"I wasn’t trying to undress you. My maid told me of an incident where you were stabbed, and my curiosity got the better of me," Eloise said, pulling her hand away to rest at her side. "I should have asked first instead of acting so rashly."

"Why were you speaking about me getting stabbed? What brought on this topic?"

"I was speaking about social events, and how I wouldn’t have one here. Hannah spoke of why you might not be fond of them and how a relative tried to stab you. Was it truly because they wanted control of the estate?" Eloise asked, curious.

Could no one escape the greed of relatives?

"He was a distant cousin who, for some reason, thought he was to be considered. Here," Damien said, holding Eloise’s hand to guide her under his shirt. "You were close."

Eloise looked down. She held her breath as Damien guided her hand over his smooth skin. She felt the outlines of his muscular body before coming to a stop.

"He stabbed me right there. I was lucky it wasn’t too deep, and the family doctor had been present. That relative no longer breathes if you are worried," Damien said, pressing Eloise’s fingers at the healed wound.

"Why do they convince themselves that they are entitled to what our parents owned? Did you kill him?" Eloise asked, her voice soft like a whisper.

Eloise gently moved her hand over the wound before pulling away.

"No. Some of the guests held him down until the town guards arrived, and he was taken to the court. With enough pressure, he received a sentence to be imprisoned and passed away before he was to be released," said Damien.

"Has anyone else tried to hurt you? Is there anyone I must be wary of?" Eloise asked, worried there were others.

"There are others, but I have kept my distance from them. They won’t get near you. I will make sure of it," Damien said, tucking Eloise’s hair behind her ear.

"I am not worried about myself. You are the one they would want to harm. It is no wonder that you are so guarded and quite violent. You must protect yourself. I won’t speak about not being violent anymore," Eloise said, realising the reality of the world.

"It is either you harm others, or they will harm you. I have become too attached to you to lose you now. Only promise me that you won’t become so lost in your power that you harm innocent people," Eloise said, her pinky raised for the promise. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"I have never harmed anyone innocent," Damien said, wrapping his finger around Eloise’s. "Anyone who comes looking for trouble is hardly innocent."

"Still, it is a promise I want you to keep. I will educate myself on your relatives and peers. I don’t want to make myself comfortable with your enemies. Did I do well today?" Eloise asked, hoping she had not embarrassed herself or Damien.

"You did. You didn’t entertain the nosy guest, and you left without a scandal. I would say it is worth a reward," said Damien.

"Then, I no longer have to worry," Eloise said, relieved.

"I mean it. Tell me what it is you want. Jewels? Books? Flowers? I can have it all here by the morning. By tonight, if you wish," Damien said in the mood to spoil Eloise.

"Then, I have a favour I must ask to win a bet against Kyle. You must keep an open mind and remember that it is to help your wife win," Eloise said, placing her hands on Damien’s arms to keep him calm.

"I already dislike it," Damien muttered. "Don’t indulge his habits."

"I have made a bet with Kyle that you will welcome him with managing the estate as long as he takes it seriously. I found him lying drunk and asked that he help you. Remember, your lovely wife wants to win. Please," Eloise pleaded, rubbing Damien’s arms to win him over.

"Wouldn’t you prefer a necklace or a new garden?" Damien suggested.

Eloise shook her head. "I would prefer your brother to take on some duties before it is too late. Do you not think it is time for Kyle to grow up? The way he lives now cannot be his norm."

"You have made a bet for him to annoy me," said Damien.

"All you need to do is welcome him when he comes to you, so I will win. If you don’t welcome him, then I will lose. Would it be so wrong to see if there is a chance he can do well? It isn’t right to take a bet to motivate him, but at least he will be at your side," said Eloise.

Eloise smiled in hopes it would warm Damien’s heart and convince him to work with her.

"If he annoys me and finds himself dangling out of a window, it will be your fault. If he falls and injures himself, will you take responsibility and be able to sleep at night?"

"I don’t have to answer this because I know you will not harm your brother. I believe you might hit him, but not dangle him out of a window. Perhaps you might," Eloise said, second-guessing her plans. "Maybe this wasn’t a good idea."

"I will be a dutiful husband and do as you ask. Remember that you had the chance to be showered with jewels, yet you wasted your reward on Kyle. I hope it will be worth it in the end," Damien said, releasing Eloise from his captivity.

"I know it will. You have to let your brothers help you, and I am more than willing to do my part. I have been speaking to both the head maid and butler. I am willing to learn," said Eloise.

"You don’t need to help-"

"See, this is what your brother said. You bear it all alone because you don’t accept help," Eloise pointed out.

"You would not be the first wife who doesn’t take part in managing the estate. The others employ servants to do their duties. For now, I want you to only think of having fun and enjoying yourself. Shop, read your books, or attend events," Damien advised Eloise.

"Very well," Eloise agreed.

"You will not fight me on this?" Damien asked, surprised.

"You want me to relax. How could I say no?" Eloise responded.

"Hmm. Then let us go back to what you asked before. If you’re so concerned about how many times I have been wounded, why don’t I get undressed and you search me-"

"Damien!" Eloise gasped and covered his mouth with her hand. "I have suddenly lost interest in your wounds."