Page 80 of Winning Her Duke

“Jeremy?” Julian said. Would his brow ever come down from its judgmental perch? “No one calls you by your Christian name.”

“She does.” Obviously.

Without thinking, Hale leaned down to press his lips to the edge of her hairline as his fingers brushed through her hair.

“My God. You love her,” Julian whispered. The smile on his face revealed he finally had a grasp of both pieces of the puzzle he was trying to solve.

“You know I have no concept of such things.” Hale was quick to reject Julian’s assumption. Though if ever Hale thought himself capable of such an emotion, it would most definitely be with this woman.

“Do you ever find it odd how we both suffer the same affliction, but for entirely opposite reasons?” Julian tilted his head before explaining further.

“You were abandoned by everyone who should have taught you about love and therefore you find yourself incapable of it, while my father was obsessively immersed in my upbringing and found fault in every speck of my existence, to the point I find I avoid anything to do with love as well.”

“Perhaps it is why we are such close friends.” Julian, Kit and Hale were three Scottish nobles, educated in Edinburgh before being launched on London. That alone would have drawn them together. Allies amongst the ton.

But it was more that had made them friends. Each broken and in need of someone to help distract them from noticing how many pieces were missing.

“Perhaps I am the only person who you might believe when I tell you we have been misled.” Julian said, sadness clear in his voice.

“You want to love someone? Offer up your throat to the wolves?” Hale could hardly believe it.

“Nay. I would not attempt such a thing. But I wouldn’t mind being loved by someone the way she clearly loves you.” He nodded his head at the woman drooling on his coat.

Was Julian correct? Did she love him? How had he allowed her to do such a dangerous thing? He didn’t want her to be hurt in any way, especially not like this.

“You’re wrong, Jules.” Hale shook his head. “She knows better. She doesn’t want marriage any more than I do.”

Julian sniffed. “Maybe not now. But eventually you’ll want it so much you’ll do the unthinkable to get it.”

“Do you think it would be so bad?”

“Which part? Marriage? Love? Opening your heart to someone?”

“All of it?”

His friend slid down in his seat and tugged his hat over his face, getting ready to join the women in slumber. Hale thought he might not answer, but after a few moments of silence, Julian said, “We would need to possess a heart in order to open it to someone, now wouldn’t we?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

It was near dark when they pulled into the drive leading to Elmhurst.

Gia sat up from where she’d been leaning against Jeremy and felt a blush as Lord Melville smiled knowingly, yet kindly, at her.

“Welcome to Elmhurst, Your Grace, my lord,” she said courteously.

Jeremy blinked, probably at her formal greeting.

They had remained rather silent on the day’s journey, but she could tell Lord Melville and Jeremy were close. As well as Lord Sinclair, or Kit as they referred to him. The two shared tales of their school days and the trouble they got into. It was quite entertaining if also a bit sad.

She was helped down from the carriage and upon entering the foyer, Gia could tell the staff had been prepared for her arrival.

Jennings, the butler, was directing everyone about. A battalion of footmen were already carrying hot water up the stairs for a bath she would be most grateful for.

Mrs. Kempt bustled about as well.

“It is late, but I’ll have trays sent up straightaway so you all might have a bite before retiring for the evening.”

“I will see our guests to their rooms personally.”