Chapter 304: Perfect life [2]
Eloise twisted the ring upon Damien’s finger with her thumb. "Aside from Camille, Clive, and Agatha, is this all the trouble we face? Or is there someone else I do not know of who troubles you? I hope you can find some moments of peace."
Damien’s gaze flickered towards the window. "I am looking into what Camille’s husband does with his time. We have always been cordial, but I know he will poke around now that I am at odds with his wife. There is a home he frequents when he is not in town."
"Viola spoke of rumours that he might be going to see a lover," Eloise said, curious if it were true. "I hope it isn’t true, for he has children who would be heartbroken. I won’t think the worst of her marriage simply because we are at odds."
Eloise would not stoop to searching for secrets to expose Camille’s household, nor would she take pleasure in another’s misery.
"I certainly won’t find amusement in knowing there might be trouble," Eloise added, as life could send karma to her. "We can distance ourselves and hope all is well for the sake of the children, for they are the ones most affected."
"Fortunately," she continued, trying to see the brighter side, "if there is trouble, Camille has the means to care for herself and the children."
Damien chuckled. "My aunt can take care of herself, but she would never leave her marriage to shatter the illusion that it is perfect. Many young ladies look up to her, dreaming of a season as grand as hers. She won’t end that fairytale."
Eloise frowned, disliking Camille’s train of thought. "She would sacrifice her happiness to keep up a façade? Sooner or later, there will be another marriage the young ladies fawn over. Then what? Being seen as perfect is not worth staying in an unhappy marriage."
Damien leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Who are we to say it is unhappy? Many have arrangements to turn a blind eye to what their spouses do. In some marriages, women of higher status even hold the power to engage in affairs themselves."
Eloise shivered at the thought. "Do you think Camille knows and has been turning a blind eye? Pretending her marriage is still perfect?"
Damien shook his head. "I don’t believe she knows or suspects. We cannot assume it is an affair without evidence. Still, I think there is a secret, for there is no reason for him to be away so often."
Damien continued, "He is far busier than I am, though I carry far more responsibilities. As organised as I am, that should not be the case. Unless his business is failing. I shall look into it."
Eloise’s fingers tightened around his hand. "And when you uncover what he has been hiding, what will you do?"
"Reveal it to those fools to silence them. Camille’s weakness is her desire to appear perfect. If you expose one flaw, she will keep her mouth shut."
Eloise’s eyes searched his face, troubled. "So far, I have only witnessed Camille continuing to push at us. Are you certain she would not keep poking at us, even to keep her secrets hidden?"
"For others, she would," Damien replied with certainty. "But she knows that with me, I have no hesitation in plastering her secrets across the town."
Eloise poked at his hand. "And what of all the acts you committed to protect your family? Does she know any of them? I don’t want her response to be exposing you to the town guards, and then you are taken from my side."
Damien wasn’t worried. "Like others, all she can do is assume. I never spoke of what I did with my siblings, so why would I have told her? I know to be careful."
"There are so many that you must be careful?" Eloise asked with unease evident in her tone.
"We have a deal not to speak of what I do. Have you forgotten?" Damien asked.
"I have not forgotten," Eloise whispered, remembering her request. "I only worry it might come back to you. I truly don’t ever want there to come a day when the town guards come knocking at our door, and you are taken away from me."
The thought alone upset Eloise and left a bit of fear.
"There won’t come a day when that happens. I’ve not had to take care of anyone of late," Damien assured her, his voice carrying a calm certainty.
"Is it because of me that you have been calm?" Eloise asked, finding pleasure in the thought.
"No," Damien said, enjoying the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "You always amuse me. There hasn’t been anyone requiring that fate of late. I am still uncertain if Camille or her husband will escape it."
Eloise’s heart sank. "I hope they can be wise before they lead themselves down the wrong path. Have you heard from your other relatives? I thought that after what occurred, others would have shown or written to you by now."
"I always get letters from the others," Damien replied, uninterested in them. "But I rarely respond, since they speak of matters that don’t concern them. I am not worried about my family, so you shouldn’t be either. I won’t allow any of them to get close to you with their unwanted opinions."
"I am not worried about myself," Eloise said, thinking only about Damien. "I worry more about them upsetting you. I shall remain the positive one and hope they do not come to you. There shouldn’t be any more arguing within the estate. Do it outside."
Damien flashed an unsettling smile that made Eloise’s stomach twist. To him, her words gave reason to punish anyone who dared defy her wishes.
Eloise felt uneasy under his gaze and by his smile. "You are scaring me with your smile. I cannot think what I said to cause you to smile so much. Are you unwell?"
Eloise placed the back of her hand to his forehead.
"No," Damien replied, though he leaned into her hand, savouring her warmth. "You are not getting me with that medicine again. How cruel of you."
Eloise kept her hand still for Damien to enjoy. "I was thinking there is a matter with your mind, not your body alone, Damien. It frightens me what you took from my words. Will you join me for a walk?" She lowered her hand, offering it for him to hold.
Damien clasped her hand, agreeing without a second thought. "It is an offer I cannot refuse."