He’d hoped for a child. Did that mean she hadn’t? He wanted to ask more questions. He wanted to know everything about her. But he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “I’m sorry you didn’t have much time together.”

“I don’t have any regrets,” she said staunchly, then flashed him a smile to underscore the sentiment.

While her marriage sounded…fine, he couldn’t detect even a bit of passion. He silently vowed to give her that.

“I should tell you about the cottage,” she said, signaling she was finished with the subject of her marriage. At least for now. Gregory would hope for future revelations. Indeed, he was thrilled by the idea that he’d learn things about her throughout their association. And hopefully beyond. He didn’t want to think that their friendship would end in a few short weeks.

“How did you manage to secure a vacant cottage?”

“I asked Heloise if there was a place we might meet to play with Ash. It’s too cold outside for extended encounters.”

“She didn’t suggest we just meet at Threadbury Hall?” Gregory asked.

“She did, actually, but I said it would be nice to have a smaller dwelling so that Ash could go in and out easily.”

He contemplated her with admiration. “You thought of everything.”

She laughed softly. “I tried to. The cottage isn’t far from the hedgerow where we found Ash. It’s compact, with only a few rooms and a small garden.”

“I take it you’ll walk there since you don’t ride?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s not quite a half mile from Threadbury Hall. We can meet there tomorrow if you like.”

Tomorrow. His body thrummed with anticipation. More specifically, his cock had an annoying habit now of trying to harden whenever he was in her presence. It took concerted effort for him to keep his desire at bay. “Why not tonight?”

This drew her to send him a sharp look. Blast, he sounded desperate. “Tomorrow would be fine too,” he added somewhat lamely. “I was only thinking, why wait?”

“You’d want to spend the night at the cottage?” Her features softened. “There is something about sleeping together that goes beyond the act of sex. It’s even more intimate.”

He could easily envisage that. Just as he could see her sleeping beside him, her lashes curled against her cheeks in slumber, her lush lips pursed as she dreamed. There went his cock again.

“Would that be acceptable to you?” he asked, wondering if his voice sounded a bit higher than normal. “Oh, but what would you say to the Creightons about being gone overnight?” Disappointment dimmed his enthusiasm.

“I’ll come up with something,” she said confidently, lifting him back into full anticipation. “What about Ash?”

Gregory glanced toward the pup, still snuggled down on her lap, his eyes closed. “I could bring him.”