“The Creightons are dear friends of mine.” She sought to quickly change the subject to avoid further questions. “Does this hedgerow divide your estate from theirs?”

“It does. Though, it isn’t my estate. It’s my brother’s.”

“Then I suppose you’ll have to ask his tenants as well. There’s no telling which side he came from.”

“You make a good point,” Lord Gregory said. “I will keep him while we search for a potential owner.”

Evie looked at the sweet puppy and stroked his head. “You will be well looked after.”

“He will indeed, and if we are unable to find whoever owns him, I shall endeavor to change your mind about taking him. Everyone needs a pet at least once.”

She kept her mouth closed, not wishing to debate him. “I’ll walk with you back to wherever you came through.” Why? She should take her leave immediately. She didn’t need or want a pet or a gentleman friend. She had plenty of gentlemen friends in London. None of whom made her heart pick up speed or her flesh tingle.

“I squeezed between the shrubbery and that ash tree.” He nodded in the direction from which he’d come.

“Ash,” Evie murmured, looking at the pup. Perhaps she could try having a pet. And what if it didn’t work or she was terrible at it? She couldn’t abandon the poor thing. She would never do that. “We should call him Ash,” she suggested.

“It goes with his coloring for certain,” Lord Gregory said with a faint smile. “Ash it is. Remember, I am only keeping him for you until you’re ready to claim ownership.”

“I won’t, but I would appreciate the opportunity to visit.”

No, you would not. You should run away from both these creatures.

They started toward the tree.

“I’ll see about having my brother invite you and the Creightons to Witney Court. I should like to meet them.”

Evie wondered if that would actually happen. Not Lord Gregory speaking with them—she believed he would do what he said. She just didn’t think the invitation would be forthcoming. Alfred had purchased Threadbury Hall six months ago, and they’d moved into the house in July. At no point had their neighbors at Witney Court made any invitation or overture of any kind, which Alfred and Heloise attributed to the fact that the household was in mourning. However, the marquess had married nearly two months ago, so Evie supposed it was possible an invitation or visit might occur.

Or not.