Page 77 of Winning Her Duke

Yes, he could learn to be quite happy with her in his bed every morning.

He frowned to think of her going back to her home alone.

He would apologize for not escorting her later this afternoon when he went to visit. He was glad he could spend the latter part of the day with her rather than have to wait to see her at a ball.

At Tomison house they would be left alone to talk about horses. He already planned to use the time to steal a few kisses.

And if they were caught, and her father demanded they marry to save her reputation, Hale would gladly accept the consequences of their actions, so he might continue with those actions for the rest of his life.

After breakfast, he spent a few hours in the stables looking after the new additions, but mostly counting down the minutes until he could see Gia again and thank her for what she’d done.

Hale was just getting ready to leave for Tomison House when Hutchinson came to tell him he had a visitor. Lord Waverly.

Perhaps the man had caught Gia sneaking in and she’d confessed to what happened. It was no matter. He was ready to do what was necessary.

Hale swallowed before squaring his shoulders and entering the drawing room where Gia’s father waited.

“My lord, it is good to see you.”

The man looked almost surprised to see him. Simply blinked.

Hale went on. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“Gia said she was here last night helping foal your horse.”

“Aye. That’s correct.” Hale was tense because Waverly was tense. What accusations did he plan to make? Whatever they were, Hale was most certainly guilty. There’s not been much he hadn’t done to the man’s daughter.

When the man said nothing else, Hale went on.

“In fact, I was just heading over to Tomison House to thank her again for her help. I’m afraid both foals and probably my mare would have been lost if not for her.”

“I see.”

The man glanced away with his brows pinched together. Hale was glad the man could “see,” for Hale certainly couldn’t see what was happening here.

“Is there a problem?” Hale asked, ready to have out with this one way or the other.

“You and my daughter have become friends in recent weeks and I’ve not said anything because I didn’t see the harm. But if you are helping my daughter plan an escape back to the country, I would ask you to reconsider.”

Hale had considered many things the man might say, but that hadn’t been one of them.

Hale opened his mouth to assure the man he had no plans to help Gia leave London, but then, because of his friendship with Gia, he changed tact.

“You plan to keep her prisoner here in London, then? Despite her wishes?”

“I don’t expect you to understand, but a father knows what is best for his children.”

Hale couldn’t dispute that his own father had not only not known best but not known anything about Hale at all.

“If Gia were a flighty, timid, debutante who avoided society out of unjustified fear, I would say I agreed with you. But Gia is a strong woman of sound mind. I have never seen her waver even once in her desire to spend her future in the country with her horses. How can you be certain what you want is better than what she wants for herself?”

“Loneliness? Surely you of all people wouldn’t want that for someone after the way you were brought up.”

Hale swallowed and tugged at his coat, a nervous habit he despised.

“I am not helping her plan an escape, Lord Waverly. She hasn’t asked. If she does, I’m afraid my loyalty would have to fall with the lady as she has become a dear friend.” It was true she was a dear friend. She was also much more, but he couldn’t say that.

“I will not be around forever. Gia has no brothers to inherit my title and lands, both will go to a distant cousin who seems willing to take on a spinster relation at the moment, but there are no guarantees are there? What would you have your dear friend do then, Your Grace? I wish to see her settled and even more to see her happy. I would ask, if you care for my daughter as you seem to, please do not interfere.”