“You will yield to me!”
“Stay away from me and my son. You are nothing to us, and never will be!”
“You will be mine,” he whispered, pulling her closer. One of his hands moved to her throat, where he squeezed, cutting off her air. “I will not let this go. It is what my brother wanted. I am now head of this family until your son is old enough to do so. You will allow me to enter your home whenever I choose.”
Iris jerked her head back, and his nail sank into the skin of her neck.
“If you do not yield to my demands, it will not go well.”
“I am no longer scared of your threats, Mr. Renton. You are nothing to me.” Iris fought harder to free herself.
“You should be very scared,” he growled.
“Why?”
“Why what?” he snapped.
“Why do you and those other men want access to my husband’s papers when they do not concern you? What is in there you must have?”
The words had been an impulse, but the look on his face told her she’d been right. There was something in her late husband’s things this man wanted. Was it the papers she’d handed Theo? Her guess was yes.
“Why would you ask such a thing?” He shook her. “What have you found?”
“Nothing. Release me!”
“You’re lying,” he gritted out. “Tell me what you found.”
“I burned them,” Iris said quickly. “All my husband’s papers I did not understand, I burned. The rest his lawyers hold.”
A growl from beside her had Iris looking at Oscar. The dog was baring his teeth at Loftus Renton. He kicked out with a foot, and the dog lunged. His teeth sank into the man’s calf.
He screamed and released her. Iris ran. “Oscar, come!”
She ran back and straight into the refreshment tent with the dog on her heels. Taking a moment to collect herself, Iris studied the table laden with food.
“Can I help you, my lady?” a servant asked her.
“C-Could you follow me with a tray of champagne and some of those éclairs?” Iris said.
Had what she said put her former brother-in-law off? Would he believe she had destroyed her husband’s papers? Looking around her, she saw no sign of him and hoped Oscar had bitten him hard enough to cause him distress.
Composed once more, she walked back to where the Deville women stood. Iris took a glass of champagne and swallowed a large mouthful.
“Éclairs!” the Duchess of Raven shrieked.
“What?” Cambridge Sinclair called. His head turned toward them like a hound scenting something in the air.
“Cam, focus!” his older brother roared.
Sensing weakness, the Deville side tugged.
“Pull!” Theo roared in a very unPlunge voice.
A few people gasped.
They had the advantage, and seconds later, it was done. Lord Plunge ended on his bottom with a pile of men on top of him.
Slowly, they untangled and regained their feet. Theo was last to rise, and Iris saw the smile on his face, which he quickly masked.
