"Zayne, you don't need to resort to such methods to get closer to Iris. In fact, I know she'll be suspicious the moment she realises you suddenly know all her likes. After nearly being forced into marriage once, don't you think she'd prefer one that unfolds naturally?" Eloise asked.
"I suppose so. I very nearly killed a man for your cousin's sake," Zayne said with a sigh, settling into the seat beside Eloise. "All her family's debts are settled now, and every last one of those men was a complete bastard, carrying on as though they actually cared for her."
Zayne's jaw tightened as the memory resurfaced of one man in particular, who'd had the audacity to suggest Iris take his hand in exchange for clearing the debt.
This news surprised Eloise. "You settled their debts yourself? Did you speak to Iris about any of this?"
"I did not, since Damien warned she'd feel indebted to me if she knew," Zayne answered.
Eloise turned sharply to Damien. "And Damien knew about it?"
