Chapter 271: Heartbreak [1]
Eloise stood in a corner, her back pressed against the stone wall, watching as Iris tugged Zayne away. She knew she had intruded upon a moment meant for them alone, and the thought of spoiling it made her stomach twist with guilt.
She leaned forward and poked her head out from behind the wall she had been hiding behind.
"Who are we stalking?" Kyle’s voice came from behind her.
Eloise screamed, her heart leaping violently as though it might burst from her chest.
Kyle’s hand shot forward, covering her mouth. "I apologise for frightening you, but if you are any louder and Damien hears it, I’ll be banished from the estate again."
Kyle lowered his hand once she had settled. "I wanted to see who you were watching. So, who is it?" He leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he peered past the wall. "It is Zayne, and who?"
"Iris Wilkins, my cousin," Eloise replied, pressing her hand against her chest to steady it. "You are far too light on your feet."
"It comes from years of sneaking out of the estate," Kyle said with a grin. "When did you find your cousin? Was I right in thinking you had her hidden away so her mother wouldn’t discover her? I should have made the wager with Quinn."
"You would have lost your money. It was revealed this morning that Iris has been working for Zayne in secret. He knew she was my cousin but kept it hidden until she was ready to speak," Eloise explained.
"I see. What I don’t understand is why you’re trailing them so quietly. Are you planning to prank them for worrying you so much?" Kyle asked, in a boyish tone.
"No. I don’t think I should tell you the reason," Eloise murmured. Her mind whispered that he would twist her words if she gave him too much.
"I am good at keeping secrets, Eloise. I know all my siblings’ secrets, and I have not revealed them. At least not until the time is right," Kyle said with a sly smile.
"You mean when it suits you to use them for your own gain?" Eloise countered, seeing through his act. "I know you too well, Kyle. I won’t fall for this."
"You wound me," Kyle said dramatically, pressing his hand to his chest as though struck. "I thought I had proven myself to you. I’ve been working tirelessly to find a location for the business, and I did. I was going to surprise you by taking you there."
"You did? You truly have been working hard," Eloise said, her surprise genuine. "I will go with you to see it."
"But you are more focused on your cousin and Zayne," Kyle said, certain of her distraction. "Zayne isn’t dreadful. He is peculiar, yes, but not a bad gentleman. Your cousin would do well with him. You’re sneaking about as though she were your daughter."
"I care for her deeply. Perhaps I should leave her be, since she can manage herself. I don’t want Zayne to think I doubt he is a match for Iris. Yet I wonder if I give Iris my support, would that raise her status?" Eloise asked, eager to do so.
"If she has your backing, it should help her. You married my brother without any backing, and it worked out well for you," Kyle reminded her.
"It wasn’t wonderful at the start, but it has improved. I also have Viola to support me. That is it!" Eloise exclaimed, her eyes wide with sudden inspiration. "Thank you!"
Kyle blinked, baffled by how he had helped her, yet he clasped her hand and leapt with joy beside her.
"Why are you jumping?" Eloise asked, laughing despite herself as she joined him. Her laughter echoed softly in the corridor.
"I do not know. It felt necessary in the moment," Kyle replied, settling back down, though his grin lingered.
"What are you two doing?" Damien’s voice startled them.
Kyle released Eloise’s hand and turned. "Good morning, brother. How are you this fine morning?"
Damien approached Eloise. "It would be a good morning if only you were silent. Where have you blown in from?" he asked, taking Eloise’s hand.
"I was busy finding a place for the business I will run with Eloise. I’ve found a suitable location for you to inspect," Kyle said eagerly, his words tumbling out with pride.
"I will look in the morning, since we have guests now. You did not purchase it without my approval, did you?" Damien asked, worried about Kyle getting swindled.
"No, but I did use your name to hold it until you are ready. I haven’t spoken to anyone about the business yet, so I don’t make enemies, but I have been gathering what we’ll need," Kyle explained.
"Write it all down, and I will cross off what is unnecessary. You should busy yourself with it now," Damien said, dismissing Kyle with a wave of his hand.
"I know when I’m not wanted, so I won’t linger," Kyle said, preparing to leave. "By the way, your cousin and Zayne are no longer in sight."
"I will not follow them any longer, but I will soon send for them so everyone may be introduced to Iris. Be ready when a maid comes to you," Eloise instructed Kyle.
"Very well," Kyle replied, departing. "I’ll return once I’ve gathered everything."
"He’s rather excited," Eloise remarked softly. "That is good."
Damien focused on what Kyle spoke of about Zayne. "Were you following Iris and Zayne? They aren’t children. Leave them be so they can figure it out on their own."
"I approached them to say I was ready, but Zayne’s expression told me he didn’t want me to intrude. I watched from a distance, but I will leave them be," Eloise admitted, realising that she must let Iris choose her own path.
"If they come to care for one another, I will give Iris my support. I will do my best to elevate her status. And I have a wonderful idea," Eloise said, leaning close to Damien.
"Viola has always spoken of taking me in as her granddaughter. What if she were to do the same for Iris?" Eloise said, her heart swelling with hope. "If I ask nicely, I’m sure she would do it.
Damien thought the plan over, his expression unreadable, before finally nodding. "That would indeed change much for her. She would be able to move around the town better with a countess’s backing. You must hope that her mother wouldn’t suddenly arrive to reap the benefits."
Eloise frowned, forgetting this detail. "Knowing Agatha could show up might make Viola hesitant. I’ll have to do well to convince her."