Chapter 323: Bad news [4]
"It was, but had I known you and Iris would come to have feelings for one another, I would never have involved you at all. All of that happened well before you began courting her, but I’ll take full responsibility for it, so she isn’t angry with you," Damien said, a rare moment of guilt heard in his tone.
Zayne looked away from Iris, already dreading how she might react once she learned the truth. "I know it was all before. I just wish I’d remembered it sooner, before things went this far. She’s not going to take it well, is she? Eloise?"
"I honestly can’t tell you how Iris will take any of this," Eloise admitted, remembering what Reece said earlier. "You only did it because Damien asked you to. It’s an unfair position for you to be in, but when the time is right, you can be honest with her. Though Iris may not want to hear the whole story."
"I can’t keep it from her," Zayne said, a knot of dread tightening in his chest.
"And you shouldn’t. But I fear it would be too much to place on her right now. If she wants you near, then be near. We can find the right day to share what happened later. For now, let’s let them focus on seeing their father," Eloise suggested.
Zayne couldn’t shake the growing fear that once Iris learned the truth, he’d lose her, though, in this moment, he didn’t even have her.
"I am sorry for putting you in this position," Damien apologised, genuinely sorry for Zayne. "I’ll do everything I can so your courtship with her isn’t spoiled by it. Once things have settled, as Eloise says, allow me to speak with Iris first."
"I’m certain it will go well once she understands you were only helping a friend, not acting out of anger towards her father. I know it’s difficult, but you must wait for her emotions to settle first. Iris might react in a way she’ll later regret," said Eloise.
"All she seems to want right now is her brother," Damien said, joining Eloise in trying to steady Zayne’s nerves. "Give her a little time before you approach. You’re welcome to stay close by, but be careful."
Zayne felt his heart sink the moment Iris began walking towards him, her eyes still glassy with unshed tears.
"I’m sure Eloise has already told you both. I am well," Iris promised, though her voice betrayed her. "For what he did, I always knew something like this was coming."
"I don’t believe it was mere coincidence," she said, glancing towards Damien. "But I don’t wish to know the truth of it. I’d rather live believing it was an accident or the heaven’s way of punishing him for his crimes."
Zayne looked to Eloise, wondering whether that included his own part in what had happened.
Iris noticed the silence between them and sensed there was more they weren’t saying. "I don’t want to hear any of it. If we’re all to remain close, I’d rather not hear the stories behind it. I want my life to carry on as it is now, with all of you still in it."
"Is that truly so much to ask?" Iris said as the silence became uncomfortable. "I heard Eloise mention wine earlier. Might I have a little?"
"I don’t think that’s a wise idea," Reece said, stepping forward. "You tend to go running off when you drink wine, and I’m in no mood to chase you across the grounds."
"I do no such thing," Iris denied, though the faint flush on her cheeks suggested otherwise.
"I have time to spare to linger about the estate. If she runs, I’ll happily catch her," Zayne offered.
"My brother does love to be dramatic when he tells stories. I do not run," Iris said with her chin lifted.
"You do. Both you and Eloise," Reece said.
"That isn’t true, and I’ve no interest in standing here arguing about it. I have two options at present. Return to my chamber, sit alone with my thoughts, and eventually cry, or stay with all of you and keep myself distracted instead. I much prefer the latter," Iris said, glancing towards Eloise for the wine.
"I’ll instruct the butler to bring out a good bottle," Damien said, already turning to leave the group.
"Will you be staying, or must you go?" Iris asked Reece, hoping he would remain by her side a while longer.
"If you’re set on drinking, then I must stay to help chase you down afterwards. And I couldn’t leave you alone at a time like this regardless. Eloise, might I trouble you for a spare chamber?" Reece asked.
"Of course. And you as well, Zayne. We should all stay together now," Eloise said. "I’ll go and help Damien with the wine," she added, wanting to give Iris a moment of privacy first.
"Wait!" Iris called, stopping Eloise. "I’m sorry for not meeting your eyes properly earlier. Can the two of you leave us for a moment?" she asked, glancing towards Zayne and Reece.
The two men stepped back, out of earshot, giving the cousins the privacy Iris had asked for.
Iris held Eloise’s hands. "I am not angry with you, nor do I want any distance between us. I thought at first it might be too uncomfortable to stand beside you, but aside from Reece, you’re the only one I truly want near me right now. Please don’t pull away from me."
"I won’t," Eloise answered, relieved that Iris still wanted her close. "I’ll honour your request and say nothing of it. Damien won’t either. You’ll hear no delight from either of us over any of this."
"Thank you. You don’t need to be so kind to me, but I am grateful. Now, will you join me for a drink?" Iris asked.
Eloise hesitated. "Iris, Reece isn’t entirely wrong about how you get when you’ve had too much. About how we both get, if I’m honest. Which is exactly why, if I must drink at all, I’ll only have a little. We do have a habit of finding trouble together."
"That’s true, but you’re forgetting one important detail. We now have two rather handsome men available to chase after us. I need something, anything, to take my mind off tomorrow’s visit with my father. Please, join me," Iris pleaded, her fingers tightening slightly around Eloise’s hand.
Eloise sighed. "This kind of pressure isn’t good for anyone. I’ll join you, but I won’t drink too much. I’d rather not have Damien witness the side of me that likes running about like a fool. He’d never let me live it down."
"I’m sure he won’t let you forget it," Iris said, her smile returning. "But he’ll remember the fun of it. Come with me," she said, pulling Eloise along beside her.