In the early hours of the next day, Clive left the comfort of his home to travel to see his ill brother.
Each question from Eloise about her father's health filled him with guilt. Clive needed to see with his own eyes the state of his brother's health.
How much longer did he need to wait for his brother's property to be his?
Clive couldn't wait for Iris to find herself a suitable match, and with his current finances, he couldn't afford her dowry.
By noon, Clive arrived at his brother's townhouse, which was larger than his own.
Clive envied that his brother, Thomas Wilkins, had the freedom to sell his home in the countryside and be able to find a decent home in town to be near his family after years of being away since his wife passed.
Clive straightened his coat, unlocked the door, and entered the quiet home. He walked toward the bedchamber at the end of the hallway and opened the door to find Thomas fast asleep.
Clive knocked on the door. "Brother," he announced his arrival. "Are you not well?" He whispered, drawing closer to the bed. He paid close attention to Thomas's chest, checking if he was breathing.
"Clive?" Thomas' voice shattered Clive's hope.
"I am here, brother," Clive answered in a dejected tone. He moved to his brother's side to help him sit up. "Easy now. You are not in any condition to move too much."
Thomas coughed as his eyes fluttered open. He searched for his daughter. "You did not bring her. I asked to see Eloise."
"I spoke of your wishes, but she is busy enjoying herself with the season. You know how the young ladies are. She and Iris think only of balls. She has reached that age," said Clive.
"That doesn't sound like my Eloise, but if she is happy, I shall not tear her away from it," Thomas said, saddened he would have to wait.
"Eloise has succeeded in gathering the attention of men all over the town. You should see how mothers and daughters eye her with envy. I have decided on Percival to be the one to wed her. He is only a few years older-"
"No," Thomas rejected the idea. "I didn't send her to you for you to marry her off. Don't force it upon her."
"Brother, you would let her glory days be wasted? Her beauty won't capture the attention of gentlemen for long. Soon, there will be another lady to steal the attention. You must make haste," Clive urged Thomas.
Thomas shook his head. "There is much for Eloise to learn, and I know my daughter. All that will plague her mind is my well-being. How can I toss her into a marriage in that state?"
"You should marry her off before she becomes a weeping mess. Percival isn't a bad man," Clive said, pushing the matter.
"What makes him a good man? Is it money?" Thomas asked, seeing through Clive's intention. "My daughter will marry for love as I did. I hope you can see past the traditions of this town and let Iris marry a gentleman she can love."
"This again? Do you question me because of my marriage?"
"I must. You tend to forget how you bedded Agatha before you could marry her, and she became a child. Your son is the reason you married her. I dare say you trapped her because you were smitten with her beauty, not love," said Thomas.
"We shouldn't speak of these matters. We must address your fading health," Clive said, changing the topic. "Your days are becoming shorter. Before they end, you must allow me to take control of your home. Leave it to my hands."
"I thank you for your care of my daughter and for coming to see me, but I am arranging for one of the ladies nearby to care for the home until Eloise has married-"
"I am your brother!" Clive yelled, his voice cracking with desperation. His arms trembled as anger overwhelmed him. "Do you think I cannot manage it? I came with this request because I don't want to see your hard work slip away."
Thomas closed his eyes. His heart was heavy with the words he had to say to his brother. "It is because I know you that I cannot leave the home in your hands. You are kind, but when you set your hands on money, all that you hold dear crumbles."
Thomas opened his eyes to peer at the walls around him. "I would love to give my daughter more than fading memories and old furniture, but that is all I have left. It is my last gift to her, so you must set your greed elsewhere."
"Greed? You see it as greed? I think of it as payment for letting her into my home. I need your home because I have found myself in trouble. Let Eloise take the belongings while I sell the home. Can't you save me, brother?" Clive asked, desperate for a way out of his troubles.
"I have saved you one too many times, Clive. I must think of Eloise's future. Be with me, not against me, brother," Thomas said, offering his hand to Clive.
Clive pulled his hand back. "An empty hand won't help my family."
"It is not my fault that your hands are empty. You make decisions as though it were you alone who was to be fed. You have a wife and two children. When will you grow up?" Thomas yelled, angry that he had to bear the burden of caring for Clive. "You are the older brother, yet you depend on me."
"I will have this home!" Clive yelled, burdened by the weight of promises made to men who would not forgive him.
A death sentence hung over Clive's head.
Thomas shook his head. "No, you will not. Think of your dear niece. Eloise needs it most."
How could Clive think of Eloise when his life was holding on by a mere thread, almost ready to snap?
Eloise had her youth. She had her beauty, which would find her a good husband to take care of her.
Eloise was going to be well, but Clive could be dead in a few days.
Clive's eyes darkened as he came to an awful resolution. "Forgive me, brother. I shall care for her," he said, but his voice carried no mercy.
"Clive!" Thomas cried, his heart aching as Clive lunged forward to attack him.
Clive's hands snaked around Thomas's neck with an iron hold. He ignored the flashes of pain from Thomas's clawing at his face, an attempt from a desperate, weak man trying to survive.
Thomas's frail body failed him. His neck showed markings of Clive's betrayal.
Each passing minute gave Clive the chance to turn back, but the thoughts of men waiting to terrorise his family should he not provide money forced him to continue his evil deed. If Clive stopped now, his family would starve.
Tears dropped from Clive's eyes onto Thomas's shirt, staining it with his remorse.
Thomas's movement slowly ceased as life slipped from the man who once cared deeply for Clive.
Thomas laid motionless with his eyes wide open and his mouth agape as though ready to call for his beloved older brother.
Clive staggered backwards as the weight of his actions collapsed on his shoulders. "What have I done?" Clive whispered.