Chapter 58 - Win Win

"I would like to court you,"

Eloise just stood there blinking. What did I just hear…. did he just say husband? Marriage?' she stepped back slightly and took a clear look at him.

The man looked very calm as he gazed down at her,

'no… he looks too calm. Maybe I just heard something wrong.' She scratched her bird's nest hair. "I think I need to get my ears cleaned. Haha, I just heard you mention marriage, Mister Raymond..."

"I…I did." Mister Raymond just looked slightly flustered at her questioning... "miss Eloise, I would like to court you with the intention of marriage."

"Whoa…. Whoa… Whoa!" she backed away completely into her room. "Mister Raymond are you even aware of what you talking about right now?"

"Yes, I want to marry you, miss Eloise."

"oh, my word, this is spectacular news. Madam Ayles who just entered the parlor exclaimed. She ran up to him and patted his arm. "I knew you will like our Eloise how can any man resist her? Look at her beauty."

Eloise wiped the eye bogger off her face. "What is going on here? do you guys like making fun of me."

"Hush Eloise. Young duke really has every intention of marrying you. In fact, his heart has been set on you from the moment you arrived on this ship. Is that not young duke?" she gazed up at him.

To all their surprise they watched the duke blush subtly. "Yes, you can say that."

"Huh?!" Eloise gazed at him. 'Okay I need to calm down. What is going on right now? Raymond wants to marry me? Me? Why?! He has no reason to!! he is gay!!!! Why else would he…...' her eyes fell on Mister Fred who was expressionlessly standing behind them.

'Fuck…. Raymond doesn't love me, in fact, he just wants me to be his decoy…'

ancient times did not allow gay people to love freely or live as happily as they wanted to. it was frowned upon and it is considered taboo.

A young man like duke Raymond would be questioned about his sexuality considering he is twenty-six years old without marrying.

So, this married probably is just a decoy.

'I'm a beard…...' Eloise thought about it for a second. 'Mister Raymond wants a beard while I want a man who I can trust with my finances and who would give me freedom... isn't this a great deal?!'

Eyes wide open she gazed up at him.

"Madam Ayles I would like to have some time alone with her. if you please." Raymond said suddenly.

"Of course, dear, we will be right near the window if you need me." Madam Ayles pulled Odette and gestured for Mister Fred to follow her to the corner of the room. There was a tea table close by to watch the scenery outside. They sat there looking out but their ears were wide open listening on in their conversation.

Eloise walked up to the duke. "Do you need to do this?"

Raymond gently held her hands. "I need to... because I need you, Eloise. I need you right now."

These exact words would have made anyone blush but to Eloise it sounded like a desperate plea.

'he needs me just as I need him… why don't we make a mutual deal with each other? Isn't that the best idea? As his duchess, I would have an ounce of power and freedom to do as I wish and the duke would be free to love Mister Fred. Its win win!'

She nodded lightly. "I need you to."

"y-you do?" Raymond's expressionless face bloomed into a bright smile. "I... I don't know what else to say except I'm flattered."

Eloise smiled up at I'm. "But does it have to be me? You can have anyone else you want."

Anyone would jump for the opportunity to be his fake wife. Even though it was a fake relationship the duchess will have a lot of control and power in the society. It is such a beneficial position.

That is why Eloise had no clue why the duke chose her.

Raymond moved a bit closer. "It can't be anyone else Eloise. no one else can do what you do."

Eloise was slightly proud listening to his declaration. 'Ah he appreciates my business talent!! Where else can I find a man like this? fuck this shit, I love gay people!' she wanted to throw herself into his arms and hug him.

That is exactly what she did.

Eloise hugged his stiff body tightly. "Thank you… thank you for everything,"

"You don't need to thank me." Raymond's awkward hands finally landed on her back, hugging her close to his body. But when he gazed at the others looking their way he immediately let go. "Ahem…. Would you like to have a walk around the deck…"

"yeah~ sure~" Eloise looped her hand around his arm. "Why don't we walk through the deck three? It's covered by the shade and you won't feel burdened by the sun."

Raymond felt his heart rate go up slightly. 'She is so thoughtful of me…. Eloise… she surprises me every moment of the day.' With a bright smile, he gazed back. "Madam Ayles can I take your daughter out on a promenade?"

"You can! You can. Odette, go with them!" she pushed the young amid their way.

Odette smilingly walked close. "I'll stay a bit far, miss." She subtly winked at her.

Eloise rolled her eyes. 'Poor girl doesn't know this is just a charade.' But soon her eyes fell on Mister Fred. He seemed to be in a dazed state. "Mister Fred."

"Hmmm..." Fred gazed up, blinking.

"You can Join us." She tugged at Raymond's arms. 'Come on, call your lover. This is your chance for you both to spend some quality time. with me in the middle, they won't even suspect that you are gay!'

Raymond confusedly gazed at his friend and then at Eloise. 'Maybe she is not comfortable enough to go alone with me.'

"You should join us,"

Fred shook his head. "I have something to do. I'll join you both in a while. Madam Ayles" He bowed and left the suite.

Raymond subtly smiled. 'Now I get to spend time with Eloise…'

Eloise on the other hand frowned slightly. 'Is Mister Fred upset? Any lover would be bound to be upset. Afterall their lover is going hand in hand with another girl,' she subtly removed her hand from his.

Raymond blankly looked down at her. "Is something wrong?"

"you're tall and my arms hurt to hold it like that,"

"Oh, we can hold hands like this." Raymond took her hand in his and gently held it in his palm. "Is this okay?"

Eloise gazed at the open doorway. "I think so…... shall we go now?"

"Yes definitely~" Raymond led her out of the room and out into deck three. As Eloise had mentioned it was dark like a tunnel here and there were not a lot of people around.

His still heart started to pound loudly in his chest. 'We… we are really alone…...why can't I breathe properly. I can't show how flustered I am.' He straightened up and stiffly walked with her.

Eloise gazed up with a small chuckle. "You don't have to be so stiff. Just chill." As she said this a young couple came ahead of them. "Quick hold my hand. let them see we are together,"

"definitely," Raymond held her hand and lovingly gazed at her.

Eloise looked so happy as she gazed up at him.

'This is what I've been missing all my life. why the heck did I even wait this long? No, I waited for the one. Eloise Ayles… I waited for her.' He took a deep breath and slowly his stiff body relaxed on its own. He slowly walked in her same stride.

Eloise was not short but she was not tall by any means. Her head only came up to his shoulders. And her small legs looked like it was having a hard time keeping up with his stride.

So, he slowed down exponentially to walk alongside her. Every step they took was in sync/

He loved it.

He loved it so much.

"Eloise…. T-thank you for accepting me..."

Eloise just waved her hand. "I have to thank you. You put me out of my misery. But Mister Raymond we have to talk out a few things before we start this."

Raymond seriously gazed down at her. "Yes."

"I want to own my own money. Anything I make on my business will be mine. Oh, I wish to have my mother live with me. I don't want her to stay all alone. Of course, Odette will be staying with me too." She gazed back at her little maid and smiled.

Odette winked at her cutely.

"Everything as you wish. I will Ayles support you, Eloise." Raymond gently squeezed her hand. "Always."

Eloise did not know why but her heart thudded loudly in her ears. She shook awake from the daydream. 'Stop imagining things with a gay man. you can't do that, you stupid heart. he is taken! Got it!'

She smiled cordially and nodded. "Thank you, Mister Raymond."

"Please call me Ray,"

"Ray… I will never intervene in your 'business' as well.' She winked at him.

Raymond smiled and nodded. 'I will not mind if she did,' he thought with a soft blush.