“What’s nice for me?” Lucien strolled into the study wearing a banyan, his hair unkempt and his jaw shadowed.

“We’re sorry to intrude at such an early hour,” Evie said.

“And yet, here you are.” Lucien smiled blandly as he flopped into his favorite chair. “You have good news?”

“I think so,” Evie said, a smile teasing her mouth. “The most amazing thing has happened. My father is alive.”

Lucien bolted upright. “What?”

“He was in a prison in France and was recently released. A group of men here in England help people like him—those who are seeking family here.”

“After all this time… How did he manage to find you?”

Evie scooted forward to the edge of her chair. “That’s the most astonishing part. This group of men actually included Gregory’s father until he died.” She glanced toward Gregory. “Someone else stepped into his place, and he arranged for my father to meet me this morning. Lucien, it was your father.”

Lucien stared at her in silence. Eventually, his eyes narrowed, and he gripped the arms of his chair. His jaw tightened, and he pressed his lips together.

“Isn’t this marvelous?” Evie asked. “I confess I was shocked. I still am, really. We wanted you to know straightaway.”

“That sanctimonious ass!” Lucien vaulted from the chair and stalked to the fireplace. He braced his hand on the mantel and looked into the fire. “How dare he?”

Evie looked to Gregory, who wasn’t entirely certain how to react. “How dare he…help?” Gregory asked.

Lucien pushed away from the mantel and whipped around, his features taut and angry. “How dare he take me to task for helping others. Then he goes and does this.”

“Perhaps you inspired him,” Evie suggested, repeating what she’d told Gregory in a hopeful tone.

Snorting, Lucien sent her a sarcastic glower. “You know that isn’t likely.”

“What other reason could there be?” Gregory asked.

“Annoying me,” Lucien bit out.

Evie frowned at him. “Except he’s been at this for months and you weren’t aware. He actually brought my father and me together, Lucien. He’s done a wonderful thing.”

“There has to be a reason. It wasn’t out of the kindness of his nonexistent heart.” Lucien looked to Gregory. “You heard him the other day. He chastised me for hiring my former mistress.”

“Did he?” Evie looked to Gregory.

“I didn’t think that bore mentioning,” Gregory murmured.

Lucien continued, “He would no sooner help her cross the street than reunite her with her father. There has to be some nefarious purpose motivating him.”

Gregory hadn’t imagined the conversation with Lucien going this way. He’d known their relationship was fraught, but he’d hoped this would go toward healing it.

“Where are you going?” Lucien snapped his gaze to Evie’s, then to Gregory’s. “Reynolds said you were on your way out of town.”