“One last nuzzle,” she said softly, cupping Ash’s sweet face. His round brown eyes met hers, and she nearly succumbed. The pup didn’t need Lord Gregory’s help in trying to persuade her to keep him.
Evie kissed the dog’s head and quickly backed away. “Thank you for taking care of him.”
Lord Gregory inclined his head, then disappeared through the hedgerow. She watched him turn to the left, which was the direction she would go. Indeed, she could just make out the top of his hat over the shrubbery. He couldn’t see her, however.
“Are you still there?” he asked a moment later.
Evie smiled to herself. “For a while. Until I need to turn toward the house.”
“I see. There is an assembly in town day after tomorrow. Will you be there?”
“I don’t know.” Evie didn’t really want to go, but Heloise would continue trying to convince her that it would be engaging. In the end, Evie would likely attend in order to please her sister.
“It will be my first social event since my father died,” he said in a lower tone that made her have to strain a bit to hear him. “Except for my brother’s engagement ball in London and his wedding breakfast at Witney Court. Those don’t count, however, as I wasn’t actually looking forward to attending them.”
She wasn’t sure if she ought to encourage him or not. “Only go if you’re ready.”
“I appreciate you saying that.” Indeed, she heard the warmth in his voice even though the hedgerow separated them.
Evie heard a horse’s hooves from the other side of the hedgerow and looked over to see a white female rider approach Lord Gregory.
“What do you have there, Gregory?” The voice belonged to a young woman and carried the cultured tone of London High Society.
“We found a puppy in the hedgerow. I’m going to determine if he belongs to anyone. Poor thing needs food and water, I think.”
“Who is ‘we’?” The question was haughty, almost accusatory.
“I met your new neighbor. Well, their guest anyway. Are you there, Mrs. Renshaw?”
Evie froze. She didn’t want to be part of that conversation. It was nearly time for her to turn toward the house anyway. Except she didn’t go. Instead, she edged closer to the hedgerow so she wouldn’t be seen over the top by the rider.
“Where is she?” the young woman asked.
“She was on the other side of the hedgerow, but she must have continued on her way to the house. I told her we’d invite the Creightons—and her—for…something. Dinner, perhaps?”
“I’m not sure Cliff is ready to do that.” The young woman, who must be Lord Gregory’s sister-in-law, sniffed.
“He seems ready to attend the assembly in a few days.” Lord Gregory sounded strained, almost…irritated.
“Yes, well, that’s different from entertaining. Honestly, Gregory, don’t you know anything about these new neighbors? His father was in trade, and she was his mistress before they wed.”
“How would you know that?” Now he definitely sounded annoyed.
“My mother told me in a letter after I informed her who our new neighbors were.”
“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’t really know 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.