Chapter 245: Grave mistake [2]
Camille ignored what Kyle asked of her since he didn’t hold the power to send her away.
"All that I do is for Jane’s sake. Since neither Quinn nor she could answer me about why Eloise and Damien left the estate, perhaps you can offer me some answers. Why did Damien abandon his duties?" Camille inquired, yet to drop the matter.
"Abandon his duties?" Kyle repeated, a low chuckle escaping him at how dramatic Camille sounded. "Isn’t that going a little too far? As you can see, the estate is in good order. While Damien was away at the countryside manor, and even before that, Quinn and I were stepping in to help."
"The estate needs Lord Hawthorne. Not his brothers or anyone else," Camille insisted.
"I vaguely recall you feeling as though you were cast out of the estate once Damien was born. The precious heir everyone looked forward to was here, and you felt useless. Damien is now allowing Quinn and me to feel useful, and it bothers you," Kyle pointed out.
"It doesn’t bother me. You should all be involved in the matters of the estate, but Damien should always be here to make the final decision. Before his marriage, Damien would never have left so many times. He is distracted when he cannot afford to be," Camille explained, her voice rising with frustration.
They were all twisting her words and pretending not to understand her.
Kyle’s laughter continued. "It sounds as though you are being put up by someone to speak of this. It reminds me of when the relatives were all so eager to raise Jane because of the money that would come from it."
"You are sadly mistaken if you think I must use my niece for money. I married a wealthy man who can take care of me from now until death. I do not need to use Jane. I want to see her rise to the occasion and have a repeat of what I achieved," Camille said, her chin lifting with pride.
"Jane is not you. She can do well being herself. Jane can take your guidance, but don’t try to control her. She is not your child," Kyle repeated Camille’s own words back to her. "If you want someone to have a good season, why don’t you give all your time to your daughter?"
"If I give all my time to my daughter, then there won’t be any left for Jane. She won’t have my guidance, and after what she displayed today, I do not think I want to offer it to her anymore," Camille said, considering abandoning Jane.
"Then, so be it. I would not like for Jane to go through her life feeling as though she owes anyone for how her season fares. You should be doing this out of the kindness of your heart and not hold it against her. I am quite disappointed with you," Kyle confessed, hurt that Camille would treat Jane so poorly.
"You are disappointed with me?" Camille asked in disbelief. "I am disappointed in how all of you are treating me. After your parents passed, I was at your side quite often. So often that my husband thought it was too much," Camille shared, her voice trembling with hurt at the memory.
"You were coming to your niece and nephews, who lost both their parents at the same time. Yet your husband thought only of how long you were away from him?"
"Kyle," Camille said his name in a warning tone. "I will not have anyone disrespect my marriage."
"I happen to like your husband, as he is the father of my cousins, but when you start to criticise and judge others, then you open the door for others to do the same to you. Your marriage is an easy target," Kyle admitted, his words cutting Camille deeply, though it was calm.
"I don’t like what has become of you. When Damien returns, I shall have a word with him. It seems that I should have looked into your upbringing as well. You and Jane will want to apologise after you have pondered on this moment. I shall welcome you," Camille said, deciding to leave.
There was nothing more she could do for them today.
"I don’t think either one of us will be so quick to apologise. I will send word to Damien about this so you can speak to him in due time," Kyle assured her.
"Are you not tired of hiding behind your brother?"
"You were the one who said he is Lord Hawthorne and should have the final say, so I am only fulfilling your wish. I am also keeping a note of this as Jane’s older brother. I’ll do better, so when you think of troubling Jane, you don’t only fear Damien," Kyle said, his determination clear in his voice.
"It is time that you leave and don’t create a ruckus," Kyle added, stepping aside to direct her path. "I’d hate to have to involve the butler and other servants."
Camille didn’t need to be told a third time. "I will not stay where I am not welcome. When Damien returns, be sure to tell him that I want to speak to him. I want to speak to Eloise as well. Good day," she said, turning on her heels.
This was not the end of this, and apologies would come soon.
Kyle followed Camille at a distance, his eyes fixed on her retreating figure, ensuring she left the estate without another attempt to confront Jane. He thought of the drama that would surely follow, all because Camille insisted on having her way.
He wondered what had driven her to come today and stir up such trouble.
’Damien will find out,’ Kyle thought. ’Should I send the letter to tell him now?’
The sooner Camille was dealt with, the sooner the tension could end. Or, if fortune failed them, Camille might stir up more drama by running to the other relatives.
’I hope she can be wise enough to apologise and let this rest,’ Kyle thought, though his heart told him otherwise.
He sighed, knowing better than to believe this would end peacefully. Camille was stubborn, and Damien would not easily accept Jane being struck.
’This, on top of Teressa, will only keep him in a foul mood,’ Kyle thought, worried Damien would truly snap. ’Should I settle into a townhouse to avoid it? No, I need to focus on the business.’
Kyle followed Camille until she reached the front door. She didn’t offer him a final word, and he greatly appreciated the silence.