Page 57 of Impeccable
It was, however, the reason she was glued to the window in her drawing room, watching the street below for his and Ash’s approach. At last, she spotted them, a tall, athletic figure in a dark, indistinct costume and a small, white dog wearing a tunic.
Evie stood and hurried down to the kitchen level. She reached the door that led up to the street just as Foster let him in.
“Thank you, Foster,” she said brightly. “I’ll take over now.”
The butler inclined his head and took himself off.
Ash barked happily, and Evie scooped him into her arms, cooing endearments as she nuzzled him.
“Your butler is rather young. And, ah, pleasing to regard,” Gregory said, removing his hat.
“He’s excellent.” Evie had known him in their youth and had been thrilled to give him the position. About the same age as she, he’d been working as a footman in Golden Square. She’d hired him and his sister, a scullery maid from the same household. Maggie was now Evie’s very young, extremely talented cook.
Evie cocked her head at Gregory. “Are you jealous?”
“Of every moment everyone else spends with you.” He flashed her a smile that made her knees weak.
“You’ve become an accomplished flirt. Have you been practicing what I taught you?”
“Not at all. It’s easy to flirt with someone when you find them to be the most enchanting person in the world.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Really, you need to stop. That’s excessive. Now, what did you bring for our boy?” She nodded toward the case he carried.
“His favorite pillow to sleep on, his favorite rope toy, and some food my housekeeper insisted on sending.”
“My cook has already prepared his dinner. She was quite enthusiastic about it.”
“Well, then he can choose which one he prefers. Or eat both, which is the most likely outcome if you allow it,” Gregory said with a laugh. “Can I carry this upstairs for you?”
Evie realized she’d created a problem. She ought to have had Foster take the case, for she couldn’t carry both it and Ash. Shecouldset Ash down and take the case.
Or she could invite Gregory upstairs.
That seemed risky given her unceasing and rather provocative thoughts about him. She’d just have to send him on his way directly.
“Yes, thank you.” Evie led him up to the ground level, then up again to the first floor. Eventually, the case should go in her bedchamber, but she stopped short of taking him there. Instead, she guided him into her private sitting room. Which was just outside her chamber, so was there really any difference?
After removing his gloves, hat, and greatcoat, Gregory set the case down and opened it. He removed Ash’s things, and the dog wriggled in Evie’s arms.
“You want to investigate?” she asked with a laugh, setting him down. “You know those are your things. But why are they here? Because you’re going to stay with me.”
Ash darted to where Gregory crouched down and immediately grabbed the rope with his teeth. Carrying it to the hearth, he sat down and gnawed, growling softly with his efforts.
Evie settled herself on the settee. “I finished the larger tunic. It’s green.”
“He’ll look quite smart in that, I imagine. He dons it without fuss before we go outside.”
“He knows he’s warmer.” Evie smiled at the pup. “Are you certain he should stay?” She turned her head toward Gregory. “What if he misses you?”
“Well, I could stay too.” His heated gaze held hers, and she fell completely under his spell. But only for a moment. As tempting as it was to invite him into her bedchamber just a few steps away, she would not. She shouldn’t even have invited him up here.
“You can’t.”
He stared at her mouth, and Evie’s body felt as if it might ignite into flame. “What is it you’re afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything. I established the boundaries of our affair, and we are now outside them.”
“Because we’re in London? Or because it’s past the holidays?” he asked softly, lowering his frame to sit beside her on the settee.
