She nodded.
“Well, the duchess is something of a connoisseur on the subject, and she is known to call impromptu reading saloons—”
“Literary saloons,” the Duchess of Raven added.
“We have all participated in them. Some enjoy it, others don’t, but if you are there and selected to read, well, you must read,” Dimity said.
“Yes, even the men in our family who have tried to fight against it ended up bowing to pressure. The duchess is quite ruthless. Lord Plunge loves a literary saloon,” Mary added.
Iris decided it may be time to find Henry and stay with him. No way would she be reading in public.
“I say, are they forcing Plunge to participate?” someone to Iris’s right said.
“It certainly looks that way. They’re even attempting to get his lavender silk jacket off him,” another said.
“Did you hear that rumor about him saving the boy perpetuated by Lady Cagney?”
“Yes, and the Blakes said he looked quite fierce stalking down the street in long strides in a very uncharacteristic manner.”
“Do you think he’s perhaps decided to be more manly?”
The conversation was taking place between a gaggle of ladies to their right.
“Have you noticed his shoes?” Beth shouted. “Quite manly.”
Everyone within hearing distance dutifully looked at Theo’s feet. Shiny black shoes with silver buckles adorned them.
“Are they not his usual footwear?” Iris asked.
“No indeed. He often wears heels, but perhaps as we are outside that selection makes sense,” Dimity said.
“Even his hair seems different today,” one lady tittered. “Do you think he might be considered handsome? I’ve never really seen past the silliness before.”
There was silence then as they studied Theo.
“Has he always been this way?” Iris had to ask.
“Silly and pompous?” Dimity said.
“Yes.”
There was more silence while the women thought about that. Iris watched Theo shake his head again. Clearly, he had no wish to take part in the tug-of-war.
“For as long as I can remember,” Mary said. “I have known him no other way.”
“Oh!” Dimity cried.
“What?” Iris said, returning her attention to the tug-of-war participants.
“They’ve wrestled Plunge’s jacket off,” Dimity said.
“Do you know, I think he’s angry,” the Duchess of Raven said. “I’ve never seen him angry.”
“How can you tell?” Ruby asked.
“His mouth is in a line.”
Iris stared at Theo. Was he angry?
