Gregory didn’t give a damn about himself, but this had to be incredibly painful for Evie. She’d been respected by so many, and hopefully she still would be. But there were many who would now cut her. That truth filled him with anguish.

He longed to go to her, to comfort her. She likely wouldn’t allow that, especially from him.

Ash nuzzled his leg with a soft whimper, prompting Gregory to pick him up and set him in his lap. He fed the pup a small piece of kipper from his plate. “You know there’s something wrong, don’t you, lad?” Gregory knew Ash missed her, just as he did.

Perhaps there was something Gregory could do to cheer at least two of them—well, three, for doing this would make him feel better too. He called for Harris.

The valet, who’d gone into Gregory’s chamber to prepare his clothing for the day, returned. “Yes, my lord?”

“I’ve an errand for you to run,” Gregory replied. “With Ash.”

“He prefers to visit the park with you.” While Harris was now quite fond of Ash, taking him to the park was his least favorite activity.

“You aren’t going to the park,” Gregory said. “You’re going somewhere far better.” He stroked Ash’s head and smiled, wishing he could see the expression on her face when the dog arrived.

A day of not wallowing but stewing was precisely what Evie had needed. She felt much better today, ready to move forward as she’d said she was doing yesterday when Lucien had visited. The news in the papers hadn’t upset her. She’d known it was coming, and the moment she’d seen it in print, she tossed the paper into the fire. Then she’d directed Delilah to burn the rest.

After breakfast, she carried out her usual toilet, ready, if not eager, to meet the day. Once she fetched her things from the Phoenix Club, she would feel even better. Then she could close the book on that chapter of her life.

As if it would be that easy.

Foster came into her sitting room. “Mrs. Kirby is here.”

Oh dear. Had the woman come to query her about what she’d read in the papers that morning? Evie had no desire to suffer anyone’s interrogation or commentary.

“She said she’s here to ask after your dog.”

“Oh?” That was surprising. They couldn’t know if Bess was increasing yet. “I’ll meet her in the drawing room.”

“Very good.” Foster departed, and Evie took herself to the drawing room to await Mrs. Kirby.

A few moments later, the round-faced woman entered, her dark eyes warm and her smile bright. “Good morning, Mrs. Renshaw, please forgive my early call. I wanted to let you know that the hole in our wall is being repaired today. At last.”