“Yes, he’s so busy since we returned to town. Everyone wants to spend time with the new marquess.” She laughed lightly, and it only further grated on Gregory’s nerves. “I’ve only just returned home a short while ago.”

Gregory noted she was still dressed in her evening finery. “Do you expect him back soon?”

“Yes. Are you hoping to speak with him? I have to assume you’ve finally come to your senses and are here to tell us that our Phoenix Club invitations will arrive tomorrow.” She smiled sweetly, but there was nothing sweet about the superiority in her gaze.

“I am not here for that reason, actually. As I’ve told you and Clifford many times, I have absolutely no influence when it comes to who is invited—or not—to the Phoenix Club.”

Susan gripped the magazine and stood. Her brows dipped as her eyes narrowed at him. “I don’t understand why your paramour can’t just fix this problem. From everything I’ve been told, she makes some of the most important decisions at the club. You’re being willfully nasty.”

He was being nasty? For the second time that day and perhaps in his entire life, he lost his temper. “Do not speak to me as if we are friendly or as if I would do you any favors when you have been nothing but entitled and awful since you wed my brother. Just who do you think my ‘paramour’ is?” He wasn’t going to admit anything regarding Evie.

Susan rolled her eyes. “It is no secret to us that you’ve been meeting with Mrs. Renshaw, at least when she was in Oxfordshire over the holidays and probably since you both returned to London. Don’t bother denying it. One of the maids at Witney Court saw both of you enter and leave your bedchamber during the party. And you disappeared for long periods of time, often with your filthy dog. It makes sense that you were meeting her, especially since you became inordinately…happy. Clifford said you hadn’t been remotely cheerful since your father died. Then, after we learned she used to be a courtesan, there was simply no longer any question.”

Gregory considered defending Evie by saying they couldn’t prove any of it, but what would be the point? They believed it, this narrative suited their needs, and the damage would be done if it wasn’t already when they exposed Evie to the world.

He did, however, want the full story. “How did you learn she was a courtesan?” The question was so low as to be almost a growl, and Gregory was certainly feeling feral.