In the Wilkins’ ho, Agatha sat alone in the dark ho, which was silent. Iris had not returned, and the one maid she employed had long since been sent away. None of her old peers or neighbours ca to her side, as now her family na was tarnished.
Her search had ended abruptly when n ca knocking, demanding answers about the debts. She sat in silence, putting on an act as though the ho was empty in hopes they would leave her be. Agatha wasn’t ready to face them yet when she was without money.
Agatha rubbed her temple, the faint ache reminding her how swiftly her life had changed. Her husband had been arrested and stabbed, and now her daughter, once destined for a promising season, was missing from her side.
Agatha had no one to help pull her out of this darkness. She was left alone to fend for herself.
"What am I to tell that man?" Agatha muttered, biting her nail, her voice trembling.
She had not yet reached out to the suitor chosen for Iris, nor confessed that Iris was missing. Soon they were ant to et, to discuss arrangents and the money he would offer for Iris’s hand.
"That wretched girl," Agatha cursed under her breath. "I had it all set up for us. I should have kept a better watch on her. I should have sent her to him as soon as he made the offer. Now I am alone." Her eyes swept the quiet ho. The silence bothered her.
Usually, the ho was loud with her children’s laughter and her husband’s voice.
Without Iris, Agatha felt hopeless. Iris had been her answer to her escape from ruin, and now she had fled.
A sudden knock at the door startled her. She leaned back in her chair, arms wrapped around herself, fearing another man had co to demand paynt.
"Mother? Are you there?"
The familiar voice made her heart leap.
"Reece?" Agatha cried, rushing to the door. She flung it open to find her son standing there, two bags at his side, his face weary from travel.
Her troubles seed to vanish in an instant. She embraced him tightly. "Reece!"
Reece dropped his bags and returned her embrace. "I apologise for taking so long to return to aid you. As soon as I heard about Father, I rushed ho."
"I thought of not telling you at first, so you wouldn’t be dragged into our troubles, but I am glad you ca. Quickly, inside, before we are seen," Agatha urged, ushering him in. She didn’t want Reece to be pestered so soon or at all.
Agatha picked up one of his bags, glancing nervously over her shoulder to check the street before closing the door.
"n have co asking for the money your father owed. I have nothing, so I could only hide. I haven’t had a proper al in days," Agatha confessed, setting the bag down with a thud.
"I have money, Mother. I was saving to buy a ho, but it is more needed here. It should be enough to settle the n and put food on the table. I’ll find work in town straightaway," Reece said, his tone filled with confidence ant to soothe her.
"Iris’s marriage would have solved this matter. With your money and what her groom would have given us, we could have been free of this, but she ran away-"
"Iris is missing?!" Reece exclaid, his eyes widening.
Agatha stared at him, surprised. "My last letters must not have reached you. She left after I spoke of her future husband. I’ve searched the town, but no luck. The guards have been useless."
Reece pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to contain his frustration. "Why has so much happened in my absence? Have you spoken to Eloise? Iris would run to her."
"As if that awful woman would help . I am certain she is hiding Iris, but she refuses to speak to . She has turned her back on this family now that she has found herself a good husband. Her na is not to be spoken in this house," Agatha snapped.
"We mustn’t pretend a cri wasn’t committed against her. You should expect she won’t speak to you, but she will speak to . I’ll go to Eloise and ask about Iris. If n co again, don’t hide. Take the money in my bags and give it to them," Reece instructed firmly.
Reece placed his hands on her shoulders. "All will be well, Mother. I’ll go to the guards too and force them to search properly. I will bring her ho."
"What am I to say to the man awaiting her? He is eager to marry and have children. What if another young lady catches his eye?" Agatha asked, worried this chance would slip from her hands.
When was Iris going to find another good suitor?
From Agatha’s description, Reece was certain the suitor was not ant for Iris. He knew the kind of man Iris wanted, and though circumstances were dire, he believed he could find her soone better.
"Now that I am back, this gentleman doesn’t need to marry Iris-"
"I have arranged that you will marry his young niece. She has money, a ho, and land. He says she needs a husband quickly, but because of her ways, she hasn’t found one. It is good for you," Agatha said, her eyes gleaming with hope.
"You can only marry his niece if Iris becos his wife. Think of it," Agatha reasoned. "You would control your wife’s finances, have a larger ho, and I could move there to help you. We must all make sacrifices for the good of this family."
"Mother, let us focus on finding Iris and settling the debts. There is no use planning her marriage when she is not here. Go through the money and divide it for the n we owe. Pay off the largest debt first," Reece said, walking away.
"Reece, you must consider it. I know it is not what you want to hear upon your return, but I have found us a good deal. You must marry at so point, so why not choose a young woman who will be easy? Do think about it while you are out. Please," Agatha pleaded.
Reece smiled faintly, though it did not reach his eyes. "I will consider it. Please stop worrying and find yourself sothing to eat. I’ll bring food ho for dinner. I must go to the court," he said, turning his back.
A secret weighed heavily on his chest. One that would shatter his mother’s plans.
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