Chapter 334: Storm [1]
"My apologies for storming in, but you have a guest at the door. One who arrived without proper notice, yet I have decided to allow it. She and her escort may stay for an hour. Perhaps a little longer, if you do not trouble me," said Damien.
"I am speaking to you, Jane," he added after she didn’t move.
"I have a guest? Is it one of my peers? Which one?" Jane asked, rushing to the mirror, her fingers fussing with her hair as she checked her appearance.
"I thought we had established by now that I don’t keep a memory of their names," Damien replied, moving towards Eloise. "Bring her to your bedchamber, take the drawing room, or make use of the gardens."
"I shall go to the gardens so no one may intrude upon our conversations. May I have the servants prepare a light snack for us?" Jane asked, already halfway to the door.
"Do as you wish," Damien said.
"Thank you, Damien. This makes you my favourite brother today. Eloise, do consider what I said," Jane added before excusing herself from the chamber.
"What is it that you must consider?" Damien asked, settling beside Eloise. "Are you making bets?"
Eloise touched his arm. "Before you grow comfortable, I would prefer we return to the privacy of our chamber. Please," she pleaded softly.
Damien rose with her. "Why do I feel I might have saved you? What was it?"
Eloise linked her arm with his as they walked. "Jane was sharing her thoughts about us having children. Of how we should have at least two daughters along with a son."
"I see no issue with that," Damien said, agreeing with Jane.
"That isn’t where the trouble lies. She spoke of our absence in the gardens, saying it would bring on an heir if we were not disturbed. Then she asked if the act of making children was exciting," Eloise confessed, her cheeks warming at the memory.
"Well, is it? As your husband, I should know if it excites you as much as it does me," Damien teased, humoured by the panic in her eyes.
"That is not the point. She is growing older, and as we navigate our marriage, her curiosity will only deepen. I am fortunate her governess arrives in two days to take charge. Though the weather seems to be preparing for a storm," Eloise said, glancing out at the darkening sky.
"The clouds are changing. I had hoped for a pleasant season without storms. If it worsens, I will send Jane’s guest away sooner. We cannot allow her to remain in the estate," Damien said.
"That might have been the plan all along. I wouldn’t have come myself in such weather. I only hope Iris and Reece return from the prison before the rain begins. Do you know if Quinn and Kyle will be back?"
"I don’t. And I’d prefer we return to Jane’s words. We have time to address her curiosity about making a baby, but we should answer her thoughts about nieces now," Damien pressed.
"No. Speaking of it will only invite more questions. I know I am the lady of the estate and should take charge of such topics, but I will cast this one to you. You will not struggle to explain it," Eloise said, satisfied with her decision.
"Eloise, we have been trying for a child since we agreed. If we are lucky, you will be pregnant before Jane’s season begins. What then, when her curiosity grows?" Damien asked.
"I shall let you speak to her. And if you refuse, I will go to the countryside alone so you are forced to do it," Eloise said, though she did not mean it.
"You cannot take my child to the countryside and leave me," Damien said, slipping his arm around her waist to pull her close. "I have two older brothers, so we can burden them with the task."
Eloise laughed, though she agreed. "You must hope none of her peers already know more than they should. I knew it took a man and woman lying together, but I knew little beyond that."
"With the changing days, young ladies will share more knowledge amongst themselves. I only worry Jane will repeat too much too soon, and then her peers’ mothers will come knocking at our gates," Eloise said.
"They may reach our gates, but not our doors. They cannot enter unless we permit them," Damien reminded her. "Since Jane is now occupied with her peer, should we-"
"No," Eloise cut him off. "Against my better judgment, I allowed you to convince me in the gardens, and now Jane has questions I do not wish to answer. Keep your eyes on the sky and return to your duties."
"You wound me," Damien said, lingering close. "I finished my tasks for the day and chose to give you my company. Most of those tasks concerned Hayden meddling where he shouldn’t."
"They have not given up yet? With our silence, I hoped they would grow bored. Camille’s gathering is soon. Fortunately, I shall be at Viola’s home with her guests. I only hope this weather passes so it will not be ruined," Eloise said, gazing out another window.
"If the weather is poor, you need only move the gathering. Or are you planning a distraction for Camille’s day?"
"No. I don’t want Viola’s efforts wasted. I may need to send for a coat. I enjoy the rain when it is not too heavy," Eloise said, already thinking of Iris needing one too.
"It sounds as though I should prepare to nurse you back to health when you fall ill. Perhaps that is your plan," Damien mused, imagining himself the patient with Eloise tending to him. "Excuse me. There is business I must see to in the garden."
Eloise watched as he walked ahead. "Jane is in the gardens, so she may think you are following her. Be mindful of the rain," she called after him, but he did not stop. "He is going to make himself sick," she whispered.