Lucien expressed several colorful phrases before retaking his seat. He swilled the rest of his whisky and smacked the empty glass back on the table. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

Gregory was too, but he would support Lucien however he could—now more than before. “Families can be disappointing. I had to cut ties with my brother.”

“I would have done the same. Still, I’m sorry it came to such an extreme.”

“It’s for the best.” Gregory sipped his whisky, grateful for its smooth heat. “Have you tried to sever your relationship with your father?”

“Not entirely, but we generally keep our distance. He’s always been nonplussed by me, and when I opened the Phoenix Club, he was particularly disappointed. He said it would fail and that I couldn’t come to him asking for money when I was inevitably insolvent.”

“That’s awful.”

Lucien shrugged. “It is what I expected.”

“Will the club really fail?” Gregory hoped not.

“It’s hard to say. I expect I’ll receive at least a few resignations today due to what’s in the newspapers. Time will tell if people stop coming. They may decide to keep their distance for a while.”

“I can’t think that will be good.”

“There is little I can do.” Lucien leaned forward. “I’m sorry for what my father said about Evie. I could see you were distressed.”

“Furious is a better word. I hate that she is being discussed and judged like this.”

Lucien pressed his lips together and swore softly. “If I could trade the club for her not being exposed, I would.” He looked intently toward Gregory. “You told my father you would marry her. Do you love her?”

“Yes. I have for some time.”

“Does she know that?”

“No. She was clear from the start that she didn’t want anything permanent between us, so I’ve kept that to myself.”

“Smart,” Lucien said. “I’m sorry to say that I don’t think she’ll allow herself to love you.”

“Are you saying I should give up?”

“That’s entirely up to you. You seem an optimistic sort, which I tend to be as well.”

“I can’t give up. I wanted to give her time and distance to do…whatever she needed to do, but in the end, I can’t just walk away from her.” He needed to see her now, to tell her, at last, that he loved her. Shouldn’t she know that?

Gregory finished his whisky and stood. “Thank you.”

Lucien looked up at him in bemusement. “For what?”

“For being a good friend—to me and especially to Evie.”

“Just be there for her.”

Certainty rushed through Gregory. “I plan to be.”

Where was Gregory?