Chapter 330: Bitter truth [1]
"Reece!" Iris called as she hurried back to the table where he rested. "Forgive me. I should have helped you to a bedchamber first."
Reece groaned, pressing a hand to his temple as the pounding in his head worsened with every sound. "You must be quiet, Iris. It is far too early in the morning for this, and you’ll wake father."
Iris’s concern vanished at his words. She struck the back of his head, but not hard enough to hurt him. "It is not early, and we no longer reside with our father. Why drink so much if you will only end up like this?"
"What are you talking about?" Reece muttered, his eyes still closed.
"What are you talking about, Reece? You were meant to be keeping an eye on Zayne and me. We have already sat together, and I saw him off. You are awful at your duty as an elder brother. I pray I don’t end up with a niece yet," Iris said, shaking her head.
"Wouldn’t it be better to leave him? It doesn’t look as though there will be rain," Jane remarked, tilting her head towards the sky. "There are always gardeners about, so he will be safe. He seems quite comfortable."
"I am tempted to leave him here as long as he won’t injure himself. I should move the bottles," Iris replied, gathering the remaining bottles with a sigh.
"Older brothers are quite the headache. You are fortunate to only have one, whilst I have three. Do you need any help?" Jane asked, her gaze lingering on a bottle she half‑considered taking.
"No. I don’t think Lord Hawthorne would be pleased to see you with a bottle," Iris said.
"Perhaps. Where are my brother and Eloise? Strangely, we haven’t seen them yet. Should I go and look for them-"
"No!" Iris exclaimed, startling Jane. "We should leave them be. After all, the estate needs an heir, does it not?"
"Certainly, but what does that have to do with finding them now? What if they have wandered off and gotten hurt? Or is it that Damien has prepared a romantic outing for the two of them?" Jane asked, her curiosity piqued by Iris’s reaction.
"Yes, that is it. With all the rumours and outside attacks, they scarcely have time alone. We mustn’t disturb them, and by doing so, the heir will come about. Or perhaps you’ll have a niece to follow in your steps," Iris said to sway Jane.
Jane considered it. "That does sound lovely. The estate needs more women than men. Now that we speak of this, if you marry Zayne, then it will only be Eloise and me left. Can’t you wait until my season arrives?"
"I most certainly will not. You’ve endured all these years with your brother, so you shall survive. Besides, I overheard the maids speaking of Quinn moving, and Kyle is rarely here. This is the time when your other brothers will not be present," Iris replied.
"I enjoy having more ladies around. With my aunt banned, that is one less woman. I must convince Eloise to attend a gathering with me soon. I am becoming bored out of my mind," Jane sighed, her shoulders drooping.
"She is planning one, so you only need to give her time. Then we shall meet with the countess as well. I am willing to offer myself as a distraction by letting you prepare me for the social event. I only need to put away these bottles first," Iris said, walking away from the table.
Jane followed closely. "That sounds well. I can help you select the finest dress for your first event."
"Thank you," Iris replied.
Together, Iris and Jane left Reece to rest and sober up.
As a new day came over the town, Iris and Reece set off to arrive at the prison by noon.
The guard inspected them and then led them down a dim corridor until they reached the door where Clive was kept apart from the other prisoners.
Iris longed to slow her steps, to delay the moment, but the guard’s pace forced her forward. Her nerves grew when she stopped before the door.
Reece entered first, rushing to the bed where Clive lay, while Iris lingered, her heart heavy with hesitation.
"Father, we are here," Reece said, his voice trembling as he lifted Clive’s shirt to reveal the dark stain of blood. "We are here with you."
Clive’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of his son’s voice. "Reece? Reece?"
"And Iris," Reece added, glancing back at his sister. He motioned for her to come forward. "We are both here. Don’t sit up since you are too injured."
"They stabbed me. They cornered me and did it. Do you have water?" Clive asked, his lips cracked.
"We don’t," Iris said, stepping closer to the small bed. "They didn’t allow us to bring our bags inside. Have you told the guards or doctor that you need water?"
Clive turned his face away, staying silent.
"Father, Iris is speaking to you-"
"Don’t," Iris interrupted. "He knows who speaks to him. He was perfectly well when speaking to you. He simply doesn’t want to speak to me. Isn’t that right, Father?"
"I am in too much pain to argue with you," Clive muttered, his gaze fixed on the wall. "They give us small rations of water each day. Reece, ask for water and give it to me. I am thirsty."
"I will try, but you must speak to Iris. She travelled all this way. She hasn’t done anything to deserve your silence," Reece tried to reason with Clive.
"She went against the family to work with Eloise. I should have listened to your mother when she warned me of Iris’s loyalty," Clive said coldly.
"I hold loyalty to all my family, and Eloise is my family. I could have unleashed my anger today, but I held back because I thought this reunion would be sweet. I should have spared myself the trouble of coming," Iris said, regretting that she put herself in this position.
"Iris," Reece said softly, trying to soothe the tension. "Now isn’t the time to fight."
"It is the time to fight, since it may be the last time together. He isn’t the slightest bit remorseful for what he brought upon this family. Worse still, he blames me," Iris said, her voice breaking. "I did not tell you to kill your brother or steal from him."
"You did not have to help Eloise," Clive retorted.
"You miss the point. You should never have harmed your brother!" Iris cried, unable to contain her emotions. "How could you lie on your deathbed and not have the decency to be apologetic?"