Page 11 of The Duke of My Heart

Maybe that was because she hadn’tbeen.

When Olivia got married, she assumed it was for life. Her father had picked her out a man that she already liked well enough, it was one of the boys from a family friend of his. She thought it would be wonderful, that she would have her happy ever after, but just as it had many people she knew, sickness claimed hislife.

She had two very beautiful children, Olivia knew that she was lucky in that way, but still, she faced difficulty every singleday.

“We will take you to your room,” she told her sister with a reassuring smile. “Then we will try to get rid of everyone in the house. Their mourning is done now; it is time for everyone to return to their ownhouse.”

"Thank you." Iris leant into her sister, accepting her comfort willingly because she needed it so badly. "I appreciateit."

Olivia practically covered Iris as she took her to her room, which helped her to block out all the noise that was surrounding her. There was chatter everywhere, but she couldn't pick out any of the words which were enough. If someone tried to speak to her right now, she would probably lash out and punch them in theface.

Nowthatwould start somerumours.

“Will you be alright, Iris?” Olivia asked once she wasinside.

As Iris glanced around, the comfort wasn’t quite the same anymore. She could almost feel the walls shrinking in on her. But it was still better than being out there with all thosepeople.

“Yes, this is fine,” she smiled as brightly as she could manage as she spoke. “Thank you, Olivia. I really appreciate everything that you’ve done forme.”

“Well.” Her sister blushed as she shrugged. She wasn’t sure how to take the compliment, it felt a little odd. “You’re still my sister, aren’tyou?”

“Yes,” Iris whispered. “But still, thankyou.”

“I will go now...” Olivia indicated behind her. “Get this house empty. I will see you in awhile.”

As her sister turned to walk around, Iris almost reached out to stop her, but at the last moment she dropped her hand by her side again. She didn't blame Olivia, she knew she had no choice and she was only doing what she had to do, but still, it was going to be difficult. When all this upheaval happened, it was going to cause a tension between everyone. That was an unavoidable shame, but an inevitable one. She would try to ensure that didn't happen, but there was only much she coulddo.

Iris sighed loudly and glanced around her familiar surroundings, trying to adjust herself to the thought that everything was going to change. Things had been delightfully comfortable for far too long, and now that was over. She was going to have to find it within herself to face this with some form of bravery, however challenging thatwas.

There was no more fighting, no more battling this, it was too late. Sooner or later, Iris was going to become Duchess Loftus Pembroke. Her mysterious uncle would come, he would sort everything out on her behalf, she would meet the Duke and things would go from there. Her future was now set instone.