He walked beside her, but didn’t offer his arm. That was for the best, she decided. Her body was practically singing with desire—a sensation she generally had to coax into fruition. But even then, it had been different. She’d been employed by those men. With Lord Gregory, there was absolutely no reason for her to feign interest. Quite simply, she wanted him. Not because of a paid arrangement, but because she couldn’t help herself.

How was she going to make it through the next few weeks as his neighbor without succumbing to her own passion? She’d no idea, but it had to be done.

“You have been an excellent student, Lord Gregory. I think you are probably better at flirting and have left an impression on more ladies than you realize.”

“I appreciate you saying that. But then, I’ve had a good teacher. Perhaps tomorrow night at the dinner, we can practice more. A social occasion will lend itself to honing my skills.”

Oh no. She wanted to say it was unnecessary, because truly it was. However, the thought of having his attention, even if it was manufactured, for just one night, was too enticing to refuse. Furthermore, it would be something to look forward to while enduring the presence of his abhorrent brother and sister-in-law.

“I daresay you don’t require much more practice, but yes, you are welcome to finesse your flirtation.” She stopped walking as they’d arrived back at the gig.

He helped her onto the seat, then bent to pick up Ash, who’d trotted along beside them, and deposited him in her lap. Glancing at the sky as he climbed in beside her, he noted, “It may rain. I shall quicken our pace on the return.”

Evie looked at the roof of the gig that arched over the seat. “We’ll stay fairly dry in here, won’t we?”

“Fairly.” He cocked a brow at her. “Just in case, I shall demonstrate my excellent driving skills.”

“Well done, Lord Gregory. You are fast becoming a master flirt.”

“The credit, my lovely Mrs. Renshaw, goes entirely to you.”

As he turned the gig, Evie worked to keep from looking at him, focusing all her thoughts and energy on Ash. Things were far simpler that way.

And Evie preferred simple.

Chapter 4

As when he’d gone to the assembly two nights earlier, Gregory left Ash in the care of his valet. At first, Harris had wrinkled his nose and asked if a footman or stableboy might be better suited for the responsibility, but Gregory had explained that they didn’t work for him. At Witney Court, it was all too possible, if not likely, that Susan would object to a footman wasting his time with a puppy, and Gregory didn’t want to consign Ash to the stables. The lads there worked hard enough as it was.