Gage opened the carriage door after it came to a stop and stepped aside so Damien could exit.

Damien turned around to offer his hand to Eloise, helping her out of the carriage.

"Thank you," Eloise said as she stepped out. She used her right hand to hold the top of her coat, not wanting it to slip off just yet.

Eloise looked up in awe at the large palace. It was lit up enough for the guests to see every inch of the palace walls.

The lanterns were unique, as though a skilled craftsman had made them. She thought of having some made for the estate’s garden.

"You should take off your coat now and leave it in the carriage. I can always send Gage to get it for you if you get cold," Damien said, going to stand behind Eloise.

Eloise let go of the coat, allowing it to fall from her shoulders.

Damien held onto the coat and handed it off to Gage. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his hand for Eloise to hold.

Eloise smiled and linked her arm with Damien’s. His presence calmed her, and despite the stares from the guests outside, all Eloise could see was Damien.

"How often do you frequent the palace outside of balls?" Eloise asked.

"Not very often. I avoid coming here unless the king summons me. I have long grown tired of the palace," Damien replied.

"Do you not have friends here?"

"I do, but if I want to speak with them, it would be outside the palace. When I visit the palace, I am not merely a visitor. I get dragged into the politics of the kingdom, which I don’t want any part of," Damien explained.

"The king must think your family owes him since he granted your father the title of lord. Still, the Hawthorne name was always one spoken of. If you could, would you give up the title and just be a wealthy man?" Eloise questioned, curious if it had been considered.

"I have thought of it, but I will not give up a title my father was proud of. And no, I do not feel like I owe the king for it. The title was passed down to me; I didn’t ask for it," said Damien.

"Lord and Lady Hawthorne!"

The sudden announcement startled Eloise.

Eloise looked forward, peering down upon the crowd already in the ballroom. Most didn’t pay attention to the announcement.

Damien walked Eloise towards a corner which wasn’t too crowded. He knew she needed a moment to adapt.

Eloise observed the ballroom as she walked. It was easy to point out where the king and queen were.

The royals stood dressed in gold, surrounded by the palace knights.

Eloise looked away before she caught the attention of the king and queen, and would then be summoned to greet them.

"Are you well?" Damien asked, locking his fingers with Eloise’s as he held her hand.

"I am. It is pretty, and the music is lovely. I am no longer nervous, and considering I made a deal with you, I know I will be protected. Do you think they would allow us to see the garden?" Eloise asked, wanting to see outside.

"Unless you want to see couples who meet in secret having their affairs in the garden, I suggest you do not go there now. I can find you a painting of the palace garden," Damien offered.

"It wouldn’t be the same," Eloise muttered. "It is not so important."

Eloise turned around to face the crowd. "Will you dance with me just once? It might be my only chance to dance at a palace ball."

"If it is what you want," Damien replied.

Eloise smiled, enjoying how open Damien was to doing what he clearly disliked. "You can say no to me. Your mouth said yes, but your face is saying no. I do not mind if you want to watch from the sidelines."

"Don’t tempt me into saying no. It is your first ball. You should have the full experience while you are here. I can stomach one dance for you," said Damien.

"Thank you. I wonder if Rosalie and her husband are here," Eloise said, looking around.

"Lord Hawthorne! I wasn’t mistaken," an unfamiliar voice was heard.

Eloise turned to face the visitor and saw the same woman from the market.

"Lady Hawthorne," Charlotte curtsied. "I was certain I heard your names announced. It is a surprise to see you at the ball. You are causing quite the stir."

Charlotte glanced at Eloise, taking in her appearance. Finally, Eloise looked the part, but she still wasn’t someone worth a second glance.

"The king plans to gather all the men. My husband informed me of it. Since you are here, you should have a word with my father about the business he has been going on about. I will stay with your wife, or introduce her to the other ladies," Charlotte offered.

"It is kind of you, but I will stay at my wife’s side. A ball isn’t the right setting to speak about business. I will visit your father when I am ready," Damien said, rejecting the offer.

"Very well. Still, I am certain Lady Hawthorne will want to speak to the other ladies. We are all gathering without our husbands to speak in private. Do you want to join us?" Charlotte asked, hoping Eloise would say yes.

"Thank you for the offer, but I have only just arrived and want to stay at my husband’s side. I should be with him a little longer before I run off to be with ladies I do not know," said Eloise.

"The other ladies are all eager to meet you," Charlotte said, pushing the matter. She wanted all the other ladies to see what she saw, and without Damien, they could have a more honest talk.

"She said no. You should be on your way to find your husband or father," Damien advised Charlotte. "Neither of us is in the mood to part from each other."

"Forgive me," Charlotte bowed her head slightly. "I should have waited a little longer before asking. I was trying to help Lady Hawthorne make friends. The ladies are all curious about your wife."

"I shall make friends in due time," Eloise said.

"Right. Well, I shall be on my way as I must find my husband. Lady Hawthorne, I hope you enjoy the ball. Goodbye," Charlotte said, leaving the pair alone. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Charlotte dug her nails into the palm of her hand, annoyed that Eloise didn’t follow her. She had promised the ladies she would bring Eloise alone, but she was embarrassed.

This matter wasn’t over yet.