“But if I don’t produce them, he will keep asking or searching for them,” Iris added. “Do you think it was one of my late husband’s friends?”
“Likely, but as I could not see his face, I do not know.”
“We will go to the country tomorrow,” Iris said quickly.
“And be even more exposed. No, you will stay here in London where I can protect you.”
“I am not your concern. I will hire men to protect us, and we have Norman.”
“This is not a game, Iris. These men will kill and have killed to protect themselves and what they stand for.”
“You think I don’t know that? That I am not terrified for my son?” she cried.
“You don’t need to be terrified. I will protect you,” he said in a steady voice.
“Lord Plunge?” she scoffed.
He eyed her. “I think we both know I am not him.”
“Then why do you play the part of him?” Iris asked.
“That is my business, and the answer will get you into trouble should anyone try to pry information out of you again.”
“Who are you?” she whispered.
“It matters not. What matters is we are going to talk, and you are going to listen and answer questions.”
“What questions?”
“Think back to when your husband was in the house with you and Henry. I need to know exactly who was there. If you overheard anything, Iris. If your husband said anything at all suspicious.”
“You have not asked me these questions before.”
“You were not lured from your house and your son threatened before. Now concentrate. I need any information you can give me.”
“I need more brandy,” Iris muttered. He didn’t move. “Move, Theo.”
His sigh was loud and told her he was annoyed. Well, too bad. She was scared and angry. Her nerves felt like a piece of piano wire about to snap.
She went to pour another brandy. He followed.
“Don’t drink too much. Your head will be sore tomorrow.”
She spun to glare at him. “You have no right to tell me what to do. My husband did that for years.”
“I am not your husband. I am trying to protect you.”
“No, you are worried in case I die, and you won’t get the information you need about your parents’ murderers!” She shrieked the words at him. “That perhaps I will remember something that will lead you to them.”
“Calm down, hysteria will not help the situation.”
She’d had times in her life when she’d been volatile and spoken without thought. Her husband had cured her of that, but in that moment, she felt the rebellion rise inside her. It choked her, and her hand clenched to stop it from slapping the handsome face before her.
“Hysteria?” she said with barely controlled fury. Her voice wobbled as Iris struggled to keep herself in check. “My son was threatened.”
“And yet he is well. Now calm down, and we will sit, and you can try to remember anything that will lead me—”
“You should not be here with me alone.” Iris suddenly wanted him gone.
