Chapter 217: Calming down [1]
"Why is he lashing out at us for what you have done? I have been on my best behaviour with Eloise. Surely, you two have witnessed it as well. I have become much closer out of the three of us," Jane said, believing the frustrations directed at her were unwarranted.
"He doesn’t mean some of it. He is just lashing out because he is worried about his marriage, but there is some truth to what he says. I could have potentially spoiled Eloise’s name if that woman decides to speak," Quinn realised, regretting his actions.
"Yes, you could have. You know how the townspeople like to gossip. Not only could her name be spoiled, but ours as well if others start rumours that there is something between you two. Being in the same estate would only make it worse. Oh, I see," Kyle said, the weight of Damien’s anger dawning on him.
Kyle pressed his palm against his forehead. "I made it sound so small. Still, I should be placed higher since I ran to get him. I’ve been kind to Eloise. I even planned to have a business with her."
"Have you made any preparations at all for this business?" Jane asked, her eyes narrowing at Kyle as he suspected he had done nothing.
"Well, no. I only have some thoughts. I already spoke to my peers about it, and they are all for it. I would be the one bringing the customers. That is a good start, isn’t it?" Kyle asked, puffing his chest with misplaced pride.
Quinn sighed and shook his head. "We must all go to speak to Damien. This is far more than about Eloise since he brought up our parents."
Jane raised her hand. "This one time, I do not think I did anything wrong. I have been accepting of Eloise."
"Only because you have been getting your way," Kyle accused. "She’s not hard on you like the other women in the family are. Aunt Camille was the only one to baby you."
"That is not why I have come to like her. She gives me attention," Jane argued, her cheeks flushed.
"And how much of your attention do you honestly give to her? What do you know about her? Aside from her father and what you witnessed in the countryside, have you asked her personal questions to get to know her?" Kyle pressed, his finger pointed accusingly.
"Well," Jane faltered, her words catching in her throat. "Have you? Have you asked her personal questions? I cannot recall her asking me questions either."
"Oh, don’t lie. I have heard her try to speak to you," Kyle replied, placing the heat back on Jane.
"Enough with you two trying to point fingers at each other. This is not an easy family for anyone to enter. We don’t open up quite well. Instead of arguing amongst ourselves, we must fix this before it affects everyone. I must leave to speak to Teresa," Quinn said, moving towards the front door.
"I will go with you," Kyle decided.
"No," Quinn rejected the offer.
"This woman is upset with you. Upset enough to speak of the matter to Eloise. If you don’t handle this well, then she could turn to the town. I don’t want to hear tales of how my brother is in love with our oldest brother’s wife and courts women who remind him of her," Kyle said, the thought unsettling him now that it was spoken aloud.
"I am not in love with her," Quinn replied, irritated that they were circling back to this accusation.
"It all makes sense. That is why I caught you staring at her and why you didn’t want to answer me that time I caught the two of you arguing. I don’t know how I didn’t piece it together before. Is that why you stayed in your townhouse rather than the estate?" Jane asked, her eyes widening as the pieces fell into place.
"Not now," Quinn muttered as he brushed past her.
"Now that I know all of what occurred, I am on her side. Still, I wouldn’t have left the comfort of the estate but rather had my husband throw you out until it was resolved. She showed kindness in letting you stay here," Jane realised, her voice softening.
Quinn paused midway up the stairs. "That is why I shall fix it. Come with me, Kyle."
Jane’s eyes widened as she realised what her brothers were doing to her. "You cannot leave me alone with Damien when he is angry with you two."
"Avoid him if you wish or speak with him to calm him. You’re the only sister, Jane. That means he is calmer with you. I wish you luck," Kyle said, rushing after Quinn, leaving Jane behind.
Jane stomped her foot against the floor. "Those two fools."
She didn’t want to speak to Damien alone, but she also didn’t want him to be angry with her for long.
Against her better judgement, Jane turned and ascended the stairs. She reached Damien’s bedchamber, knocked on the door, and frowned at the silence. She was certain he was inside.
Without waiting, she opened the door and entered, finding Damien carefully laying Eloise’s dresses across the bed. "I was knocking, Damien. Did you not hear me?"
"I am not in the mood, Jane," Damien replied.
"I think it is wrong that you snapped at all of us for something that has nothing to do with what Quinn did, but I understand why you did it. You are afraid to lose your wife. I apologise for not being so serious about what you want," Jane said, her tone gentler now. "I do like Eloise."
Damien sighed as he turned to look at Jane. "You are welcome to come inside the chamber. I apologise as well for snapping at you."
"I accept it. It would have been gentle, but you have to let your feelings out at some point. What Quinn got himself into was foolish, but I don’t think it will spoil your marriage," Jane assured him.
"It won’t. Eloise will come home after a few days, once she has time to herself."
"We can be a bit much, so I understand her needing a break. I think you should reconsider letting her travel with us to gather with the other relatives. They are far too much for me to bear, and I have known them for years," Jane said, weary that the other relatives would scare her off.
"I haven’t decided if I will take her yet," Damien admitted. "I am no longer angry, so you don’t need to stay."
"So, you don’t want to hit Quinn then?" Jane asked cautiously.
"I didn’t say that. I have advised those two to be careful with their drinking, and now look. If this gets out, the town is bound to come up with awful tales of what occurs behind closed doors here," Damien said, covering his face with his hand as he sat down. "Your season could be overshadowed by this as well."
Jane blinked, surprised that Damien even thought of her now.
