Eloise knew Damien was toying with her, so she leaned back to be out of his reach. She cleared her throat, trying not to dwell on what she felt.

"You are too much of a tease. My sit-down with Jane didn’t go well, as you should know by her absence. I was excited for us to speak, but once again, it felt like she wanted to prepare me to not embarrass her before the town," Eloise shared.

"I spoke to Jane before coming here. I am sending her to be with our aunt for three days. She needs time outside the estate, and being surrounded by our cousins will make her yearn to come back home," said Damien.

"She won’t be pleased at first," Eloise said, knowing Jane would be angry.

"She won’t, but Jane has to be punished for her actions. It is time she fixes her behaviour before it sticks with her all the way to her season. I will be more stern with her and the others," Damien said.

"Being the only girl, I understand now why you would be so easy on her. I know that one day Jane will look back and be grateful for you trying to help her now. She’s going through a stubborn phase," Eloise said, thinking of her youth.

"Were you stubborn with your father?"

"No. Because it was just the two of us, we were quite close. If he told me no, then I listened, but it was very rare that he said it. I didn’t ask for much because I knew our reality, but my father did spoil me when he could," Eloise said, reminiscing.

"I like to think that I was a good daughter," Eloise said, hopeful that it was how her father saw her.

"I have no doubt that you were," Damien commented.

"Thank you. Despite your siblings being angry at times, I think you are doing a swell job with the estate. I imagine it wasn’t easy to step into a position of having to run the estate and care for younger siblings. Were your relatives supportive, or did you face someone like my uncle?" Eloise asked, curious.

"There were a few relatives I had not seen in years who came forward to see what was left in their names. When they learned that all my parents’ riches were left to me as the oldest, they tried to take my siblings so I would send them support. I threw them out," Damien answered.

"And by throwing them out, do you mean you had the guards escort them out? I never know with you. You might have lifted them and thrown them out," Eloise said, imagining the scene.

"And sprain my hand with all the weight? No," Damien replied, shaking his head. "I let my guards lift and throw them out. Since then, we haven’t had too many relatives visiting the estate. My siblings think it is cruel."

"But you are protecting them," Eloise understood. "Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to explain this to them."

"I have, and they do not listen. Quinn slips away to his townhouse, Kyle is only interested in being with his friends, and Jane is caught up in her world. No one likes to listen, and since they don’t, I stop speaking of why I do as I do," Damien explained.

"Then, you should be more strict with them," Eloise advised Damien.

The corners of Damien’s mouth curled into a devious smile. "Is that so? Since becoming Lord Hawthorne, I have been told to go easy on my siblings."

"But it is not working. Though you are Lord Hawthorne, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is free from duties. You should all do your part to protect and run the estate. This is your parents’ legacy and should be protected," said Eloise.

"It is. I will take your advice. You might want to stay clear of my siblings when I do. Fortunately, I have an invitation you might enjoy. We will be attending Mrs Presley’s gathering," Damien revealed. "She has been unwell, so this is a gathering to celebrate her getting better. It is in two days."

"Would it be right for us to do my introduction at a gathering meant for her health?" Eloise asked, not wanting to steal the attention.

"We will merely show up beside each other. There was a letter alongside the invitation. She is eager to meet you, and for your introduction to be held at her first gathering of the season, it would greatly help her. Her gathering would be mentioned in the chatter," Damien explained.

"So, I am to be her main event. As long as the host is fine with it, I do not see a reason to decline. Is she a nice lady?" Eloise asked, hoping to make a friend. "I am a bit concerned about her reasons for wanting us there. Does she only want to have her name attached to gossip, or does she want to get to know me?"

"She is kind-hearted. She is the only daughter of a duke, and despite being spoiled, she turned out well. She doesn’t have many friends because she believes they are trying to use her father’s name. You might enjoy her company, but I will leave the final decision to you," said Damien.

"Very well. I look forward to going. I will need to see the invitation to know what kind of dress I am to wear. I want to make a good first impression," Eloise said, feeling a bit nervous.

"You could wear a blanket and still look lovely. I have already decided on your two maids, so when you are ready, I will send for them to introduce themselves. They shall take care of some of your needs," Damien said, his focus shifting to admire Eloise.

"Some?" Eloise questioned. "What duties will they be exempt from?"

"I will take care of your other needs," Damien clarified.

Eloise reached for a sandwich, then leaned over to Damien’s chair to shove it into his mouth. "Your mouth should be full," she said.

Damien spat out the sandwich. "Indeed, it should be. I hope you always remember your words now, Eloise. It would be disappointing if you forget."

"While I am curious about what you speak of, I fear knowing the answer. We mustn’t let this food go to waste, so eat. I will share what is left with the maids. No longer will we waste food in the estate," Eloise decided.

There was too much work put into creating the dishes and serving them for food to be thrown away.

Damien leaned back on his chair. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted before he got a word out.

"No more with your suggestions. You must eat before you find another sandwich in your mouth," Eloise said, placing the plate she prepared before Damien. "For now, your mouth is only to move because you are eating."

"Yes, dear."