"Iris, you have acted with Eloise to ruin this family," Agatha said, furious with Iris’s actions.

Iris laughed, thinking her mother was too dramatic. "Must you be so dramatic, mother? Eloise wanted to see her father, and I did not think it was fair to keep her away from him. If uncle is dying, why won’t you allow Eloise to be at his side?"

Iris did not understand her parents’ behaviour once she revealed why Eloise was missing. Her father acted as though his world was ending, and her mother was angry.

"Eloise will return to us in the morning once she has spent enough time with her father. You must put yourself in her shoes and consider her feelings. I plotted with her, so I shall bear the punishment with her. Though I believe a punishment is not needed," said Iris.

"You are to be punished. You acted behind our backs and did not speak of this plan. You are always to seek your father’s permission before you act. Now, you might have cost us everything," Agatha said, worried their plans would be uncovered.

"Cost us what? You act as though she has done more than gone to see her father. If you are afraid that Eloise shall not make it there safely, I assure you that we planned it all well. If it is that you are upset that I did not dance tonight, I will do what you ask without objection at the next ball," Iris offered.

Agatha sighed and looked at her foolish daughter. "Iris, sometimes you must think of yourself, and not have so much blind loyalty. You are to wed an eligible bachelor, and there are a few obstacles in your way. Your father and I removed one, but you placed it back before you."

"Mother, can you please say what it is that troubles you? What does this have to do with Eloise going to see her father?"

"Do you not hear the talk about her? She has caught the attention of the town, and many think she will find herself a suitable husband before you. Do you not think it is time to focus on yourself so you can do well?" Agatha asked.

"I have been doing all that you wanted, and I believe I am doing quite well. So what if Eloise marries before me? It is Eloise," Iris said, believing they should be happy.

"You silly girl. I see now that there is still much left for me to teach you. If it were the other way around, would she help you to this extent?" Agatha asked, hoping Iris would open her eyes.

"I know that if it were the other way around, Uncle Thomas wouldn’t stop me from seeing my father, and Eloise would help me. We have always been close, and it shall not change," Iris spoke with confidence.

"Be quiet. I will leave your father to deal with you. You must hope that he finds her and escorts her back safely. I don’t want you to ever act behind my back, and I will make sure you don’t," Agatha said, deciding to keep a better watch of Iris.

It had been a mistake to allow Iris to get so close to Eloise.

Now, Iris had left the ball without a dance, and Clive was worried Eloise would learn that her father was dead.

In the morning, Clive returned home without Eloise.

Agatha was the first one to greet him at the door. "Was she there?" She questioned, looking behind Clive for Eloise.

"No," Clive shook his head. "I went to knock on Millie’s door, but she would not answer me. None of the other neighbours saw her. I do not think she made it there."

"Well, that is good for us," Agatha said, her mood changing for the better. "I mean, I hope she returns safe and sound, but it is good she did not go to her father’s home. We shall find her, and when we do, we shall deliver the news in our way. You must also scold her."

"What were they thinking? I searched the town for her all night," Clive said, tired beyond imagination. "I do not know where she could be."

"Is it possible that she has a lover? Why else would a young lady run off? If she hasn’t gone to her father, I would think she has gone to meet with a gentleman. I hate thinking that she has used poor Iris," said Agatha.

"Eloise is not that kind of lady. Besides, I have already promised her to Percival, so it would not be wise for her to see another man. I will rest for a moment and go out again. What is it?" Clive asked, noticing Agatha’s wide-eyed expression.

"Is that not Lord Hawthorne’s carriage?" Agatha asked, in awe. "You must pinch me. Iris was not fortunate enough to dance with him last night, but she must have caught his attention. Is my appearance good?" She asked, her hand going to her hair.

"Do not fix it where they can see you. You must go to Iris and see to it that she is dressed well," Clive said, shooing Agatha.

Clive fixed his coat as he walked out to the carriage, but his excitement vanished when the door opened. "Eloise?" He whispered, horrified by her exiting the carriage behind Damien.

How had Eloise ended up in Damien’s carriage?

Clive was reluctant to approach the carriage. He turned back to the house, worried about how Agatha would react.

"Mr Wilkins," Damien greeted first. "Will you not come greet us, or have you forgotten the face of your dear niece?"

"Oh, you must forgive me. I have been away all night searching for Eloise and only now returned. My body is heavy with drowsiness. I thank you for returning her to me," Clive said, approaching the pair to take Eloise’s hand.

Clive looked up, puzzled by Damien moving to hold Eloise’s hand first.

"It appears her hand is spoken for," Damien said, raising Eloise’s hand for Clive to see. "Both by my hand and by engagement." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"E-engagement?" Clive stuttered. "Lord Hawthorne, my niece is engaged."

"Am I? You did not inform me that I was engaged, so when Lord Hawthorne proposed, I accepted it without second thoughts," Eloise said, gripping Damien’s hand as she held back from lashing out.

Eloise couldn’t look at Clive the same. Not only because he had murdered her father, but because he intended to send her off into the arms of a man who might have killed his first wife.

"Well, I-"

"We must go inside," Eloise cut off Clive. She pulled on Damien’s hand, taking him to the front door.