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.

“Both.”

He arched a brow at her as he put his arm on the back of the settee. His fingers were perilously close to her shoulder. “Those boundaries aren’t moveable?”

“They are not.”

“Pity, for I’ve not been able to stop thinking of you.” He moved his hand, and the air he disturbed rustled over her flesh as if he’d touched her.

Evie shot up from the settee and moved to stand near a cabinet that held liquor. Perhaps she ought to have a glass of wine to steady herself, for she was feeling rather unbalanced. “A month is perhaps not enough time to…overcome what we shared.”

“Is it for you?” He kept his arm along the back of the settee, and the pose made him look as if he’d claimed the piece of furniture. His features were also set in an enigmatic yet seductive expression. She’d never wanted to throw herself at someone before, but it was taking everything she had to keep away from him.

“I am quite busy with the club and my friends.”