Eloise sat down beside Rosalie. So far, Rosalie seemed to be an energetic lady who was also welcoming, but she knew to be careful since looks could be deceiving.

"When I heard the news about your marriage, I wanted to send flowers, but my husband thought that we should wait so as not to disturb you. Also, we were never introduced, so he worried you might not take well to it," said Rosalie.

’What a silly thought,’ Eloise thought to herself.

"Still," Rosalie leaned forward to whisper. "I prepared a bouquet for you to take home. I’ll have to give it to you later when you are leaving, so the other guests don’t get jealous."

"Thank you," Eloise replied.

"You don’t talk very much, do you? I mean, I do not blame you. You are in an unfamiliar setting with people who are eyeing you with bad intentions. You came out of nowhere and married one of the town’s finest bachelors. A lot of ladies are going to despise you," Rosalie spoke honestly.

"I do not mind it. I’ll find friendships elsewhere," Eloise responded.

Rosalie patted Eloise’s back and said, "That’s the spirit. Oops," she moved her hand after noticing Damien’s gaze. "He’s a little protective, isn’t he? Still, it is quite lovely. Who would have thought that Lord Hawthorne would get married so early in the season or at all?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"It means that you are a special lady," Rosalie concluded.

"What made you think he wouldn’t get married?" Eloise asked, though she knew the answer.

Rosalie chuckled, humoured that Eloise even had to ask. "Have you ever witnessed how your husband would turn away ladies trying to court him? It is quite a sight. He’s rejected even the most promising ladies. I thought his younger brother would marry before he did."

"I am quite happy he married a lady like you who doesn’t care too much about appearances. Unless you do!" Rosalie exclaimed, fearing she had made a mistake. "It was wrong of me to assume."

"It’s fine, and I don’t care too much for them. Still, I like attending gatherings like this. Your garden is beautiful, and the music is lovely," Eloise said, admiring the scenery.

"I have to thank my husband for the garden. He wanted to give me a beautiful sight when I looked out of our window since I couldn’t leave our bedchamber. I appreciate his attentiveness to my comfort," Rosalie said, a smile forming on her lips.

Just one look at Rosalie and Eloise could tell that Rosalie was deeply in love with her husband.

"He did well with the garden. He seems to be a thoughtful man," said Eloise.

"He is. I was lucky to marry such a wonderful man. I had a few troubles with my father when I considered my husband, but I suppose all fathers act that way when their little girls are getting married," Rosalie concluded.

Eloise thought differently.

Many fathers were willing to push their daughters into anyone’s arms for the right price. Rosalie had security in her father being a duke. She had the option of finding a good man if her father wasn’t after more money and power.

"I want to have a child soon. I’ve been married for a year, but there is no news of a child. We had to stop trying after I became unwell, but I want to start again. My husband will be the one stuck in bed," Rosalie whispered.

Eloise’s cheeks became flushed as Rosalie’s confession startled her. She looked away from Rosalie and met eyes with Damien, who was already watching her. It didn’t make the situation better.

Eloise looked down at her lap and palmed her face.

"Why are you so shy? We are married ladies here. Or, is it because you don’t know me well? I apologise if I am sharing so much for our first meeting. It is bad," Rosalie said, tapping her mouth. "But I feel comfortable with you. Aside from Victoria, no one speaks of the little things."

"Do you know that after arriving, most of the guests have not come to greet me? It is my fault, as you said, for not inviting friends, but surely these people should have some decorum. I was hoping that the town would have gotten better, but it hasn’t," Rosalie sighed.

"I am enjoying the gathering and your company," Eloise said, in an effort to cheer up Rosalie. "I am quite glad to have been invited and that you are the host. You are quite welcoming."

Rosalie smiled, her spirits lifting. "I am also glad you accepted the invitation. I hope you do not allow the ways of high society to spoil you. There are very few people I can be this comfortable with. Do not allow the other ladies to mould you into one of them," she pleaded.

"I will not. I don’t think I will be making friends with the ladies you speak of anyway," said Eloise.

"Oh, I assure you that they will try to befriend you to learn your secrets and use them against you, or try to force a friendship so their husbands can get near to Lord Hawthorn. I have one piece of advice for you, and it is to not force your husband to meet with anyone," Rosalie suggested.

"Lord Hawthorne has been quite picky with who he surrounds himself with. He did it before you came into his life, and he will want to be that way after. It might upset him to force others into his life," said Rosalie.

"Thank you for the advice, but I know my husband. I know what will upset him and what won’t, so I don’t need to be told. I hope you won’t take my response to heart, but I must have it known that I know him well," said Eloise.

"I won’t think anything of it. You should speak proudly of how well you know him. Don’t let anyone, even me, convince you that you don’t. I know of a lady who might try to convince you that she knows your husband best, but that is a tale for another day," Rosalie said, not wanting to stir up trouble.

"How does it feel to be married to Lord Hawthorne?" Rosalie asked, watching Damien from where she sat. She noticed how Damien only cared to look at Eloise, and he did not try to be secretive with his stare.

"It is wonderful. I do not view him as the town does, and he is quite kind," Eloise answered and met eyes with Damien once more.

"I love seeing others fall in love. Oh, look at me," Rosalie said, realising her mistake. "I am the host, yet I didn’t offer you a drink. What would you like?"