Chapter 61 - Setting boundaries

Eloise Ayles and duke Raymond these two names became such a staple in the gossip amongst the people aboard the ship. Many came to see the new future duchess while some men still tried their luck at winning the new duchess's favor.

Eloise, on the other hand, was completely overwhelmed.

It had only been a week! A weekend she was over it!

The number of invites to personal balls and other tea parties had increased so much that the letters piled up in the corner of her room.

The ones who were entertained were her mum and Odette. They both found new pleasure in rejecting people's invitations for her. Weirdly, it gave them a sense of cheeriness.

"oh, this one is from Mrs. thumbless. Shall we attend their party dear?"

"Again, my answer is still a no," Eloise sighed, leaning against her bed. Her soft nightgown slid on her chest making her skin tingle. She gently touched the fabric with a smile. The silk sent from the duke was too abundant so her mother had them made into nightwear.

Now even when she was laying down on bed, she couldn't help but think of the kind duke.

Sighing, she rolled over and laid on the side. 'What can I do? I have to solve this issue right away. And for that I need to witness Raymond and Fred being together. Only then would my swaying heart stop wanting things it can't have."

She sat up straight. "I'm going to meet the duke."

Both Odette and her mum paused.

"I'm starting to hear things now." Madam Ayles tugged at Odette's hand.

"I think miss rally said that." then Odette's eyes went wide. "What if she's going there to reject him again?

"No! I can't let that happen."

"Shh madam, she might hear us," Odette looked up at her in fear.

Eloise gazed at them dully. "I can hear you guys very well. And I'm not going to reject this engagement... just going to confirm something," she stood and hurriedly threw on her chemise.

Dote came forward to assist in her clothing.

Soon Eloise was dressed up in a blue silk gown with that familiar white fur coat over her shoulder. As for her hair Odette left it free.

Eloise looked up at her, expecting her to move the brush. "Mmm what's going on? You're not doing that ugly hairstyle?"

"Actually, this is the trend now, miss." she said with a proud smirk.

"Oh..." Eloise secretly touched her hair with a smirk. 'it is just as ray said... it really became the trend... could that mean I can implement a lot of modern things? Maybe I can make bras a thing... maybe I can stop people from using lead powders… Ohhh I can do a lot f things' she smirkingly rubbed her hands.

Odette placed the brush down a bit loudly. "Miss you better not be thinking of naughty."

"What? I'm just thinking of implementing a few good things in this world"

"The world is good."

"Yeah, it is a long shot from good. I can maybe try to change it a bit. Hehhe who knew it was going to be so easy," Eloise shot up from her seat excitedly. "I'll talk to the duke about all my plans. ohh~ I have so many plans~"

She ran out in a hurry.

"Miss you left your shoes!!!" Odette ran after her with her shoes.

Eloise gazed back with a bright smile. "Its okay to be barefoot now and then. Who knows, maybe it would be a trend."

'"maybe people will call you crazy. Miss!" Odette shouted as she ran after her.

She giggled. "Who cares? I like being called crazy." She ran to the duke's study and paused for a second. She did not know why but her heart was racing like crazy.

Odette placed the shoes by her feet. "I don't care if the whole world calls you crazy, but you can't let the duke think you are crazy miss,"

"yeah, yeah fine," Eloise reluctantly wore her shoes.

And then she just stood there.

"aren't you going to knock miss?"

"Wait a bit… I need to catch my breath," Eloise took a few deep breaths but even so her racing heart did not slow down. 'What is wrong with me? God I am acting like a fucking teenager on crack... he is just a gay guy!'

Raymond stood on the other side of the door with a playful smile on his face. He could hear their conversation clearly from the other side but he still waited. he waited for her to knock. He wanted her to walk in on her own accord.

Eloise, he knew had always liked barging in whenever she wanted to.

But now she is standing out his door taking a deep breath,

Raymond placed his head on the door with a soft sigh. 'I'm nervous too…' he touched his chest. His frozen heart let out a few beats. 'Then let's be nervous together.'

"Ahem." Fred cleared his throat.

Raymond gazed back at him with a glare and shushed him. 'She might hear you." He mouthed.

Fred rolled his eyes. "Just open the door."

"no… let her come in," Raymond said in a whisper. "She smells nice." he sniffed the door.

"I can't help this…" Fred walked up to him, pushed him off the door and opened it.

Eloise, who was waiting anxiously, froze. "umm… ah… is the duke here?"

"He is here. but he is busy," he gazed at the man who had fallen to the ground.

"Ohh…. I'll get going then,"

"Wait I'm not busy!" Raymond shot up and ran to the door in a hurry "miss Eloise, mister Fred was just leaving,"

"No actually I'm not leaving," Fred walked in and sat on the sofa close to the window. "What a pleasant day we are having, miss Eloise,"

"y-yes.. very pleasant," Eloise awkwardly smiled and gazed at mister Raymond. "I came here to discuss about our future ventures. I have more ideas that could revolutionize our times… just need your support."

"First please sit," he led her up to the seat.

Eloise awkwardly gazed at mister Fred and then at the duke. "I was thinking of bras…"

"What are those," Raymond asked her with interest.

"Something a woman can wear instead of a corset. Its less restricting and gives more bust support. It can also promote good breathing and good organ strength. Do you know corsets shift your organs, still don't know why a woman would ever go through with this."

Raymond blushed red. he did not know why but his eyes suddenly shifted to her ample bosom that was slightly peeping out of her clothes. "I-is it really uncomfortable?"

"Yes! I beg Odette not to wear it but she insists that I wear one. If we can create a bra we don't have to go through that everyday torture,"

"w-we shall implement it then. What resources do you need Eloise,"

"a good seamstress and a bit of hemp cloth. Oh, we do need something we can mold. Something soft and easily pliable."

"Metal?"

"no, something soft…. I have to research on this more. Just wait a bit. we shall execute this soon," Eloise had to think of every single thing that she can use.

They can even make silk ones for those who can afford it as for the others hemp will do for now.

They can make padding with a bit of cotton sowed into a cloth but after a few washes it would lose its shape.

'What can I do to make it better?'

As she was thinking of this issue, her eyes fell on mister Fred who was gazing at her insistently. 'Miss Eloise, can I talk to you alone?"

Eloise Gazed at mister fed ad then at Raymond, who was frowning deeply. "it must be related to their secret,'

"Odette, can you fetch me the corset from my room?"

"Miss, why…"

"Shh, it's okay. Just go through deck four, none would be wiser," close consoled her.

After Odette left the room, Eloise sat up straight. "You can tell me everything Fred your secret is safe with me,"

"Do you release that Raymond is special? He can't show anyone his real self. At times, you must step in as his wife to take care of the situation."

Raymond would often times face situations where he had to eat human food. Fred had been the one helping him out in secret. Now as Raymond's wife, Eloise has to take up that duty.

"Fred!" Raymond grabbed his arm. "Stop it,"

"She has to know her duties,"

"I know my duties," Eloise intervened. "I know… so you don't have to fight about it."

All those unwanted feelings he had were washed away. She was left with a husk of a bitter feeling in her heart.

'It was not meant to be…. So, let's ignore it,'

She stood up with a cordial smile. "I'll have to research on materials needed so if you would please excuse me…"

"Eloise!" Raymond ran up to her. "Please you don't have to do anything. It's not up to you to protect me. I can."

"Mister Raymond. It is my duty to... so please be rest assured I will protect you."