The next day, Eloise woke up late to find Damien already out of bed and heard noise coming from the yard. She stepped from her old room and stumbled upon him in the yard, his voice carrying as he gave orders to his guards on where to place materials and furniture.

Eloise leaned against the doorframe, astonished at how much he had managed to do so much work while she slept.

Tables, paintings, chairs, and other furnishings were being arranged in the yard, most likely to decorate the home.

Eloise lowered herself onto the step by the back door, watching the scene unfold with quiet curiosity.

Damien noticed her and walked over, his expression softening. "Good morning," he greeted, lowering himself to her level.

"Good morning. You’ve had a busy morning. How long was I asleep that you managed all this without me stirring?" Eloise asked, her eyes following the men as they carried more supplies.

"I woke early to send word to the estate for supplies. They are all from storage," Damien explained, sitting beside her. "What you don’t like can be sent back, or Millie may choose what she wishes to keep."

"I have noticed you are quite fond of her. I don’t see you show such kindness to others outside your family. I rather enjoy it," Eloise said, overlooking the furniture. "You have plenty in storage. It is good you didn’t spend money on new pieces."

"I must confess I thought of it, but then I realised you would scold me. There is much more in storage, so you may look when we return to the estate. I noticed you tried to make a garden here. Would you like the men to continue it?"

Eloise gazed towards the patch of earth where her failed garden lay. "I tried, but then I was sent to live with my uncle before I could finish it. I must return to the estate, so there is no point continuing here. Perhaps I could start one at the estate, if you don’t mind."

"It is your home as well. You needn’t seek my permission," Damien said.

"What if I wanted to knock down the stables and place benches there?" Eloise teased.

"You wouldn’t. You wouldn’t do anything to create trouble for others. Do as you wish with the estate. Make it feel more like home, and promise me you won’t be so quick to run away from it again," Damien requested, his voice carrying a quiet plea.

Eloise’s gaze fell to the ring on his finger. "How could I, when I am planning to have children with you? I will visit this home from time to time, but I won’t run from the estate. At least, not without you."

"I will take you even if I must kidnap you," Eloise promised with a smile. "I don’t want to be anywhere without you."

"I look forward to being taken by my wife. If you wish me to join you, I shall always put aside time. It is somewhat pleasant here," Damien said, glancing around the yard. "The neighbours haven’t come to bother us."

Eloise chuckled softly. "Do you not know why? Your guards stop anyone who tries to approach. Without them, this home would have been surrounded."

"Hmm. It is still pleasant," Damien insisted. "No one searching for me would come here."

"It is quiet," Eloise agreed, enjoying the moment.

"Lord Hawthorne!" Aiden’s call broke the silence.

"Perhaps that is why it was so silent. Trouble is coming," Eloise murmured, knowing peace never lasted long.

Damien glared at Aiden for ruining the moment. "What is it?"

"I just received word that the Wilkins home was set on fire late last night. I haven’t heard of anyone injured," Aiden reported.

"Reece!" Eloise exclaimed, her heart tightening. Reece was her only concern. "Have you heard where he is now?"

Aiden shook his head. "No. No bodies were found, so you needn’t worry about him being hurt."

Damien sighed, irritation flickering across his face. Another sibling to search for. Why did they insist on vanishing so often? Couldn’t they simply leave them be?

"Do you know what caused the fire? Damien," Eloise asked, turning sharply to him. "Do you know the cause?"

"I don’t, though I wish I had some part in it. It truly wasn’t me," Damien added quickly when Eloise’s eyes lingered on him. "Perhaps Agatha or one of your cousins set it ablaze. I truly hope they find a woman’s body inside."

"That home was all they had left. Why would anyone burn it?" Eloise muttered, confused. This seems more like the work of someone else, and her mind kept going to Damien.

"It could be the work of the men they owe money to. They might have emptied the home of its valuables and then set it ablaze. If they can’t get their money, your family can’t keep the house," Aiden assumed.

Eloise glanced at Damien once more, searching his face.

"It was not me," Damien insisted. "If it were, I would have taken you to see it. We could have had an outing near the flames. It would have been romantic. I am not the only one protective of you," he reminded her. "Didn’t you say Viola wished to speak with Agatha?"

"She did, but I don’t think this is Viola’s doing," Eloise replied.

Damien rose and offered his hand to help her up. "She is kind to you, but you don’t know how she is with others. Until more news comes, we shouldn’t assume. But you could write to her."

Eloise’s eyes widened as she realised she hadn’t written to Viola about leaving the estate. "We were to meet, and it didn’t happen. I didn’t inform her I had left. I must write before she grows worried."

She hurried inside to find paper for the note.

Damien watched her move about, his expression changing now that she wasn’t at his side. "Find out who set it on fire, and where Agatha is. I wouldn’t put it past her to have done this, and we cannot have her burning more homes."

"Yes, Lord Hawthorne," Aiden answered, leaving at once to gather answers.