“A convent? What on earth possessed ye to run to a convent?” Catherine pulled back, cupping Lydia’s face in her hands. “Daenae ye realize what ye’ve done? The scandal ye’ve caused?”
“I’m sorry, Maither. I was just so frightened.”
“Catherine? Is that her? Is that our Lydia?”
Edward Douglas appeared in the doorway, his face lighting up when he saw his younger daughter. “Thank God! Come here, lass. Let me look at ye.”
Iris watched from several feet away as both parents fawned over Lydia, checking her for injuries, asking questions about where she’d been and who she’d seen. Neither of them had acknowledged her presence yet.
Of course, they havenae Why would they? I’m just the disappointin’ daughter who ruins everythin’.
“And ye’re certain nay one hurt ye?” Edward was asking. “Nay bandits on the road? Nay inappropriate advances?”
“Nay, Faither. I was perfectly safe. Iris brought me home.”
Finally, their parents’ attention shifted to where Iris stood. Catherine’s expression immediately soured.
“Of course. We should have known ye’d be involved in this mess somehow.” Her mother’s voice dripped with disdain. “I assume ye helped yer sister run away? Encouraged her to abandon her responsibilities?”
“Actually, Maither, I dinnae even ken she’d left until I went into her room.”
“Daenae lie to us, Iris. Ye’ve always been a terrible influence on yer sister.” Edward stepped forward, his face dark with anger. “Puttin’ foolish ideas in her head about independence and choices. Look what it’s led to!”
“I dinnae put any ideas in her head. Lydia made her own choice.”
“Because ye encouraged it! Ye’ve always been jealous of her, always tried to drag her down to yer level.” Catherine moved to stand beside Edward, presenting a united front of disapproval. “And now look what ye’ve done. Ye made yer sister flee herweddin’. And knowin’ ye, ye’re probably here because ye’ve somehow ruined yer marriage. I hope ye’re proud of yerself.”
The familiar accusations, the same old criticisms, they should have hurt. Should have made her feel small and worthless like they always had.
But instead, Iris felt something else. Anger. Clean, bright, liberating anger.
“Ye ken what?” She stepped forward, her voice steady and clear. “Ye’re right. I am proud of meself.”
That caught them off guard. Catherine blinked. “What?”
“I’m proud that I had the courage to end a betrothal to a man who was cheatin’ on me. I’m proud that I survived bein’ forced into a marriage I dinnae choose. I’m proud that I took care of Lydia and brought her home safely even though I could have just let her find her own way.” Iris’ voice grew stronger. “But most of all, I’m proud that I’m finally seein’ ye both for what ye truly are.”
“How dare ye speak to us that way?” Edward started.
“Nay. Ye daenae get to interrupt me. Nae anymore.” Iris felt years of pent-up frustration pouring out. “Ye want to ken who the real disappointments are? It’s ye. Both of ye. Ye’re terrible parents who spent me entire childhood tellin’ me I wasnaegood enough. That I was too much of everythin’ wrong and nae enough of anythin’ right.”
“That’s because ye were difficult! Ye never listened, never behaved yerself.”
“I was a child! A child who needed her parents to love her unconditionally, nae constantly compare her to her twin and find her wantin’!” The words came easier now, like a dam breaking. “Ye made me feel worthless me entire life. Made me think I was lucky anyone would even look at me, let alone want to marry me.”
“We were tryin’ to help ye,” Catherine said though her voice had lost some of its certainty. “Tryin’ to prepare ye for the real world.”
“By destroyin’ me confidence? By makin’ me doubt me own worth?” Iris shook her head. “That’s nae help, Maither. That’s cruelty.”
“How dare ye.”
“And ye want to ken the worst part? I started believin’ ye. Started thinkin’ I really was worthless. That I should be grateful for whatever scraps of affection anyone threw me way.” Her voice cracked slightly. “But ye were wrong. About all of it. I’m nae worthless. I’m nae too much. I’m just different from what ye wanted, and that’s yer failin’, nae mine.”
Edward’s face had gone red. “Ye forget yerself, girl. We’re still yer parents.”
“And ye’ll always be me parents. But that doesnae mean I have to accept yer treatment anymore.” Iris turned to Lydia, who was watching with wide, shocked eyes. “I never told ye to run away. I never encouraged ye to abandon yer responsibilities. Ye made that choice yerself, and ye need to own it instead of lettin’ them blame me for it.”
“I... I ken.” Lydia’s voice was small. “I’m sorry, Iris. I should have said somethin’ sooner.”
