Lydia left the room, and Iris tugged on Archer’s trouser leg. “It’s my turn.”
“Yes, Iris. It’s your turn.” He picked her up and placed her on his feet, gently swaying with her as the music played. “Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to since I went away?”
Iris began whittering away, telling him about all her little adventures, and Archer let it wash over him. Usually he would listen intently, but his eyes kept wandering towards the door until Iris said, “And then I bumped into Auntie Cora, and she got cross because I got mud on her trousers. So, I told her she smelled bad. And she said?—”
“When was this?” Archer stopped dancing and fixed his niece with a gaze, hearing Cora’s sharp intake of breath.
Iris gave him a disapproving look. “Yesterday, like I said, Uncle Dash.”
“Juliet—take Iris for a walk in the garden. The groundskeeper was telling me about a bunny warren he has just found.” Archer’s voice brooked no argument, and he knew that Iris would jump at the chance to see bunnies.
He waited until Juliet and Iris were out of earshot before he turned to face Cora, whose face was bright red. “We talked about this Cora.”
His sister swallowed. “It was nothing, Dash. Just a little bit of fun. I just went to the gentleman’s club, had a few drinks with the lads, and came home.”
“Cora, do not lie to me.” He took a step towards her. “I tolerated your shenanigans because they gave you freedom and suited my needs. My rakish reputation kept the mothers of the ton from my door, but things are different now. I am married—I cannot be a rake anymore. Do you understand?”
It had started innocently enough. His sister had wanted to do things that only men could do, and she had been so similar in looks to him that she had passed herself off as him. It helped that she only seemed to want to go to the seedier bars where men were so far into their cups they could hardly tell up from down, let alone man from woman.
“I know Dash. I know that.” Cora made an appeasing gesture with her hands.
“Do you? Because it seems like you have disobeyed me. I swore to Lydia that I would not embarrass her. That I would not shame her with infidelity.”
“Dash, nothing like that happened, I promise. Besides, you know it’s never more than a little flirting.”
“Damn it, Cora. A little flirting is unacceptable. I will not have you embarrass Lydia like that. Do you understand me?” He clenched his fist, body shaking with anger.
“I didn’t do that! I swear. I just… I wanted to get out, I wanted to sculpt and get some clay, and you weren’t home, and they always charge me double if they know I am a woman, and one thing led to another, and then we were out drinking.” Cora swallowed. “But I was a perfect gentleman. I like Lydia too, Dash. I wouldn’t humiliate her like that.”
Something in his sister’s tone broke through his anger, and he nodded. “Good.”
The sound of shattering glass caught his attention, and he hurtled out of the room “What happened?—”
“Uncle! Uncle!” Iris leaped out from behind the couch and raced toward Archer, arms outstretched in anticipation. He swept her up in a big hug before he turned his attention back to the broken vase.
“I’m sorry, Dash. She slipped away from me when my back was turned.” Juliet looked abashed.
Archer shook his head. “Iris, you need to stay away from broken objects, especially glass. We don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I’m sorry.” Iris looked down at her tiny hands apologetically. Unsurprisingly, there was a small cut. “I wanted to give the flowers to the bees.”
“What for? There are plenty of flowers in the garden, and if you want, we can plant more.” He looked at Juliet who shrugged.
“Auntie Lydia told me about beekeepers,” Iris said excitedly. “I want to keep bees when I grow up. You need to get me a proper beekeeping teacher, so I can become the greatest beekeeper in the world.” Iris threw her arms out, fanning them in a dramatic display to accompany her statement.
Iris squealed. “I can give the bees a place to live and feed them flowers. And after the bees eat the flowers, they will go home and make honey all day long! So then, I’ll have a never-ending supply of honey!”
“That’s a wonderful idea, sweetheart,” Archer said softly, “but it’s a lot of work to take care of bees.”
“I can do it!” Iris shouted. “I will, I promise. I’ll feed and water them every day. I’ll clean up after them. I’ll even take them on walks. I promise. Auntie Lydia said I could!”
“Lady Iris, we have been over this several times. You must refer to the duchess as ‘Her Grace’.” Miss Boyd walked in at that moment, looking as shrewd as ever. “Not Auntie Lydia. And bees are not dogs. You do not have to feed them or take them on walks.”
“You spoil everything!” Iris snapped, wriggled out of Archer’s grip, and jumped to the floor.
“Iris! Be careful.” Archer lunged for his niece, but she darted away from him, sticking her tongue out at Miss Boyd.
Iris turned back to Archer, angry tears forming in her little eyes. “Auntie Lydia said I can call her whatever I’d like. So, I’m going to call her Auntie!”
