Winning her duke, p.10
Winning Her Duke, page 10
He watched Gia’s face to see her reaction, hoping she might seem bored. Would it be too much to wish for a yawn? But there was nothing there but a polite smile.
Until the man laughed.
Damn the man for finding Gia as humorous and enchanting as he did.
After watching her dance with a few other men, he found himself eager to speak with her even though it had only been an hour since he’d last heard her voice. When the supper dance was announced, he made his way to her side to find her biting her bottom lip, concern clear in her warm brown eyes.
“What is it?” he asked, wanting to protect her from anything that caused her a moment of unhappiness.
“It appears our reputations have shifted slightly through the course of the evening.”
He recalled the evening the gossips assumed he was seeking pleasures from Gia and that she was offering them freely.
“Oh? What is being said?”
“You may not want to stand too close or dance with me again.”
He had been counting down the minutes until he could dance with her again. Not so much the dancing, but the privilege of holding her in his arms. No lewd whispers by the old crows of the ton would stop him.
“And why is that?”
“It appears the ton has the idea you are courting me.”
It was not so surprising. His friends had warned him of such a possibility. For whatever reason, Hale had done nothing to dissuade such an insinuation. He wanted to tell himself it was because he was above caring about what these people thought. But the way his insides warmed by the misunderstanding that he was courting her, he was forced to look at another reason he hadn’t taken their advisement more seriously.
Gia went on while he picked at his motives.
“I didn’t think we were in danger of such a rumor, why would they think you would consider me for marriage?”
He turned to look at her more closely. She genuinely believed she was above or rather under the ton’s notice. Did this thinking come from her father’s perception of her, or her own?
She didn’t say it as if she should be pitied for not being considered for a duke, but rather as if it were merely fact. The sky is blue, and no one would ever think he would be interested in her as his duchess.
If he were forced to marry, he would not find a more pleasing candidate. She might not be suited for hosting grand balls or soirees, but she would fill his home with laughter. She might not hold interests that conformed to acceptable ton activities, but Hale would never be in danger of boredom a day in his life with her by his side.
He found himself in the peculiar position of being in defense of Gia against herself. How did someone proceed in this situation?
“We have danced on more than one occasion. We go riding in the mornings. Someone might have seen us. Not to mention at Tattersall’s or at Salisbury. Why do you think it is such a leap for them to assume we are courting?”
And more importantly, why did he suddenly wish they were?
Chapter Twelve
Gia blinked at Hale much in the same way her father had during his visit to Hale’s home.
Was Hale the only person who could see the beauty she was? No. He knew for certain every man in London with a working penis had noticed as well.
“But we’re not courting,” she said.
“But to the casual bystander, would it not look that way?”
Her eyes went wide. “I hadn’t considered. Please forgive me. I never meant for anyone to think that you would actually…” Her cheeks flushed and her eyes darted quickly around the room. “What should we do to put things right? I should leave you alone.”
“No. Please don’t leave me alone. You are the only thing keeping these events from being tedious.” He watched her for a few more seconds, hating how she was distressed by this. “In truth, if I were looking to actually court someone, I would be hard-pressed to find anyone more lovely than you.”
She looked back at him incredulously.
“Are you mad? Just against that wall alone are six young ladies who would be better suited for a duke. They’ve probably been training for such a thing since they slipped from their mother’s womb. And if you needed any further proof I am not of the same caliber as them, I can guarantee none of them would be so gauche as to speak of such a thing as wombs at a ball.”
He was laughing once again. “And that is the very reason why I find you so charming. You intrigue me. Every time you open your mouth, I have no idea what will come out, but I’m sure it will be vulgar or amusing. Generally, both.”
“Are you suggesting you welcome this rumor that we are courting?”
“I can’t say that I have an opinion. London is filled with gossip, half of which is not even close to the truth. I don’t feel the need to correct anyone who thinks we’re more than friends. As long as you and I are in understanding as to what our relationship is and isn’t, then why should we care what the rest of the ton thinks?”
She let out a breath and visibly relaxed.
“I suppose you’re right. I never care what they say about me. It’s just that when they implicated you, I wished to spare you the embarrassment.”
“I am not embarrassed to be your friend, Gia, and I do not appreciate that you think it is my reputation that is at risk here. You’ve met my other friends. They are far more of an embarrassment. Besides, as we’ve discussed, I am known to be a rake and a scoundrel. And don’t forget a savage from Scotland. If anyone should worry about being seen with the other, it is you who should not want to be found in the shadow of my character.”
“Are you angry?” she asked bending forward to look at him closer. He caught a whiff of something warm and inviting. Jasmine? Honey? Or just her?
“Aye. As a matter of fact, I am.” Though he couldn’t be sure why.
“Not because you’ve been caught up in a possible scandal, but because I am apologizing for it?”
“Yes.” He answered before thinking, that was exactly it.
“That makes no sense.”
“Just the same.” He’d found recently that many of his feelings made no sense.
“I’m not sure if I should apologize for my apologizing or if doing so would just make you angrier.”
She glanced at him and he could see the smile that played at the corner of her lips.
“You are utterly ridiculous,” he said, not hiding his grin.
“Your Grace, I’m offended.” She might have convinced him if she’d not been laughing.
Keeping up the charade, he took her hand in his and stared deep into her dark eyes.
“Forgive me, my lady.”
She returned his gaze and shrugged.
“I would never hold a grudge against one of my dearest friends.”
They had been teasing one another a moment ago, but he could tell she was sincere now. That she thought of him as her dearest friend warmed his heart.
He had friends. Ones so close he thought of them as brothers. But what he had with Gia was different. Easier somehow. Necessary.
He found he wanted to know her better. Not better. He wanted to know everything.
“Can we speak about something other than horses or scandals?” he asked as the song ended and he led her toward the dining room for supper.
“What else would one talk about except horses?” she answered.
Once again, she pulled a laugh from his rusty chest.
“I’ll come up with something.”
“You realize if the mamas think you are courting me, they will leave you alone and you no longer need your title of fogue.”
He chuckled. “I believe I will make an excellent fuiter instead.”
She giggled at his made-up word for a faux suiter.
“You are quite clever yourself, Your Grace.”
*
The next morning, Gia dressed quickly and met a frowning Owen at Tattersall’s where he waited with Arabella in a regular saddle and a palfrey named Rosey wearing a side saddle.
This had been their routine every morning so long as the weather was fit for riding, but this morning Owen was frowning more than usual.
“What is it? And be warned, if you plan to try to dissuade me from meeting the duke, I will not listen. He has confirmed he thinks of me as a dear friend, so riding with him is really no different than riding with you, whom I have always considered a friend. You even grumble and snort in the same Scottish manner so I can assure you it is no different.”
Owen let out a grumpy sound and rolled his eyes.
“Of course, lass. It’s quite clear you feel nothing but friendship for the duke. Nothing at all.” There was more, but he mumbled it so low she couldn’t hear what he said and didn’t particularly want to.
Whether she thought more of the duke than friendship was of no import, for friendship was all he was offering and all she would ask for.
“Shall we?”
She climbed up on the silly saddle and pushed Rosey faster so she could get to Hale quicker.
He was waiting astride the tall stallion with a smile. He hopped down as she came closer.
“Please allow me to assist you down from this temperamental beast,” he teased, but stepped back as she jumped down without any help.
It was amazing how well he’d come to know her in just a few weeks.
He did however assist her with the hooks of her riding habit to remove the skirts so she could ride in her buckskins. Moments ago, she’d assured Owen there was no difference between him and the duke, but the fumbling in Gia’s fingers said otherwise. And the grumpy sound Owen made proved he knew it.
Arabella greeted her brother as she and Hale started out on a path. He would run Godspell later during his training. This morning was just for enjoyment and warming up.
As they rode, they laughed and taunted one another; too soon it was time to return.
“Will you be attending the Rochester ball this evening?” he asked casually.
She winced and shook her head. “No. Lydia is set on going to the Barnett musicale.”
“And you do not like music?”
“I do like music. I just don’t like sitting for long periods of time to listen to music,” she explained. Even in the country, she and her father were often invited to performances at a neighboring estate.
It was truly horrible to be forced to sit for so long regardless of the skill of the performer. Gia preferred to be moving. It was probably the reason why she’d never taken to other activities suitable for a gently bred lady such as embroidery. Even reading, as much as she enjoyed it, was reserved for rainy days when she couldn’t be outside.
Hale was still smiling at her with a grin that gave her a glimpse of the naughty boy he must have been in his youth.
“Then I shall come just so I can watch you squirm.”
“You are the devil,” she accused.
“As you’ll recall, I’ve never claimed otherwise.” He tipped his hat and rode away.
Without realizing it, she stood there smiling until she lost sight of the intriguing man. She was pulled from her gawking by a gruff voice from behind her.
“Ach, aye. ’Tis just friendship ye feel for the duke. Clear as day,” Owen said with his bushy brow raised.
Gia whacked her surly groom in the arm, causing a rusty laugh from the older man.
Was she actually looking forward to attending a musicale?
Apparently, she was.
*
Later that evening, Gia was still excited as she took her seat next to Lydia in their carriage.
“I know you’re still cross with me for tricking you into coming to London, but at least I never forced you to sing in front of a large group of people.” Her father nodded sagely as the carriage set off for the Barnett home where they were to be entertained that evening.
The mid-April evening was damp and chilly, and Gia had hoped it would dissuade Lydia from wanting to leave the warmth of the drawing room, but alas they were on their way.
As much as she disliked balls, at least one had the ability to move about as one pleased. They weren’t expected to sit still for long lengths of time.
“I believe, father, the reason you’ve refrained from having me sing is more out of mercy for you and your friends since you know I can’t sing.”
He leaned over from where he sat in the rear-facing bench and patted her knee.
“I’m afraid you were given my singing voice rather than your dear mother’s. Such a tragedy for her gift to have been lost. Instead, I have a child who sounds like a goose being plucked for stew when she sings.”
“Papa,” she feigned insult, though he wasn’t wrong.
“Indeed,” Lydia said in defense. “Everyone knows they do not pluck a goose while it’s still alive.”
“Thank you, Lydia,” Gia offered flatly. Some defense that had been.
She didn’t see Hale when they arrived, so she assumed he had thought the musicale the limit of their friendship. She couldn’t blame him.
The music started up and she was forced to take her seat and be quiet. And sit still.
Quiet and stillness were not things she did exceedingly well. Many a governess had lost her temper when it came to the challenge of getting Gia to sit still for any length of time.
As an adult it should have been easier, but it wasn’t. Now she could almost feel each second of her life drifting away. She was aging. Her life was passing by. And she would never get this time back. Time spent in agonizing stillness.
She might as well be dead for the life was being sucked from her with each note. Not that the nervous young lady singing was bad. In fact, she had a pleasant voice, but not pleasant enough to keep Gia from wanting to escape the room.
“Stop fidgeting,” Lydia whispered.
“Was I?” Gia truly thought she’d been hiding her unrest well enough. Hopefully, Lydia was the only one who’d noticed.
She turned to look over her shoulder to ensure no one was watching her and locked gazes with the large man standing in the back of the room.
Hale.
He should have looked severe. His size and wash of tartan across his chest. But then he winked.
Instantly, she felt the peace his presence seemed to inspire, and she felt her face light up in a smile.
He smiled back. Not a grin or a smirk, but an actual smile offered just for her. She turned back to the front of the room when Lydia nudged her, but as she did, Gia realized this was no longer just a friendship.
Her heart was in danger.
*
Hale felt her gaze like a jolt of lightning and his body responded in a way that was most inconvenient while in a room filled with other people watching a musicale.
For the first time since coming to London, he wished for a kilt to hide his reaction.
“Dear God, the girl is in love with you,” Julian whispered louder than he should have.
There was so much wrong with the man’s statement.
Firstly, and most importantly, she wasn’t a girl. She was most definitely a woman. Secondly, she wasn’t in love with Hale. She was smart, and he’d warned her of the dangers in getting attached to him.
He’d told her not to expect more than friendship from their arrangement. But the way her face lit up when their gazes met told of something more brewing between them that shouldn’t be. Couldn’t be.
It was clear she’d forgotten his warning.
Perhaps they’d both forgotten.
“Are you ready to go?” Hale asked his friend. Hale needed to retreat. He wasn’t prepared for this battle.
“Ready to go?” Julian made a sound of indignation. “I dinna want to come here in the first place. You made me.”
“Then we should be off. Let’s go meet Kit and Graham at the club and maybe a gaming hell after that. We’ll make a night of it.”
Julian cast him a look as they left the house.
“You wish to stay out all night? But you’ll miss your early morning ride with your dearest friend of whom you just ran away from as if she were the devil herself.”
“I think it’s for the best that I don’t go riding tomorrow.”
“Very well. Let’s get you ripped so you don’t notice how badly you are falling for that woman.”
Hale opened his mouth to argue but knew there was no use. Not only would Julian never relent if he thought he was right, but…
Bloody hell, what if he was right?
*
It turned out to be a very bad idea to go carousing with his friends. He felt like hell, and not just because his head pounded and his stomach roiled.
Feeling as though he was getting too close to Gia, he’d made sure he wouldn’t be tempted to go riding with her that morning. He wouldn’t allow himself to pull her into his arms and think things he shouldn’t be thinking. Do things he shouldn’t be doing.
He’d been the one who made it clear they were only friends. That neither of them could expect anything more from their relationship. He’d set the rules and she’d accepted them easily.
And now here he was thinking of her in a most unfriend-like way.
He didn’t understand why he hadn’t grown bored or found something she did an annoyance. Or just found himself distracted by something or someone else by now. It had been weeks and none of those things had happened.
Instead, he couldn’t wait to see her.
Except he couldn’t see her. Not until he got his head on straight.
Instead, he woke late and ended up in his study tending to his accounts, but soon he was staring out the window wondering if Gia was upset he hadn’t joined her that morning. And wouldn’t be visiting that afternoon. Perhaps he should have sent a note. But a note would make it seem as if he’d missed their meeting on purpose. Which he had.
He’d never worried over someone so much in his life.
He missed riding with her. Missed her smile. Her laugh. The way the sun gleamed off her dark glossy hair when it broke through the trees to start the day.
He missed her conversation and the things she blurted out that never ceased to surprise him.
He would miss their visit as well. Would miss all of his visits. But this was the right thing to do before whatever this was in danger of becoming went too far. Before it was too late to save her.
