Chapter 405: To let go [1]

Damien returned with Kyle at his side.

"I heard the good news. I came to congratulate you," Kyle said, though he kept his distance. "I don’t want to come any closer, as I fear I might suddenly become clumsy. Does this mean I should take on the business alone?"

"No. I will be more involved to keep my promise to you. I hope you don’t mind if I start tomorrow, as I want to use this day to celebrate," Eloise said apologetically.

"Not at all. We should use this day to celebrate and drink. What?" Kyle asked, puzzled by why the others did not look pleased. "What did I say that was wrong?"

"Eloise cannot drink, yet you think we should celebrate with drinks? We would have to leave her out of the celebration, and Jane doesn’t drink," Quinn explained.

"Well, why did you not assume that I meant we would use water or juice? Even tea would suffice. Why did you assume I meant alcohol?" Kyle asked, placing his hands on his hips.

"Did you truly mean juice, Kyle? I can apologise if you meant it," Quinn said, though he knew that wasn’t the case.

"I might have thought of alcohol, but I knew she couldn’t have it. I wouldn’t offer her a drink with alcohol. I am going to find the butler and have some drinks prepared. Freshly squeezed juice!" Kyle exclaimed, pointing his finger at Quinn.

Quinn placed his hands in the air, giving up. "I don’t want to fight you, Kyle."

"I should go keep an eye on him, and I have a request for the kitchen as a surprise. Do not go far," Jane told Eloise.

Jane joined Kyle in going to see the butler.

"They have both grown just a little. What are you going to do now while you wait for them to return? I assume that Jane’s request will be to prepare a cake so we might have a little sweet treat. Should we go to the garden or to the dining chamber?" Quinn asked, waiting for Eloise’s decision.

"I would prefer the garden, but since I am on the brink of having the flu, the dining chamber sounds best," Eloise said, linking her arm with Damien’s so they could walk together.

"I feel the need to extend my stay in the estate to take on some of the duties," Quinn considered.

"You haven’t settled into your townhouse that long ago. If we need your help, I assure you that we will send for you," Eloise said.

"Still, I will stay a little longer before I return. If I leave now, it will only be Kyle and me there. There is so little of Kyle I can bear at a time," Quinn confessed. "Besides, I thought you would enjoy having us here for now."

"I do. I enjoy it since I know these days will change eventually," Eloise said, dreading the day. "If you wish to stay, then I won’t change your mind."

"It saddens me to think you shall return to your townhouse, Kyle will follow you, and Iris will eventually leave with Zayne," Eloise said.

The thought made her chest ache unexpectedly since she had grown accustomed to their constant presence.

"I assure you that if you ever made the offer for Zayne and me to live here, he would accept," Iris said jokingly.

"That offer shall never be made," Damien said, looking forward to peace.

"That we agree on. Never propose that he come live here," Iris requested of Damien. "The estate is lovely, but I don’t want to be in the way. I wonder what gift I can buy you in secret that wouldn’t draw suspicion."

"It is a kind thought, but I don’t need any gifts. Besides, we should wait to see that I don’t bleed before we rush into preparing gifts. That goes for you as well," Eloise said, turning to Damien.

"This family has become quite comfortable with each other to speak of bleeding," Quinn said, causing the women to laugh.

The next day, Eloise set out with Iris to meet Olivia for their planned outing.

Eloise rubbed her temple, still troubled by what it had cost her to get out of the estate.

"You find it to be troublesome, but I think it to be sweet. He is trying to keep the both of you safe, and it isn’t so strange to see you with four guards," Iris said, trying to put Eloise in a better mood.

"I do not think the queen is so protected. He gave away that we were trying by emptying the chamber. I love him and all that he does, but I assure you that Damien is going to be the one to draw suspicion," Eloise said.

A sigh escaped Eloise’s lips as she looked out at the bustling streets beyond the carriage window.

"Well, on the bright side, you may never let him forget it if he spoils the secret. I’m certain he thinks that one of his siblings will be the one to let it out. I should have made a bet on who I thought would do it," Iris said, regretting that she didn’t.

"I think it shall be Damien."

Iris looked outside at the people walking by as the carriage passed through the market.

Eloise followed her gaze and asked, "Are you searching for your mother?"

"Oh, no. I was hoping there wouldn’t be a crowd for your sake. It would have to be luck that I get to see her today so we could speak. Then again, I shouldn’t have my mother near you," Iris realised.

"I would stand back and allow you to speak to her. Do not think of me. Think of what you want and need. This outing is all about you," Eloise said, wanting that to remain the focus.

"I know. I don’t know where she works or rests her head, so I cannot think about meeting her now. I am going to focus on the wedding and getting to know Olivia. I want to stay on her good side," Iris said, taking her mind off Agatha.

"We are nearing the dress shop. I can hardly wait to see what kind of wedding dress you will have. It was kind of Olivia to make the offer to buy the dresses for you. We are here," Eloise said, spotting Olivia already out front. "She didn’t go inside without us."

Aiden came towards the door to open it and offered his hand to Eloise.

Before Eloise could accept Aiden’s help, Silas came forward to also offer his hand.

To keep the peace, Eloise accepted both of their help and stepped outside.

"That means my husband told the two of you," Eloise whispered.

"He did, Lady Hawthorne," Silas softly responded.

"How wonderful. Please remember to help Iris out of the carriage," Eloise said, turning back to Iris.

"Oh, don’t mind me. Let them cater to you," Iris said, stepping out without help. "I hope for a pleasant outing."