Eloise left Iris’s side and went in search of Damien. She knew that she would be asking for too much to ask Damien to cover the debts, but it would also feel wrong if she did not try.

It was upsetting that paying the debts would help Agatha, but Eloise had to think of Iris. Iris would be forced to marry for the sake of helping the family by Agatha or Clive.

Agatha was not going to push her precious son into a position where he would get married and ask his wife’s family for help. She would not put him in a position to be mistreated by his wife’s family.

Eloise exited the front door and walked to where Damien stood alone. "Damien!" She called to get his attention. She walked out to the front of the estate to meet him halfway.

"You want me to help with their debts," Damien said before Eloise could ask. "It is the first request I am not completely fine with. I would rather you spend my money getting what you need, not paying off that man’s debt."

"I know, but it isn’t to help Clive or Agatha. Iris says she will marry with the sole intention of paying the debt. I didn’t want to speak of it before her, but once it is exposed that Clive is a murderer, Iris will no longer be courted as she once was. She will be ousted from society," said Eloise.

Iris would be lucky if any man so much as glanced her way. No one would want to be involved with the daughter of a murderer.

"Even if I show her support, she will face challenges. You don’t care for her, but I do. I don’t want a loveless marriage where she might be mistreated to be her future. For this, I would repay you," Eloise offered.

Damien’s right brow raised as he awaited Eloise’s brilliant plan. "How would you pay me? With the money I have been offering you, or do you intend to sell your father’s home? I hope you didn’t think about working."

"I have not gotten that far ahead," Eloise admitted.

"I understand wanting to help your cousin, but there are two others who would benefit from it, and that fact alone doesn’t sit well with me," Damien said, unwilling to help.

"Then, what if I spend the allowance you give me to cover the debt. I can go a month without it," Eloise said, having no other choice. "Iris will not abandon her mother."

"She should. Her mother isn’t a saint," Damien replied.

Damien held a soft spot for Eloise and Eloise alone. Knowing that Eloise would continue to worry about Iris, he had to help.

"I will be willing to help if there is a contract involved. I intend to get back all the money used to help with covering the debt. Rather than have to pay back the men he owes, he would have to pay me," Damien proposed, hiding a secret motive.

"Neither Agatha nor Clive would sign a contract with you to owe you the debt. I don’t believe you could convince either of them, even if they were drunk. You would need to make someone else stand before them as their saviour. That is what you plan to do," Eloise realised, sensing there was a plan behind the offer.

"I should get some amusement out of it. I would offer them some peace for a moment, then approach to reclaim what I am owed plus the interest. I will be kind to wait for Iris to be married so she wouldn’t be pulled into it," Damien promised.

"I do not care if you own Agatha or Clive’s lives in the end as long as Iris is not hurt. Iris is my only concern," Eloise said, accepting the idea.

"If Iris does not agree to this plan, then you must step away from the matter of their debts. It is her life and her decisions. You have your own troubles to face and cannot think of others. Promise me you will drop this if she declines," Damien said, offering his hand for Eloise to shake.

Eloise hesitated since it wasn’t a simple request. She cared for Iris and didn’t want her to suffer, but she couldn’t force Damien to use his money.

"You have a good heart and want Iris to be well, but if she doesn’t want your help, this is a matter you must stay out of. At least, she would remember that you tried to help her. Now, what will it be?" Damien asked, waiting for Eloise.

"I agree," Eloise answered and shook Damien’s hand. "You should join me inside for her answer. I’m sorry if I upset you by making this request."

"I am not angry," Damien said and placed his hand back to his side. "Frankly, I am happy that you spoke with me first before you acted fast to promise her the money. This is not a simple matter where you can run ahead without speaking to me."

"I won’t ever have plans for your money without speaking to you first," Eloise promised.

"It is our money," Damien corrected Eloise.

"Still, if I must spend a good portion of it, I will speak to you first. You have my word. Thank you," Eloise said, entering the front door after Damien held it open for her. "Iris! I was going to return to you."

Iris stared at the couple. "I was too nervous to sit alone."

"Damien and I have come up with a plan to help you," Eloise said, eager to share the good news with Iris.

"I have decided not to accept your offer," Iris said before Elosie could finish. "I have thought about it in your absence, and I truly don’t want to trouble you, Eloise. Both of you," she added, knowing how much Eloise would need Damien’s help.

Iris didn’t want Elosie to owe Damien even though he was her husband. Damien was a powerful man, so if he one day became upset because of the debts, Eloise would be powerless against him.

"My family has troubled you enough, and I know you are trying to help me, but this is my decision. My family will find a way out of the mess they created. I truly am grateful for your help, but as you have asked me to stay out of your troubles, stay out of this. Please," Iris pleaded.

Eloise shared a look with Damien. She could not go back on their deal.

"I will respect your decision," Eloise responded.

"I will be fine," Iris assured Eloise. "I am grateful you were willing to help, but what matters most is getting justice for your father. Nothing is more important than your home and all the memories there."