Page 51 of Impeccable
“It’s my pleasure.” He departed, leaving Gregory alone with Evie. And their dog.
Gregory finally took a drink of his tea. “I encountered Lord Lucien on the street.” She hadn’t asked for an explanation as to why he was there, but he assumed she would.
“You just happened to be out with Ash in St. James’s when you live on Avery Row?”
“Er, yes.” Exhaling, he set his teacup down on a table next to the settee. “I had hoped I might see you. For Ash’s sake. He’s missed you, or can’t you tell?” It wasn’t a falsehood, but he was lying by not telling her he had also hoped to see her forhissake.
“I missed him too,” she said softly, smiling down at the pup as she stroked his fur. “I have his tunic.” She lowered her voice and spoke directly to Ash. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
She got up from the couch, and Ash barked after her. “I promise I’m coming right back!” She hastened from the room.
“She did promise,” Gregory said, trying to reassure the dog.
A moment later, Evie returned with a small light-blue knit tunic. Sitting down beside Ash once more, she set the garment on her lap. “Here we are. This will keep you warm when you are out on a day like today.”
He sniffed the tunic, then began to gnaw on the edge. She whisked it away with a soft laugh. “It’s not for chewing, sweetling. It’s for wearing.” In one quick motion, she pulled the garment over Ash’s head. He whimpered and shook his shoulders as if he could wriggle out of it. However, Evie handled him expertly, pushing his legs through the holes in the garment.
“You’re truly certain you’ve never had a pet and don’t wish to have one?” Gregory asked.
“Yes.” She adjusted the tunic around Ash and frowned slightly. “I should have made it a bit larger. Ah well, I am already working on another, and I’ll ensure it will fit as he grows.”
“You look very smart, Ash,” Gregory noted with a smile. Ash seemed to understand, because he tossed his head and marched onto Evie’s lap where he stood straight and tall.
Evie laughed, and Gregory’s chest constricted at the sound—he’d missed her so very much. He nearly said it aloud.
Evie hugged Ash, and he settled onto her lap. She looked over at Gregory. “Do you think he might want to come and spend the night with me?”
For the barest moment, Gregory thought she was askinghimto spend the night, but of course she wasn’t. “I think he would love that. Though, I’ll have to fetch his things.”
“Not tonight,” Evie said, frowning slightly. “I’ll need to prepare the household. And not tomorrow night as I will be at the Phoenix Club rather late since it’s Tuesday. Would the following night be amenable?”
“Yes. What time would you like me to bring him over?”
“After dinner? Perhaps you might send him with a groom to be more discreet?”
She didn’t want him to be seen visiting her at a late hour. He supposed that made sense, even if he suffered a flash of disappointment. “I don’t know that he’ll want to go with a groom. Ash is particular about whom he trusts. What if I dress inconspicuously and bring him down to the servants’ entrance?”
“I suppose that will have to do.” She leaned her head down toward Ash. “Are you a particular boy? I can understand that. We can’t trust everyone even if we want to.” She looked back over to Gregory. “He’s been well?”
“He has. The journey to London was quite eventful. There were children at the inn where we stopped overnight, and they absolutely wore him out playing in the yard.” A light smile teased his lips as he recalled how much fun it had been for Ash.
“That sounds lovely,” Evie murmured.
As she continued to dote on Ash, Gregory couldn’t help feeling a trifle awkward. “I hope you don’t mind that we are here.”
She shot him a grateful look. “I am glad to see you both. Truly. Have you been well?”
“I have. And you?”
“Very, thank you. Have you been in town long?”
“A few weeks. I couldn’t stand to remain at Witney Court any longer. And now my brother and Lady Witney are in town. They arrived yesterday. I hope Lady Witney doesn’t make too much trouble with her Phoenix Club obsession.”
“Another of the patronesses advocated for her membership, but there isn’t any support for her.” Her features creased in a faint grimace. “Or your brother.”
“You can’t think that would bother me,” he said lightly.
“No, I didn’t think it would. Now tell me about how these children fawned all over Ash, then we shall take him for a turn about my small garden.”
