“Some of society are aware they were murdered, Iris, but not all,” Lord Raine said.
“Murdered,” Lady Raine whispered. “Good lord, poor Plunge.”
“Does not one call him Lord Montgomery?”
“Most have forgotten he is Lord Montgomery,” the earl said.
Some, but not all, she thought. Iris would never forget the name of her childhood friend.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Lord and Lady Caruthers’s home was large, as you would expect from peers of wealth and status. A stream rambled beside the drive as the carriage rolled toward the house where the Duchess of Yardly was holding her birthday party.
“What am I to do with you now?” Monty asked the greyhound, who had slept with his chin resting on his thigh the entire journey. He’d be lying to himself if he said it hadn’t been nice having the company, even if it was a dog.
Looking out the window, he watched the carriage stop beside several others. One he recognized, as it had the Raine crest on the door. It appeared to also have just arrived as said door was opening, and several people were pouring out.
He saw Gabe and Dimity, and their daughter Patrice, and then Ella, Gabe’s cousin Forrest’s daughter. As they were now his friends, he knew a great deal about them, because Devilles were not ones for silence. They talked constantly and usually about what and who they loved.
But it was the next person to step from the carriage that surprised him.
Iris Challoner took the earl’s hand and climbed out. She then turned to watch Henry join her. He had the same serious expression he’d worn the day Monty had visited the Challoner town house.
Why was she here, and with Dimity and Gabe?
“Hello, Lord Plunge!” Dimity waved to him as he opened the door.
“Hello,” he said. “Is it not a beauteous day?” he added in Plunge’s voice because he’d forgotten to use it, which was odd when you got right down to it. He rarely slipped out of character when attending a society function.
Gabe walked toward him with his daughter Patrice in his arms. He was frowning.
“What’s wrong?” he said softly.
“Nothing.”
“You just said hello in a cold, hard voice before remembering the beauteous day part. You’re also frowning. Plus, you only have two folds in your necktie, and you’re wearing those flat black shoes again.”
“No one will notice.” Monty waved his words away.
“Oh, I assure you they will, but wait, there is more,” Gabe said. “There is that business with the Blake women all atwitter with your appearance the day they saw you outside Iris’s town house, and Lady Cagney’s story about you rescuing that boy.”
“Will you just shut up and listen?” Monty snapped, looking over his shoulder to check the others weren’t close. “Yes, isn’t my jacket wonderful!” Monty added in his best Plunge voice so those around them wouldn’t know they were discussing anything but fashion.
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Never behave like him,” he said to his daughter.
“I have something I need help with. Come to my home tomorrow night.”
Gabe nodded. “To do with Alexius?”
“Yes, but it is also personal. As yet Geraint does not have all the details.”
“Very well. Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?”
Any other Deville would have demanded to know what information, but this one could at least keep quiet when required.
“I have a dog in my carriage. It’s a long story, but I need you to take it, or say you found it or something. It wouldn’t be right for me to suddenly appear with a dog.”
“And it would be right for me to?” Gabe then leaned around Monty to peer in his open carriage door to where Oscar still lay on the seat. “Is that a greyhound?”
