“So, you and Plunge,” Mr. Zachariel Deville said. “What was he like as a child because I can’t imagine him in anything but lavender?”
Yet more questions about Theo. Most people were either horrified that she’d been his childhood friend or interested to know what he was like.
“Lord Montgomery was a good friend. We were just children. I have not seen him since I was ten.”
“Well then, you must take the time to become reacquainted.”
Some of these Devilles did not seem to pity or dislike Theo like the guests she’d encountered.
“My dear sister-in-law, I insist you dance with me.” Loftus Renton placed a hand on her back. She had not seen him approach. It was instinct that had her moving closer to Zachariel Deville. She landed on his foot.
“I beg your pardon.”
“No harm done.” He smiled gently down at her. “You weigh nothing. Renton.” Zachariel Deville then gave her former brother-in-law a curt nod. “Most people ask to dance with a request, not an order. You should try it.”
The horrid man laughed, but it did not reach his eyes, which he kept locked on her.
“Iris and I understand each other. Don’t we, my dear sister?”
“Former sister-in-law,” Iris clarified. Was it her imagination or had the temperature chilled in the last few seconds? Looking from her uncle to Gabe, who he had been chatting with, and lastly to Zachariel, she saw they were all giving openly hostile looks to Loftus. Clearly, she was not the only one who loathed this man.
“Come along, Iris.” Loftus Renton held out his hand to her.
“No thank you,” she said.
He laughed, as if she’d made a joke. No one else joined him.
“I believe you heard the lady, Renton. She has no wish to dance,” Gabriel Deville said.
“My dear Lady Challoner!” Theo called as he arrived. He stumbled into Loftus, sending him lurching backward. “Oh dear, please forgive me, Renton!”
“You idiot!” Loftus Renton roared. Righting himself, he raised his fist at Theo. “That is the second time this evening you’ve run into me!”
“That will do,” Mr. Zachariel Deville said, stepping between Theo and her former brother-in-law. “He did not mean it.”
Loftus bared his teeth.
“Yes, it was an accident,” Theo said, looking hurt. “I hope you do not believe otherwise, my dear Mr. Renton?”
“Come, Iris,” Renton snapped, holding out his hand.
“Oh dear,” Theo said loudly.
“What?” Loftus demanded.
“My name is on dear Lady Challoner’s dance card. We are childhood friends and have not had a chance to converse for more than a few minutes. I thought a waltz would change that. After all, I’m sure she wishes to bask in the magnificence of what I have become,” Theo added.
“Which is why I said no thank you, Mr. Renton,” Iris lied. She placed her fingers on Theo’s arm, and he led her away.
“Can you waltz?” he asked her loudly.
“I can, yes. Are you hard of hearing, Theo?”
“My name is Lord Plunge.” He shot her a look.
“I am not calling you that silly name.”
“It is my name.”
