Page 46 of Winning Her Duke

It had been his feet that took him there and his hand that had knocked. His heart had played no part whatsoever.

Chapter Thirteen

Gia had been disappointed the night before when she’d realized Hale had left the musicale without her having a chance to speak to him.

This morning when he didn’t meet her for their morning ride, she was left to assume something was truly wrong. Was he ill?

He’d seemed fit and hearty when he’d winked at her. The warmth of his smile had caused her to tingle in places she’d long ignored.

She wondered if he would come today.

If he wasn’t ill, it could only mean he wished their friendship to come to an end.

It was sad really, but she understood. Men didn’t want to marry as a rule. She didn’t want to marry either, despite it looming as her father and Lydia attempted to guide her in that direction. And when or if the duke ever decided to take a wife, he would certainly pick someone more suitable than her.

She didn’t know the first thing about being a duchess and truth be told, didn’t care to. She only wanted a quiet life where she could spend her days with her horses. And if she wished to spend her nights with a certain man… she would keep those thoughts to herself.

Not even an hour had passed from the time she’d sent out the footman with her note that the duke arrived at Tomison House.

“I came right away,” Hale said as Gia met him on the path from the house to the stables. “Luther said you were out here.”

“Yes. It is so exciting. You won’t believe it.” She turned back toward the stables then stopped abruptly causing him to run into her. “I should have asked after your health. Are you well? You left the musicale early last night and didn’t come riding this morning.”

“Oh. Aye. I’m well. I… should have sent a note.” He appeared unsure and she didn’t know why.

“You surely don’t need to account to me. I just wanted to be sure you weren’t ill. It’s not my business what kept you.” Though she did wonder.

“Still, I told you I would see you at the musicale and then I dinna stay.”

She shrugged and headed for the stables, not wanting to delve any deeper. It felt as if she had plucked at a thread and if she continued to tug at it, the whole garment might unravel. And it was her very favorite garment. “Wait until you see her.”

“Her?”

“Yes. She only arrived this morning and I wanted you to be here.” Hale was the only person besides Owen who would express the proper amount of excitement over the beast that was waiting in the stable. And excitement was not Owen’s forte.

She hadn’t realized she’d taken Hale’s hand until she felt his warm fingers wrap around hers. It felt strange, but nice. Wonderful, actually. She released him to open the stable door.

With a bit of fanfare, Gia waved her hand gesturing toward the horse.

“She’s beautiful,” Hale said as soon as his gaze landed on Gia’s new mare.

“A mustang from America.” Gia pointed toward the brown and white spotted horse. Shorter than her Thoroughbreds and Arabians, the sturdy horse was somewhat wild or rather, without trust. Gia looked forward to winning the lass over with respect and kindness.

“She has spirit,” Hale said next to her. “She rather reminds me of you.”

Gia turned to Hale to find him smiling at her in a way she’d never seen before. She might have scolded him for comparing her to a horse, but she felt certain he’d meant it as a compliment.

She’d never seen him so at ease. And that smile. It was something that needed to be captured. She knew as soon as she was alone in her rooms, she would put it down on paper so she could remember this moment always.

“I got her on a trade. A man in Virginia wanted one of Goliath’s sons to breed hearty workhorses. I sent him two stallions for her, and he paid to transport them all.”

“You are a skilled negotiator.” His smile hadn’t dimmed one bit.

“What should I name her?” she asked to distract herself from the thought of moving her paintbrush to form the curve of his lips. It was a ridiculous notion. He was a friend and nothing more. She needed to remember that.

They shared an interest in horses and, yes, they’d shared some other information. But she would do herself no favors to develop a tendre for the man.

He could never be hers.