Back in the countryside, Eloise remained alone while Damien and Jane were out of the manor, having their time together.

Hannah approached Eloise with a glass of water. ’Your water, Lady Hawthorne," she said, offering the glass. She examined the work Eloise did alone.

It was an odd sight to see a lady in the gardens, but Eloise didn’t stop smiling from the moment she came outside.

"Thank you," Eloise accepted the water. She lifted the hat on her head and looked around the garden as she brought the glass to her lips. "Does my presence here trouble the gardeners?"

"It is an odd sight for the workers, but they don’t want to be in your way. Should I tell them to move?" Hannah offered, looking at the group standing off to the side.

"No, that would be rude of me. My father was a groundsman and, at other times, a gardener, so he taught me a lot about gardens. It helps to clear my mind," Eloise said, handing Hannah back the almost empty glass. "I have disturbed the gardeners enough."

"If you wish to continue doing garden work, you may. This is your home, so you shouldn’t move because of the gardeners," Hannah informed Eloise.

Hannah flicked her wrist so the gardeners knew to move. "Lord Hawthorne said we are to do as you want today. You must relax, and I intend to have it be that way."

"Did my husband make you feel worried that you must have me relax, or there will be consequences?" Eloise asked, curious about what Damien told Hannah. "The servants all seem a bit nervous."

"No, Lady Hawthorne. Lord Hawthorne only asked that I take special care of you and ensure no one spoils the day. There were no consequences mentioned," Hannah promised.

"Good, because I-"

"Eloise?"

Eloise turned around after hearing a familiar voice. "Peter," she smiled warmly, waving to her old friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you. You caused quite the commotion by returning with a lord at your side. You’ve done quite well for yourself," Peter said, staring at the manor. "Who would’ve thought you would marry so high up?"

"I don’t like to put it that way," Eloise replied, taking off her gloves as she approached the stone wall. "My husband might be a lord, but he is quite normal. Well, normal might not be the best word."

"That doesn’t change that he is a wealthy man. I hear he is quite popular in the capital with a home the size of a castle," said Peter.

"It seems they speak of another man. The gossip is getting a bit out of hand. We do live on an estate, but it is not like a castle. You know how the ladies like to get carried away. Soon, they will say it is a prince, not a lord I married," Eloise said, followed by laughter.

"Still, it is surprising to see that this is your new life. I didn’t think you would marry so soon. It wasn’t on your mind," Peter said, sensing there was more to the gossip.

"My plans changed, but I wasn’t forced into this marriage if that is what you think. My husband is a good man, and I am happy with my marriage. Where is your wife?" Eloise questioned, turning the attention back to Peter. "Is she well? I haven’t gotten the chance to say hello."

"She must be in the market, listening to all the stories about you. You should join us for dinner before you leave. You might need to tell your husband that my home is quite small-"

"Peter," Eloise said, her tone sharp. "What are you doing? Why does it feel like you are angry with me for marrying a lord?"

"I am not angry with you, just surprised. One day, you say you aren’t ready for marriage, but then a lord comes along, and suddenly, you are ready for marriage. This isn’t you. The stories I am hearing aren’t you," Peter said, seeing a stranger before him.

"Am I not allowed to change my mind? Plenty of time has passed since I last lived here. I am well within my rights to change my mind. I was hoping this would be a happy reunion. Silly me," Eloise said, disappointed. "So what if I marry a lord? I am loved."

"I thought you weren’t like the other ladies, but I was wrong. Tell me honestly, did you marry him for love and not his wealth?" Peter questioned, certain it wasn’t all based on love. "What happened to wanting a quiet life? Life with a lord will never be peaceful."

Hannah didn’t like the man standing before Eloise. He was nosy and too judgmental.

It was moments like this when Hannah wished Lord Hawthorn were present.

Eloise took a deep breath. "I know what I said, and what I meant. I do have a quiet life with my husband, even if you do not believe it. When you selected the woman you married, I didn’t have any questions. I congratulated you."

"It would have been thoughtful of you to do the same, but it seems you have chosen to be childish. Everyone around us thought we would marry, but I never bore any feelings for you. Not because you weren’t wealthy, but because you were not the man for me," Eloise clarified.

"I pray for your wife’s sake that you are not always like this, and while the dinner offer was kind, I must decline. I don’t want to bore my husband with your questions and witness you judging him. I chose to keep you as a friend, never a lover," Eloise said, grateful she was never swayed.

Peter clenched his jaw. "I came here to offer my condolences about your father-"

"Yet you didn’t speak of him at first. You went right into questioning my marriage. I thank you for the condolences, but our talk must end here. It is a beautiful day, and I will not have it spoiled by you," Eloise said, eager to return to her gardening. "You are standing on my land."

"Your land?" Peter chuckled, amused by Eloise’s act. "You’ve truly changed."

"No," Eloise shook her head. "This is me being annoyed, and it is my land. I am Lady Hawthorne, and since you are no longer welcome in my presence, should you come any closer or trouble me, my guard there," she pointed at Aiden. "Will remove you."

"You might be an old friend, but you have placed me in a mood where I just might have him toss you from my home," Eloise warned Peter.