Chapter 276: Rumours [1]
The hours passed with the two pairs enjoying each other’s company and then Eloise taking the time to introduce Iris to the siblings before preparing a table with food.
During their sit-down, a guest arrived at the estate.
Hannah approached the table where Eloise sat with her guests. She curtsied and said, "Lady Hawthorne, a guest is waiting for you at the front door. Countess Tompkins."
"Viola is here. I didn’t think she would come so soon," Eloise said, setting down her napkin as she rose gracefully. "Excuse me. I will bring her here."
Eloise walked away from the table with Hannah close behind. She went to the front door where Viola was seated.
"You are hard to find these days, Eloise. Have you been hiding from me?" Viola asked as she stood from her chair.
"I have not been doing it on purpose. I apologise for missing the time we were to sit together. You came back to town for me, and I have been awful in not sitting with you more often. I heard about your visit," Eloise said, greeting Viola with a warm embrace. "I’m sorry."
"Don’t apologise on behalf of that woman. Did she give you any trouble because of what I said? Is she here?" Viola asked, examining Eloise from head to toe. "There is more that I want to say to her."
"Camille is not here, and she won’t be here for some time. More happened after your talk with her. You mustn’t bring up her name before Damien or his sister for now," Eloise warned Viola.
Eloise didn’t want Viola to be the one to disturb the peace.
"Did she trouble someone? I knew that woman was up to no good after taking one look at her. She was looking down on you, and she tried to hide it. She looked puzzled that I was here for you rather than for your husband. I despise her," Viola said.
"You must calm yourself, Viola. It isn’t worth our time. Camille has buried herself in a hole, so there is no need for us to worry about her for now. I know this won’t end here, but let us not spend our day speaking of her," Eloise pleaded.
"Very well, but you must keep an eye on that snake. Don’t let her get too involved in matters concerning your marriage. She appears far too controlling. I should have told her more, but I will leave it at that. What caused you to leave the estate?" Viola asked, hoping it wasn’t the work of a relative.
"There was a bit of a misunderstanding between myself and Damien’s brother, but it is settled now. I went to my father’s home for a day and took Damien with me. It was nice to stay there and look after the house," Eloise shared.
"It is good that it is all settled. I went to see your uncle’s wife and ended up pulling her hair a little," Viola confessed, clenching her fist as though Agatha’s hair was still in her hand.
Eloise’s mouth fell open in shock. "You fought with Agatha?"
"I couldn’t hold back. Just seeing how she spoke and thinking of what you faced, I couldn’t restrain myself. I haven’t fought anyone in years, so I might not have done so well, but it made me feel better. I shared that I now have ownership of that home," Viola revealed.
Eloise stopped walking, turning to face Viola fully. "You do? But how?"
"I did a bit of asking around, my dear. It seems that to keep one of the men calm about getting back their money, your uncle offered ownership of the home. It was to be returned once the debt was settled, but with him imprisoned, that deal never ended," Viola explained.
"I didn’t know Clive was so foolish to do that. Is that why the house burned? Did you have some part in it?" Eloise asked as Damien’s theory echoed in her mind.
"Of course not. I was going to offer the home to you so you could do whatever you wished with it. They tried to do the same to you, so I made them feel what they were going to put you through. I went to force her out with the court, but the house was on fire. I didn’t do it," Viola claimed her innocence.
"I wish I had thought of it," Viola muttered under her breath. "But I know it would have disappointed you and placed you in a bad position with your cousins. I left once I saw the fire, and since then, I haven’t heard of that woman. It is the truth."
"I believe you. Then it is likely that she set the home on fire so you wouldn’t have it. I would have handed it back to Iris. She is currently here with a friend of my husband. We have sent out a group to search for her brother," Eloise shared, hopeful Reece would soon appear.
"Did you see a young man with her when you spoke to her?" Eloise asked.
"No, she was alone at the time. I didn’t do anything more than visit her home. I should have waited a bit longer to address her with you at my side. Now, you won’t be able to find her," Viola said, regretting acting so fast.
"That is fine. Now that I think about it, there is nothing for me to say to Agatha. My feelings won’t ever matter to her, and she won’t apologise to me. I welcome that she has vanished. The only person from my past I will ever focus on is Clive," Eloise said, and she was ready to do so.
"I think that is a swell idea. That woman has nothing to lose now, so she would only be a danger if you sat with her. I know you don’t want to speak of her, but I worry about how Camille shall treat you," Viola said, certain this battle was not over. "I must speak with some of my peers."
"To do what?" Eloise asked, her brow furrowing.
"To offer you some backing. She must see that you are not alone in high society. You must tell me all that happened, and why I cannot speak of her to your husband. I must know to be able to help you," Viola said, needing to be ahead of Camille.
"Then, it might be best that we sit alone without the men. My cousin Iris is here, so she will join us. It is about time that I introduce the two of you, and I have a favour to ask of you. I will send Damien and his friend away," Eloise decided.
"Send my apologies to Lord Hawthorne, but it is long overdue that I get to sit with you," Viola said, reaching for Eloise’s hand. "I have missed you."