Page 89 of Winning Her Duke

He frowned and put his arm around her. Her head fit perfectly against his shoulder as it had since she’d been fourteen. But she was no longer a girl. She was a woman. And women married and left their father’s homes. Generally, they did so way before they’d reached the age of five and twenty.

“I’ve seen tears of joy before and I daresay, they don’t look like this.”

“Apparently I inherited your deplorable acting skills.” She laughed through the tears and he offered a chuckle before patting her arm.

“I am happy for you. Truly,” she repeated with more emphasis and fewer tears. “I love Lydia. She may now have the title of stepmother, but she shall always be my friend.

“I know you are not unhappy about our marriage. But something is wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong.” I’m wrong. “I’m so sorry I’ve disappointed you, Papa. You brought me here to find a husband and I didn’t take it seriously. I didn’t realize…”

“Gia, I didn’t bring you here to find any husband. I could have found you a proper husband without all the dramatics to get you to London. I wanted you to meet people, and I’d hoped you would meet someone who made you happy. Someone who wanted to marry. I’d hoped Lord Melville…well, never mind that.”

She’d told him she and Julian were not well suited. And she was sure his mention of someone who wanted to marry was in relation to Hale.

He cleared his throat and went on.

“Sharing your life with someone you care for makes it so much sweeter. I only want that for you.”

“Would I even know if I found the right person? Like you did when you met mama?” She’d always heard theirs was a love at first sight. While she had admired Hale’s fine looks when they’d met, she hadn’t been stricken with any great emotion until recently.

“Sometimes it happens like that. A lightning strike. Other times it can be a friendship that builds over the years.” He smiled and she knew he spoke now of Lydia. This was more similar to how it had been with Hale, but their friendship had not lasted years.

“For others, they might start off with something as simple as respect, and one day they realize it has grown into love somewhere along the way. However, it comes about, having someone by your side brings peace to your days.”

“It sounds lovely.” And it did seem wonderful. But unfortunately, when she thought of the person she wanted by her side for the rest of her days, all she could envision was Jeremy.

How his dark, blond waves would turn lighter until they bleached to white. How the creases at the corners of his blue eyes would deepen from years of laughter. She imagined children and later, grandchildren, to love.

And she wanted it so badly, it brought another batch of tears to her eyes.

How could she possibly miss something she’d been certain she’d never wanted. She felt all kinds of silly for not seeing why others wished for this.

“Here you two are,” Lydia called as she came out and wrapped an arm around her new husband’s waist. “They are bringing the carriage around. We should say our farewells.”

Her father’s brow creased in worry and she knew he was considering pushing back his honeymoon to stay with her. She couldn’t allow it.

“I hope you will enjoy your travels. You must write to me occasionally to tell me where you are. Not too much though, I know you’ll be busy.”

She wouldn’t think about what they would be busy doing. It was her father after all. And while she hadn’t eaten much during the wedding breakfast, she had no wish to cast up the little bit she had managed.

“I’ve started my farewells with the person I’ll miss most while we’re away,” her father said and kissed Gia’s cheek. “You’re sure you’ll be all right, love?”

“Of course.” She squared her shoulders and wiped away the last of her tears, showing a brave front. “I have plenty to keep me busy as well. Xandra is coming along nicely in her training, but still needs some work now that the races are over.”

It was an exaggeration. In truth, Xandra took to everything easier than any horse she’d ever trained.

Owen often joked that her American blood made her more stubborn, but Xandra was quite pleasant.

“I will miss you most as well,” Lydia said, brushing the remaining dampness from Gia’s cheek with a sad smile.

“Thank you for trying to help me,” Gia said. “I’m sorry I was such a mess.”

“I’m sorry I attempted to contort you into something you’re not. Someday, some man is going to realize how amazing you are, and he’s going to sweep you off your feet. I hope we’re back in time to see it.” Lydia spoke as if this sweeping was imminent instead of a fairy tale.

Gia forced a smile and wished them a joyous honeymoon as they rode away. When they were gone and the lingering guests had left, Gia wandered to her room, noting the silence in the halls. She felt more alone than she ever had before.

She needed to act now. While her father and Lydia were away.