He’d called and spent the day with her, Henry, and Oscar, who was now firmly settled in their household and loved by the staff, at the small park near her home. Theo had brought a kite, and her staff had packed a picnic. It had been wonderful, and she’d felt so much hope for the future, especially when Henry had told her that night how much he liked Theo.
“You look nervous,” Dimity said when they reached the rest of the Devilles.
“I don’t know what I’m nervous about,” Iris said.
“Step aside. Make room.”
“Duchess, how wonderful of you to join us, and dressed in your drapery,” Zach said.
Iris bit her lip to stop from commenting. The dress was a thick brocade in dark gray. She looked like a dormouse in it, except for the array of feathers and small woodland creatures attached to her hair.
“Ah, you look lovely, Duchess,” Iris said.
“Thank you. At least someone has taste,” she snapped. She then jabbed Zach in the ankle when he snorted.
They wandered with the other guests for a while, and Iris kept looking for Theo. Surely, he would be here soon. With every passing minute, Iris’s nerves climbed.
“It is time,” Gabe said.
“For what?” Iris asked.
“Come along, I believe we have somewhere to be,” the Duchess of Yardly said to her. “Escort me, gal.”
She held out her arm because she may be stronger now, but there was no way she would ever refuse this woman. Gloved fingers settled on her arm, and they followed the Devilles. The room they entered was grand as they all were at Carlton House. Iris found herself being nudged forward by Zach and Mary, who had somehow made their way behind her.
No furniture save for the king’s throne graced the room, and only a handful of other guests were present. Most were men. Gold-trimmed red velvet drapes were at the windows, and the carpet was a large matching rug. Gilded pedestals lined the walls every few feet, and the ceiling was painted in a delicate pastel scene and framed in gold.
“It’s very grand,” she found herself saying to the duchess.
“Our monarch puts his breeches on a leg at a time like all men, gal,” the duchess said, making her giggle. “Never forget that if you feel intimidated. Now, we will stand right here at the front.” The duchess stopped with the Devilles and kept hold of her hand. “I think what is about to transpire will be most entertaining.”
“But what is to happen?” Iris asked.
“You shall see. I may be old, gal, but I am in no way unaware. My husband was a close friend of the current monarch’s father. We talked a great deal.”
“Good lord.” Iris found Gabe standing before her. His eyes were on the duchess’s chest.
Iris looked and found a necklace. On it was a ring like the one Theo also wore on a chain around his neck.
He’d told her the ring was forged from William the Conqueror’s goblet and given to ten men who pledged their allegiance to the queen. She now knew about Alexius, and the man called Geraint who they reported to, because Theo wanted no secrets between them.
“My husband kept no secrets from me, Deville, and his nephew still calls to visit with me upon occasion.”
“Who is his nephew?” Nathan demanded, now standing beside his brother, his eyes also on the ring hanging from the necklace. “Actually, I’m not sure I want to know.”
“My nephew goes by the name of Geraint.”
“I don’t know what to say to you right now,” Gabe muttered.
“Well, there is always a first time for everything,” the duchess fired back, and Iris thought that was almost a smile on her face.
“We should have known,” Zach whispered. “I mean, if anyone knew about us, it would have been her.”
“True,” Michael said, still looking shocked. “And as she has no son, the ring was not passed on.”
“Good lord” was all Forrest said.
“Who are they?” Iris whispered, looking at the other men in the room.
