"You would not have arranged it if you did not know that we could do it.” Iris laughed at the turn of events. Now she was convincing Ewan that this was the right move for them. “You have planned this very carefully, you have ensured that your sister, and that your business is in order. We can do this; it is our chance to behappy.”
Iris knew this was the answer, it was the best way that she could have her happiness and her friend could keep her life too. Throughout all of this, there had been another half to the story, another version of events that she did not want to disturb. If Daisy had happiness, she did not want to ruin it. This way, she could find her happy ever after with her half of the tale, and Daisy could keep hers aswell.
“We can be happy,” Ewan smiled gleefully. “We can have everything that we’ve ever wanted. I must go and start arranging thingsnow...”
“Stop,” Iris giggled while pulled Ewan back to her. “You cannot do everything yet, we still have a lot to sort. Plus, tonight, unless you have forgotten, you are hosting your sister’s ball. You are very much in demand, and you need to ensure that Amy is being well taken care of in there. Work can cometomorrow.”
Ewan nodded, knowing that Iris was right. He leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips. Now that he knew they were about to be wed, and that they would restart their lives in another country, he felt no guilt whatsoever. She was his, and he was hers. Who cared if the worldknew?
“Right, Miss Iris, you are correct, of course. I shall go and be the dutiful host tonight, but you cannot blame me for myexcitement.”
“I am excitedtoo.”
Ewan gave Iris one last longing look, but eventually, he pulled himself away. He did not want to be anywhere else in the world, he wanted to remain with Iris to spend time with the woman he loved, but his duty came first. And for Amy he did notmind.
“I shall see you later on,” he promised. “Then tomorrow is a brand newday.”
Iris laughed as she watched Ewan walk away. For a moment she waited for regret to fill her up, but for some reason, it did not come. She no longer minded the escape, the idea of leaving everything that had ever terrified her behind. Of course, there were things that she would miss, people that she hated the idea of losing, but she needed to find her happiness and she knew that everyone in her life would agree. Maybe they would miss her, but they wanted her to behappy.
She practically skipped towards the kitchen to help out with any duties that needed completing, but just before she got there she found her feet taking a detour. She wanted to see Amy with this young Lord, she wanted to see any happiness on her face now that she had herown.
Iris pushed her face through the door and she spotted Amy in her bright blue dress swirling around her body. There was no Lord with her but there was a shining joy in her gaze which suggested that things were good. Really good,actually.
Amy sensed that eyes were upon her, and they did not belong to the wonderful Lord George Taylor, who had been sending shivers up and down her spine all nightlong.
As she turned her head, and she saw Iris giving her a smile, she immediately started walking towards her to share the good news. George was so amazing, so incredible, so perfect for her. She needed to share this news before she burst with itall.
Seeing Amy walk towards her, Iris remained where she was. She could recall that feeling herself, the flush of first love. Only she did not have anyone to share itwith.
“How are things going?” she asked quietly as Amy joined her. “I hear that you have been having a wonderfultime.”
“I have met the man that I want to marry,” she told Iris seriously. “He truly is kind and sweet, and he seems to feel the same way aboutme.”
"Well, how could he not? Look at you, you are wonderful. You lookbeautiful."
“Thanks toyou.”
Amy glanced down at the dress Iris had picked out for her, and she touched the hair that Iris had styled, she felt the confidence from the makeup that Iris had done for her. She had turned her into the beauty that could attract a man such as Lord GeorgeTaylor.
“I hope that you will find a lot of happiness with him,” Iris said very seriously. “You deserve all the joy in theworld.”
“If I am happy, then you and Ewan can be happy too.” Amy had been acutely aware of this all night long, not that it had affected her decision at all. She would have fallen for George no matter what. He gave her powerful butterflies. “You can go to America without worrying aboutme.”
Iris’s face broke into a smile. “Yes, Iknow.”
“Does that mean you will?” Amy honestly did not mind her brother and Iris moving across the world, as long as they were happy. She wanted this woman to be her sister-in-law whatever it took. “Are you consideringit?”
“I have always been considering it... but now I have told Ewan yes. I have told him that I would like to go to America to be withhim.”
“That is incredible news!” Amy gripped tightly onto Iris’s forearms. “I am so happy for the both of you, this is amazingnews.”
“Will he take care of you?” Iris suddenly turned serious, if only for a moment. “Will he love you properly and look after youforever?”
“Iris, I have learned so much from you,” Amy reassured her. “You have helped me to see what I want from my life and I know that George can give it to me. I know it is scary to jump into something new, but I know who I am and what I want, I know that this isright.”
Iris understood, she had seen the change in Amy, she had seen her become a confident young woman who could take control of her owndestiny.
“Then I am endlessly happy for you, and I wish you all the love in theworld.”
“And I you.” Amy hugged Iris and they both basked in the glory of joy for a few moments. “I just know that you will get it now. You and my brother will be happy forever. We all willnow.”
