Page 100 of Winning Her Duke

“Thank you, we did. We came home immediately after we heard the news.” The man didn’t offer a smile and his words were stiff. Hale had assumed her father would approve the match, but perhaps he’d been mistaken.

“I apologize for not speaking to you before offering for her hand. Time was of the essence, and she is of age. We do not—”

Lord Waverly put up a hand to stop Hale’s words.

“It’s not that. I, of course, would have approved. I’ve thought for some time now that your friendship had blossomed into something more. Something that would get you through life’s trials. But I knew you were not of a mind to marry. I’m glad to see that has changed.”

“I see. But you do not seem pleased. And you said you would have approved.”

“I’m afraid Gia is not here,” he said while slumping in his chair and rubbing his forehead.

“Where is she?”

“We don’t know.”

“I’m sure wherever she is, she’s safe. It’s… It’s all my fault. The bloody dowry was too much. And Lord Duncan apparently told her of the arrangement along with some other ideas as to why you had offered for her. Her letter was difficult to follow. Perhaps there is more in the one she left for you.”

Hale was still processing the words as the man held out a sealed letter with Hale’s name on it. Not Jeremy as she had taken to calling him, just Hale.

Your Grace,

I’ve decided we will not suit after all. I have left London.

As promised, I have ordered Owen to see that Arabella is delivered to you. I can think of no one else who has worked so tirelessly to get what they wanted. Any other horses you wish to acquire can be handled through my father.

I’m afraid you will have to purchase them straight out rather than get them in trade for taking someone so unsuitable to wife.

G

“I-I don’t understand. She doesn’t want to marry me?” That seemed the only fact Hale was able to focus on at the moment.

Another person had left him. Someone he’d grown to care for—bloody hell, he loved her. And she’d left him.

“I believe she does wish to marry you. The problem is, she thinks you only wished to marry her to obtain the bloody horses. That it was the only reason you asked for her hand.” He tilted his head. “Is that true?”

“Nay. I want her. I thought she would want her horses. I would never make her give them up. I’ve been in Scotland at one of my homes making it ready so it had room for the horses. I just want her to be happy,” he said quietly.

Finally, her father smiled, but Hale didn’t understand why. Did the man take pleasure in seeing Hale suffer?

“You need to tell her how you feel so she knows the truth.”

Hale nodded in agreement.

“Aye. I must see her.” But Waverly had said he didn’t know where his daughter was. “Where?”

“She’s not at Elmhurst. I wrote to my other country estates and she’s not at any of them. She didn’t take Lydia’s carriage, so I can’t question the coachman. She doesn’t wish to be found, and my daughter is quite clever.”

Hale nodded again.

“Bess?” Surely her lady’s maid would know everything.

“Bess went with her. I’m sorry. I am still looking.”

“And you’ll tell me when you find her? So I might go to her and explain…”

“Of course. She’ll turn up.”

Hale returned home and went to his study. Strange how his townhouse now felt as cold as the country homes where he’d spent his youth. He realized it wasn’t the location of the homes that made them feel so bloody empty. It was the whispers that seemed to echo in the dark corners of the room.