Page 28 of Winning Her Duke

“I don’t understand what has made you question everything, but if you are truly unhappy with how things are, then I would say you need to make a change to find happiness. But if you are content with who you are, and the way you live your life, why would you want to try to fit into a world that doesn’t fit you?”

“I am happy. But I don’t want to disappoint my father or Lydia.”

He didn’t know her father, but if the man would be disappointed to have such a wonderful daughter as Gia, he didn’t deserve her efforts to appease him.

“Are we going to ready this lad for a race or stand about talking in the sun?” Owen interrupted their conversation and the cloud over Gia’s face lifted as she headed toward Godspell.

“We most definitely want to get this handsome boy ready to win.”

She didn’t seem to worry anymore over her earlier concerns as they pushed Godspell through his paces. They worked with him in a crowd of other horses. Forcing the horse to face his irrational fears.

Perhaps there was a lesson there.

*

Gia felt equal parts dread and excitement as she readied herself for the ball that evening. She’d already confirmed that Hale planned to attend and that he would stand ready to distract her should any of the nastier ladies of the ton come sniffing about.

She didn’t need the duke to fight her battles. She was perfectly capable of handling them. She just wasn’t sure if her way of handling them wouldn’t make things even worse.

True to his word, Hale intercepted Gia and Lydia as soon as they arrived. She supplied her dance card upon his request while Lydia gave a smug smile as if telling Gia how right she was to make her pick up a card.

Gia had planned to do so anyway knowing at least two dances would be taken by the duke. As had happened the evening before, Lord Melville, Lord Penbrook, and Lord Stormont swooped in to take a dance each.

She enjoyed the sound of irritation from Hale as his friends flirted with her. She knew well enough that they were rakes with no intentions toward marriage, so she could only guess Hale was worried she’d make real her threat to ask his friends about his secrets.

Did he have any secrets?

She and Hale made their way to the dance floor for the first dance among rumors and whispers much like the night before. Except this time, Gia didn’t strain to hear what was being said.

She assumed it was the normal gossip that followed her since her come out. She was the daughter of a seductress, which meant she would steal away every man she could, even two or three at a time if it suited.

Tonight, it might at least appear true since her dance card held four names. Really it was all very tedious and she decided to ignore it as best she could.

After all, it hadn’t deterred Hale from visiting or asking her to dance. If he didn’t care, she wouldn’t either.

They chatted as normal, mostly about Godspell and his training. When the dance was over, he escorted her back to Lydia. But as soon as he stepped away, Gia was mobbed by a group of men, all asking for a spot on her dance card.

The women nearby were appalled by the attention she was receiving as Lydia made quick introductions in an organized fashion.

Fortunately, she was given an escape when Lord Melville came to claim his dance.

“My, you have quite the group of admirers, Miss Gia.”

“The duke danced with me. I assume that sends a signal to the others that I am now a prize to be won. I’m sure you shall see my name in the books at your club.”

Lord Melville’s eyes went wide and his lips pulled up to one side.

“Hale said you were not like other ladies of the ton.” He cleared his throat and added, “He meant it in a pleasing way, I assure you. No offense.”

Gia chuckled at his discomfort, much like she had when Hale had been caught up the same tangle.

“I believe he said he appreciates that you speak your mind and do not simper or talk of the weather.”

“Yes. Though I do worry what will become of our friendship if I were to actually need to speak to him of the weather. He’s so adverse to the topic.”

Her comment earned another laugh from the lord.

“If he gets caught in a storm, it will be his own doing. I will not fault you for not telling him.”