“Well, then you must go to him,” Ada said as if it were obvious. “And what will you say?”

“I don’t know.” The emotions were too new.

No, the realization was new. The emotions were not. She’d been growing more and more fond of him since the moment they’d met at the hedgerow. He’d already broken through barriers no one else had. That alone made him special.

Ada put her hand on Evie’s arm. “I’m so happy for you.”

Ash came over and dropped the rope at Evie’s feet. She stroked his head as joy unfurled inside her. “I think I might be happy for me too.”

Chapter 19

Gregory tapped his foot as anxious energy coursed through him. He hated leaving Evie alone. Sending Ash to her was the only thing he dared to do. He realized he’d used the dog to get to her before—when he’d finally gone to see her after she’d broken things off.

Would she see through him again? Probably. She was exceedingly clever. And she knew him too well.

The coach drew to a stop in front of Lucien’s terrace. Gregory hadn’t been able to sit at home and do nothing. Perhaps Lucien could give him advice. Not because he’d been Evie’s lover, but because he was her friend and knew her perhaps better than Gregory did.

Gregory hated that too.

He wanted Evie to open herself to him, to trust him. While he understood why she hadn’t told him the truth about her past, he was still hurt. But then he’d gone into their affair with complete investment, his heart bared. He’d fallen in love with her swiftly. Wholly. Irreversibly.

Jumping from the coach, Gregory strode to Lucien’s door, where the butler, at least Gregory hoped it was the butler, greeted him.

So tall that Gregory had to look up at him, the man sported a horrible red scar across his cheek. He was, in a word, menacing.

Gregory handed the man his card. “I’m here to see Lord Lucien.”

One of the butler’s brows twitched very slightly. It was his only reaction. “I’ll find out if he’s receiving. You may wait in the entrance hall.” He opened the door wide for Gregory to come inside.

Removing his hat and gloves, Gregory waited, his anxiety increasing. What if Lucien wouldn’t see him? Or wasn’t home? Of course he was home; otherwise, the terrifying butler would have told him he was out.

It wasn’t the butler who returned to the hall, but Lucien himself. He wasn’t fully dressed—he was missing his cravat and his coat. There were faint purplish circles under his eyes and lines etched into his forehead. Frankly, he looked exhausted.

“Afternoon, Greg, come in.”

“I don’t wish to disturb you,” Gregory said measuredly.