The Possessive Lord's Contract Wife

Damien patted Jane’s back while keeping an eye on who was walking by them. "You must hurry before the others think it is well to hug me."

"As if anyone would be so bold as to hug you, Damien. If you were to come to me for a hug, I would think it odd. We don’t do this very often, so allow me to enjoy it a little longer. I don’t know when it will be that I get to hug you again," Jane said, holding onto him with quiet stubbornness.

As Jane wasn’t too fond of hugging others, she pulled away before she could be spotted. "Let us not speak of this to others," Jane said, clearing her throat. "I also would not want the others to think that I am going around giving out hugs."

"We can agree on this. Next time anyone places you in an uncomfortable position, you don’t need to stand there to listen. Find one of your brothers or me to send the person away. For now, Camille is banned from coming to the estate," Damien revealed.

"Forever? Is there no chance for us to make peace?" Jane asked, surprised by the punishment Damien had devised. "There is no chance for us to mend this? She has always been in our lives."

"That, I understand, but she spoke of our father. I won’t tell you fully now what was said, but trust my judgment. One day, if you are back to being close to her, then I will understand, but she cannot come here, and you cannot go there," Damien said, standing firm on his decision.

"Where would we meet then? Out about the town?" Jane questioned, uncertain if the arrangement was wise.

"I haven’t thought that far along, but no one will speak about our parents and get to come here. This is our sacred home, and I intend to keep it that way. If you spoke up on behalf of Eloise, thank you," Damien said, acknowledging Jane’s defence of his marriage.

"You are welcome. Eloise is a good lady and wife, so I didn’t think it right for your marriage to be judged any longer. I have to applaud her for distracting me with cookies and getting Quinn to join me," Jane said, her lips curving with fondness.

"She has a way of convincing everyone in this estate to try something new. She is here to help you, and she is taking the matter of finding you tutors and a governess quite seriously, so don’t lose faith in her," Damien said, hopeful the relationship between the two women would continue to get better.

"Brother, I already agreed to letting her find one, and I am eager to take part in the selection process. I am excited to have a governess all to myself, so please, don’t worry," Jane said, determined not to push Eloise away. "I’ve come to like Eloise. I will defend her when you are not present."

Damien ruffled Jane’s hair even though he knew she hated it. "You’re starting to grow up," he said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"And you are not," Jane replied, swatting his hand away. "You must be going to speak to Quinn next. I’m learning that it is not my place to say this, but the three of us were having a good time before you returned. Don’t be so hard on Quinn."

Jane didn’t want awkwardness to settle over the estate again. For Damien and Eloise to leave, or for Quinn to feel so ashamed that he fled to his townhouse.

"I like it when everyone is together, and it was surprisingly fun to bake bread together. When I experience those kinds of moments, it is lonely when the estate isn’t full, and we aren’t together. So, if you could please be gentle," Jane pleaded, worried that Damien would scare Quinn away.

"Just hit him a little," Jane spoke quickly, just as Damien was opening his mouth. "I know that given what happened today, I should not suggest this, but hit him a little and then move on."

"I am not going to hit or send him out of the home. I’m going to have a gentle talk with him. Go to your chamber to rest for now," Damien said, walking further away from the kitchen.

"Very well," Jane said, leaving his side.

Damien continued without Jane and caught up with Quinn, who appeared to be waiting for him.

"Are you ready to speak now? Forgive me if I am still pushing it," Quinn said, the palms of his hands damp with sweat. "I want to settle this matter now upon your return. You are already dealing with Camille, and tomorrow it will be someone else. Allow me to apologise now."

"I am not the one you needed to apologise to. I assume that you and Eloise had your talk already since you are back on good terms. What I want is not an apology, but for you not to make so many careless mistakes. You are the second oldest," Damien reminded Quinn.

"What you do reflects and interferes with the lives of our younger siblings. I am married now, so it affects my wife. You pulled her further into this mess by going after some woman who might look like her. Eloise’s background is always questioned. Don’t add another battle for her to fight," Damien pleaded with frustration and protectiveness.

"I know. I know that no matter how it came about, I was careless. It won’t happen again. I wanted to apologise to you as well because I know I disappointed and angered you. I’ve been picking fights with you out of jealousy, and it isn’t right," Quinn admitted, ashamed of himself.

"When it comes to this estate or other matters in our life, I have not once thought of competing with you. I cannot help that I was born first and became Lord Hawthorne. The fact that I hold the title doesn’t make your existence any less," Damien said, sincere about what he spoke.

Quinn avoided Damien’s gaze as he spoke. "I know," he answered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Look at me, Quinn. You never find it hard to look your brother in the eye," Damien said.