Page 37 of Impeccable
He realized he hadn’t said. “I ran into him on my way here. He was just his usual sarcastic self. We’re as opposite as anyone could be. Sometimes I wonder how we came from the same parents.”
She turned toward him, her brow furrowed. “Did he ask where you were going?”
Gregory sensed a bit of apprehension on her part. “No. He could see I was just out with Ash.” He decided not to mention what Clifford had said about Susan noticing Gregory’s absences. He didn’t think it was anything to worry about and didn’t want to spark concern. Plus, he had already decided to take even greater care when he met with her. “Once he’d chastised me about talking him into hosting the annual Yuletide party at Witney Court, he asked me to make sure you would be there.”
Her features smoothed as she looked down at Ash, who had finished his treat and was now gnawing on a piece of wood destined for the fire. “I saw the invitation that was delivered to Threadbury Hall yesterday.”
“Do you and the Creightons plan on coming?”
“They do. I admit I’m torn. I’d love to spend time with you, of course.”
He said out loud what she did not. “But my sister-in-law is a deterrent.”
“Unfortunately, yes.” She smiled at him. “Still, I think I can overcome the obstacle of her badgering me about the Phoenix Club, particularly if you persuade me.”
He leaned toward her. “How may I do that?”
She gave him an alluring stare and ran her tongue over her lower lip, making his heart skip and blood rush straight to his cock. “I’d say you are already well on your way, my lord.”
“Then allow me to finish the task.”
Chapter8
The last week had passed too quickly. Though Evie hadn’t planned to see Gregory every day, she had. She couldn’t seem to keep herself from him, which she attributed to the finite aspect of their affair. Their time was limited, so she wanted to make the most of it. That made sense, didn’t it?
She hadn’t seen him today, however, knowing she would encounter him at the Yuletide party at Witney Court. In the end, he’d been most persuasive in his efforts to convince her to attend.
“It’s quite spectacular, isn’t it?” Alfred asked, interrupting her thoughts as the coach pulled to the front of the impressive house. Evie didn’t know much about architecture, only that it looked quite old and sprawling. It was what came to mind when one heard the phrase “ancestral pile.”
She wondered what it was like for Gregory to grow up here. Had her family’s house in France been so large? Had her father welcomed people in during the holidays? Had he cared for people in the nearby village? Not only did she not know the answers to any of these questions, there was no one she could ask. Heloise always said their mother had never wanted to speak of their home in France or their father. Accordingly, Nadine hadn’t told them anything either, not even after their mother had died.
They departed the coach, and as they walked toward the door, Heloise leaned toward Evie and whispered, “You seem pensive. Is everything all right?”
“Yes.”
“Are you anxious to see Gregory?”
Evie managed not to roll her eyes. Heloise had been somewhat relentless in her efforts to match Evie with Gregory permanently. Oh, she’d tried to be subtle, but there was no mistaking what she hoped would come to pass. She wanted to see Evie wed.
“You mistakenly continue to believe that my happiness relies on him. It does not,” Evie responded quietly but firmly.
“I do not believe itrelieson him, only that it might be enhanced.” Heloise gave her a warm smile, and Evie reminded herself that her sister only wanted the best for her. Even if she was biased due to her own wedded bliss about what that looked like.
The grand entry hall, cheerfully adorned with evergreen, welcomed them with warm polished wood and shining marble floors. The butler greeted them, then gestured to the receiving line. They waited several minutes in the queue before they met Lord Witney.
Gregory’s older brother wasn’t as tall as him, but he possessed the same brown eyes. However, his gaze seemed to lack the warmth that Evie always detected in Gregory’s. Instead, Witney demonstrated a casual arrogance, his gaze assessing as if everything belonged to him or could, if he so wished. His hair was brown, which was perhaps the greatest difference—at least physically—between the two brothers. Gregory’s was a golden blond, an often preferable shade, at least in Society. Had it signaled him as the chosen one? In that moment, Evie felt a rush of pity for the marquess. Whatever his behavior, did he deserve to be held in less esteem by their parents? Furthermore, was he aware and had that driven him to even greater depths of profligacy and haughtiness?
None of that was her concern. She barely knew the man and would have little to no association with him going forward. He was her sister’s neighbor. And Heloise wasn’t even really her sister, not as far as the public knew. That was the one lie that ate at Evie the most. She loved Heloise more than anything and hated that she couldn’t shout to the world that Mrs. Alfred Creighton was her beloved sister. It meant hiding a part of herself, perhaps the truest part of herself. Because who was she really if not Heloise’s sister? If everything else faded away, they would always have each other. This deception could one day take a toll. But Evie chose not to dwell on that. Ever.
“Welcome to Witney Court,” the marquess said, his gaze traveling over Evie in a familiar, repulsive way that made her teeth grind together. Never mind that he should have addressed Alfred instead of turning his head toward her.
“Good afternoon,” Alfred said, magnanimously ignoring his host’s obnoxious behavior. Alfred was all that a noble and kind gentleman should be.
“Yes, welcome,” Lady Witney intoned. She also looked first to Evie, despite Heloise and Alfred standing before her. “I’m so pleased you could come, Mrs. Renshaw.”
“I’m delighted my wonderful hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Creighton, saw fit to include me.”
A brief flash of horror passed over Lady Witney’s face, giving Evie a swell of satisfaction. “But I sent an invitation directly to you.”
