In the Hawthorne estate, Eloise sat in her bedchamber, looking over the preparations for her father’s burial in the morning.

Though she had not received notice from many of her father’s friends about attending, she couldn’t prolong the funeral.

With the palace ball on the horizon, Eloise needed to act fast to start her dance lessons. If she held off the funeral, there would be too many distractions to prolong it.

Damien entered the bedchamber, returning from a lengthy lecture with his guards.

"I hope you didn’t scold them too much," Eloise said without looking up at Damien.

"They aren’t going to learn if I baby them. Now that you have been shown to the town, we must be more careful. There will be more danger," said Damien.

"I have been thinking about it for some time now, but why is there danger all around you? What is it that you have done or what trouble have you placed yourself in?" Eloise asked, curious.

"There is a special group of men made up of nobles and other wealthy men. They like to gather more men from around the town to join them and engage in their hobbies. I am not fond of what they do, and they didn’t take it well," Damien answered.

"I assume their hobbies must be awful. Their hobbies," Eloise said, wanting to know more. "What are they?"

"The less you know, the safer you will be. Their hobbies will disgust you. From what I have learned, my father entertained these men, but didn’t join them. They thought I would be easier to pull into their grasp, and when I didn’t fold, they were against me," said Damien.

"To be angry with you all because you do not share the same interests is too much. Have they tried to harm you?"

"One of their peers had been arrested for a serious crime, and they believed I outed him to the town guards. I didn’t have any interest in his life, and quite frankly, he was too talkative. They believe I am out to get them, so they try to get rid of me," Damien said.

"Forgive me when I say this, but sometimes, some men are not very bright. It is awful that you are being roped into this. High society scares me a little. My only bit of comfort is knowing that I am on your side," Eloise confessed.

"Hmm."

Damien walked to where Eloise sat and stood behind her. "Are you done with your plans?"

"Yes. I cannot prolong putting my father to rest. I like having his ashes near, but he should rest beside my mother. Millie will join me in the morning, and another. I am grateful you will join me," Eloise said, reaching for Damien’s hand.

"Have you heard any news about Clive? How is he faring? Will he confess?" Eloise inquired.

Eloise hoped the conditions where Clive lived now were awful. So awful that he would lose his mind and confess to his crimes in the midst of it.

"I haven’t heard any news about him, but I can find out for you. I am still thinking of ways to have him arrested for killing your father. It will take time," Damien said.

Eloise sighed. "I know. It turns out that I am not good at being patient. I should set my focus away from Clive and think of positive events. Like the dressmaker. I like her."

"Then you can keep going to her. Send for her when you want dresses, and I will settle the payment."

"It was kind of you to think of buying dresses for Jane. As much as you scold Jane, you still spoil her. I’m certain one day she will look back and be grateful for what you do now. I have noticed that all four of you have trouble expressing yourselves," Eloise shared.

"I disagree. I express myself quite clearly," Damien said, his fingers slowly raking through Eloise’s hair.

Eloise shook her head. "You express yourself with annoyance. At times, your siblings might find it difficult to approach you because you always appear angry. You should smile a little more. I think you will look far more dashing."

"If I force a smile, then I will look like a fool. You don’t want me to look like a fool, right?" Damien asked, only to get a smile in response. "You are the evil one."

"I am toying with you. Someone has to do it once in a while as payback. I am only saying that you look handsome when you smile. I have vague memories of you smiling when you were younger. Those memories are fading fast. Help me remember them," Eloise pleaded.

"That is not going to work on me. A kiss might warm my heart and form a smile."

"I knew you weren’t going to forget what occurred in the carriage. I suppose we are to address it so our marriage can go forward. There is no doubt in my mind that I am drawn to you. It isn’t all because you helped me with my father," Eloise assured Damien.

"While I am grateful for your help, I find comfort in your presence. I like your gestures and how you are to protect the people you care for. I am reminded of our youth and how close we once were. I don’t want to hold it in," Eloise said.

Eloise wanted to see where her feelings would lead her.

"If there is a chance for us to enjoy a real marriage with genuine feelings for each other, then I want to take it. I will always share my feelings with you, and expect you to do the same. I promise to do my best not to shy away," Eloise said, but she knew it was bound to happen.

"We may continue to take our time slowly getting acquainted and comfortable with each other, but for now, this pleases me. Always be so open with your feelings," Damien said, palming Eloise’s face. "I urge you to grab me with force and kiss me out of the blue."

"Hmm. Your needy side just might push me away from you," Eloise jokingly said. "It was our moment when we were alone in the dress shop that brought on that kiss." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"So, you are saying that I should seduce you to get that response out of you more often? I shall keep a note of this," Damien said, kissing Eloise’s forehead before moving.

"W-Wait! That is not what I said," Eloise stood up. "You must wait."

"If you want to continue this conversation, you will need to join me in the bathing chamber," Damien said, leaving the door open for Eloise to follow.