AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Three
Iris wanted to hide in her bedchamber, but also realized she couldn’t do any such thing. Her sister had demanded she socialize with everyone that attended the house party. Most of them would not arrive for a few more days, but there were guests already in the house. Which meant Iris would have to stop hiding and pretend she was happy to be attending the Christmastide celebration.
She sighed and then exited her bedchamber. Francesca planned to have afternoon tea in her favorite sitting room of the castle. They had arrived too late to join them the day before for tea, but Iris could go spend some time with her friends now. She adored Francesca, and Adeline was due to arrive soon. It also helped that Violet was there. In truth, there wasn’t much reason for her to avoid tea time. It was unlikely that the one person she wished to avoid would join them. The ladies would be left alone, at least this early on. Once everyone arrived, there would be guests all over the house doing a variety of activities.
Iris could not escape so easily then...
Her footsteps echoed through the corridor as she made her way to the sitting room. When she reached her destination, she pushed open the door. The tea service had not yet arrived, but her friends had. Francesca, Violet, and a woman Iris hadn’t met sat inside the room.
“Iris,” Francesca called out to her. “Come sit,” she patted the cushion on the settee next to her. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Iris did as the duchess asked and sat next to her. “Have I missed anything?” She didn’t know what they could possibly be discussing. It seemed like a reasonable question.
“Not much,” the lady she hadn’t recognized said. “I was complaining about my overprotective brother.”
“Oh?” Iris didn’t have a brother, so she didn’t know what that was like. “Who is your brother?”
“The Earl of Hampstead.” The lady wrinkled her nose. “He’s being his usually tedious self.”
Iris froze and stared at the young woman. This was the earl’s little sister. She had been aware he had a sister, but she never expected her to be in attendance. Iris did her best to remain calm. It was his sister, not him. She could handle this. “What is he doing that is so atrocious?” At least the earl was unlikely to openly snub his own sister.
“To quote him,” the lady began. “Calliope, you’re to stay away from Lord Goodland. He’s not for you.”
Before anyone could respond, a maid brought in the tea cart. Francesca dealt with the maid, then poured everyone tea. Once they all had cups in hand, they returned to the conversation. It was Violet that responded to Lady Calliope’s remarks. “He is being protective,” Violet told her. “But he has a good reason for it. If anyone knows the viscount, it is your brother. You should heed his advice.”
Lady Calliope sighed. “It’s not as if I set my cap for him.” She took a sip of her tea. “I was being polite, nothing more. I won’t officially have my come out until spring.” She shrugged. “I don’t plan on settling down with the first man that I cross paths with. I plan on enjoying my season.”
Iris had to smile at that. “As well you should.” She decided in that moment she liked Lady Calliope. “And don’t let your brother prevent you from doing so either.” She hoped Lady Calliope gave her brother a troublesome time as much as possible. It was a bit mean of her to wish it on him, but she never claimed to be a nice person.
“It has always been a goal of mine to drive him mad,” Lady Calliope admitted. “He’s too serious most of the time.” She set her tea down. “Especially this time of the year. It would do him good to find something to smile about. I wish he would consider marriage himself, but he’s so...” She shook her head. “I’ve said too much.”
In Iris’s opinion, she hadn’t said enough. She was insanely curious. What was it about Christmastide that made Lord Hampstead especially grumpy? She was about to ask when the door opened and Adeline, the Countess of Winchester, walked in. “Oh, good,” she began. “I didn’t miss tea.”
Her blonde curls were pinned elegantly on top of her head, and her cheeks were tinged pink. Probably from the cold. Francesca stood and hugged her cousin. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Not as much as I am,” Adeline replied. “My husband has already gone off in search of yours.”
“They’re playing billiards, I believe,” Violet said. “And probably complaining about something.”
“My brother is probably doing that the most.” Lady Calliope picked up her tea. “But I have noticed they’re all doing it a lot. Why?”
“Because they’re men,” Francesca said. “Not one of them planned on marriage, but here we all are.” She frowned. “Well, three of us anyway.”
“And we all know they’re happily married,” Violet began. “Even if it didn’t start that way. I think this is all masculine pride. As if admitting how happy they are is somehow wrong.” She shrugged. “I gave up trying to decipher their motivation.”
Francesca handed Adeline a cup of tea. “It’s best not to try,” she agreed. “Let them have their bonding and brandy.”
Iris sat back quietly and listened to them. Was this what marriage was like? They all seemed happy, and their talk didn’t distract from that. They were all right with their husbands’ behavior, as if they had some secret they couldn’t share with the rest, or perhaps they didn’t need to share it. Because it was understood between them all. The married ladies could just look at each other and some silent communication passed between them.
It didn’t sit well with her. She felt as if suddenly she didn’t belong anymore. These women were her closest friends, and she had always been able to count on them. Now, though, she felt incredibly alone. As if she lost something she might never have again. She set down her tea and stood. Her stomach roiled, and she had to leave. “Please excuse me,” she forced the words out. “I don’t feel well. I’m going to my chamber to rest.”
She didn’t give them time to respond. Iris rushed out of the room and went directly to her bedchamber. Once there, hot tears fell down her cheeks. Pain filled her, but nothing would ease it. She laid down on her bed and remained there, crying for a long time. Then she sat up, washed her face, and set her feelings aside. There wasn’t time for tears anymore. It was time to let her anger go and be a better person, or at least a stronger one.
* * *
Daniel wantedto be by himself, but his friends would never allow it. They all knew him too well. That was why they had all gathered in the game room for Billiards, and cards. Merrifield avoided cards after he lost a bet a little over a year ago. Even if it had led him to his wife. He claimed he didn’t want to chance another moment of bad luck. So he was playing billiards with Goodland.
“Where’s the brandy?” the Earl of Winchester said as he entered the room. “It’s bloody cold outside. I hate winter.”
