going to see who is at your door," Eloise informed Jane.
"If it is my maid, please send her inside to help me," Jane responded.
Eloise walked to the door and opened it to find Quinn speaking to Aiden.
"Eloise," Quinn said, his nervousness seeping through his voice. "I heard that you had returned and wanted to welcome you back. I also want to speak to you to properly offer my apologies and more. That is, if you would allow it. I will not force you."
"I can have a quick talk before Jane is done getting dressed," Eloise said, stepping out of the chamber and closing the door behind her. "Aiden, Jane is getting dressed, so unless it is her maid coming to see her, do not let anyone enter the chamber."
"We can go by the portrait," Eloise said, pointing to a portrait close to Jane’s door.
Quinn walked with Eloise, keeping a distance between them. "I wanted to apologise again for what happened. When you asked if there was more which needed to be resolved, I should have been honest and told you about Teresa."
"You should have," Eloise agreed. "It would have saved me from finding out from her, and with Rosalie near. It is odd that you would approach her whilst thinking she looks like me."
"I promise you that I only kissed her the one time, and after that, I wanted nothing to do with her. She kept approaching me because she wanted to be my mistress. I have no recollection of the night we slept together. I did not go after her, but she came to me," Quinn said, his words tumbling out with desperation.
"Regardless, I understand how uncomfortable it had to be for you, and I want you to know that it was never within my intentions to court someone who looks like you. I promise you that I would not stoop so low," Quinn insisted.
"I spoke to Teresa during your absence, and she is willing to share the truth. I also convinced her not to speak of this to anyone."
"I do not want to speak to Teresa again. I do not want to give this any more attention than I already have. This will be the second time that I forgive you for your actions, but I will not forget. I will ask again now, is there more we need to resolve?" Eloise inquired, hoping he would speak only the truth.
"No. This is all, and I mean it this time. There is nothing to hide from you. I swear to you that I am honest this time. I would never want to make you so uncomfortable in your home, and nothing like this will ever happen again," Quinn promised, his eyes pleading.
"I dislike it when there is tension in the estate, so I am taking your word that there is nothing more for us to resolve. Weeks from now, no one will be able to approach me about news of what you have done, right?" Eloise asked one final time.
"No one will be approaching you again. I have moved on from my feelings. They were not even true feelings, just jealousy," Quinn admitted.
"Then I shall move on too," Eloise answered, no longer wanting to be at odds.
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