Chapter 89
“What?” Eloise leaned in for a closer look. In the corner of the wall was a drawing of a little figure–bald but wearing a dress and ridiculously high heels that looked more like stilts.
It reminded her of her childhood love of drawing. She’d even begged her morn to let her attend a year of her drawings were always terrible.
of art classes. But no matter how hard
hard she tried.
Her mom had gently told her, “Ellie, everyone has different talents. You… You just don’t have a talent for drawing.”
“This was probably something I drew when I was six,” Eloise said with a chuckle.
“So, I’m seeing the six–year–old you,” William replied.
Eloise paused, looking at William.
William pulled her close and lassed her lightly. “How could this not be a treasure?”
old me
Eloise smiled, wrapping her arms around him. “Then thank you for finding six–year–old me.”
They spent the entire afternoon in the old house, searching for traces of the past. Each time Elolve found something, she told William the story behind it. It should’ve been boring, but William listened with great interest.
Stepping outside and pausing by the gate to look back at the rundown house, Eloise no longer felt the cold emptiness she had before. Instead, a warm feeling spread through her. She’d brought William here, sharing the memories of her and her mom. They had reminisced and laughed inside the house. To Eloise, the house felt different now–there was someone here. He had brought warmth to the place.
“Let’s go,” William said, taking her hand and leading her outside. “I’ll have someone for the doors and windows, and then you can furnish the place. We can come here for weekends ance it’s ready. ”
Eloise looped her arm through William’s. “Sounds good!
“By the way, Mom called and asked if we’re going to their home for dinner,” William said
“Sure,” Eloise replied. “I haven’t been to their home yet.”
“It’ll be our home too from now on,” William said with a smile.
Robinson Estate and Cloudmere Residence were on opposite ends of the city, both located on the outskirts. The estate covered hundreds of acres.
“Why do you live so far from home?” Eloise asked, puzzled. It would have made sense if it were for work, but Cloudmere Residence was just as far from Robinson Tower.
William shrugged. “My dad and I have the same bad temper. We can’t avoid arguing when we’re together.”
Eloise had only met Charles once, at their wedding. Charles had silver hair, wore gold–rimmed glasses, and was tall and stout. He rarely smiled, always maintaining a solemn expression.
Robinson Estate was so vast that it had three gates. Past the first gate, they entered a grove of hickory trees. This season, the ground was carpeted golden–yellow leaves, swirling into the air as the car drove through.
with
Beyond the hickory grove, a maple forest came into view. William mentioned to Eloise that there were orchards along the road with several types of frust
After passing through the second gate, they entered a wide expanse of grassland. The hilly terrain of Kingsbury made the grassy undulate, stretching i beyond sight
After driving a bit further, they finally reached the third gate, where William stopped the car.
Getting out of the car, Eloise saw a white house ahead. The front yard was spacious, with staff bustling in and out.
“My parents live here,” William said. “Further in is my uncle’s place. He has three sons, each with their own house, and then their children have families of their own, so the family branches out from there. It’s a big family.”
“What about Liam?” Eloise asked. He was the only one she knew.
“He’s my uncle’s eldest grandson. We’re about the same age, but he’s a generation younger than me,” William explained.
It really was a huge family. Though Mavis had introduced her to everyone at the wedding, Eloise hadn’t managed to remember most of them.
As they entered, two housekeepers approached “Mr. William, Ms. Eloise,” one of them said. “Mrs. Robinson is waiting for you Ingered on Eloise and they both offered bright smiles.
Inside.” Their eyes
“Jenna and Angela, if you keep staring, you’ll scare Eloise away,” William joked. Obviously familiar with William’s teasing, they playfully pushed him aside, each taking one of Eloise’s arms and leading her into the house.
“Mrs. Robinson always talks about you,” Jenna said. “She says Mr. William is lucky to have married you
Eloise felt a little awloward and shy, and could only offer a smile.
“Mrs. Robinson really likes you,” Angela added.
Jenna and Angela led Eloise inside before going back to work just as Eloise breathed a sigh of relief, she spotted Lily in the living room. A flash of
Chapter 69
resentment crossed Lily’s eyes as she met Eloise’s gaze.
