Chapter 243: Change [3]
"It is not fair for you to do this to me. It feels as though I am being punished for becoming close to Eloise. All that everyone has said is that I should be nice, and when I have finally gotten close to her, you are asking to take me away," Jane said, her voice trembling as she vented her frustration.
Jane’s fingers clung to her dress as she let out her frustrations there. Why was it so wrong to want to stay in the estate?
"I am not going to take you away from the estate forever, nor am I scolding you for becoming close to her. I am simply thinking of your best interests, Jane. You have the potential to do far better than your peers, and I want it for you," Camille said, trying to rid Jane of doubt.
"No. It feels as though you are pulling me away from my home. I do want to have a season as grand as your own, but I want to achieve it here. I don’t like going away from the estate," Jane confessed.
The estate was her home.
"Not even to my home where your cousins are? You could have me at your side every day and your cousin to speak to. Wouldn’t that be lovely, Jane? To be surrounded by those who understand you best? I can have the finest dresses made for you-"
"Eloise has already taken care of my dresses. The dressmaker she has employed prepared new gowns, along with the ones meant for Eloise. I don’t need dresses anymore at the moment," Jane said.
"Because you have not been attending gatherings. You should be sitting with your peers more often. Damien forbids it, but I would allow it. I would even ensure that you are escorted," Camille assured Jane. She knew all that could be used to sway Jane.
Jane stared at Camille for a fleeting moment before lowering her gaze. "Aunt Camille, I love you dearly. I also love my cousins dearly, but when I go to your home, I feel as though I am not seen. I don’t get to be at your side as I want to, and all my cousins do is play."
"Well, they are children, and what do you mean by not being seen? I sit with you each time you come to visit me. Is this about when you left early last time? I didn’t want to question it, but why did you send for Damien?"
"I didn’t send for Damien. He just knew to come here. I was the only lady here once before, but even then, I liked being around my brothers. They might not know about dresses, but they sit and listen to me speak of them. I love the estate," Jane said, unwilling to leave.
The only reason Jane would leave was to follow her brothers and Eloise out of the home.
"I know that you love it, but you are only being held back here. For you to stay, I would have to come here every day, and it is not fair to my family. I will have to try," Camille said, determined.
"Or you can trust Eloise. I had my doubts at first, but she has been taking care of my needs. You worry too much, Aunt Camille. I am well within Eloise’s hands. Or is it truly all about Eloise leaving the estate with Damien?" Jane asked, suspicious.
"It is not like Damien to leave the estate so often. With the relatives getting ready to gather soon, this will be spoken of. I must sit," Camille said, glancing around for a chair. "I am quite tired."
She pressed a hand to her temple.
"Is it only me that doesn’t think it is Eloise’s fault? If Damien wanted to stay, he would stay. I have never seen anyone force him to do anything," Jane said, thinking Camille’s anger was misplaced.
Jane didn’t see why Eloise was getting the blame.
"Now you are starting to sound like the countess," Camille muttered, annoyance flickering across her face.
"Countess Viola? Isn’t she a lovely woman? She is a bit strict at times, but she has plenty of stories to share about her season. You would not believe the tales," Jane said, covering her mouth as she recalled the funny tales.
Camille looked at Jane as though she had grown a second head. "You have spoken to the countess? It is no wonder you have become like this. Eloise is allowing the wrong kind of people around you. What will be next?"
Camille fanned herself with her hand as an uncomfortable heat came over her.
Jane stepped back from Camille’s side, no longer wanting to sit with her. A knot of unease twisted in her chest. Not only had Camille made her feel guilty about choosing a governess with Eloise, but now she was belittling Eloise’s friends.
"Aunt Camille, I don’t like what has been said today. I think you are heading down the wrong path in trying to take me from the estate and trying to teach Eloise. Not only might it upset Eloise, but Damien will not be pleased," Jane said, unwilling to be drawn into the quarrel.
It was obvious that no good would come from what Camille wanted.
"I thank you for coming to see me today, but I don’t want to be brought into this. I like what I am doing with Eloise, and truthfully, I like that I get to enjoy my age. I promise you that I will have a good reason, but right now, I mustn’t rush," Jane said in a calm voice, though her heart raced.
"Jane," Camille sighed, bothered by how much Jane had changed. "There are already so many offers for your hand in arranged marriages. If you fall back now, you will lose out. I managed to get my husband because I stayed determined."
Jane bit her lip before saying, "With all due respect, I don’t want a marriage like your own. Your husband is always away, and the children are left in the maids’ care. I wish to have a marriage where-"
A slap across her cheek silenced Jane. She didn’t have time to dodge it, and after the sting spread across her skin, she looked up at Camille, shocked that she had been struck.
Not even her brothers had ever raised a hand to her.
"How dare you?" Camille snapped. Her hand was still in the air, positioned as though she might strike again. "How dare you insult my marriage?"
It was even more evident now that Jane had lost her senses.