Page 19 of Winning Her Duke

“Not with your ears.” She bit her bottom lip, and he knew she was nervous that she had shared something she regretted. “Forgive me. That is absurd.”

“Not at all. You have a true gift to be able to hear the things they cannot say. They trust you because of that unspoken understanding. I saw the way Godspell walked next to you after your run. You could have dropped his reins and he would have continued to follow you. He wouldn’t have left your side. As if compelled to stay with you.”

Perhaps he understood because he also felt compelled to stay close to her.

“Take care with those kinds of words. I could be called out as a witch.”

He leaned closer. “I will keep your secret.”

“So, you are the devil, and I am a witch. We make a grand pair, do we not?”

“Especially when we combine our powers toward a common goal.”

“Like the Epsom Derby?” she suggested.

He could have come up with a few other ideas, but they wouldn’t have been suitable for sharing in a proper drawing room with an innocent.

“Aye. Like that.”

They went on with their visit as was becoming normal for them. Speaking of horses and planning for a horserace. But as they discussed training and diet, they were interrupted by someone entering the room and a loud gasp.

Lady Tomison stared at them with eyes wide.

“Gia, may I speak to you in the hall?”

“Run and save yourself,” Gia whispered as she rose and followed the woman into the hall.

If Lady Tomison thought the hall provided any great privacy, she was wrong. Hale was able to hear their conversation clearly.

“What are you wearing to receive a duke?”

“He’s not a duke. Or rather he is a duke, but he’s not visiting in the capacity of a duke. He is only Hale.”

Hale winced, knowing Lady Tomison would not appreciate Gia’s use of his given name. Another loud gasp told him he’d been correct.

“And why are you carrying vegetables?”

“They were a gift from His Grace.”

“Why…? What…?” The lady spluttered while Hale covered his mouth to hold in his mirth.

To spare Gia any further lecture, he rose and went to the hall.

“I thank you for your time and the painting, Miss Landon, but I must be on my way.”

“Will we see you at the Redmond Ball this evening, Your Grace?” Lady Tomison asked.

He wanted to avoid the ball and any likelihood Lady Tomison would get the wrong idea regarding his visits to Gia, but he found himself answering, “I believe you shall.”

At least he wouldn’t risk being bored to his death with Gia in attendance.

Chapter Six

“Looking for someone?” Kit interrupted Hale’s third perusal of the ballroom since he’d arrived.

Not only was Hale attending his second ball in a week, but he had been eager to be here. After spending the morning and the afternoon with Gia talking about horses, he found he was excited to see her only a few hours after he’d last left her.

Not that he could share this information with Kit, Graham, or Julian. His friends would never let him live it down if they knew.