Chapter 336: Storm [3]
Eloise quietly read her book whilst Damien leaned his head against her shoulder.
There was little for Damien to do in the chamber, yet he remained to spend time with Eloise.
As she had suspected, the rain began to fall, first in gentle drops, then in greater numbers that lashed against the glass.
At times, the thunder startled her, but she forced herself to remain composed so as not to wake Damien.
She couldn’t help worrying about the others. ’Did Jane’s guest return safely?’ she wondered, her mind circling back to the young woman who had arrived unannounced.
Eloise tried to let the book serve as a distraction, but the storm kept getting her attention.
Unable to focus, she set the book down upon the bedside table, deciding instead to join Damien in going to sleep.
Just as she shifted beneath the blanket, a knock was heard at the door.
"Come in," Eloise answered.
The door opened, and Jane entered with Iris beside her, both afraid of all the noise outside.
Eloise sat upright. "Is there trouble? Has the rain flooded somewhere?"
"No," Jane replied quickly. "I grew frightened of being alone and found Iris wandering alone. Is Damien asleep?" She tiptoed, craning her neck to see.
"Yes, so leave," Damien muttered, his voice muffled with irritation.
"I will not return to my bedchamber alone. It sounds as though some creature is clawing its way inside. I shall stay here until the rain passes," Jane declared, stepping further into the chamber without permission. "Where did this weather come from, Damien?"
"Do I appear to be Mother Nature, Jane?" Damien asked, his patience slipping away.
Iris lingered by the door, hesitant to intrude.
"No. You are far too moody and not nearly pretty enough to be her. I shall remain until the storm ends," Jane said, making herself comfortable upon the bed. "Come forward, Iris. They will not get rid of me so easily-"
Her words were cut short as thunder was heard so loud it seemed to shake the walls. Jane covered her ears.
Iris rushed inside, unable to resist being in a group.
"It began as such a beautiful day," Jane whispered, lowering her hands.
"That is how it goes at times. The town needed water," Eloise said, certain others welcomed the rain. "Those with crops will welcome it, and others will store the water."
"Why store rainwater?" Jane asked.
"It is easier than fetching water from elsewhere. Many survive this way. I have done it myself by setting out buckets to collect rain for washing clothes and cleaning the home," Eloise explained, remembering the simpler days filled with chores.
"Did you drink it?" Jane wondered.
"No. We used it for chores. The rain is good for many, though we must hope it does not bring harm. You may sit on the bed," Eloise said, turning to Iris with a smile.
"I do not wish to disturb you," Iris replied.
"We are already disturbed," Damien said, opening his eyes. "I shall see that no water is seeping inside."
Eloise offered him a smile, feeling bad that he needed to get out of bed. "Do not be long."
Jane shifted further up the bed now that Damien was gone. "I do not like the sound of thunder."
"Neither do I. We are fortunate there is no lightning yet. I told the butler to bring the gardeners in before the rain began. I hope none were caught in it," Eloise said, her eyes fixed on the window.
"Oh, so that is why they hurried inside. Eloise, do you think this storm is on our side, spoiling my aunt’s gathering? It was to be held in her gardens, but now it is ruined," Jane said, enjoying this thought.
"I was not thinking of her gathering. I only hope the rain does not damage homes or the estate. I worry for your brothers, that they find shelter in time. Illness comes too easily in weather such as this," Eloise said, concerned.
"Why worry? We have the finest doctors. What?" Jane asked, noticing Iris’s expression. "What did I say wrong?"
"I have watched illness take my parents. My mother did not survive, and my father’s body weakened as the days went by. It frightens me when anyone falls ill. I must learn to master this fear," Eloise said.
"I see. Then I shall do my best not to fall ill and trouble you. I-" Jane began, but the door opened again, cutting her short.
"There you are," Kyle said as he entered with Quinn close behind. "See, Quinn? I told you they would all be here. Where is Damien?"
"Why have you come to disturb us?" Jane asked, forgetting her own intrusion.
"Do you not see the weather? I could not bear it with only Quinn, so I convinced him to return home with me. The journey was dreadful, and we almost did not make it," Kyle said, shaking off his coat.
"That is why I suggested we stay put until the rain ends. Damien will not be pleased to find us all here," Quinn said, though he entered and made himself comfortable.
"With weather such as this, we should be together. Damien will secretly be glad to know we are safe. Is that not so, Eloise?" Kyle asked, settling himself upon the bed.
"I shall not place myself in the middle of it. I only suggest that none of you takes his place beside me, or he will throw you out when he returns," Eloise said, moving a pillow to mark Damien’s spot. "Had I known you would all gather here, I would have prepared a warm drink."
"It is not too late. We can send Jane for it," Kyle suggested.
"No, we shall not," Jane replied.
The chamber fell silent as the door opened once more. Damien stood there, clearly annoyed and his patience gone.
"I turned my back for a moment, and returned to find my bed overtaken. The estate is not short of chambers, so why are you all gathered in mine, disturbing my time with my wife?" Damien demanded, his voice scarier than the storm.
"Because we should be together. You should see the water gathering on the roads. What if you needed our help? We would not have been able to leave the townhouse," Kyle tried to reason with Damien. "Why are you not seated, Iris?"
"I think I shall sit now," Iris said, moving to join them. "Oh, no. Reece!" she exclaimed. "I forgot him."
"Is it only me who notices she forgets her brother often?" Jane asked, shaking her head.
"I would like to forget all of you," Damien muttered, stepping aside to let Iris pass.