Chapter 24
Luckily for Iris,Amy woke up very early in the morning because she was so keen to say goodbye to her friend too. Iris had struggled to sleep because odd thoughts continually made her bolt upright in shock and terror, and one of the most prominent ones was the idea of leaving Amy alone forever more, so this little piece of closure was helpful. It wasn’t as good as a guarantee that she could return, but it would do fornow.
“I will miss you,” Amy announced while flinging her arms around Iris to embrace her wholly. Her warm body made Iris smile to herself. “You take care of yourself, Daisy. Bring yourself back to mesoon.”
“I will miss you too, but you shall barely notice me gone,” Iris insisted with tears in her eyes. “I will be back before you evennotice.”
“The house already feels sadder without you in it, but I shall befine.”
Iris knew that she would be, at least more so than when she’d arrived. When Iris first started working with Amy, she didn’t seem to know who she was, but now Amy seemed to have a much stronger sense of herself. It was wonderful tosee.
“Will you tell the other’s that I will see them soon, I did not get a chance this morning." In truth, she hadn't tried. Iris did not want to break down and weep in front of them. "I would really appreciatethat."
Plus, it was a chance for Amy to build a bond with some of the other staff... just incase.
"Oh, of course, I will pass your messageon.”
They shared a final goodbye, all in view of Ewan before Iris took a final deep breath and she turned to leave the Oakley household. Instead of the sensation that she was shaking off her shackles that she got when she left her own home, she felt like she was giving up somethingwonderful.
I will be back,she thought strongly inside her mind.Somehow, I’ll find a way to get backhere.
She turned before stepping into the carriage to take a final look at the house. Iris recalled feeling overwhelmed and terrified when she first arrived here, but now the house was her safe haven. She loved the large size of it, and the way that it had taken such good care ofher.
Yes, I will certainly find a way backhere.
“Are you ready to leave?” Ewan asked softly. “The drivers are ready whenever youare.”
“Yes.” Iris glanced up at him, wondering which version she would see of Ewan today. He was business-like and hard-faced, the opposite of his tone, just as she suspected. She should’ve guessed she wouldn’t find any kindness today. “I amready.”
The driver took her hand and he helped Iris to step into the carriage, which reminded her of her days as a lady. She hadn’t had anything done for her in a very long time, and it was surprisingly nice. She gave the driver a smile and thanked him for his kindness. Iris couldn't ever recall doing that before when she was a lady, but she hoped that she had. She did not want to think of herself as ungrateful, even if it wasunintentional.
Then she gazed out of the window and she watched the world pass her by. Iris saw the sights that she’d already seen once before, only this time in reverse, and again she was left with the sense that she had no idea what would happen next. Everything could change and who knew which was it’dgo.
Elizabeth, I have something to tell you... Elizabeth, I have some shocking news to discuss with you... Elizabeth, we need to talk. I have to tell you about something that Daisy and I have done... It is not as bad as it seems, please, just allow me toexplain...
No, there was no way to start that conversation in a way that wouldn’t freak her out. Iris just hoped that instinct would jump in and she’d quickly find a way to calm Elizabeth down while she explained it all perfectly. The reasoning behind the switch was solid, Iris knew that it was the best thing for her, but discussing that with someone else scaredher.
At least Elizabeth knew her well and she understood her fears. Actually, the fact that she'd managed to run away from the wedding would probably come as less of a surprise than if she'd gone through with it. Maybe she'd even be pleased, after all, it was she who warned her against theDuke.
Maybe.
* * *
Iris satacross from Ewan in the pub, with a plate of beef and vegetables in front of her, feeling more awkward than she’d ever done before. This should’ve been a little normal to her, people in her position should be much more accustomed to eating in public, but Iris did not feel thatway.
Was it because she had spent most of her life locked away from the rest of the world, or was it because she was all but alone in the presence of an unmarried man? An act that was surely unacceptable? The drivers were sitting at the bar to eat their own meals, but aside from that, the place was almost empty. No one had even bothered to glance their way, despite how strange they must have looked. It seemed the only one who felt any concern was Iris, but she couldn’t get rid ofit.
The pub had a warm, rustic feel to it. The bottles of liquor were lit up and highlighted, giving a reddish glow that contrasted well with the chequered black and white tiled floor. It felt like it was supposed to be inviting, but Iris had too many of her own issues to truly feel thatway.
Despite all of that, Iris couldn’t help thinking that this was the best opportunity she was going to get to really discuss things with Ewan. She felt compelled to talk about things that had gone between them, even if he did shut her down rapidly the last time. Maybe that was only because they were in his home where they could be overheard, unlike here. There wasn’t anyone listening to them rightnow.
They would never be as alone as they were in that moment, and there had to be some reason that Ewan had insisted on coming along on the journey with her. Maybe he just wanted her to bring it up. Maybe, in a gentlemanly way, Ewan wanted to ensure that Iris did not mind talking aboutit.
She truly didn’t mind. She felt like she might burst if theydidn’t.
They’d shared a moment in her home that was far too intimate, and now this felt like another. Therehadto be some sort of conversation about what it all meant, wasn’tthere?
“Ew... Lord Oakley?” she asked quietly. “Do you mind if I say something toyou?”
