Viola held Eloise’s hand as they walked side by side. The warmth of the older woman’s hand eased Eloise’s mind. She patted Eloise’s hand to comfort her. "I am truly sorry about your father. He was a good man from the moment I met him to the moment we said our goodbyes. I wish I had been near to aid you."

"Thank you. I was fortunate to reunite with Damien before my father’s passing and have a friend nearby. I wasn’t alone," Eloise assured Viola. "But it is good to see you now."

"Still, I should have been near. I hate knowing how your family treated you. Stealing from his niece and killing his own brother. Those kinds of people should be killed because there is no saving them. I would cast my vote for it," Viola said, her jaw tightening at the thought of Clive going unpunished.

"He has only been arrested for trying to steal, not for the murder," Eloise said, still bothered by the fact. "I don’t know what to do next."

"You mustn’t give up hope, Eloise. I will be honest with what I say next, and it mustn’t leave the three of us," Viola started to say.

"The court’s way of getting justice isn’t always right. They don’t look into these cases with care. If I were in your shoes, I would wait until he is free and then kill him," Viola suggested calmly as though she were discussing the weather.

Damien raised his brow, liking Viola more with every word she spoke.

"Viola," Eloise said, not wanting to give Damien any ideas.

"What? It is not as though you have proof enough to keep him arrested. You mustn’t let him come out and enjoy his freedom. Even I had to go to such lengths in my younger days, but that is a story for another time. I know it isn’t within your heart," Viola said, and so she planned to turn her attention to Damien instead.

"It’s not. I want to see him properly punished. Wouldn’t killing him provide an easy escape?" Eloise asked.

"Yes, but it is better than him walking free. We should save this talk for another time to spare you from those memories. I prepared some wedding gifts for the two of you," Viola said, the change in her tone warm.

Eloise smiled, her mood lifting. "That was kind of you. You didn’t have to."

"But I wanted to. Who else would I spend my money on? The brutes in this family who only visit when they want money? If you hadn’t married, I would have taken you in as my granddaughter," Viola said, the regret of not having done so sooner plain in her voice.

"Your family would not have approved. Do you recall the night I slept here and they visited in the morning? I thought I wouldn’t be allowed to visit any more," Eloise said, the old fear still present in her eyes.

Viola shook her head, a sharp click of her tongue following. "As if I would allow them to have a say in what I do. You visited me more than my own children did. You are family in my eyes."

"Which reminds me," Viola said, turning to Damien. "How is your family treating Eloise? I know how nobles are."

"Viola-" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Not you, Eloise," Viola said, silencing Eloise with a firm look. "I want to hear it from your husband. Are they treating her well, and are you protecting her?"

"It wasn’t off to a pleasant start. My siblings were a little against the marriage, but it is slowly settling down. It isn’t a perfect situation," Damien admitted. "But I won’t let her be mistreated."

"I hope so. Too many times, ladies with smaller backgrounds who marry men like you endure hardships. I will not sit by and watch Eloise be mistreated. When the two of you return to the capital, I will join you," Viola decided, the matter clearly settled in her mind.

"Will your husband join you?" Eloise wondered.

"Why would I let that old fool wander behind me? After many years of marriage, you yearn for a moment’s break. Perhaps the distance might make me want him. Oh, to be young and in love again," Viola said, glancing between the pair with something fond in her eyes. "Enjoy it, Eloise."

"I am," Eloise admitted, warmth rising in her cheeks.

Eloise looked back to see if Damien was enjoying the conversation. He was busy examining Viola’s home, his gaze moving slowly over the walls. "Are you alone today? Did your nephew come to visit?"

"He tried to, but I sent him off so he wouldn’t trouble us. He is having troubles with his wife and seems to think my home shall be his escape. I told him that if I had a gun, I would shoot at him."

Eloise shared a look with Damien. He appeared quite satisfied with what Viola had shared.

"We’ll be eating out on the balcony overlooking the garden. Eloise, dear," Viola held Eloise’s hand. "Would you be so kind as to tell the cooks I’m ready? You know where the kitchen is."

Eloise caught the hint that Viola wanted to speak to Damien in private. "I still know my way around. Excuse me," she said, slipping away quietly and leaving the two alone.

Viola watched Eloise go, her expression softening into something close to admiration. "She is a wonderful lady. So much loss in her life, yet she continues to wear a smile. Many people don’t have the strength to keep smiling."

"No, they don’t," Damien agreed, his voice quiet.

"I want Eloise to stay as she is. For her new status not to ruin her, and for the people in your circle not to make her feel small. She stands out because of her upbringing, but it doesn’t make her any less of a lady," Viola said.

"Loosen up a bit," Viola added. "Eloise chose to marry you, and I have no interest in spoiling your marriage. All that matters to me is that she is happy. She deserves happiness."

"I intend to give her a lifetime of it," Damien promised, holding Viola’s gaze steadily.

"Then you and I might forever be on good terms. Had I given her my name, she would have fitted better into your world. We might not share any blood, but I view her as my family. Whatever Eloise needs, I shall provide it. That is why I am going to the capital," Viola decided.

"Only Eloise could get me to leave my quiet life in the countryside. Now, on to bigger matters. We both know that without proof, Clive won’t be arrested for murder. Tell me that you aren’t a man who stands back and does nothing," Viola said, her eyes searching his face for an honest reaction.

"No, I am not that kind of man. Her uncle is already being dealt with, but I have not yet informed Eloise. She cares for her cousin, so she is hesitant about killing her uncle. She wants him to remain arrested," Damien said.

"Then be honest with her. Keeping secrets spoils a marriage," Viola warned, her voice carrying the weight of someone who had learned it the hard way.