After Iris's departure, Eloise returned to reading her book, using it to keep her mind off worrying about Iris's return home.
Soon, the hour for dinner was upon the estate, so Eloise got ready.
Damien entered the bedroom just as Eloise was brushing her hair. "We don't need to go down if you don't want to. We can have dinner here. Just you and me," he proposed.
Eloise set down her brush and stood up. "I am not going to hide, Damien. I want to have dinner at the table."
"How unfortunate. I wanted to be the only one to lay eyes on you," Damien said, admiring Eloise's appearance.
"You'll have to get over it in silence. I want to eat at the table as I always have done growing up, and you will join me," Eloise said, holding Damien's hand to drag him along.
"What was it you said about holding hands so often?"
"Damien, I will let go of your hand and refrain from letting you hold my hand if you bother me now," Eloise said in a warning tone.
"Yes, ma'am," Damien replied.
