“No, it is not. Lucien has worked to make it something different, a place where the members can truly be at ease and where character matters more than circumstance.”

“What a lovely turn of phrase,” Gregory murmured, his esteem for her growing with every moment they spent together. She inspired him, he realized. Now he was anxious to return to town as well, and not just because she was going. “I am keen to find my own way when I get to London. If you’re still inclined, I would be grateful to you for speaking with Lord Lucien on my behalf.”

Her gaze snapped to his. “Of course I will. I do want to be friends, Gregory. We are friends. I just… I need some time to myself. I hope you can understand that.” She grimaced slightly, and he sensed this was difficult for her. Perhaps her earlier coldness was an attempt to disguise how she really felt.

All he wanted was to be closer to her. The idea of space between them was wholly unappealing. Yet, he’d known this was coming even if he hadn’t expected it this soon. “I’d hoped we would have more time,” he said quietly, reaching for his tankard of ale for a long needed pull to quench the desert in his throat.

“I’m sorry. To me, our time together has been wonderful.”

“To me as well.”

She smiled suddenly. “Let us not mourn, for we are here today, and we are together.” She reached over to pet Ash, who rolled onto his back so she could rub his belly.

Gregory struggled to move on and to pretend that his heart wasn’t breaking. His heart? Yes, for he was fairly certain he’d fallen in love with her. He was glad he hadn’t told her that. Until that moment, he hadn’t allowed even himself to know.

Still, he didn’t want to squander a moment of their time together, and especially not with self-pity. “When do you need to return to Threadbury Hall?” he asked.

She glanced toward him. “Not for a while yet.”

“Good.” He reached for her, eager to show her just how good they were together. He’d give her the space she needed, but he wouldn’t abandon her completely. He couldn’t.

Pulling her onto his lap, he caressed her face. “Ash and I won’t disappear forever. We are friends, and we will remain such.”

Their gazes held for a long moment before she nodded slowly in response.

“I’ll remind you, Evie, that I am an optimist.” Cupping her neck, he kissed her, losing himself in the bliss of holding her. He couldn’t believe this would be the last time.

He wouldn’t.