In the late hours of the night after dinner was served, Eloise remained in bed while Damien went to Jane’s bedchamber to check if she was well.

Damien knocked on the door, and after getting a response from Jane, he entered the chamber.

Inside, Jane was seated on the bed with flowers on her lap.

"What are you doing?" Damien inquired as he closed the door. "Eloise said she would take you to learn how to make the headpieces. Couldn’t you wait until the morning?"

"I wanted to give the two of you more time alone tomorrow. I wanted to be kind. That, and I wanted to have some idea of how they are made, but I have not succeeded," Jane said, her shoulders dropping from disappointment.

"Why the sudden surge of kindness for Eloise and me?" Damien asked, strolling over to the bed to sit down. "It is a bit unusual."

Jane didn’t want to share, but then thought to be honest. "Eloise has been giving me attention. She joined me for the dress fitting, and while it was my turn to show my dress, she paid attention to me. She isn’t like Aunt Camille to be distracted or be more focused on tea."

"So, you have finally realised she is a good woman?"

"Must I answer all your questions? Shouldn’t you like that I have warmed up to her? I know that I was wrong with my earlier behaviour, so I am trying to be better," Jane admitted.

"It would be better if you fix the attitude. You have a smart mouth, and while I am used to it, others won’t put up with it for long. Eloise isn’t your enemy, and it is hardly fair that she is always kind to you while sometimes you snap. Do better," Damien advised Jane.

"I have been trying to do better. I didn’t mean to be rude to her today. I don’t like it when many of the events concern ladies being with their mothers. I hate it," Jane confessed, angry that she was always left out.

"What Eloise offered is kind, but those events make me remember that our mother is not coming back. It isn’t fair," Jane said, her eyes filling with tears.

"No, she isn’t coming back," Damien said, placing his arm around Jane’s shoulder. "But we all keep a piece of her alive with us. You must remember that Eloise lost her mother at a young age as well, so she understands you. You may speak to her and not be so guarded."

"I have been trying. I am just not good at it. I look forward to making the headpieces and attending the gathering. I just wanted to be perfect and seem like I knew how to do it right away. They are all ugly," Jane said, showing Damien what she had made.

"They are," Damien agreed.

"Brother, could you not be kind about it? And you wonder where I get my attitude from. I will need more flowers in the morning. Can you send a servant to get them? Eloise said you are to give business to the vendors," Jane said, wanting to do the same.

"I can send someone early in the morning. Instead of trying to be one step ahead, why don’t you wait for Eloise to teach you? I’m sure she’ll enjoy teaching. Why she likes it, I will never understand," Damiens said, shaking his head. "I don’t have her patience."

"No, which is why I have started to appreciate her. I am glad you are so stubborn that you didn’t marry one of your peers. I don’t think any young lady raised like us would have cared for my well-being. So, if I marry a gentleman you don’t like, you must understand-"

"No," Damien interjected. "That isn’t going to work with me. You and your peers pine after young gentlemen who aren’t worth your time."

"It is not about what you think, Damien. I will stay out of your marriage, so you must stay out of mine when the time comes. Promise me," Jane said, raising her right hand for a pinky promise.

"I will not waste my time making a promise I don’t intend to keep," Damien said, removing his arm from around Jane’s shoulder.

Jane pouted, annoyed that he wouldn’t shake her hand. "That’s not very fair. You wanted me to be understanding of your choice for your wife, and I was in the end. It’s not fair that you wouldn’t be open-minded about my future choice."

"It won’t ever be fair since you are my little sister, Jane. You are also so petty to pick a man I don’t like so you can torture me with his presence," said Damien.

"Before, I would, but I have grown up. I wouldn’t put up with a man I don’t love to make you uncomfortable. I thought Aunt Camille’s marriage was lovely until I realised her husband is hardly home. I would say I want a marriage like our parents, but I shouldn’t, right?" Jane asked, facing Damien.

"I advise you not to yearn for what anyone else has. Our parents were lovely, but I’m sure they had their troubles. What worked for them might not work for you, so focus on what you like. It’s not the time for you to worry about marriage," Damien said, trying to put an end to it.

"What Eloise said has always been my fear. I have overheard others questioning how I have been raised and if I would be a good mother. They think they are speaking in private, but I have overheard it. Even our relatives do it when they should be understanding of my loss," Jane said, sharing a secret she kept hidden.

"You should have spoken to me about it. Who spoke of it? Where did you hear it?" Damien questioned, having more reason to cut off the relatives.

"I didn’t want to speak of it to make you angry. Besides, they would think I am weak for running to you. I don’t want anyone to think I am weak," Jane said, picking at the flowers on her lap.

"You must start sharing when someone troubles you, especially if it is family, because they are more able to get near you. It doesn’t make you weak, but it serves as a reminder that you have a brother who will ruin their lives," Damien said, planning to do just that.

"You must stop worrying about what others think. It seems I have not been paying enough attention to you. Instead of going on an outing with Eloise, why don’t you go with me? Eloise might need a break from this family," said Damien.

"I think so too," Jane agreed.