Kyle’s smile fell into a frown as he realised Eloise was serious. "That was a bit harsh. Don’t you agree?"

"No, it was the truth, and sometimes it hurts. I have known you for a few days, and thus far, you have not given me a good impression. You shouldn’t make this normal for anyone," Eloise said, frustrated that Kyle took it as a joke.

"Being drunk doesn’t make me a child, and this is my home, so I can do whatever I please. I don’t know what drunk man has upset you before, but you cannot scold me for what anyone else has done," said Kyle.

Eloise pinched the bridge of her nose. "This isn’t solely about you being drunk. I would never be upset with you enjoying a drink, but do you truly think it is acceptable to be in this state at this hour? Wouldn’t it be better for you to offer Damien help with the estate?"

"Damien doesn’t need any help. He never does, and fortunately, the estate now has a lady. You can share the work with him, but you might find he doesn’t want help," Kyle said, followed by a laugh.

Eloise didn’t find humour in what Kyle said. "Have you ever considered that the reason he rejects your help is that you don’t take his work seriously? I am certain that if you are serious and prove yourself, he would welcome your help. It would take some of the burden off his shoulders."

Kyle thought about it for a moment. "Quinn is older than I am. Shouldn’t he be helping Damien?"

Eloise took a deep breath. "You might not think it is true, but I do want the best for you. You are seventeen. You cannot make the same mistakes you made when you were a boy. You may soon consider taking a wife, and no woman wants this to be the norm."

"This estate isn’t solely Damien’s. It is also your home-" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Do not try this trick on me. The estate is now your home and will one day be your children’s home. I will leave just as my aunt did, and the others before," said Kyle.

"Oh, I see. You think you bear no responsibility because you may one day leave. I know for certain Damien would never ask you to leave unless you get out of hand, and must I remind you that you are here now? There is no heir," Eloise reminded Kyle.

"Before that day comes, wouldn’t it be thoughtful to help withhold the legacy of your parents? This will always be your childhood home, and if you never want to leave, you don’t have to," said Eloise.

Kyle avoided Eloise’s gaze. "You don’t know my brother as well as you think you do. He isn’t the little boy you grew up with."

"I can see clearly that he has grown and changed. He is working to keep everyone in this estate safe, while you are busy getting drunk and wasting money. I would do anything to help protect my childhood home. Shouldn’t you?" Eloise asked, having hope for Kyle.

"Why don’t we have a bet?" Eloise proposed.

Kyle faced Eloise. "A bet? What kind of lady are you?"

"One who likes to play games at times. I bet that if you take managing the estate seriously, Damien would welcome you. If he doesn’t, I will help you when he is upset with you. Deal?" Eloise asked, offering her hand to shake on the deal.

"I’m going to enjoy seeing you protect me. You are not going to win," Kyle said, shaking Eloise’s hand.

"Then you have nothing to fear," Eloise said, not the least bit concerned. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to go back to my bedchamber. Do not let this be a regular occurrence. Next time you lie drunk on the floor, I will have the maids try their best to sweep you up.

"I look forward to you helping your brother in the morning," Eloise said as she walked around Kyle.

"You will lose!" Kyle yelled, determined to win.

Eloise smiled as she thought of all the games she won in the countryside. She was better at betting than Kyle ever would be.

By evening, Damien returned to the estate and went straight towards the bedchamber.

With Jane and Quinn out of the estate, Kyle was the only concern Damien had when it came to Eloise being alone.

Damien entered the bedchamber and found Eloise seated by the window with a book in her hands.

Eloise looked up from her book after hearing the door open. "You’re home," she said.

Damien felt a strange mix of emotions after being greeted so warmly. It was strange to have someone happily awaiting his return. "I am," he replied, pulling his coat off his shoulders. "Did you give the flowers to the gardeners?"

"I have, and placed the bouquet in a vase. Do you like them?" Eloise asked, pointing to where she placed the flowers.

"I do," Damien responded. "What were you reading?"

"I was planning what I would do for my father’s burial. I thought of waiting for our friends to respond and state if they would come to town, but it doesn’t feel right to keep him in an urn for long," said Eloise.

Eloise wanted her parents near each other, just as they would have wanted. Every day that went by without a burial didn’t feel right.

"I’m making arrangements for a special grave to be made beside your mother. It should be done by tomorrow. I was going to share the news when it was done," said Damien.

Eloise’s eyes widened as the news surprised her. "You were planning this all along? Wasn’t the grave beside my mother occupied? It has been so many years."

"Imagine my surprise to learn that your father was paying towards that spot. He was preparing to be at her side in death," Damien shared.

"It sounds like something he would do. They have made this all easy for me. I will make preparations to ensure he rests soon and inform everyone who can attend. You must be there," Eloise said, needing Damien at her side.

"I will be there," Damien promised.

Eloise closed the distance between herself and Damien to hug him. "Thank you," she said, her breath tickling Damien’s ear. "You have made today quite special for me."

Damien wrapped his arms around Eloise’s waist, keeping a tight hold on her as though she would vanish at any moment.

Eloise pulled away, just enough to see his face, and didn’t attempt to escape his hold.

Hannah’s word came back to her now.

Without thinking, Eloise reached for the hem of Damien’s shirt, boldly lifting it to search for the wound.

Damien stood still, startled by the action at first. He relaxed, awaiting the ending to what Eloise so daringly started. "I didn’t know it would make you this happy."

Conclusion flashed across Eloise’s face."What?" Eloise whispered, yet to understand.

It took a moment, but soon, Eloise’s cheeks flushed as she understood how her actions appeared to Damien. "It is not what you think."