“I say, you don’t have a book on you, do you, Duchess?” Monty said loudly.
“As it happens—”
“No!” Nathan and Zach roared in unison.
Monty bit back a snort that he’d managed to get under their skin. Clearly, they were rubbing off on him. Looking beyond the people closest, Monty scanned the guests, all waiting like him to enter the ballroom after greeting their hosts. That was when he found her.
A woman was standing beside an older man. The man was Lord Stilton, his childhood friend Iris’s uncle. He’d avoided him since he’d entered society as Plunge because he had no wish to see the disappointment in the eyes of the man who had once read to him and asked him what his dreams were. None of which he’d fulfilled.
He looked at the woman again. Her hair was dark, and she wasn’t overly tall. The top of her head came to Lord Stilton’s ear. Monty could not see all of her, but her dress was the color of his jacket. He studied her again and realized in that moment exactly who she was, just as he knew she was the woman he’d seen in that carriage earlier.
Iris, his childhood friend. Her eyes caught his, and she nodded before turning away. Monty did the same. Two shocks in one day. It was amazing his heart did not give out.
“What?” Zach whispered in his left ear.
“What?”
“You’re clutching your chest.”
“I’m Lord Plunge. That is expected of me.” He looked at Iris again but saw only the back of her head as she had turned to speak with someone.
He moved along the receiving line, wondering why she was here in London now, when she had never entered society with her husband, Lord Challoner, before his death over a year ago.
“I’m not bowing to him,” Nathan said, drawing Monty’s attention back from Iris. “I will to Dimity, however.”
“How rude. Allow me to acknowledge as is correct, my lord,” Monty simpered, bowing deep enough to please the king, “how grand you both look this evening, and—”
“Yes, yes, move it along, Plunge. We do not have all night, and a long line of people to meet,” Gabe said. He then winked.
“May I compliment you on your beauty this evening, Lady Raine,” Monty said, taking Dimity’s hand.
“Just tonight?” She allowed him to kiss her fingers.
“Always.” He smiled.
“Very well. You may enter the ballroom then.” Dimity wore deep emerald, and the color was stunning on her. But then, the countess could wear a sack and look beautiful.
“Nathan, I insist you bow again,” Dimity said. “That was not as low as Lord Plunge’s.”
Nathan muttered something that no one in polite society should hear. Smiling, Monty entered the ballroom.
It was ablaze with color and noise. Guests he knew well chatted and laughed. Music played. It did not impress him. Not much did these days.
CHAPTERFIVE
Iris put her hand on Uncle Robert’s arm. He patted it gently.
“There now, nothing to be concerned about.”
“I beg to differ, Uncle. I have never entered society and am not acquainted with anyone in it. I’m unsure why I let you and Aunt Margo talk me into this, as it’s terrifying.”
“You are out of mourning, and it’s best for Henry that you enter society before he is old enough to do so, so you understand what one day he will be part of. Plus, you cannot stay hidden in the country forever. You are a beautiful, intelligent young woman. There may be another man in your future.”
Absolutely not!
“I will not marry again, but I concede, for Henry’s sake, that it will go easier for him if I make the acquaintance of a few noble families before I run back to my hiding place in the country.”
He chuckled.
