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“Over the last few weeks, I have concluded that things need to change – some of my lands are less fertile than they used to be, and some are overgrazed. I am looking at what I might do in terms of enclosure, without limiting my tenant farmers’, and the villagers’, ability to survive well. And perhaps, in one area, there might be benefit to be had from some irrigation. Introducing change will need to be done gently, but I think it can be done.”
Iris felt her heart fill with pride for this quiet man she had married – that he thought first of not harming his tenants and the villagers was wonderful, and showed, yet again, how kind a person he was. The conversation flowed on, and for a little, Damien and Leon spoke of the matters which had been discussed in the House of Lords of late.
Iris mostly just listened, but she was aware, as she did so, of the way that her sister looked at her own husband. Camellia was so obviously happy, and Iris wondered if she, herself, would ever look like that. She hoped so, but when that chance might come… she did not know, but just thinking of it made her even more determined that, that very evening, once they got back to Greenleigh House, she would pursue the matter of kisses, and more.
And, perhaps, the matter of how they might deal with Maggie. Perchance, that conversation should come before they allowed themselves to be distracted by the physical. Iris felt compelled to tell Leon the truth of everything that Maggie had done, and to explain her own hesitation to speak of it, before now. She wanted no secrets between them – wasn’t that what she, herself, had asked for?
After dinner, she went to the parlour with Camellia, as Damien carried Leon off to his study, for port, and for further discussion of estate management. Damien, being Duke of Blackwater, had very extensive estates, and was a man open to new ideas, as well as to preserving history – no doubt they would dive deep into one topic or another, and lose track of time.
Once a tea tray had been delivered, and the maid left the room, Camellia fixed Iris with a stern expression – one which bore a remarkable resemblance to their mother’s expression, when she wanted to ensure that they did as asked. Iris burst into laughter.
“Camellia! You look just like Mother! Except… I don’t for one moment believe that you are actually that stern – you are far too kind-hearted by nature to deliver that look convincingly.”
“Oh! Drat! I have been practicing – after all, I will soon have a child who will no doubt warrant such looks at times. Have I failed that badly?”
“No, not really – it’s just that I know you too well. But… why are you giving me that look now?”
Iris rather suspected that she actually knew why, but she wasn’t about to admit it.
“Because you are hiding something, Iris. You never could do that well – at least not from your sisters. Tell me the truth – are you happy with Greenleigh? Is there a problem of some kind?”
Iris delayed the inevitable by taking a bite out of a small cake.
“Mmmmm, lemon cakes – did you convince the Cook at Elbury house to give your Cook the secret recipe?”
“I did. It took a great deal of persuading, and giving her niece a position as a maid, but I did it.”
“Good for you.”
Camellia gave her that look again.
“Iris, I do believe that you are prevaricating intentionally.”
“I… umm…”
“Just tell me. If there is a problem, perhaps I can help?”
Should she admit any of it? Perhaps, just a little – just enough to get Camellia to stop asking. And perhaps she would plead tiredness, and see if they might go home early – for the conversation she needed to have with Leon was more important than this one.
“I am very happy that I married Leon. We are still finding our way with each other – after all, it was very sudden. And adjusting to his family has taken more out of me than I expected. His grandmother, for one, is redoubtable. But there is nothing at this point that needs your help – although thank you for offering.”
No matter how many people offered her an escape, Iris knew that she would not take it – she would solve her problems with Leon’s help, and stand by him. Camellia studied her, then gave a little shake of her head.
“I do not know that I entirely believe you, Iris. But I will not pry. It is just that I wish you to be as happy as I am, to have the kind of love that I have with Damien.”
“Camellia, I assure you – I fully intend to have that kind of love too.”
>>>
Leon sat close beside Iris as their carriage took them back to Greenleigh House. By the standards of the ton, it was still early – well before midnight – and his heart beat a little harder at the memory of those kisses the previous night – might they…? He twined his fingers through hers, and she looked up at him, smiling. The silence held them, but it was a comfortable silence. He remembered the question that Blackwater had asked him, earlier in the evening – ‘was he happy? Was Iris happy?’ – he had said yes, but was that the truth? Not really. How could either of them be truly happy whilst Maggie’s actions pushed them apart? He needed to bridge that gap, needed to speak to Iris of the truth of his feelings – he had promised her ‘no secrets’ yet here he was, not speaking of the truth of his suspicions about Maggie.
When they got home, he would tell her – everything. And then, perhaps, they might finally indulge in exploring each other, physically.
The carriage drew to a stop, and they stepped down, going up to their front door as the carriage rolled away behind them, to be taken around to the coachhouse in the mews behind the house. The footman on duty opened the door and, once inside, they asked that a tea tray and a port decanter be sent up to their private parlour.
Twenty minutes later, both attired for bed, and sitting with the tea tray beside them, that silence remained. Leon sipped tea, and then set the cup down – he should speak first, and begin this – after all, it was the fact that he had not told her of his sister, before they married, which had brought them here.
“Iris… I…. there are things we should speak about.”
