Page 84 of Winning Her Duke

“He’d better be. The race is in two days. Whether he’s ready or not, he’ll be out there. I think the old chap will give his best, but Dante will as well.”

“Godspell is a little taller than Dante. Longer in the leg. It could make a difference in this situation.”

They fell into a weighted silence as he looked at her. When would they be together like this again? He would have to go back to pretending she was merely a friend. He would only have stolen moments to kiss or touch her skin.

Eventually she looked up and caught him watching her.

“What?” She wiped at her chin self-consciously.

“You are beautiful,” he said, the words just came out of his mouth. The truth as easy as breathing.

She must have considered arguing for a moment but instead of dismissing his comment she sat a bit straighter and picked up her fork once again and simply said, “Thank you.”

And that was when he realized he was in love with Giovanni Verona Landon. While he wasn’t sure how such a thing had happened, he didn’t feel the fear he expected.

At least not yet.

*

Soon enough race day was upon them, bringing a close to the week and a half they’d been hidden away from everyone in their own small paradise.

In mid-May, everyone who loved horses traveled to Surrey for the Epsom Derby. Gia had been many times, but this year she would be watching two of her horses compete. Rather two of her former horses.

A nervous Jeremy was waiting to help her down from the carriage when they arrived. Not that anyone else would know he was nervous.

“He will be splendid, you’ll see,” she reassured him as she looked over the grounds and took in all the colors. The gorgeous blue sky and the thick green grass that would soon bear the weight of ten thoroughbreds at full speed.

The ladies in their colorful frocks did not distract from the natural beauty of the day especially when the man she loved was smiling at her.

“And if he isn’t?” he asked.

“Then you will tell him he did a fine job and take him home. And we will make sure he is better prepared for the next race.” She shrugged, unsure what else there was to do.

“You seem to forget that men wager on these races.”

“Oh.” She frowned. Women were not permitted to place bets, and she wouldn’t have done so anyway. “Well, in that case, if you lose your shirt, I will certainly appreciate the view.”

He chuckled and leaned closer. “Do not say things that stir my arousal when we’re out in public. I do not want to have to walk around with an uncomfortable and embarrassing erection,” he whispered.

She felt the flare of power once more that her words had roused him physically.

“I would surely appreciate that view as well.”

“Minx. You shall pay for that.” He glanced down and while she wanted so much to look, she knew it would be highly improper. “Who knew you were so naughty?”

“If I am, it is all your doing. You have awoken my wanton desires.”

He widened his eyes and looked away. Apparently speaking of her wanton desires was one of those topics to be avoided if the bulge in his breeches was anything to go on. And, yes, she looked even though she’d tried not to.

“If you don’t behave, I will have to find a discreet shrub or a tree to take you behind.”

She chuckled quietly as he led them to the edge of the racecourse so they would be in position to see the start of the race.

Owen came up and gave a curt nod which served to tell them the horses were ready and on the line to start. Jeremy offered a return nod of thanks. Gia felt as if they spoke another language that hadn’t been offered by her tutors.

The language of Scottish men. And what a complicated communication it was since they preferred not to use actual words.

She took a moment to peruse the crowd and waved at her father and Lydia. She kept the smile on her face despite knowing she would be leaving with them to return to London.