“That can’t be everything. Aren’t you close in age? Surely you played together as children?”

“Yes, we are only eighteen months apart in age, but the divide between us is much wider. I suppose it started when we were children, precisely because we didn’t play together. We did at first, but we didn’t enjoy the same things—just riding. I liked to read and draw and climb trees. He preferred to shoot and hunt and devise schemes to pilfer sweets from the kitchen, much to the cook’s dismay and our mother’s frustration. That is likely because he was so often sent to bed without dessert because he’d committed some offense, such as using my mother’s figurines for target practice.”

Grimacing, Evie wasn’t sure how she would manage such a sibling. She and Heloise were so very close and had many wonderful memories from their childhood, despite losing their mother and living with so little security. She almost told Gregory about that—she didn’t have to mention her sister’s name—but it somehow didn’t feel right. Why tell him about her beloved sister when his relationship with his brother was fraught? “I wish things were different for you.”

His gaze warmed with gratitude. “I used to too, but as I said, this is just how things are. I’ve made peace with that for the most part.”

“Does he have anything to do with the plans you alluded to last night?” She’d been looking forward to this discussion.

“Not really. He doesn’t give a fig what I do.”

Evie shifted herself toward him, careful not to jostle Ash too much. “So, you’d ‘ultimately’ like to wed. I had the sense you might wish to do other things first. Is that true?”

“Perhaps. I don’t really know. I just know that I see myself married at some point. With children. And a dog.” He tossed her a grin that made her breath catch.

Ignoring her body’s reaction to him, she kept her mind focused. Or tried to anyway. “You mentioned a career in architecture, but that your father steered you toward the church. Are you ordained?”

“No. My father was hoping I would take that step this year.”

“You sound hesitant.”

He exhaled, his mouth pulling into a slight frown. “My father’s fondest wish was that I become a bishop.”

“It doesn’t sound as if you shared that hope.”

“I did consider it. I also studied the law. The truth is that I like to learn. I taught at Oxford for a year, and I enjoyed that.”

“You haven’t mentioned architecture.”

“I studied it, but not officially. I was quite content in the law, actually. I was called to the bar, but I didn’t end up practicing.”

She heard the regret in his voice. “Was that because of your father?” she asked softly.