Page 45 of Winning Her Duke

Before Hutch could finish, Hale jumped up and rushed for the drawing room where his butler would have put her.

The dark-haired beauty turned her head and Hale’s stomach plummeted.

“My, don’t you look disappointed.”

“Lady Flemming, so wonderful to see you today.”

The young widow had warmed his bed a number of times—not a lot or many, but a few. She had not been well attended by her former husband, and Hale had shown her how good bed sport could be with the right partner.

He thought briefly of how wonderful it would be to share that knowledge with a different woman and shook it off to show the lady who had come to visit the respect she deserved.

Lady Flemming was a welcome distraction. He knew why she had come. She only visited him when she required his attentions. He was always happy to oblige. Her timing today had been perfect. They would both get what they needed.

He gestured toward the corner of the room where a particularly comfortable settee awaited. But before he could close the door, he was interrupted by his butler.

“A message has arrived for you, Your Grace.”

He had half a mind to send Hutchinson away without looking at it, but he’d seen his name on the note, and recognized the handwriting. It was from Gia.

He opened it so fast he risked a sprain.

Hale,

You must come right away. I have received something from America and you won’t want to miss seeing it.

Your friend always,

G

He’d expected it to be an inquiry regarding his absence. Perhaps a serving of guilt for not coming to visit at his regular time. But instead, it was a simple invitation to share something she thought he would want to see.

Maybe not so simple, he could almost feel her excitement dripping from the parchment. It was happy news and she wanted him to be there for it. As a friend would.

And he was avoiding her. He would continue to do so until any unfriend-like feelings had been vanquished. But while he wasn’t ready to see Gia, he also didn’t want to fall back on his old ways either.

He glanced over at the woman who’d come to him for sex and knew he couldn’t possibly go through with it.

“I’m afraid I’ve been called away. I’m sorry, Diana. I must go.”

“Very well. Then I’ll call on you again tomorrow.”

She could, but he feared he wouldn’t be in any better position to be with her the next day. He owed her the respect of ending their association properly.

“Actually, I must end our acquaintance. At least the physical portion of it.”

She smiled.

“I had heard a rumor that your heart was otherwise engaged. I hadn’t believed it when I was told who had captured your attentions. Miss Landon is lovely, but a bit of a hellion.”

Diana was correct in one aspect. Gia was indeed a hellion, but his heart was not engaged. He wasn’t quite sure he had one to engage.

“I assure you; it is not because of any feelings for anyone else that I must decline your offer. It is just a matter of my time and other duties that call for it.”

She smiled but didn’t argue further. He didn’t care for the way she looked at him, as if she saw through his excuse. But he didn’t care to argue with the woman.

Lady Flemming had barely left before Hale felt the need to leave the house. He needed air to clear his head. He set off on a brisk walk, not really paying attention to where he was going.

Before he realized it, he had arrived at Tomison House and had knocked on the door.