Page 32 of Winning Her Duke

Hale’s mood was restored when he led Gia to the dining room for supper. The man next to her was ancient and focused on the woman to his right which left Gia to his company alone.

“Did your friends leave already? I don’t see them at the table.”

“Aye, they left shortly after their dance with you.” Though not immediately. They’d made sure to seek Hale out to chide him for his jealousy.

“They have gone to seek other entertainments for the evening?” she whispered.

“Why the devil can’t we ever have a conversation without it turning to improper topics?” he asked not put out at all.

“And don’t forget cursing.”

Yes, he’d just cursed as well. It was so easy to be with her he often forgot himself.

She let out a sigh and turned to her plate.

“There’s always the weather. Or sunlight.”

He shook his head and smiled at her. She always managed to bring a smile to his face.

Hale was sitting in his study the next day counting down the minutes until visiting hours so he could go see Gia. He couldn’t wait to tell her how well Godspell had done on his run that morning.

She hadn’t been able to join him because Lady Tomison had needed her at home that morning.

Gia would be happy to hear that her horse hadn’t pulled out of the pack and seemed not to notice the other horses at all. Had he just thought of Godspell as her horse? Before he had time to dissect his comment, his butler entered.

“Lord Waverly to see you, Your Grace,” Hutchinson said by the door of Hale’s study.

“Please send him in,” Hale answered. Having never met the man, he curiously welcomed the distraction. Anything to keep his mind from reminding him of the dances he’d shared with Gia. The feel of her in his arms. Her smile. Her laughter…

The man entered and offered a stiff smile.

“Thank you for seeing me, Your Grace.” The man bowed and Hale nodded. Until he knew the nature of the visit, Hale couldn’t be sure the man deserved more than that.

“Of course, please sit.” Hale gestured to his decanter of brandy. It was not yet noon, but the man seemed slightly nervous. “Can I offer you anything?”

“No. Thank you.”

“What might I do for you, my lord?” Hale prompted when the man remained silent. Hale took his seat behind his desk and waited.

“It is my daughter, Your Grace.”

Hale’s heart rate picked up. No good conversation had ever started with those words. As a bachelor, Hale was conditioned to avoid conversations with men in regard to their daughters.

“I was away from town and upon my return I’ve learned you’ve come to visit her. More than once and for some length of time, as I’m told. And then, according to Lady Tomison, you danced with Gia numerous times and even escorted her to dinner last night.”

“You have received a detailed and accurate report,” Hale said while trying to decipher where the man was going with this. Did he think a visit—unchaperoned as it was—and a few dances warranted a marriage proposal?

“Yes. I assumed so.” Waverly nodded.

“I’m sorry we have not had the opportunity to meet until now. I purchased a horse from you through Mr. Marley in the fall.”

The man frowned. “Yes, that is my understanding as well. And while it is true that we have never met, I am afraid I have heard of you. That is, I’ve heard of your reputation.”

“I see. And you’ve come to warn me away from a friendship with your daughter?” Hale leaned in, lacing his fingers together on his desk, hoping he looked every bit the imposing duke. He would not be ordered around so easily, especially when it came to Gia.

The man blinked and then barked a laugh before composing himself again.

“Apologies, Your Grace. No. That is, not as you mean. If you’ve met my daughter, you know she is more than capable of running off any man who treats her in an unladylike way.”