Page 107 of Impeccable
“While that is true, that will not be the case with your father,” Lucien said with a note of certainty. “I assume your reunion was wonderful; otherwise, you would not be here telling me all about it and making my father out to be some sort of good Samaritan.”
“It was wonderful,” Evie said. “I shouldn’t leave him any longer.” She rose.
Lucien put his hand on her arm. “First, you have to agree to stay at the club—as a member and a patroness.”
“If I agree, will you let me fetch my father?”
Grinning, Lucien wrapped her in a hug. Gregory smiled, feeling no jealousy. They really were just the closest of friends, and he was glad they had each other.
Lucien let her go. “I am so happy for you both.” He sent Gregory a warm glance.
“Thank you.” Evie narrowed her eyes slightly. “Yes, I will stay at the club, but some people still won’t like it. And I’m not entirely certain it’s because I was a courtesan. I don’t think they like that I’m a woman with an important job at a popular membership club. The same probably goes for Ada.”
“You may be right, but ultimately, their reasons for being judgmental don’t matter. If they’re going to have a problem with you—or Ada—then they are not worthy of membership,” Lucien said haughtily. “I will gleefully expel them if they don’t leave of their own accord.”
Evie shook her head with a faint smile as she left the study. Gregory remained behind. “Are you certain this is what’s right for the club?”
“Yes. It can’t be a haven for people like Evie if it fails to be a haven for Evie herself. And what good am I doing with the club if I can’t wield whatever power it gives me to do what is right and proper?”
Gregory couldn’t argue with that. “You are a singular man. I know you don’t want to hear this, but you may find you and your father are not that unalike. I hope you’ll give yourself—and him—the chance to work that out.”
Lucien’s eyes glittered with dark promise, and Gregory wondered if there was something else going on. There was an underlying tension to him—an unease that seemed to go beyond the news they’d given him today. “Oh, I intend to get to the bottom of this entire affair,” Lucien vowed. “Of that you can be sure.”
Chapter22
Three weeks later
Witney, Oxfordshire
Evie still couldn’t believe she was married or that her father had actually given her away to the groom. The drawing room at Threadbury Hall was nearly overflowing with well-wishers, many of whom worked next door at Witney Court. They were thrilled to see Gregory happily wed, and Evie was so glad Gregory could feel that, especially in the absence of any of his immediate family. Some of his aunts and uncles and cousins were in attendance as well. It was an almost overwhelming number of people.
Gregory had never looked happier, which was saying a great deal since he was perhaps the most amenable person she’d ever met—Sir Cheerful, indeed. He and Ada seemed to have been cut from the same cloth.
Ada and Max had come for the wedding, and he and Gregory had struck up a friendship, primarily over horses. Since neither Evie nor Ada rode, the two of them went riding together. That had left Ada and Evie to shop in the village, which had allowed them to discuss what was happening in London.
Unfortunately, the clubwassuffering. At least two dozen people had resigned their membership, and many more had simply stopped coming. The last two Tuesdays had been uncharacteristically quiet. Evie had asked how Lucien was doing. Ada said he was tense, but tried not to show it.
Evie felt a pull to return despite their plans to remain another week. She would hate to leave her father, but he absolutely loved Oxfordshire. He stood with Heloise, holding his namesake in his arms. Henry was enthralled with his grandpapa. Evie and Heloise had finally stopped crying about it.
Evie had waited to tell their father about their past work until she and Heloise could do so together. He’d sat silent while Evie and Heloise held hands, worried for his reaction. Tears falling from his eyes, he’d assured them both that he could never love them any less and that he was proud of them for not just surviving but flourishing. He’d gone on to say that he’d learned to leave the past behind. To focus on it brought misery and it was nearly impossible to look forward. They’d hugged one another tightly and vowed to live in the moment and anticipate the future—together.
Her mind returned to the club. Perhaps she oughtn’t return at all. She was, after all, the problem.
Ada sailed toward her. “Evie, why are you alone in the corner?”
“I just needed a moment’s peace. And this way, I can see what a good time everyone is having. Honestly, Ada, I can’t believe there are this many people who would wish us well.”
“There are many more back in London. I have quite the celebration planned at the club.”
Evie turned toward her, unable to keep her concern buried even though it was her wedding day. “Are you sure that’s wise? I’ve been thinking about everything you told me, how the club has been affected. I wish I could be there to support Lucien, but I’m wondering if I should stay away.”
“He wouldn’t want you to. In fact, he told me to make sure you came back, at least by April.”
That was in a few weeks. It wouldn’t be a hardship to remain in Oxfordshire awhile longer with her newly expanded family. And Gregory would do whatever she wished. He was incredibly supportive and almost irritatingly adaptable. Almost nothing ruffled him.
Almost.
They’d visited Witney Court on a few occasions so that he could pack some things he wished to take to London. He truly didn’t plan on returning. This upset the retainers, and that, in turn, upset Gregory. It was clear they all preferred Gregory to his brother, particularly since the marquess planned to add a large ostentatious wing to the back of the house. There was simply no need for it, other than extravagance, and the work would cause considerable disruption.
