Page 35 of Winning Her Duke

“Pardon, Your Grace, but may we dispense with this game of me trying to puzzle out what has you out of sorts? You could just tell me so we can have it out before we leave. I’d prefer not to spend the ride guessing.”

She’d crossed her arms and was no doubt presenting an obstinate mien, but she couldn’t help it. Or rather she didn’t care to.

The duke was grinning at her as he took a step closer.

“I apologize if I seem distracted. I didn’t sleep well last night and am a bit slow this morning. I assure you there is nothing to have out.”

“Very well, then. Shall we go?”

“Aye. Let’s.” He was smiling fully now and even chuckled as he helped her into the carriage.

“What is so amusing, Your Grace?”

“Nothing,” he said, though it was clear he was lying. He glanced over to Bess and Gia thought he might have shared his secret if her maid hadn’t been present.

Whatever it was, she didn’t need to know. So long as his mood was improved and he didn’t plan to ruin her adventure, he could keep it to himself if he liked.

The duke spent most of the first day looking out the window as they traveled. Occasionally, he would join in on a conversation Gia was having with Bess.

Gia rather liked the way Hale spoke to her maid as he did anyone else. Gia had noticed the way some of the nobility wouldn’t deign to speak to a servant. Hale, thankfully, didn’t have this affliction.

They stopped at an inn for the evening and continued on early the next morning to arrive in Wiltshire.

Unlike the last time she’d attended the race at Salisbury, the day was beautiful. Just a few non-threatening clouds to break up the blue sky. She breathed in the fresh air after the weeks spent in the city and smiled at the familiar scents of hay and horses.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to let the sun touch her face for more than a minute before Bess was shoving a parasol into her hands.

“What the devil am I—”

“You don’t want to get freckles, miss,” Bess was quick to interrupt.

She was sure she saw a smirk on Hale’s lips for a moment, but it was gone too quickly for her to be certain.

Gia frowned and took the contraption while Bess went to enjoy the shade of a nearby tree. Her maid had no interest at all in the race and would most likely spend the afternoon knitting.

Owen frowned at her parasol but said nothing. Hale however, couldn’t seem to help himself.

“You look quite the proper lady today, Miss Gia.”

“Bollocks.”

He was clearly laughing as they headed for the paddocks. There were groups of people standing back from where Dante paced, but Gia preferred to move closer to see her old friend better.

She came to a stop as close as was safe and felt Hale move to stand next to her. Just as she leaned over to tell him how much she missed her horse, the rider swatted Dante’s rump with a crop.

Gia’s mouth fell open as the horse slipped sideways on contact. It was a slight movement, but enough to distract him from winning a race if it went unchecked.

“Why ever would they use a crop on him? He needs no encouragement to run. It only serves to divert his attention.” She leaned forward to speak to Owen across Hale’s chest.

“His trainers don’t know him as you did. They treat every horse the same and expect the same results,” Owen said.

“That’s ridiculous, they are as different as you and me,” she snapped.

Hale chuckled. When she turned her attention to him, he smiled and explained.

“I was just thinking the two of you couldn’t be more different.”

Gia and Owen exchanged a look and Hale simply held up his hand brushing away his comment.