“I would far rather be home with Aunt Margo and Henry, eating cake and playing cards, however.”
“Just a few hours, niece.” He patted her hand as they shuffled forward in the receiving line.
Those around her were dressed beautifully, with their hair done perfectly and their jewelry sparkling on fingers and around necks and wrists.
“Some of these people are very nice, Iris, I promise you,” Uncle Robert said.
She intercepted a few questioning gazes, wondering who she was. A woman appearing in society for the first time was, she was sure, rare.
Her eyes encountered the man dressed in lavender again. He’d nodded to her, and Iris had returned the gesture. His hair was styled oddly compared to those around him, and his lavender silk jacket was again at odds with the other men in more somber colors. She studied his face and then felt everything inside her still.
“It can’t be,” she whispered.
“What’s that, dear?” Uncle Robert leaned in to hear her.
“I—that man, Uncle.”
His eyes found who she was looking at. They could see only his side profile now.
Uncle Robert made a tsking sound. “Yes. That’s Theodore Montgomery, your old neighbor. Do you remember him, Iris? You two were friends. He was a wonderful young boy, full of life, but I fear he has changed a great deal in the years since you’ve seen him. No doubt losing his parents played a hand in that,” Uncle Robert said.
“Tell me about him, Uncle. How has he changed?”
“Your aunt and I do not frequent society often, but gossip still reaches us, and much of it is about him. He has turned into quite the spectacle, I’m sorry to say, Iris. The butt of many society jokes. They call him Lord Plunge, as he often falls into the water.”
Everything inside her rebelled at what her uncle was saying. Not Theo. Sure-footed, adventurous, and smart. He’d been that and so much more as a child.
Seeing as we are friends, Iris, we will marry, as I could not marry anyone who was silly,he’d once said to her.
“Very well, if you insist” had been her reply.
She could still remember that conversation, as it had taken place two days before Theo’s parents, Lord and Lady Montgomery, were murdered. The day Theo’s life had been torn apart.
“’Tis sad to see what he has become,” her uncle said. “But after what he endured, I understand much changed for the poor boy we once knew. It is not our place to judge.”
Iris thought about the letter she had brought with her to London for Theo. It had been the catalyst to her agreeing to enter society. The contents had horrified her, and she felt he should be the only one to read it.
“Dear lord, Theo,” she whispered.What has become of you?
“Lord Raine, Lady Raine, please allow me to introduce my niece to you. Lady Iris Challoner,” her uncle said, drawing her attention back to her surroundings.
The woman before her was stunning, with thick black hair and a face that could only be described as beautiful. She wore a deep emerald dress. The man at her side was her equal. Handsome, intimidating, and noble.
“Hello,” the lady said. “How lovely to meet someone new, when usually we are faced with the same people night after night.”
The words surprised Iris into a nervous laugh, which she muffled behind her hand.
“Good evening to you.” She sank into a curtsy.
“Charming,” Lord Raine said. “I hope you are not yet bored with me, my love?”
“No.” Lady Raine gave her husband a soft smile. “You I will keep.”
“Excellent.” He touched her cheek before turning back to face Iris and her uncle. “It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Lady Challoner.”
This was a man like her husband. He’d been born into a title and exuded power. But unlike the late Lord Challoner, it seemed he was a great deal nicer and actually liked his wife. Looking at her again, Iris doubted that, unlike her, Lady Raine had ever cowed to anyone a day in her life.
“I shall find you later and introduce you to my family,” Lady Raine said. “Then point out the poisonous members of society you need to avoid.”
