“I’ll do that.” Mrs. Kirby stood, and Evie rose with her. “I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. Do let me know if you need anything.”

“Your husband won’t mind us being friends?” Evie had the sense he was far stodgier than his wife.

“I won’t mention it, but he won’t be aware of this gossip anyway. He doesn’t read that part of the paper, says it’s silly.” So perhaps he hadn’t told anyone that he’d seen Gregory—if he’d ultimately recognized him—in the neighborhood with Ash or that Ash had spent the night with Evie. “I hope you won’t let this quash your spirit,” Mrs. Kirby added, her brow drawn. “If you were a man, reactions would be quite different. It’s bloody unfair, if you’ll pardon my saying so.”

Evie suppressed a smile. “It is indeed. I will endeavor not to let this affect me in an adverse manner.” Somehow, Mrs. Kirby’s unexpected visit had made her feel even better.

Foster came in to say that Ada had arrived.

“I was just leaving,” Mrs. Kirby said. She patted Evie’s hand. “Take care, dear.”

Evie was surprised to feel as though her throat were clogging. Mrs. Kirby was of an age to be her mother. It was incredibly heartening to think she might have a friend like that. “I will, thank you. Foster, send Lady Warfield up.”

Mrs. Kirby left, and a moment later, Ada hastened into the drawing room. “Who was that?”

“My neighbor, and new friend, Mrs. Kirby. Ash may have impregnated her dog.”

Ada blinked. “Ash is the dog you found with Lord Gregory?”

“Yes, and when I had him overnight, he got out of the garden—the gate was left open—and found his way through a hole in a wall into the Kirbys’ garden where their very sweet Bess had been left out by mistake.”

“An affair by moonlight.” Ada wiggled her brows and smiled.

“An affair by opportunity is more like it.”

“Moonlight is far more romantic,” Ada said, sitting on the settee Mrs. Kirby had just vacated. “I came yesterday, but Foster said you weren’t receiving.”

Evie retook her chair. “He told me you came. I just needed a day to myself.”

“I understand. I hope I’m not intruding, but I would guess not given Mrs. Kirby.”

“As I said, I just needed a day to…adjust.”

“And how are you today?” Ada asked tentatively.

“Better, despite the papers.”

Ada grimaced. “So you read them.”

“I started to, but then I chucked it into the fire. Why torture myself?”

“Precisely. I’m so pleased to hear you’re in such fine spirits.” Ada’s sunny expression dimmed. “I’m sorry you had to resign from the club. Honestly, I want to resign too.”