"How was it foolish?" Reece looked to Damien for an answer. He was doing the best he could for everyone.

"If Eloise and I had a simple life, and we were saving to have a roof over our heads and prepare for the arrival of our first child, I would not give away that money we need. My wife and child come first. I would have offered some money to help my mother, but not all of it," Damien explained why Reece was a fool.

"My wife has family there. They will allow us to stay with them while I start to save money again. All will be well," Reece assured Damien, though his voice carried a bit of uncertainty.

"So, not only will you be there with your in-laws, but you will be taking your mother there. Your mother, who is not the kindest of women. How long do you think your wife and her family will put up with your mother? I would want her out in the first hour," Damien admitted, his words cold as ice.

"Reece, I must agree that Agatha is a bit much to place on your wife’s family. Perhaps you shouldn’t give her all the money. See what can be sold from your father’s home and sell it," Eloise advised, her voice soft but practical.

Damien watched carefully, waiting for the moment Reece would ask Eloise for money.

"I was hoping to pay off the men with the money I brought and then keep the money from selling our home to start saving again. This is the only choice I am left with. My wife agreed for me to stay a few weeks to prepare the move," Reece said, though even he seemed doubtful now.

"Your wife seems to be very understanding. I don’t think it will last," Eloise said honestly, her eyes filled with concern. "Agatha wants you to marry a young lady who can offer her some comfort. Unless your wife has some wealth, Agatha will not be pleased."

"I know. I know that she won’t be happy," Reece said, pushing his hair back out of his face, his shoulders heavy with worry. "I am trying to think."

"Reece, we both know that you are going to have to share this with your mother soon. She will keep pushing for you to marry this young lady and trying to force Iris to marry the gentleman. Are you trying to keep it a secret until the home is sold?" Eloise inquired, hoping that wasn’t the case.

"I am," Reece admitted. "Already, she won’t come with me so easily, and once she hears that I have married, she will want to stay. If she has nothing to turn back to, she would leave town."

"It also means that she will make life difficult for your wife’s family. There is so much more to consider in your plans. First, you must tell her about your wife and child. You have reached the point that you cannot hide this anymore," Eloise said, certain the young lady wanted to be known.

"If Damien were to hide me from his family, no matter how awful they are, it would slowly affect me. Your wife is already quite understanding. Don’t hide her for much longer. What is her name?" Eloise asked, giving Reece the chance to open up.

"Her name is Juliet Wilkins. She is a kind and understanding woman. I wish that I could bring her here with me, but there is too much of a mess for me to fix. I must write to her that Iris is missing and continue my search," Reece said, standing up.

He hoped to find Iris soon, to return to his wife.

"I don’t know where to find Iris. We have searched all over the town and have not gotten the faintest clue of where she could be. Are you certain you don’t know where she is?" Reece asked, hopeful that Eloise held the answer.

"I’m afraid I don’t. There aren’t any letters from her, and I wasn’t here to know if she visited. I have not long returned from the countryside with Damien and his sister. I could send letters to all her peers," Eloise offered, but even then she knew there might be a dead end.

"We have already visited their homes, and she is not there. Iris doesn’t want to be found, and I don’t blame her after knowing of my mother wanting to marry her off. I only wish that she had told us where she was going so we knew she was safe," Reece explained, followed by a sigh.

"I am confident that in time Iris will reach out to us. She knows that once news of her being missing gets out, we will be searching for her. She might be closer than we think, but we are overlooking it. I will try to think of where Iris would go in the meantime," Eloise promised.

"Thank you. I wish I could stay for much longer, but I must continue the search and find food for my mother. I will tell her about Juliet soon and write to let you know how it went. Unless I am permitted to visit again?" Reece asked, directing his question at Damien. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I want to hear how your mother takes the news of your marriage, so you will be permitted to visit again," Damien allowed, standing to see Reece off. "As long as you don’t show up unannounced one too many times, I can tolerate you."

"I should be upset, but it is a start. Do look after Eloise while I am away, Lord Hawthorne. She is dear to me," Reece said, though he knew he had nothing to worry about. "You don’t have to see me off, Eloise."

"Do you have a way to return home?" Eloise questioned as she stood up.

"There are plenty of carriages and carts being pulled outside the estate. I can-"

"No," Eloise stopped Reece in his tracks. "Damien, we will find Reece a way home, right?"

"We shall," Damien answered, eager to rid himself of Reece so he could have Eloise to himself.

"I will see you off, then go back to my guests," Eloise said, wanting to spend a little more time with Reece.

Damien raised his brow. "Guest? What guest do we have here?"

"Oh, Rosalie is here. She came to speak about her marriage, or rather, her divorce. There is much to be shared with you, along with the fact she might be sleeping here tonight," Eloise said, flashing a smile meant to sway Damien.