Page 38 of Impeccable
“If not for the Creightons having me at their home during the holidays, I would not be here to be invited, my lady, so I will appreciate them profusely.” Evie gave the marchioness a sickly sweet smile.
She realized Gregory, who stood on Lady Witney’s other side, had finished speaking to whoever had been before them. He stifled a smile, clearly hearing what Evie had said.
Finally, Lady Witney looked to Heloise and Alfred. “Why yes, of course, we must thank them. They are the loveliest of neighbors. I do hope we’ll get together in the new year.” She reached out and took Heloise’s hand, giving it a quick squeeze before releasing her. That, coupled with the appallingly fake smile the marchioness displayed, made it clear she was putting on a display for Evie. If she was nice to Evie’s friends, perhaps Evie would put in a good word for her at the Phoenix Club.
“I’m sure we will,” Heloise said vaguely, moving on to Gregory, who took her hand with a warm smile. It really was too bad he wasn’t the marquess.
For his part, Witney was less obviously fake when he spoke to Alfred about his plans to refurbish Witney Court. In fact, he seemed genuinely interested in Alfred’s opinion. “I hope you’ll have time today to humor me for a short while. I’m keen to know which architectural firm you hired and how you selected them.”
“I’m happy to help if I can,” Alfred said evenly. He might not be happy to do it, but he would because he possessed a thoroughly compassionate nature.
Alfred moved on to Gregory, which left Evie face-to-face with Lady Witney. The marchioness gave her a less fake smile—she was getting better at pretending. “When will you be returning to London?”
“Soon.” Evie wasn’t going to give her a date. She resisted glancing toward Gregory. It was bad enough that she was going to have to give him one.
“We should be there by the end of January, perhaps sooner. I may return without Witney if he gets too involved with his plans for Witney Court.” She cast him a slightly suffering look and let out a shallow laugh.
“I should want to stay and be part of that, I think,” Evie said.
“I’m afraid I adore London too much,” the marchioness responded conspiratorially, as if they were friends.
“The good news is that London will always be there,” Evie replied airily before directing her attention to Gregory. Thankfully, Lady Witney greeted the person behind her.
“You did well,” Gregory murmured, taking Evie’s hand and stroking the back before releasing her.
“I feel as though I’m running the gauntlet.”
His brows arched. “Hopefully not with me.”
She barely smiled, not wishing to draw attention to their exchange. “Of course not. I’ll let you get back to your responsibilities.”
He gave her an almost imperceptible nod, his eyes gleaming with promise. “I’ll come find you.”
There was a slight jauntiness to Evie’s step as she departed the entry hall, trailing Alfred and Heloise, along with other guests, into a long, stately hall that seemed to be from the original iteration of the house. From her limited knowledge, she judged the beams to be Tudor, perhaps because several of the portraits dated from that time period. One thing she knew was clothing, and the female subjects of the paintings wore decidedly triangular gowns.
“You seemed almost incandescent when you spoke with Lord Gregory,” Heloise whispered so that Alfred couldn’t hear.
Evie nearly groaned. “Do stop. You are not going to change my mind about the duration of my association with him.”
“I just enjoy seeing you happy.”
“Have you considered that my happiness is due, in part, to the fact that this entire relationship with Lord Gregory is, for the first time, completely onmyterms?”
“Yes, well…” Heloise trailed off. “I surrender.”
“Truly?” Evie nearly clapped with glee but wouldn’t until she was certain.
“Truly. I shan’t mention him again.”
Smiling broadly, Evie accepted a glass of punch from a footman passing by with a tray. “Excellent.”
They spent time conversing with other neighbors, and Evie was glad she’d decided to come. There was a communal warmth in and around Witney, and it seemed, with the exception of Lord and Lady Witney, everyone cared for each other. She knew her sister and Alfred would be very happy here. And they were still far enough removed from London so as not to suffer the stain of the origin of their marriage. Unless Lady Witney chose to make things difficult. She’d already been a judgmental shrew. Evie’s hackles began to rise. If she did anything to harm Heloise or her family, Evie would take whatever measures were necessary. She would speak with Lucien about Lady Witney when she returned to London. It wasn’t a typical manner in which they helped people, but Evie wouldn’t allow her sister to go unsupported.
A footman approached her and delivered a folded piece of parchment. “For you, Mrs. Renshaw,” he murmured before inclining his head and taking himself off.
Evie unfolded the note. It read:There is a retiring room on the first floor to the left of the stairs. Go there in a quarter hour if you’d like to see Ash.
Of course she wanted to see Ash. But she couldn’t help wondering if the author of the note had something else in mind as well.
