Iris did not back away. “You will not intimidate me like your brother did. I will care for my son until he is of an age where he can do so himself. I have a family who can help me, but you are not that. Stay away from us.”
His hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist, gripping it hard. She would not make a noise or show him her fear. She’d done that with her husband for years.
Sydney Renton had controlled her by threatening to harm her son. It had been effective, and she’d yielded. She no longer had to do so. This man was nothing to her.
“Hello!”
They both turned at the loud greeting, and there stood Theodore Montgomery. Once her best friend, now a stranger.
“Go away, Plunge,” Renton said.
CHAPTERSIX
“My dearest Lady Challoner! It has been so long. I believe I was but thirteen when last we met?”
“Lord Montgomery,” Iris said with a forced smile. “Yes, it has been overlong.” She tried to shake free of the grip Loftus Renton still had on her wrist but failed.
“And, Mr. Renton, good evening to you as well.” Theo’s smile was wide and made him look a bit simple if she was being honest.
“Go away, Plunge. My sister-in-law and I have things to discuss,” Renton said, his fingers tightening and making her wince. She didn’t want a scene. He wouldn’t hurt her here. Iris had to remember that.
“Oh, but you would not be so cruel,” Theo begged. “It has been many years since I saw my dear childhood friend. We must reacquaint ourselves. Come, my dear lady, walk with me. There is much to discuss. Do you like my jacket? It is the finest Indian silk, you know.”
Iris looked at the arm he held out. The material really was rather beautiful, even if the color surprised her. She’d never have thought Theo would wear such a thing, but then time and circumstance changed most people. She placed her fingers on it, eager to get away from Loftus.
“Let her go, Renton, as I wish to show my dear old friend off,” Theo said in a voice a great deal deeper than it had been just moments ago. Looking at him, she saw his silly smile was still in place. Had she imagined that?
“Hurry it up, Renton. We have people to meet.” Theo looked at the hand that still gripped her wrist. Loftus released her.
“Good evening, Mr. Renton. I hope not to see you again.” She leaned in to whisper, “Keep your distance from me and my son in the future.”
“I will have what I want,” he snarled, reaching for her again. Iris wasn’t sure how it happened, but seconds later, Loftus was stumbling back and fell, landing on his rear at the feet of a lady who squawked like a chicken.
“Oh dear, perhaps you have overimbibed, Renton, and so early in the evening,” Theo tittered, peering down at the man. “Sir Hugh, would you be so kind as to help Mr. Renton to his feet? I fear I do not have the strength, and this coat is, you know, extremely fitted. I would not want to tear the seams.”
Iris watched Theo give the man she now knew was Sir Hugh a simpering smile. He then led her away toward her uncle.
“Thank you, Theo,” Iris said, feeling the tight knot of fear inside her ease with distance between her and that nasty man. She loathed the Renton brothers, and it was beneath her, but she was glad one of them was dead. Her husband.
“My name is Lord Plunge.”
“No, it’s not.” She shot him a look. “It’s Theo, or Lord Montgomery.”
“But here in London, my dear Lady Challoner, it is Lord Plunge,” he said in a silly voice.
“I know it is many years since we saw each other, Theo—”
“So very many,” he said. “Why, I barely recognized you.”
“I recognized you,” Iris said, unsure why she was hurt by his words when she’d been ten years old the last time they saw each other. They’d both changed beyond recognition since then. She certainly had.
“I’ve grown up, and exceptionally well, don’t you think, my dear?”
She shot him a look. His face didn’t hold a silly grin now. In fact, his jaw was clenched.
“Very well. Are you all right, Theo?”
“Of course. Why would I not be?” he shouted. “Why, I am one of society’s brightest lights.”
