But not him. Never him.
His body was hard as he rode through London with Iris in his arms. He was holding a woman, and he hadn’t done that before. Mary had hugged him, but he’d not held a woman as intimately between his thighs on horseback like he was Iris.
Closing the inches between them, he inhaled, and her soft, alluring scent filled his nostrils. She twisted to look over her shoulder, and their eyes met.
“I’m not sure why or how you found me, but thank you.”
He was too angry and aroused to answer, so he managed a single nod, and she turned to face the front once more.
How the hell was he supposed to compose himself enough to tell her exactly what he thought of her reckless actions tonight? The Duchess of Yardly. He’d think about her and those hideous dresses she wore; that should cool his ardor.
It didn’t work.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Theo had saved her. She still couldn’t believe he had appeared in that room when that horrid man had touched her. She’d been a fool to go there alone. Iris knew that now, but she would do it again for Henry.
“I must go to my aunt and uncle’s at once,” she said to Theo.
“I have sent a man to find out if Henry is there. An answer will come to your town house,” he said in a cold, hard voice.
“But if he is not—”
“I will deal with it.”
“I will deal with it also. He is my son, and I must be there for my aunt and uncle also,” Iris said. “I will start looking for him.”
“Where?” The word was barked at her.
“I don’t know, but I have to look.” Just thinking of her son made Iris nauseous with worry for his well-being. Her beautiful boy had already been through so much.
“We will know soon enough,” he said.
“How did you know to find me there?” she asked to keep her mind thinking of something other than Henry.
“The questions can wait until we reach your house. Now I must get you there without being noticed.” The voice was clipped and cold.
Iris wanted to demand he answer her, but she knew that right now arriving at her town house undetected was important. That and ensuring Henry was safe.
One strong arm held her around the waist, and her back was pressed to his front. Theo surrounded her. His large, hard body kept her safe.
The man behind her was nothing like Lord Plunge. He was so far from him, they could be two entirely different men. Except they weren’t.
She’d thought briefly about going to Theo when that note arrived. But her fear for Henry had her deciding she could not take the time. She’d not told any of her staff, just slipped out of the house and went to the White Swan to meet with whoever had sent that note.
Iris had gone into that room up the stairs like she’d been directed, and that man had been there. The one who touched her breast. He’d bound her hands and feet and lowered the sack over her head. Then the other had arrived.
“My man is here, and he will have news on Henry,” Theo said as they reached the Challoner town house.
She watched a tall figure in black walk toward them.
Theo dismounted first and then lifted Iris down.
“What did you find, Jimmy?” Theo said.
“The boy is safe there with his aunt and uncle. I spoke with a footman, and he checked.”
“I will have you return there now, Jimmy, and watch over him. Have Jack take a shift, so you can get some sleep,” Theo told him.
