Page 5 of Impeccable
“I don’t know why any of that matters. I’m sure they’re lovely people.”
“Oh, Gregory.” She laughed. “Your fervent kindness and understanding are so quaint. You are going to make an excellent bishop one day.”
Bishop? Evie now vaguely remembered that he was rumored to perhaps be looking for a living—surely his marquess father or now brother could have provided one. She also recalled that he’d taught at Oxford.
“I’m going to talk to Clifford about this.” Lord Gregory sounded farther away, as if he’d started walking.
“Go right ahead. In the meantime, do not bring that mongrel into my house. He’ll have to stay in the stables.” Hooves sounded against the ground once more, and Evie determined the busybody had ridden away.
Frowning, Evie cut across the damp grass toward the track that led back to Threadbury Hall. She regretted not taking Ash with her. He wouldn’t be happy in the stables all by himself.
But he wouldn’t be, of course. Certainly, the stable lads would be delighted to have him. Indeed, he’d likely be more pampered there.
Or perhaps Lord Gregory would ignore his sister-in-law’s edict. That house had been his home for far longer than hers, after all. Yes, that was what Evie wished to believe, that Lord Gregory would keep Ash safe and warm.
By the time she reached the house, she’d convinced herself that Lord Gregory would find Ash’s home quickly and she’d never see the puppy again. That was for the best, just as it would be that she didn’t see Lord Gregory again. He was far too charming. Too handsome. Too…kind and understanding, to borrow his horrid sister-in-law’s description.
Heloise was seated in the small drawing room, which Evie entered from the rear patio. “How was your walk?”
“Chilly.” Evie said nothing about finding Ash or encountering Lord Gregory. She especially wasn’t going to mention the nasty neighbor. She’d tell Alfred about the dog and ask if he could investigate the matter with his tenants.
“I’ve news to share.” Heloise’s blue eyes, so similar to Evie’s own, sparkled with excitement. “We’ve decided to host a dinner party for some of the neighbors. It will be a couple of nights after the assembly.”
Evie paused in removing her hat. “Which neighbors?”
“Several people, notably the vicar and his wife, and Lord and Lady Witney. The vicar said they are receiving invitations and will attend the assembly.”
“Did you already invite everyone?” Evie asked, hoping these were plans that had not yet been executed.
“Yes. Alfred went to distribute the invitations. I would have gone with him, but Henry was fussing.” Henry, named for their father, was Evie’s year-old nephew.
Suppressing a groan, Evie tried to summon a smile and failed. She didn’t want to tell Heloise what she’d overheard earlier, but then she ought to prepare her sister for Lady Witney’s meanness. Except Heloise looked so happy. She deserved a nice evening. Perhaps Evie could ensure the Witneys didn’t come. It wasn’t as if they wanted to.
“I’ve decided to attend the assembly after all,” Evie said, sweeping her hat from her head and removing her gloves.
“Splendid!” Heloise’s joyful response was cut short when her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why the sudden change of heart? I thought I was going to have to drag you.”
“Because I know how much it means to you,” Evie said warmly. That, and she’d use the opportunity to encourage Lord Gregory to keep his brother and sister-in-law at home.
“I’m so pleased, thank you. I know you worry you’ll be recognized someday.” Heloise’s gaze filled with sympathy. She didn’t like that Evie had chosen to hide her identity, to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. And sometimes Evie agreed with her. Sometimes, she wanted everyone to know that she and Heloise were sisters, that they’d been visited by tragic circumstance and had risen from the ashes—like phoenixes—to not only survive, but thrive.
However, Evie wasn’t like Heloise. She didn’t have her sister’s strength and confidence. Everyone thought Evie possessed those traits, but they didn’treallyknow her. She didn’t want them to. It was easier to hide herself, particularly her past as a courtesan, than face scrutiny and certain rejection.
“I’ll just keep my eyes open for who is in attendance. It’s unlikely any of the gentlemen who might recognize me from my Cyprian days will be at a rural assembly in Oxfordshire.” Most of those men were either her friends, or they wouldn’t want to reveal her past for fear of implicating their own scandalous behavior. Evie smiled at her sister to ease her concern.
Heloise nodded. “I’m sure you’re right about that.”
Evie had preferred when her sister and Alfred had lived farther north, in Nottinghamshire. There’d been little chance of running into anyone from London there. But they’d wanted a larger house, more land, and to be closer to Evie in London.
“I’m going to take a warm bath,” Evie said, crossing the drawing room.
“Wonderful,” Heloise murmured.
Evie paused at the doorway and looked back at her sister. Her head was bent over her needlework. She looked the consummate country squire’s wife—exactly what she should be. No, she should be a countess or a duchess. That had been their station. Before war and chance had torn it away.
Stiffening, Evie turned and pushed the bitterness from her mind.
Chapter2
