Chapter 287: Reece’s return [2]
"We can plan to work this out together so we will both be well. Your wife must be worried about you, so I don’t want to keep you in town for too long. I don’t want you to be dragged into the problems our parents caused and end up forced to stay here," Iris said, worried Reece might never leave.
"I will take care of Iris, so you don’t need to worry," Eloise added, trying to convince Reece. "It’s not safe for you to be travelling around with that money, especially when your mother knows you have it. You must prepare to go home."
Eloise wouldn’t be surprised if Agatha made plans for the money which did not belong to her. Though Reece was her favourite child, would he now be spared from her cruelty when he wasn’t listening to her?
"I will do so soon," Reece replied, but his tone of voice wasn’t convincing. "But I must search for our mother first. I must know that she is well before I leave. You know I cannot abandon her. She is cruel, but she is still my mother. Could I leave the money here?"
Reece walked back to the door, reaching for the bag.
"You can," Eloise assured him. "I will have Damien place it somewhere safe. Where are you staying?"
Eloise worried that Reece had nowhere to rest or that he was sleeping in the home with all the smoke still lingering.
"With a friend. I’ve been sleeping on his floor, but today I’m going to see if I can repair what was destroyed by the fire. I might be able to salvage the home, put it back in good order. I was told it was mostly the front that caught fire," Reece explained, but he lacked confidence as he caught the look on both women’s faces.
"What? Have you heard it cannot be saved?" Reece asked, hoping that was not the case.
"It is not that," Iris admitted softly. "The home doesn’t belong to us at the moment. It is in the hands of a Countess close to Eloise. It seems that, to show he would pay back his debts, he put our home on the line."
Reece’s jaw tightened. He placed his hands on his hips and turned away, muttering a curse under his breath.
"It will be given to me, and I shall pass it on to Iris or you," Eloise assured him quickly. "I don’t need it."
"Yes, the Countess doesn’t plan to hold onto it," Iris added. "You can take the home and do whatever you wish with it. I would be happy if you moved back to town. I know your wife’s family is away, but can’t they visit here at times?"
Eloise glanced back at the stairs, taking a step away. Now that they knew Reece was safe, she thought it reasonable to return to Damien’s side. ’The water will get cold, ’ she told herself, inventing an excuse.
"I always wanted to bring my wife and her family here to meet you," Reece confessed. "But I needed to see how our parents would react. I will sort it all out once I’m settled in the home and find our mother. You mustn’t leave Eloise’s side, Iris."
"I know I shouldn’t leave. Why would I abandon the safety of the estate? I quit my work, so I must look for another. In the meantime, I’ll remain here, out of sight. Eloise," Iris turned to Eloise, smiling knowingly. "You may go. You wish to return to your husband."
Iris noticed it from the moment Eloise arrived.
"It is the way I am dressed," Eloise said quickly, trying to cover the front of her gown. "It is not appropriate."
"Your husband gifted you a pretty necklace, yet you think I’ll believe you’re hurrying back because of how you’re dressed? I may not be married, but I have the sense to know what is happening. You should hurry," Iris teased, shooing her away.
Iris noticed Eloise’s urgentness to return from where she came as soon as she had arrived. There wasn’t any need for Eloise to stand beside them.
"It is not as you think. I will come to see you soon, Reece. You must stay and enjoy some food," Eloise said, her words tumbling out as she hurried off.
Iris shook her head, amused. "Those two still act like newlyweds. I hope you see now that you don’t need to worry. We are both well here and don’t need you to linger."
"I see Eloise is well, and I know you’ll be safe at her side. But who is this man courting you? I must be introduced to him before it goes further," Reece said, only now realising what Iris shared.
"Reece," Iris sighed. "Now is not the time to play big brother."
"Don’t sigh, Iris. I must meet this man, see if he is suited for you, if he is serious. You shouldn’t show interest simply because he is a friend of Lord Hawthorne. I must protect you," Reece insisted, his protective instincts showing.
"You don’t have the right to say this when you married in secret, and you even have a child on the way. Were you married before it occurred?" Iris asked, folding her arms.
"That isn’t going to work on me," Reece countered. "You cannot distract me from speaking about your admirer. I won’t run him off. I simply need to see that he is well suited for you."
Iris nodded reluctantly, though she had no intention of introducing the two men just yet.
Meanwhile, Eloise hurried back to the bedchamber. On her way, she passed maids carrying buckets of steaming water to fill her bath. Relief washed over her as she was not late.
Entering the chamber, she found Damien lying exactly where she had left him, gazing out of the window. Her smile widened at the sight of his obedience and quiet patience. She tried to tread lightly, blending in with the maids, but Damien turned his head as soon as she got near.
Eloise slipped onto the bed beside him. They would need to wait for the maids to finish, but she was content simply to be near him. "I have settled the matter with Reece," she said softly. "Now we truly won’t be disturbed."
"I’m surprised you went out dressed like that," Damien remarked, his eyes filled with amusement. "You’ve grown bold. Let us see how long it lasts once the maids leave the chamber."
Eloise laughed quietly, leaning closer to him. The warmth of his presence eased the tension she had carried from her conversation with Reece. She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his.