“While I can appreciate your desire to stay clear of Susan—Lady Witney—I can assure you that I am nothing like her. Or my brother.”
“I’m learning that.” She studied him a moment. “Furthermore, you perplex me. You look as though you should be a confident rake swanning his way through London. Yet you are thoughtful, caring, and perhaps even a trifle, dare I say, awkward?” She shook her head. “Forgive me, that isn’t the kindest word. I mean you seem slightly ill at ease.”
Gregory couldn’t help grinning. “I am most definitely awkward, particularly around fascinating, assertive women such as yourself. It was a problem when I was searching for a wife last Season.”
“We can work on that.” She pivoted back to facing forward in the direction they were taking along the path. “If you want to. I’ve been known to help people with certain things. Granted, they have all been women.”
She was offering to help him? He could use guidance, particularly from a woman, if he wanted to find a wife. And it was an excellent reason to spend time with her. “You’ll teach me the art of subtlety and flirtation? And not to be awkward?”
“I can try. Although, I’m not sure you shouldn’t embrace your awkwardness. It’s endearing.”
A thrill shot through him. Gregory couldn’t help feeling flattered. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. We’ll start tomorrow when we take that drive.”
They’d nearly finished their circuit of the garden. “I suppose we should go back inside,” he said with great reluctance.
“I’m in no hurry. Let’s go round again, and I’ll do my best to convince you that your brother and sister-in-law must not come to dinner.” She flashed him a coy smile.
“That looks like flirtation. Is that what I should do?”
“Certainly not. Men and women flirt differently. Believe it or not, many women find an aloof gentleman to be very attractive. Then, when you do cast your attentions toward a female, she’ll be enthralled that you chose her over anyone else.”
“That sounds rather manipulative.”
“It is.” She cocked her head as they started their second circuit. “I can see you aren’t that sort of gentleman. You will woo a lady with your honesty and charm, your kindness and consideration. Conversation is your tool. You have the ability to put people at ease, I think. I predict you’ll find an exceptional wife. That is your goal, isn’t it?”
“Ultimately.”
She slowed, her gaze settling on him for a moment. “Perhaps you aren’t entirely forthcoming. I sense more to that single-word response. I won’t press you tonight, but tomorrow, you can tell me what your real aspirations are.” She’d seen through him.
“And if I don’t know?”
Her lips spread into a breathtaking smile, and once more, he had to remind himself not to react on any level. “Don’t you think it’s time you find out?”
Chapter 3
Heloise held Henry on her hip. He had a terrifying grip on her coral necklace. “You’re going for a drive with Lord Gregory?”
“Aren’t you worried Henry is going to tear your necklace off?” Evie couldn’t look away from the impending disaster.
“He hasn’t yet. It’s the coral. I need to find his gummy.” Heloise carefully pried his fingers away. “Are you trying to avoid answering me?”
Evie nearly laughed. “You would never let me get away with that.”
“Doesn’t stop you from trying. Why are you going for a drive with Lord Gregory?”
“If you must know, I am teaching him how to flirt. He’s also bringing the dog we rescued so I can visit with him.”
Heloise gaped at her. Henry grabbed her necklace again. This time, he leaned forward and tried to put it in his mouth. Once more, Heloise expertly extricated him from causing damage, all while keeping her focus on Evie.
“Is he courting you? It sounds as though he’s courting you.”
“He is not.”
“Does he know that?” Heloise asked wryly, transferring Henry to her other hip.
“He knows I am content to be a widow.”
“Which you are not,” Heloise muttered. “A widow, that is. I’d argue you are also not content.”
Evie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Can we not debate that again? This is why I didn’t tell you I’d met him the other day.”
“Because you thought I’d immediately cast you in a relationship together?” Heloise scoffed.
Henry reached for her necklace again, and Heloise clutched his chubby hand. “Where is your gummy?” She glanced about the drawing room, then strode swiftly to the settee. Plucking up the coral stick, she presented it to him with a wide grin. “Here we are!” She transferred her attention back to Evie and walked toward her while Henry stuck the coral into his mouth.
Heloise narrowed one eye at her and cocked her head. “You didn’t tell me about him because you liked him. You didn’t worry I’d cast you in a relationship—you worried that you would.” She gave Evie a sympathetic smile. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, you know.”
Thankfully, the butler came in to say that Lord Gregory had arrived.
“See you later.” Evie turned and breezed from the room, ignoring what her sister had just said.
Snapping up her hat from a table in the entrance hall, Evie set it atop her head, then grabbed her gloves. A footman opened the door, and she stepped outside into the cool gray afternoon.
Lord Gregory stood next to a smart gig. He wore a dark blue coat over brown wool breeches. His waistcoat was also blue, nearly the exact same shade as the coat. His cravat was simple, but she liked that. It was a welcome contrast to the fussier styles she typically saw in London.
“I think someone is excited to see you.” Lord Gregory stepped aside to reveal Ash sitting in the gig.
Evie instantly forgot about Lord Gregory and strode straight to the puppy. “There’s our boy! Have you been such a good pup?”
Ash barked in response, his brown eyes fixing on her as she stroked his head, glad she hadn’t yet put on her gloves. After repeating more happy puppy nonsense, she finally recalled that Lord Gregory was there. “I suppose we should go.”
“Or we could just stand here and fawn over Ash. I don’t mind.”
Evie smiled at him. “You are a patient man.”
“Yes, but mostly I am just as smitten with Mr. Ash as you are.”
Evie wanted to disagree. She really didn’t want to be smitten with the dog. Or with anyone.
In the end, she said nothing as Lord Gregory handed her into the gig. As soon as she was seated, Ash climbed onto her lap.
“That’s how it is, then?” she murmured, petting the back of his neck and shoulders.
Lord Gregory chuckled as he climbed in beside her. “That’s how we drove here. Him sitting on my lap.”
Evie set her gloves on the seat between her and Lord Gregory. Though it was chilly, what was the point in wearing them when she was going to be snuggling a puppy?
Smitten, her mind whispered. She clenched her teeth.