Chapter 382: Introductions [1]

Meanwhile, Iris stepped out of her chamber as she needed to deliver the letter to Zayne.

She took her time, observing the old portraits of the siblings’ parents.

Iris stopped before one portrait of the former Lady Hawthorne and read, "Isabelle Hawthorne."

Iris looked closely at the portrait, noticing how Lord Hawthorne’s eyes were fixed on his wife as she watched the young Damien in her arms.

"I would have hanged Hayden," Iris muttered bitterly. "Another lovely couple taken so soon. Must I keep my other relatives at a distance?"

"I’m thinking too far ahead," Iris said, tapping her cheeks. "We must first get over our troubles. Oh! Hannah!" Iris called to Eloise’s maid. "Are you on your way to see Lady Hawthorne? I was hoping to get a letter sent out to Zayne Bailey’s residence."

"Miss Iris," Hannah greeted Iris with a curtsy. "Lady and Lord Hawthorne are having their bath, so I can have the letter sent out for you now."

Iris handed the letter to Hannah. "Thank you. Now I only need to wait for his arrival."

Iris turned her attention back to the portrait, deciding to admire the portraits while she waited.

"It won’t be long before there is another portrait like this," Iris whispered, imagining Eloise and Damien with their first child. "It would make the estate noisy, but then again, I wouldn’t be here to hear it."

Iris had grown so accustomed to living with Eloise that it now seemed so strange to think of living away from each other.

"I never thought those portraits required you to stare so much," said Zayne.

"They do because the art is so lovely," Iris replied. She looked at Zayne, then back at the portrait. "You!" She turned around. "What are you doing here? The letter to invite you here has not yet left the estate."

"I knew the time you would all be returning. I didn’t need a letter to remind me," Zayne said as he inched closer to Iris. "What I say now might feel like an ambush, but believe me that I did not intend for it to be so."

"What?" Iris asked, instantly worried.

"I spoke to my mother about our engagement and sitting together for introductions. That woman is quite impatient and followed me here," Zayne said with a sigh.

"Here? As in here in the estate at this present moment?" Iris inquired. She took a step back as the news hit her.

"Yes, this present moment. She wanted to see Damien as well and officially meet Eloise. Our families have always been close. She and Damien’s mother were close friends, which is the reason for the close friendship. Damien’s her little bird," Zayne said, still annoyed.

"Her what?" Iris asked, puzzled by the mention of a bird. She touched her forehead. "All that you have said up to now leaves me to believe this is all a dream. I’m still inside my chamber."

Zayne placed his hand on the wall to stop Iris from hitting her head. "It wouldn’t be wonderful if you appeared before my mother with a bruise on your head. While I’m flattered that you find it normal to dream of me, this is real."

"I can send my mother away. I told her about the current situation in the estate with what Hayden did. She would understand that this is not the time to meet with you," said Zayne.

"It is not that," Iris said, looking down at her dress. Her anxiety only grew as she smoothed the fabric. "I didn’t prepare myself. I’m even wearing one of Eloise’s dresses at the moment. I have dresses of my own that I can change into."

"That dress looks lovely on you, and my mother would be able to tell that you are dressing to impress her. Trust me, Iris. The moment you meet her, you’ll feel silly for ever being worried. Have you truly not seen her around town before?" Zayne asked.

"I have seen many of the people from high society from a distance. I don’t know what they are truly like up close. Very well," Iris said, accepting that today was the day. "I must get it over with quite soon if we are to go further."

"Wait, did you mention that I was your maid?" Iris asked, once again getting in her head.

"I did. I saw no reason to hide it from her. Was I not supposed to? It made perfect sense to her how we met."

Iris grew suspicious. "Your mother sounds a little too good to be true. She is so accepting of all of this. Truly?"

"I told you that she wanted me to get married. That surprises her more than anything else. She is a kind woman. Truly," Zayne promised.

"I shall take your word for it. If it were otherwise, I suspect Damien would have told Eloise, and she would have warned me. She can’t be scarier than your uncle. One look from him and I was ready to shy away behind my brother," Iris said.

Zayne frowned. "Wait. When did you meet my uncle?"

"I saw him in passing at the prison. He is a scary man, but I suppose it is necessary for his job. Let us go see your mother before my nerves get the best of me. I have no choice but to entertain her since Damien and Eloise are busy," Iris shared.

"Those two," Zayne said, shaking his head. "They could not wait a moment longer to greet me before they locked themselves away. Would it not be funny if we were to have a child before those two?"

"I suggest you not speak of a child before we are married. I am thankful that I cannot hear your thoughts," Iris said and felt her cheeks warm at the suggestion. "Tell me quickly what I can do to make your mother like me. What does she dislike in a young lady?" Iris asked quickly.

"You merely have to tell her that you want to marry her son and that you love me. That is all she will care about. Then tell her of your ties to Eloise, though I have told her already, and don’t mention that you once longed to be with Damien," Zayne advised Iris.

"Trust me. It is not a story I want to share with anyone," Iris said, troubled by the memory. "What about my family? Have you told her about the state they are in? I wouldn’t be upset if you did because I am nervous about sharing it," Iris confessed.

Zayne held Iris’s hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. "I have not spoken of it as yet, but I will tell her now so you don’t have to. You mustn’t worry, Iris. She will adore you."