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Six
Iris had dressed carefully for the evening meal. It was the last night before the rest of the guests were scheduled to arrive. With Daniel, his sister, Iris and the Viscount of Goodland, they had even numbers of females to go along with the already married couples. Everyone was expected at the meal. Violet had pulled Iris aside and ordered her to attend. Francesca had been planning it for a while and she would be hurt if anyone made an excuse to stay away.
Not that Iris had planned to do anything of the sort, but she kept Francesca’s feelings in mind as she prepared for the evening. She also thought about how Daniel would react. He had given her permission to use his given name and she couldn’t think of him as Lord Hampstead any longer. That was far too formal, and while she would not give in to his demand to say his name, she felt justified thinking it. He didn’t need to know about her little rebellion. It would only serve to make his ego grow larger than it already had.
He had inferred he dreamt about her. Perhaps he had. She certainly had dreams of him. He had haunted her far longer than she had him. She would wager her entire dowry on that. He hadn’t truly noticed her before that day on Scandal Lane, and he had done a fine job of pretending she didn’t exist for the past year. Nothing he said would convince her that she’d always been on his mind. Proximity had brought her to his attention, nothing more.
Tonight she wore a blue dress that matched the color of her eyes. Mary had dressed her hair so her curls were draping down her back enticingly, and sapphire pins had been added to hold them in place. Her necklace was a simple sapphire pendant shaped like a teardrop that stopped just above her chest. The overall effect was one that should appear inviting, but only with permission. Iris didn’t intend to give anyone the right to touch.
She walked down the stairs slowly. Almost everyone was in the sitting room waiting until each member of the dinner party arrived before going in to dinner. Francesca walked up beside her. “I hope you don’t mind, but Lord Hampstead is leading you into dinner.”
Iris frowned. That would mean she’d be required to hold a conversation with him during the meal. She gritted her teeth, but she didn’t take her frustration out on her friend. “It will be all right. I promise.”
“Lord Goodland will be on your other side,” she said. “If it becomes too unbearable, talk to him instead.”
That was not a socially acceptable move, but she might do that. Francesca had given her permission to, and this was her house and her party. “I will if I need to,” she promised
“There was a tension between the two of you at breakfast,” Francesca began. “Do you wish to talk about it?”
Iris shook her head. That was the last thing she wished to do. “He’s being annoying, nothing more. Don’t pay any attention to him or his weird behavior. I plan to.”
Francesca stared at her for several moments. She did not seem convinced and honestly, Iris understood why. Daniel seemed to bring out the worst in her. She would like to reassure Francesca she could handle him; however, a part of her didn’t think that was possible. Some things were left to fate and all she could do was hold on and pray she came out of it whole. “I’m trusting you,” Francesca said. “And if you do need an ear to listen, don’t hesitate to come to me.”
“I will,” she promised.
With that settled, Francesca left her alone to mingle with all her guests. After she left, Daniel came to stand beside her. “Are you going to be difficult tonight?”
“Are you going to be tedious?” she countered.
“Undoubtedly,” he replied in a cool tone. “You’re my dinner partner. It’s inevitable.”
“Then why did you bother asking me anything?” She lifted a brow. “We both know what to expect from each other.” She trailed her gaze over his tall frame, from his feet all the way to his handsome face. She met his gaze and said in an acerbic tone, “You’re such a disappointment.”
She walked away from him before he could respond. Iris would have to spend the entire meal with him. Talking to him now would not make her want to stay for the meal. She had made a promise, and she intended to keep it. At one time, she had believed they were meant to be, but she would not make that mistake again.
Violet grabbed her arm and pulled her in close to her. “What is going on between you and Lord Hampstead,” she practically hissed out the question.
“Not a thing,” she said. “You don’t need to worry, sister dear. I promise I have no intention of doing anything foolish.” Iris had already gone down that path and she learned from her mistakes. “He frustrates me and I try to avoid him.”
“Try harder,” Violet told her.
Iris smiled. “I hate to tell you this, but he’s my dinner companion. I can’t escape him if I wanted to. Blame Francesca.”
Violet groaned. “Then be polite at least.”
“No promises,” she replied in a amiable tone. “He brings out the worst in me. I won’t make a promise I know I can’t keep.”
As she spoke those words, the dinner bell rang. Daniel came to her side and held out his arm. “My lady,” he said in a polite tone. He was going to try to be nice. All right, she could too then.
“My lord,” she said in the same polite tone. “Please, lead the way.”
“My pleasure.” His lips twitched.
The devil would not be able to keep this act up. She was willing to bet if she pushed hard enough, his true nature would come out before the first course. Iris held back a smile. She would have to consider what to do first.
“I don’t like that look in your eyes,” Daniel said. “What are you plotting?”
“You’re eventual demise,” she answered in a calm tone. “It is what keeps me sane.”
