Smiling broadly, Evie accepted a glass of punch from a footman passing by with a tray. “Excellent.”

They spent time conversing with other neighbors, and Evie was glad she’d decided to come. There was a communal warmth in and around Witney, and it seemed, with the exception of Lord and Lady Witney, everyone cared for each other. She knew her sister and Alfred would be very happy here. And they were still far enough removed from London so as not to suffer the stain of the origin of their marriage. Unless Lady Witney chose to make things difficult. She’d already been a judgmental shrew. Evie’s hackles began to rise. If she did anything to harm Heloise or her family, Evie would take whatever measures were necessary. She would speak with Lucien about Lady Witney when she returned to London. It wasn’t a typical manner in which they helped people, but Evie wouldn’t allow her sister to go unsupported.

A footman approached her and delivered a folded piece of parchment. “For you, Mrs. Renshaw,” he murmured before inclining his head and taking himself off.

Evie unfolded the note. It read: There is a retiring room on the first floor to the left of the stairs. Go there in a quarter hour if you’d like to see Ash.

Of course she wanted to see Ash. But she couldn’t help wondering if the author of the note had something else in mind as well.

In fourteen minutes, she would find out.

Gregory stood in the doorway to the chamber next to what had been designated as the retiring room for the party. He watched, waiting to see Evie’s dark green skirts. He didn’t doubt for a moment that she would come. Ash was too compelling a lure to ignore, and Gregory hadn’t been above using him to get her to come to the party in the first place. Not that he blamed her reluctance. Susan was absolutely dogged in her pursuit of Evie’s favor.

Was he any different? Of course he was—his desire for Evie had nothing to do with what she could do for him and everything to do with what he wanted to do for and with her.

There she was at last, coming toward the retiring room. Gregory stepped out and gestured for her to come to him instead. A faint smile teased her familiar lips, and he was suddenly desperate to taste them. But wasn’t he always?

“This way,” he said, gently touching her lower back as they moved through a sitting room.

“Where are we going exactly?”

“To see Ash.”

And where is he?”

“My chamber.”

She stopped suddenly. “Lord Gregory, are you attempting to seduce me?”

He grinned at her. “Is it working?”

Laughing, she gently shook her head. “Take me to our dog.”