Page 37 of The Duke of My Heart

Oh!“But I thought there was a master to this house?” Daisy had told her that much, and the butler had confirmed it. That had to be the case,surely?

“My brother is, ever since both of our parents died, but you wouldn’t think it because he isn’t everhere.”

Ah, loneliness, another emotion that Iris knew well. Maybe she would have to step into Daisy’s shoes even more now and befriend this girl. She had needed it desperately, and it seemed that she wasn’t the onlyone.

“That must be very difficult, but you have a lovelyhome.”

Amy shrugged and slid her eyes closed which gave Iris the impression it was time for her to be quiet for a moment. She would have adored it if Amy felt comfortable enough to confide in her, but it was only her first day, her first hour in fact! She had to give hertime.

“I don’t know why they hired you,” she eventually blurted out. “After the last girl got bored of me, I told them not to bother. It’s my brother, he cannot leave thingsalone.”

“Maybe he feels guilty for not being around too much.” To Iris, he sounded very hard working and caring. There were far worse things he could be! “This might be his way to make it up toyou.”

“I would rather have a friend,” Amy snappedsadly.

“I... could be your friend.” As soon as Iris started this sentence she knew it was wrong, but there wasn’t any other way to finish it so she just keptspeaking.

“You willneverbe my friend,” Amy practically hissed. “You cannot understand me at all. Your life is far too different from mine? What on Earth could you offerme?”

As she flounced from the room, knocking the hairbrush to the ground, Iris looked on in sympathy. The sad fact was she was probably the person who understood her best, but she couldn’t admit that because of who she was. She could not say anything that could give the truth away. Too many things were riding onit.

It wouldn't be easy, but she needed to find some other way to make Amy see that she could help her. She would never suggest a switch, that idea was insane, but there had to be something she could do. It would be lovely to assume that she was brought here for a purpose and that she could somehow do somegood.

Iris had never made a difference before, not to anyone. Maybe this was the time that everything turned around. Maybe some cosmic force had brought her to Amy so she could help her in the way that she could never helpherself.

With a newfound determination, Iris stood from where she sat and she strolled across the room. Amy needed her, so Iris would be there forher.