“I have a grandson?” Now tears fell from his eyes.

Gregory thrust a handkerchief into his hand.

“You do.” Evie squeezed his arm as they continued on. “You also have a grand-dog, whom you will meet in the coach.”

“A grand-dog?” He sounded perplexed.

Evie laughed. At the top of the stairs, she turned her head to look at Gregory. “Will you mind if we make a quick stop before we leave town?”

“I think we must.”

She nodded. There needed to be a conversation with Lucien, and it couldn’t wait.

Chapter 21

Reynolds, Lucien’s fearsome butler, narrowed his eyes slightly at Gregory and Evie. “His lordship has not yet risen.”

“I realize it’s early,” Evie said, giving him a smile that should have made him want to do anything she asked. “However, we are on our way out of town, and we have urgent information for Lord Lucien. He won’t mind that you wake him.”

The butler narrowed his eyes even more, so they were barely more than slits. It seemed clear he was not in agreement. He frowned at Evie. “If anyone else were asking, I’d say no.”

“As you should.” Evie preceded Gregory into the entry hall. “We’ll just wait in Lucien’s study. Please tell him we need to be quick.”

This made the butler’s brows practically fly off his forehead. He closed the door and took himself off.

“I hate leaving Papa in the coach,” Evie said.

“It’s best for Ash.” Gregory laughed. “He was not looking forward to being left alone again. Besides, I don’t think Henri minded.”

“He didn’t, did he?” she murmured, her eyes glowing with a warmth and happiness that he hoped would always be there.

Once they were in Lucien’s study, Gregory took one of the chairs while Evie paced. She glanced at Gregory, her brow puckered. “Perhaps we shouldn’t have come.”

“Lucien should know what his father did.”

She paused in the middle of the room. “I agree, but we could have waited until we returned.”

“That will be several weeks from now. It’s best if we do it today.”

Nodding, she resumed her pacing for a few more minutes before abandoning the endeavor and sitting near Gregory. “Do you think it’s possible the duke decided to step in after your father died because he was inspired by Lucien’s kindness?”

“I couldn’t say. Their relationship seems rather contentious.” On the short ride from Evesham House, Gregory had told her about the visit he’d paid to Lucien the other day when his father had interrupted. He had not, however, told her what the duke had said about her.

“Yes.” She exhaled. “I doubt it’s that, but it would have been nice for Lucien.”

Gregory touched her hand. “I think it’s still nice for Lucien.”