He realized he hadn’t said. “I ran into him on my way here. He was just his usual sarcastic self. We’re as opposite as anyone could be. Sometimes I wonder how we came from the same parents.”

She turned toward him, her brow furrowed. “Did he ask where you were going?”

Gregory sensed a bit of apprehension on her part. “No. He could see I was just out with Ash.” He decided not to mention what Clifford had said about Susan noticing Gregory’s absences. He didn’t think it was anything to worry about and didn’t want to spark concern. Plus, he had already decided to take even greater care when he met with her. “Once he’d chastised me about talking him into hosting the annual Yuletide party at Witney Court, he asked me to make sure you would be there.”

Her features smoothed as she looked down at Ash, who had finished his treat and was now gnawing on a piece of wood destined for the fire. “I saw the invitation that was delivered to Threadbury Hall yesterday.”

“Do you and the Creightons plan on coming?”

“They do. I admit I’m torn. I’d love to spend time with you, of course.”

He said out loud what she did not. “But my sister-in-law is a deterrent.”

“Unfortunately, yes.” She smiled at him. “Still, I think I can overcome the obstacle of her badgering me about the Phoenix Club, particularly if you persuade me.”

He leaned toward her. “How may I do that?”

She gave him an alluring stare and ran her tongue over her lower lip, making his heart skip and blood rush straight to his cock. “I’d say you are already well on your way, my lord.”

“Then allow me to finish the task.”

Chapter 8

The last week had passed too quickly. Though Evie hadn’t planned to see Gregory every day, she had. She couldn’t seem to keep herself from him, which she attributed to the finite aspect of their affair. Their time was limited, so she wanted to make the most of it. That made sense, didn’t it?

She hadn’t seen him today, however, knowing she would encounter him at the Yuletide party at Witney Court. In the end, he’d been most persuasive in his efforts to convince her to attend.

“It’s quite spectacular, isn’t it?” Alfred asked, interrupting her thoughts as the coach pulled to the front of the impressive house. Evie didn’t know much about architecture, only that it looked quite old and sprawling. It was what came to mind when one heard the phrase “ancestral pile.”