Eloise’s smile fell into a frown. She had once been close to Quinn, but time changed that. She could not expect that after years of not seeing Quinn, he would be friendly.

Eloise tried not to let it ruin the moment. She had time to speak with Quinn and hopefully be close to him again.

"It’s you," another man’s voice came from the door. "I’m Kyle Hawthorne, soon to be your brother-in-law. I didn’t believe it was true when Damien said he was getting married. How did you do it?"

Eloise stared at Kyle, forgetting for a moment that she had to speak. "Forgive me. We were childhood friends, and when we reunited recently, there was a spark."

"Truly?" Kyle asked and walked into the room to sit down before Eloise.

Eloise looked up at Millie, who smiled in return.

"Yes," Eloise answered.

"I heard that you used to visit the estate when we were younger, but I don’t have any memory of it. How old are you?" Kyle asked, scooting his chair closer to Eloise.

"I recently turned twenty-one," Eloise replied.

"Hmm, you’re a bit old," Kyle muttered.

"You do not tell a lady she is old to her face," Millie said, losing her temper.

"Right, forgive me. Please don’t tell Damien I said it. I am already in hot water with my brother. I can’t afford to anger him now," said Kyle.

"I will not tell him," Eloise promised.

"Good. I am going to like you," Kyle said, happy there was someone who could reason with Damien.

"Because you want to use me to calm your brother? I shall not get in the way of your arguments. You might misbehave and anger your brother more if you feel there is always someone to save you. I’m sorry," Eloise apologised as Kyle looked disappointed. "But I cannot."

"Well, that’s no fun," Kyle pouted. "I could have helped you against the others."

"I do not need any help. I would not like to form a bond solely so you can be excused from your spending in exchange for helping me with your siblings, but it was a good try," said Eloise.

"It is as though another Damien has entered the family, but only prettier. I should join my siblings to stop them from ruining the church. This was quite the surprise our brother threw at us, and quite frankly, I am surprised he invited us," Kyle said as he stood up.

"You must have someone tell us how soon the wedding will start. We cannot have the bride sitting around in a hot room for so long. She’ll sweat and ruin her hair. Go, go," Millie shooed Kyle out.

"Right away," Kyle said and walked out of the room.

Kyle joined his siblings, who were busy interrogating Damien. He stood beside Quinn and whispered, "I bet our dear brother wished he hadn’t invited us to his wedding. I feel a bit left out that you and Damien had a childhood with such a beautiful woman."

Quinn didn’t respond. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Kyle frowned, irritated by Quinn’s silence. "Why are you angry, brother? Are you trying to hold back your tears?’

"No," Quinn answered. "Why is there a rush for this wedding? Why her?"

Kyle shrugged his shoulders. "We would have to ask Damien, and considering I have spent more money than I am allowed, I cannot bother him. She appears to be a lovely woman."

"Her father used to be our groundsman," Quinn shared.

"Really? I thought she was the daughter of a wealthy family. I didn’t know you two played with the workers’ children. Her looks tell a different story," said Kyle.

"Still, Damien has chosen her as his bride. Perhaps he has loved her since then, and now he has finally gotten her. We must accept her, and hopefully, when he sees that we are welcoming, he will increase our allowance. Someone must step in to stop Jane," Kyle said, watching as his younger sister troubled Damien.

Kyle looked at Quinn, who made no effort to move.

"You were excited about Damien getting married, so you no longer would have to hear the relatives speak of you getting married. Why were you happy then, only for you to be so grumpy now? Why, brother?" Kyle asked, sensing there was a secret to be told.

Quinn walked away, leaving Kyle to fix the mess.

"That brute," Kyle muttered.

Kyle turned to Jane, who was being quite the headache. "Jane, you are ruining a wedding day. It is rude."

"No, I am the only sensible one who is questioning why our brother is getting married so soon and to a lady we do not know. We must object to it," said Jane Hawthorne, the youngest of the siblings. "I selected a young lady who is quite like me. She is most suited to become Damien’s life."

"Jane," Kyle sighed, and palmed his face. "No man wants to marry a lady who reminds him of his sister. Would you marry a gentleman who reminds you of one of us?"

"I would not for a second look his way, but this is different. Brother, you must wait," Jane said, desperate for Damien to give her time to change his mind.

"I am going to give the two of you four seconds before I pick you up and toss you out of this room. One," Damien began to count.

"I should find my seat," Kyle said, deciding it was time to leave. "Jane, you must leave him. There is no stopping Damien. The woman standing with your bride also asked that you move quickly before you ruin your bride’s appearance. Goodbye!"

Kyle hurried out of the room before he could face Damien’s wrath.

Jane childishly stomped her foot. "I am not moving until you give me a proper explanation."

"Then you shall stand here and miss the wedding. I hope you have fare to stop a carriage and return to the estate since I won’t be waiting for you," said Damien.

Damien grabbed his coat and put it on so he wouldn’t keep Eloise waiting any longer.

"We are not to keep any secrets from each other," said Jane.

"It is not a secret if I have told you about the wedding. Either you keep quiet and enjoy, or leave. I will not have you spoil this day, Jane. You are fortunate that I have not sent you to live with our aunt. Do not provoke me," Damien advised Jane.

"That threat again. Now that you have found me a wife, you would cast me to the side?" Jane asked, disappointed with Damien’s response.

"It is not a threat, it is a promise. You are in need of a lady who can teach you how to behave. If it is not with our aunt, it will have to be at a school. You choose," Damien said, leaving the decision in Jane’s hands.