Evie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Can we not debate that again? This is why I didn’t tell you I’d met him the other day.”

“Because you thought I’d immediately cast you in a relationship together?” Heloise scoffed.

Henry reached for her necklace again, and Heloise clutched his chubby hand. “Where is your gummy?” She glanced about the drawing room, then strode swiftly to the settee. Plucking up the coral stick, she presented it to him with a wide grin. “Here we are!” She transferred her attention back to Evie and walked toward her while Henry stuck the coral into his mouth.

Heloise narrowed one eye at her and cocked her head. “You didn’t tell me about him because you liked him. You didn’t worry I’d cast you in a relationship—you worried that you would.” She gave Evie a sympathetic smile. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, you know.”

Thankfully, the butler came in to say that Lord Gregory had arrived.

“See you later.” Evie turned and breezed from the room, ignoring what her sister had just said.

Snapping up her hat from a table in the entrance hall, Evie set it atop her head, then grabbed her gloves. A footman opened the door, and she stepped outside into the cool gray afternoon.

Lord Gregory stood next to a smart gig. He wore a dark blue coat over brown wool breeches. His waistcoat was also blue, nearly the exact same shade as the coat. His cravat was simple, but she liked that. It was a welcome contrast to the fussier styles she typically saw in London.

“I think someone is excited to see you.” Lord Gregory stepped aside to reveal Ash sitting in the gig.

Evie instantly forgot about Lord Gregory and strode straight to the puppy. “There’s our boy! Have you been such a good pup?”

Ash barked in response, his brown eyes fixing on her as she stroked his head, glad she hadn’t yet put on her gloves. After repeating more happy puppy nonsense, she finally recalled that Lord Gregory was there. “I suppose we should go.”

“Or we could just stand here and fawn over Ash. I don’t mind.”

Evie smiled at him. “You are a patient man.”

“Yes, but mostly I am just as smitten with Mr. Ash as you are.”

Evie wanted to disagree. She really didn’t want to be smitten with the dog. Or with anyone.

In the end, she said nothing as Lord Gregory handed her into the gig. As soon as she was seated, Ash climbed onto her lap.

“That’s how it is, then?” she murmured, petting the back of his neck and shoulders.

Lord Gregory chuckled as he climbed in beside her. “That’s how we drove here. Him sitting on my lap.”