The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Camille slammed the door shut as she stepped back inside. She did not bother to watch whether Viola’s carriage had left the estate.

"The nerve of that woman, to waltz in here and act as though she has any say in what this family does, all because of her ties to Eloise. I vaguely remember her, but I am quite certain I was not fond of her in the past," Camille ranted, her cheeks still flushed as she turned to Quinn, who had remained near the door.

"At least the two of you did not fight each other. You must play nicely, since she sounds important to Eloise. It would not be wise for you to get in the middle," Quinn warned, though he knew his words would fall on deaf ears.

"What I do not think is wise is for Eloise to surround herself with that woman. One would expect a countess to know how to behave, but it seems she has spent far too long out of town. I have myself to blame for not being more involved," Camille said, scolding herself.

"Camille," Quinn said, dropping all formality. "Do not push yourself even further than you already have. This is not like you trying to pick a wife for me, which I can laugh off. You are placing yourself in a matter that could have you banned from the estate."

"You are all misunderstanding me. I am not seeking to trouble Eloise or her marriage. I am here to guide her, since she does not have your mother or grandmother to help her. If we were to continue leaving Eloise to learn by herself, would you not think it wrong?" Camille inquired.

"I would, but I feel you are planning to go beyond offering her a hand. Shouldn’t you wait a little longer before you interfere? It is not as though Eloise has gatherings to attend," Quinn replied.

"That is where you are wrong. There are gatherings for her to attend. Gatherings which I am also to attend, and I know she has received the invitations just as I have. She was fortunate to gain the attention of the queen, but the timing was so dreadful that she went out of town," Camille said, pressing her fingers to her forehead.

"We both know Damien does not care for the royals, so he would not trust sending Eloise there. She would have to sit alone, surrounded by ladies with hidden agendas. That does not sound pleasant for Eloise. It is not in her nature," Quinn said, thinking of Eloise’s peace of mind.

"She would learn, just as the ladies before her have learned. Do you think I enjoyed sitting before the queen? I did it out of duty, so we would not fall out of favour. I would rather have been at home," Camille argued, her voice trembling with the memory of stiff, suffocating rooms filled with watchful eyes.

"Wouldn’t it feel good to make a change for Eloise? If not for her, what about your daughters? Do you not think about their future?" Quinn pressed.

"I do think about their futures, which is why I sought the best governess in town to oversee their lessons. The finest tutors are at their hands, and I have arranged for them to sit with children who share the same upbringing," Camille defended her actions.

"The world is not easy on women. We do not get to do as we please, Quinn. It is a sad reality I must help prepare Eloise for. Eventually, the smoke will rise, and Damien will need her in certain rooms to help the estate. It is best to prepare now," Camille said, standing her ground.

"Well, when the smoke clears, as you say, I think it would be best to let Damien decide what his wife wants to do. I mean, I am not married, but does that not seem the best decision? I have never seen anyone expect so much of newlyweds so quickly," Quinn said, believing Camille was being too rash.

"They are no longer newlyweds at this point. They have had enough time to know each other, and now we should be looking forward to heirs. I have not heard a word of those two being ready for children. What are they waiting for, if they are so in love?" Camille wondered out loud.

"For it to happen when the time is right? Forgive me, but didn’t your husband’s sister suffer the loss of a child because she rushed to provide him with a third son? They ended up sending her away because she did not recover mentally," Quinn reminded Camille.

"It is a sensitive matter. One that should not be brought up now. She is receiving the best care, so she should soon return to her children and husband. Had she had the children sooner-"

"I think we should stop here," Quinn interjected just as Jane arrived.

"Aunt Camille!" Jane called as she ran down the stairs.

"Since Eloise is out of the estate, you should entertain Jane. But I beg you not to fish for news from her. Do not place her in the middle of anything and spoil what she is building with Eloise," Quinn said before walking off.

Camille watched Quinn, surprised at his defiance. Usually, Quinn would stay off to the side and let her do as she pleased.

’He cares deeply for her. A little too much,’ Camille thought, a dangerous suspicion settling in her mind.

"Aunt Camille?"

"Jane, dear," Camille said, smiling as her gaze softened upon Jane. "I thought I would come to offer you some company. I missed you while you were away in the countryside. Was it fun to go there, or did you suffer from the change?"

"I liked the countryside and look forward to going again, since I made a friend. I must write to her, and she promised to write to me, but it will take days to see the letter. I walked around the festival with her and met her family," Jane shared, her eyes bright with a youthful excitement.

"It sounds as though you had a good time. I have been thinking about the matter of your governess. Would it not be more fitting for you to sit with your cousins? I can arrange for you to come to my home," Camille offered.

"That is kind of you, but Eloise is finding someone for me. We shall soon choose someone who will be here solely for me," Jane said, eager at the thought of helping select the governess.

"That is a good thought, but I know better in this matter. Would you not agree?" Camille pressed, her hand resting lightly on Jane’s arm.

"I suppose so, but Eloise has been putting forth effort into it. I do not want to stop her now," Jane answered.

"Eloise has her own troubles to focus on. I am sure she will understand," Camille said, patting Jane’s hand with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.

"Oh..." Jane’s smile faltered, her excitement dimming under Camille’s words.