Evie burst into laughter. “Too much.” She put her hand over her mouth to stifle the guffaws.

He grinned and then laughed with her. Ash barked, seeming to join in their joyful noise, and ran toward them.

“What you did when you helped me from the gig was perfect,” she said.

He inclined his head as they continued walking. “Noted.”

As they progressed, Ash ran right into Evie. Trying to avoid stepping on him, she lost her balance and pitched toward Lord Gregory.

He caught her, but the momentum was too much for them to stay on their feet. He cushioned her fall, holding her against his chest as they lay in the grass. “Ash!” Lord Gregory admonished. He looked up at Evie with concern cooling the heat that had been in his eyes. “All right?”

“Yes. How about you? You’ve taken the brunt of this fall.”

“I’ve had worse.”

Evie was overwhelmingly aware of Lord Gregory’s arms around her, of his hands clasping her back and…lower. Indeed, he was clutching her backside, and she wondered if he knew it. Consequently, her pelvis was pressed into his, igniting a sharp, encompassing desire. Everywhere they touched was a point of arousal—her hands on his shoulders, her breasts against his chest, her legs between his so she was nestled into his thighs. He was doing extremely well at the touching part of their lesson.

Without even trying, she would wager. He thought he needed help attracting a wife when the reality was that any woman with a brain between her ears and even the slightest sense of sexual desire would be drawn to him. Perhaps he’d already disappointed an army of women without even knowing it.

“I think you’ve accomplished the bit about touching someone a moment longer than necessary,” she murmured.

Alarm flashed over his features. “My apologies. I’m trying to determine how to help you up.”

Ash decided this was a good time to lick Lord Gregory’s chin. Which led the dog to lick Evie’s cheek next. They started to laugh again.

Evie was grateful for the break in whatever had transpired between them. Unless it had been a single-sided connection. It was best she endeavor not to think about it in any case.

Sliding to the ground on her side, she worked to stand. Lord Gregory moved quickly, helping her up so they both stood, facing each other.

This time, he let her go rather quickly. She buried her disappointment.

“I suppose we should return.” She turned toward the gig without waiting for his response.