Evie scowled. “I don’t like that the Hargroves seem to be close with your brother and Lady Witney. Lady Hargrove is becoming more vocal about the fact that the majority of her recommendations to the club, including Lord and Lady Witney, aren’t given invitations. It seems she may be involving her husband in her crusade.”

“What crusade is that?”

“To have more of her recommendations invited to join the club. Today, she indicated that her friends—those who are members—are beginning to think the Phoenix Club isn’t for them.” She grimaced. “Forget I said that.”

Gregory put his hand to his bare chest. “I’ll keep whatever you tell me completely inviolate. I can see why you’re troubled. It does look as if they might be conspiring.”

“Indeed.” She shook her head. “I will hope that Lord Hargrove is the voice of reason. Still, I will share this with Lucien, if you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind at all. It sounds as if Lady Hargrove is seeking to make herself heard.”

“Oh, we hear her,” Evie said sardonically. “We just don’t listen.”

Gregory chuckled. “An important distinction.”

“Honestly, we’d like it if she’d resign from being a patroness. And at this point, I can’t say I’d mind if she resigned her membership.” Again, she grimaced. “I sound horribly uncharitable. But I hate that she may be speaking poorly of the club. Lucien has worked so hard to establish a wonderful, welcoming place.”

Gregory stroked her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “She’s one person. The Phoenix Club will stand against her complaints.”

Evie relaxed, her features smoothing. “You’re right, of course.” She narrowed one eye at him. “What spell have you cast on me? I’m usually quite good at keeping secrets. Yet here I am in bed with you spilling all sorts of things I ought to keep private.”

He laughed softly and drew her close once more, inhaling the fragrance of her hair. “I only know that I am completely under your spell, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m glad we can share our trials and concerns with one another.”

“That is rather nice.” She kissed the hollow of his throat, and his body roared to arousal, as if he hadn’t just been utterly sated not long ago. “But at the moment, I’d rather we share something far more…primal.” She moved over him, straddling his hips and rotating her pelvis against his rigid cock.

He thrust his hand into her hair and cupped her head. “There is nothing, at any given moment, that I would rather do.” He pulled her down and kissed her.

There was no more talk of his brother or the Phoenix Club.