"Water will be fine," Eloise said, knowing it would be impolite to reject the hosts’ offer.

"Water it is. Can you ask Lord Hawthorne if he is parched? I am a bit afraid to ask," Rosalie said, believing Damien wasn’t in a good mood after a guest approached him.

"He won’t be angry if you ask him, but he does seem to need saving," Eloise said as she stood up.

Eloise moved from her chair and went to Damien’s side.

"Do you need me?" Damien asked, ignoring the man whose name he forgot.

Eloise spared a glance at the man trying to get Damien’s attention. "Mrs Presley is offering to get me a drink. Do you want water or wine? I’m sure there are other selections," she said.

"Move," Damien abruptly told the stranger. "Do you not think it is time to move now that my wife is present?"

Eloise watched as the stranger cleared his throat, offered an apology, and walked away. "It looked like you needed saving," she said.

"I did. You came just in time," Damien replied, his mood turning better. "I don’t need a drink. Do you?"

"I have asked for water. I didn’t want to be impolite and say no," said Eloise.

"How thoughtful. Are you enjoying her company?" Damien asked, reaching for Eloise’s hand to hold. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I am, but I also know to be cautious. I cannot share much with someone I have only known for a moment. Still, she appears to be lovely and in need of others around her. It is unfortunate she had been sick," Eloise said, worried a flu might be upon the town.

Eloise finally took notice of the guests and all the stares. She saw men waiting patiently to approach Damien. "Perhaps you should sit closer to me. If you are left alone, others will come to you. I can also use you as a shield. Will you join me?" She asked, tugging at his hand.

"It seems I don’t have a choice," Damien said, getting up from his chair. "I will get the water for you," he whispered. His hand slipped out of Eloise’s hold to settle on her waist as he escorted Eloise back to her chair.

Rosalie watched the interaction with joy. ’I was wrong. This will be an exciting season,’ she thought.

Rosalie couldn’t wait to see the expressions of ladies who thought the rumours about Damien’s marriage weren’t real, or that he wouldn’t last with his wife, whom no one had heard of before.

"Thank you for bringing her back," Rosalie said, holding Eloise’s chair still. "I am getting a maid to serve us some drinks. What would you like, Lord Hawthorne? Wine? Or water like your wife?"

"Nothing," Damien replied.

"So, it is true that you tend not to drink at gatherings you attend. Is it because you fear being poisoned?"

"I am not in the mood for a drink. Do I have reason to be concerned about being poisoned here?" Damien asked, staring at Rosalie.

Rosalie gulped and leaned back as though it would help her. "You don’t. Why must you be this way? You always have to drive his unsettling fear into others. Despite how long I have known you, you never fail to scare me."

"Who scared my wife?"

Rosalie looked up, her fear instantly replaced with love. "Darling," she said, getting up to greet her husband with a hug. "Lady Hawthorne, this is my husband, Cole Presley. Darling, this is Lady Hawthorne. Isn’t she lovely?"

"I don’t think I should answer that," Cole said, noticing Damien’s stare. "It is lovely to meet you, Lady Hawthorne. Thank you for visiting our home."

"Victoria, there you are," Rosalie greeted her friend. "I was wondering where you wandered off to. Lady Hawthorne, this is my best friend, Victoria Williams."

Victoria stepped forward to greet Eloise with a curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hawthorne."

"It is nice to meet you as well," Eloise replied.

"Victoria is my childhood friend, and she has been quite the angel to stay here to help Cole care for me. I owe her more than I could ever afford to pay her," Rosalie said, welcoming Victoria to sit at the table. "It is rather unfortunate that she will soon leave to return to her home. Her father wants her to find a suitor."

Eloise watched as the newcomers took their seats and how Victoria frowned for a moment, as though upset she had to leave.

’They are sweet friends,’ Eloise thought.

Eloise’s gaze then went to Cole, helping Rosalie to her chair.

Rosalie eyed Cole with endless admiration and squeezed his hand before he had to move to his chair.

Cole looked away from Rosalie to Victoria, who didn’t acknowledge his presence.

"Cole?" Rosalie’s call brought Cole back to reality. "Why aren’t you sitting down?"

"I was about to," Cole said, a smile touching his lips. "There are no drinks at the table. Where are the maids?"

"I have been trying to get the attention of one. Lady Hawthorne wants water," said Rosalie.

"I will get a maid and have them bring water," Cole said, leaning down to kiss Rosalie’s forehead before leaving.

"Lady Hawthorne, I hope you may one day become close to Victoria and me. You will see her around the town quite often now that she has time to attend gatherings. She doesn’t like it, but I am offering to help her find a husband. I feel sorry that she has been here helping me," Rosalie said, apologetic.

"I feel as though I have been wasting the season for her," said Rosalie.

"It was my choice to stay here to help you. There is still plenty of time for me to find a husband, and I am not in any rush to marry," Victoria said, not wanting to be more in debt with Rosalie.

"Then, stay here a little longer. There is enough room for you, and you have enjoyed your time here. Cole is lovely, but there is nothing better than the company of a friend. Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Hawthorne?" Rosalie asked, turning to Eloise for support.

"I agree, but it is up to Miss Victoria to decide. She might miss being with her family. You could visit each other," Eloise suggested.

"I will be forced to do so. Oh!" Rosalie gasped, startled by a cup of water appearing out of nowhere.

"You must drink," Cole said, setting a glass before Rosalie. "For Lady Hawthorne," he offered Eloise her glass.

"Thank you," Eloise answered.

Lastly, Cole moved to offer Victoria water. "Water?"

Victoria accepted the water, but did not look at Cole. "Thank you."