Chapter 381: Better mood [3]

Eloise inspected all the jewellery Damien had selected for her, then carefully placed them back in the jewellery box.

"I have been thinking that I should make dinner tonight. It would be a nice gesture since we are all back together, and Zayne will be joining us later. He must be thanked for helping you, and Iris wants to plan what they must do next," Eloise shared.

"I hate to trouble you with making dinner. We have the servants to do it," Damien said, preferring Eloise’s company at his side.

"Well, yes, but as I said, it would be a nice gesture. Perhaps if I baked, that would suffice," Eloise considered, stuck on a gesture for the siblings.

"For tomorrow, it might. For today, I would prefer your company at my side," Damien said, not yet wanting to part from her. "You were gone for a few days. While I admire the gesture, I would prefer you to be at my side. Just for today."

"I wasn’t thinking for a moment," Eloise admitted, realising her mistake. "Cooking would take me away for a few hours. I should do what you want. So," she said, waiting patiently for him to tell her.

"Lie with me," Damien said simply.

"Allow me to tidy the bed first," Eloise said, glancing back at her belongings scattered across the bed.

Damien held Eloise’s hand and lifted it to his lips. "Then join me for a bath while the maids tidy the chamber. You will join me, won’t you?"

Eloise had already bathed, and she was certain Damien had too, but she couldn’t bring herself to say no to him.

"Very well," Eloise agreed softly. "I’ll find Hannah to ask the maids to bring up warm water. I need to apologise as well for troubling them."

"I’ll find the maid for you. You only need to wait here," Damien said as he lowered her hand and let go.

"I was very wrong about you," Eloise said, shaking her head with a smile. "I need to place your mother’s jewellery in an appropriate place."

Eloise looked around the chamber for where she might set the box. She wanted it somewhere she could always see, yet not in plain sight.

"Should I place it beside my box?" Eloise wondered. "If some are to be left for children, should I place my parents’ old belongings inside?"

She opened the box as she walked to her dresser. Her mother’s old belongings paled in comparison to those of Damien’s mother, yet they held the same weight of memory for Eloise.

She set the box down, deciding she would add her mother’s keepsakes later.

Eloise started to put away the rest of her belongings to take away from some of the work the maids would need to do.

"I wonder what he has done to that chamber," Eloise whispered, her mind drifting back to the chamber meant for their first child.

She didn’t recall seeing any servants enter since it had been emptied. When had Damien found the time to go there?

"He is so impatient," Eloise murmured.

She returned to the bed to sit and wait for Damien.

It didn’t take long before Damien returned, followed by maids carrying water. Eloise felt guilty for troubling them.

"Good day, Lady Hawthorne," the maids said, stopping to greet her.

"Good day," Eloise returned the greeting with a smile. "Why does everyone seem to be in such a good mood?"

"Good day, Lady Hawthorne," Hannah greeted warmly. "We are all happy to have you back, and Lord Hawthorne was so kind to offer the maids a gift for bringing water for your bath."

"So you wouldn’t need to feel bad," Damien informed Eloise.

"I see. I hope that you have been well, Hannah. I have missed your company and can hardly wait to hear what you must share with me. I know the estate remains in good order thanks to you," Eloise said sincerely.

"You are too kind, Lady Hawthorne. I shall be near for when you are ready. I must see that your bath is well prepared," Hannah said, following the others into the bathing chamber.

Eloise smiled. "It was wonderful to be a guest at Viola’s home, but it is even better to be at home with all the familiar faces. I didn’t think the maids would miss my presence."

"You are Lady Hawthorne. Your presence will always be missed. I think they missed having you around more than they missed me," Damien said as he walked over to her.

"You say that to make me feel good, but I am quite certain they miss you most since you grew up here. I don’t mind if they do. Damien!" Eloise gasped as he started to remove his shirt. "The maids are not yet gone."

She stood quickly, holding his shirt together. "You must wait until they are gone. You must be decent."

"Your possessive side is showing, Eloise. The maids keep their eyes to the floor when they enter our chamber. You are the only one thinking of them staring," Damien said, amused.

"Believe me. They do stare," Eloise insisted, keeping his shirt closed as the maids began to leave.

She looked up when she heard Damien laugh. "It is not-"

A kiss on her lips silenced her.

"Your habits are the reason that I love you," Damien said, thoroughly amused by Eloise.

"I was only trying to keep you decent," Eloise said just as the doors closed behind the maids.

"A pity I forgot to inform Hannah that no one is to come to our chamber now," Damien said, moving his right hand to caress Eloise’s face. "About that offer to distract me. Have you considered it now?"

"We are to be bathing together," Eloise reminded him.

"Oh, yes we are, but surely we wouldn’t waste a good moment only bathing ourselves. After a few days apart from each other, we must make ourselves well acquainted again. Wouldn’t you agree?" Damien asked, slipping his arm around her waist.

Eloise gave in. "Thank goodness you have not magically changed since we have been away. I would have been disappointed. If we are to become thoroughly well acquainted with each other, then I suggest you hurry to lock the door."

She now helped Damien finish taking off his shirt. "We both know that it won’t be long before your siblings grow tired of each other and turn to bother you. That would disturb the act of making a child and prolong any use of the chamber you are decorating."

"You are not toying with me, are you?" Damien asked, surprised she agreed so fast.

"I suggest you go lock the door and find out, Damien. I will be waiting for you. And Damien, if the water is already turning cold, I shall not-" Eloise paused as he moved swiftly to lock the door. "Join you," she finished.