“But you cannot think I would do such a thing on purpose?” Monty’s voice rose to a high-pitched warble.
“I should punch you and do everyone a favor,” Laidlaw muttered. His friends, who stood at his back, agreed. “You are a pathetic excuse for a man.”
“But, my dear Laidlaw, how can you say such a thing? You wound me. Perhaps if I do something for your cheek, you will not be so scathing about my person.” Monty lunged at him and struck him again on the other cheek with the fan.
Howling with rage, the man charged Monty. He pretended to stumble to the left, leaving his foot outstretched. Laidlaw tripped over it and fell onto the shell path, hard.
“That has to hurt,” Zachariel Deville said, stepping to Monty’s left.
“I would say. Laidlaw might need to have the bits of shell removed from his palms,” Mary Deville said from his right.
“And perhaps his cheek,” Zach added.
Monty had spent years annoying and playing tricks on members of society who had insulted or belittled him. They, of course, had no idea and thought it was just part of his clumsiness. He’d always done so alone and faced the consequences. He now had people who were there for him. Watched over him. He still wasn’t entirely comfortable with that.
“I’m going to kill you!” Laidlaw had regained his feet and was now heading for Monty.
“Stand down, Laidlaw.” Michael and Nathanial Deville had arrived and stood beside their brother.
“He struck me. Twice! Then threw me to the ground!”
“Lord Plunge?” Mary scoffed. “I’m not entirely sure he’s capable of such an act, Laidlaw. Bested by a man such as he… what will society think?”
Laidlaw stood before him now, fists clenched. Monty wanted to punch him badly. He and his group had tormented Lord Plunge for years. While it normally didn’t bother him, today it did.
The rage inside him was burning for a release.
“That will help no one,” a deep voice whispered into his ear. Which Deville it was, he could not be sure.
“I say, Laidlaw, I, of course, meant you no harm!” Monty roared instead of hurting the man further. “Why, I would never willingly inflict pain on a fellow peer!”
“Stay away from me!” Laidlaw jabbed a finger at him. “I will take you apart should you come near me again.”
“No, you will not,” Nathan said in a cold, hard voice.
“I’m not sure why you Devilles are protecting him.” Laidlaw pointed at them next. “He’s not worthy of anyone’s respect.”
“I will take anyone’s side over yours, Laidlaw.” Those words came from Gabe, who had just arrived. He had history with the man that included his treatment of Dimity and Walter.
Laidlaw paled and then turned and walked away with his friends. No doubt to find somewhere to pick shell out of his face.
“Well, I never,” Monty whined. “Did you hear that? He threatened me.” He pressed a handkerchief to his lips to hide the sneer on his face. “I-I feel quite faint.”
“Don’t overdo it,” Zach whispered. “And one day someone will realize you’re deliberately meting out punishment to those who insulted you.”
“I need to lie down!” Monty wailed, walking to the left with Mary holding his arm. His eyes found Iris, and she was staring at him. He felt the silly look fall from his face before he could stop it.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Iris had seen the entire incident unfold with Theo. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought he’d struck that man deliberately. Then he’d appeared to stumble and trip him.
“Oscar is really coming home with us?”
She looked down at her son and then to the solemn-eyed dog. Beside the animal walked Walter. He almost seemed to watch over the greyhound, which, of course, was not true, but to Iris, it seemed he was.
“It appears so,” she said, still dazed over the turn her life had taken just this morning. She’d had only one plan when she reached London. Get the note to Theo and survive a few social occasions. But she’d made friends and now acquired a dog. It was enough to send a person back to the country.
“Oscar is happy,” Henry said.
