Page 101 of Impeccable
He spun her about, laughing. “What did I say?”
“I don’t know if it was you or me. Probably Ash. He is most convincing.”
Ash barked from the bed where he stretched before trotting down the makeshift stairs.
Gregory looked down at the dog. “Ash, my boy, you have made all my dreams come true.”
After kissing Evie soundly, he set her down. They parted and together bent down to give their dog all manner of affection.
“When do you want to do it?” Evie asked.
“Where is perhaps the better question.”
Evie rose from her crouched position. “I’d like my sister to be there, but I don’t know if that’s possible. We’d have to go to Oxfordshire and wait for the banns to be read.”
“Or we could race to Gretna Green and be married much sooner,” he suggested, standing straight.
“It’s February,” she said with a laugh. “That journey could take three weeks.”
“Oxfordshire it is, then.”
Her brow creased with worry. “I’d wanted to avoid taking this scandal to my sister. She’s already suffered so much after marrying Alfred.”
“Was it terribly difficult for her?” Gregory hated thinking of the lovely Mrs. Creighton struggling under the weight of people’s judgment.
“In London, yes. It didn’t help that Alfred’s father was in trade. He’s seen as an upstart.”
“I liked him—and your sister. I look forward to seeing them again, especially now that I know she’s your sister. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you going to Oxfordshire will have a negative impact. At the risk of making myself sound far too important, I believe the fine people of Witney will be thrilled to celebrate our nuptials.”
Her eyes lit, and she beamed at him. “You are most certainly right. I had the sense you are more liked than your brother. This will be a joyful occasion.”
He could hardly wait. “When can we leave?”
“Is the day after tomorrow soon enough? I will need to pack. And shop for an item or two since I’m to be wed.”
“The day after tomorrow is perfect.”
“I used to think nothing could truly be perfect.” She leaned toward him. “You have shown me how very wrong I was.”
Then her lips met his, and it was indeed, perfect.
Two days later, Gregory’s coach stopped in front of Evie’s house. Ash looked out the window and barked, his tail wagging excitedly.
“You know where we are, boy, don’t you?” Gregory ran his gloved hand over Ash’s head and shoulders. “You can’t come in, though. We’re leaving straightaway. I’ll be right back, I promise.”
Gregory quickly departed the carriage, shutting Ash inside. The dog’s whines followed him to the door, and he vowed to be quick.
Foster answered the door. “Good morning, my lord. I’m afraid Mrs. Renshaw is not at home.”
What the devil? Gregory swallowed past the surge of anxiety that washed up his throat. “Where has she gone?” Perhaps she hadn’t been able to finish all her shopping the day before. He could go meet her wherever she was. But why would she have gone at all knowing when he would arrive?
“A coach came to pick her up. She was in quite a hurry.”
“You’ve no idea where she went?”
“I believe the coach belonged to the Duke of Evesham.”
Lucien’s father? Gregory was even more confused. The duke had been clear about his feelings toward Evie and others like her. “Was the duke here?”
