That came out sounding like a threat, and he wasn’t sure why she’d felt the need to issue it to him, of all people.
“You are to be commended, then. Will you take a seat, my lady?” Monty waved toward one.
His furniture was not what Plunge would have. It was comfortable, not ostentatious, and he’d never had a problem with that until now.
But Iris had not walked in society until last night, so perhaps she’d leave and not mention the inside of his town house to anyone.
She sat with a minimum of fuss and did not mention the fact he’d not offered her tea. He didn’t want her to stay any longer than necessary. Monty took the seat across from her.
“What can I help you with, my lady?” he said instead of “How has your life been since we parted? Was your husband good to you?”
“I have something I wish to give to you,” she said.
Curious, he watched her open the small bag on her wrist and take out a folded piece of paper.
“Before I do so, I need you to know that I was unaware of anything my husband did when he left our house, or indeed in it. I never sat with his friends when they came over, only on the rare occasion that he entertained. I did not walk in society either. When he was in his study, I was not to disturb him.”
“Why did you not enter society? I remember once that was something you were excited about.” He’d told himself he wasn’t interested, and yet he’d just asked the question that suggested he was.
“My husband thought it best,” she said in a cool, clipped tone that Monty guessed was to stop him asking any further questions.
“Why?”
She waved his words aside with an elegant flick of her hand.
“When my mourning period was up, I started receiving callers. My former brother-in-law many times, but I did not let him enter the house. He grew more forceful over time.”
What the hell did that mean?
“He was not the only one who called. Several of my husband’s friends also, and all wanted to get into his study for various reasons. I had no wish for them to enter, even if I could gain access to the study. It wasn’t until later that I found the key.”
She spoke in a cool, precise way. No emotion. In fact, she talked like he did when he was here in his house.
“I have no idea what this document pertains to. However, when I found it in a hidden drawer under my husband’s desk, I felt you needed to read it. There were other papers there, but after reading this, I could not bring myself to look at the rest.”
She was clearly nervous, as her hands were clenched now around the small bag she carried.
“In part, the reason I am in London is to hand deliver this to you. I felt it would not be right to send it to you any other way.”
He got out of his seat again to take the piece of paper. Their fingers brushed, but as she was wearing gloves, it should not have made him react as strongly as he did.
Monty didn’t feel things for people. Mary and the Devilles, perhaps, and his staff, but that was his limit. So why did he just feel a bolt of heat lance through him as their fingers touched?
Sitting, he unfolded the paper and read.
Your work on behalf of our brotherhood will be rewarded. Another step toward revenge for our leader has been achieved with the death of Lord Montgomery. We have sacrificed to appease the gods.
Your servant,
Fratres Fidei
Monty’s heart started thudding hard inside his chest as he reread the words and studied the symbol in the top right-hand corner of the sheet of paper he was holding. He felt himself slip back there to the day he lost his parents. It all came back, the rage and injustice of losing them.
“Lord Montgomery,” Iris added when he didn’t speak. “I will leave you,” she said when he fell silent again.
“No. Stay.”
Because right then, he needed her to. If she was here, the pain would recede, and with it, the memories of the day he’d walked into his parents’ rooms and found them murdered in their beds. Memories he’d pushed into the dark recesses of his mind for years. The day he’d found that small wooden symbol in his father’s hand.
