“Thank you,” Iris said, unsure what else to add to that as the words had surprised her.
“There, now wasn’t that nice. Lady Raine is one of society’s leading ladies and highly regarded by many. She was once a companion to that crotchety old Duchess of Yardly. Now, you mark my words, niece, that old virago is someone to avoid.”
“Point her out to me, Uncle Robert, so I know what she looks like.” Iris would ensure she kept her distance from the woman.
“I’m sure someone will tell you, so you may as well hear it from me,” her uncle continued. “Lady Raine was actually French nobility and is now married to an earl.”
“You’re not serious?” He could be quite the joker when he wanted to be.
“Deadly. If you make friends with her, you will be quite at ease in no time.”
“I plan to only go to a handful of events, Uncle. I am not here to make friends.”
“But won’t that be a pleasant side benefit?” he added.
Uncle Robert, like Aunt Margo, was the only family who had really seen how she suffered. She’d tried to tell her parents what her life was like. After the first night, her husband had struck her for speaking out about something. Her father had said that her husband was the head of the household, therefore, given time, she would adjust. Her mother had said nothing.
She had an elder sister, but at the time, Margaret had just had her first child, so Iris had not talked to her about what was going on behind the closed doors of the Challoner household. Instead, she’d dealt with it her own way, in silence.
Iris allowed her uncle to lead her into a large ballroom. Noise came from all corners of the room. Her aunt had schooled her on what she’d see and how to behave, but it was still intimidating.
“I wish Aunt Margo had come.”
“She will be with us for the next one, Iris,” Uncle Robert said. “Would you like a glass of champagne to calm your nerves?”
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
“I see a footman just a few feet away. I will procure some and return.”
“And I will have my eyes on you the entire time,” she told her uncle.
He left with a smile and wound through a few guests to where a waiter stood.
“Good evening.”
She didn’t visibly shudder, but it was there when she turned to face her late husband’s brother.
“Mr. Renton.” She sank into a curtsy.
“Come, Iris, we are family. No need to be so formal. Call me Loftus.” His smile was revolting, just as his brother’s had been. Once she had been fooled by it, but no more.
Loftus Renton was her late husband’s younger brother and almost identical to look at. Not overly tall, with a solid build, he had brown hair and eyes too close together. She loathed him.
“We are not family,” she said slowly. “We are, in fact, nothing to each other. Further to that, I will not let you near me or my son again. Do not try to enter my house again, as it will go worse for you.” This man would intimidate her no more. She was freed from his brother’s brutal grip. She would never allow a man to control her in such a way again.
His eyes narrowed, and the pleasant facade faded to be replaced by anger.
“I am your brother-in-law. It is my duty to care for you,” he hissed so only she could hear. “Your son is young. Therefore, you and he need my guidance until he is old enough to run his affairs.”
“Is that what you choose to call what you did to me three weeks after I came out of mourning?” Iris scoffed. “Guidance? You tried to kiss me, and yelled at my son.”
“You have no family but two elderly relatives. It is my duty to my brother to step in and care for both you and Henry.” His face was red with anger and now inches from hers. She knew the signs. The Renton brothers could easily fly into a rage. But she would be cowed no more.
“You tried to take advantage of me and then hit my son. Now leave before I scream, because let me assure you that I care nothing about what these people think of me, but you, however, do.”
Anger snapped and crackled in the air between them as he leaned into her space. She shot a look at her uncle. He would return soon, and she wanted Renton gone by then. Iris would not allow him to insult her Uncle Robert.
“I will get what I want.” His words were a growl. “I am the head of this family. It is my right to go through my late brother’s things, just as it is my right to guide you and your son.”
