Page 99 of Winning Her Duke

Gia suddenly felt cold in the warm room.

“I’m afraid I don’t know anything about the horses being included as part of my dowry.”

“As is common for the daughter who is to be married off. It is a matter for the men to discuss.”

She didn’t like his tone as if she were a silly girl who didn’t understand the business dealings associated with marriage.

“My father told me my dowry was a modest sum.”

“It had been, until right before he quit London. He let it be known at his club that all of the horses at his Surrey estate and the few you had with you here in town were to go with you when you married.”

“But it makes no sense. Why would he offer such a thing? The value of those horses is astronomical.”

“He has a new wife to provide for. One with expensive tastes as you well know.” He held out his hand at the elaborate drawing room they were currently occupying. “He couldn’t very well keep her in the way she is accustomed to while also supporting his spinster daughter. He had to spice up the pot.”

“And my dowry is the reason you suggested marriage?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“It surely was no deterrent.” He glanced down at her chest in a way he had never done before. She felt a fool for believing he respected her.

She cleared her throat.

“Thank you for your visit today, my lord.” She stood and gestured toward the open door, wanting him gone so she could breathe and think.

“If you think it’s not the reason Roxburghe offered for you, ask yourself why he didn’t offer before I told him of the dowry.”

His parting words found purchase in her chest and burrowed deep.

So much for breathing.

“Miss, I’m certain he is mistaken, your father wouldn’t have done this,” Bess said immediately after Lord Duncan left the room.

Gia shook her head.

“Before he left, father told me not to count the Season over just yet. As if he had a plan. You know how desperate he was to have me married off. He even faked an illness to bring me to London. And he’s not above using the horses in place of blunt when necessary.”

“But His Grace cares for you, I’m sure of it.”

“I’m sure of it too. But would he have wanted to marry me if not for…”

She knew the answer and Bess’s silence confirmed she wasn’t able to dispute the truth.

“My father has gone too far this time. If he is so desperate to get me out of the way, then I should go. Please pack my things. We leave within the hour.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

Gia didn’t answer, mostly because she wasn’t certain yet. She only knew she planned to get as far from London, manipulating fathers, and lying dukes as possible.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

If Hale hadn’t been so eager to see his betrothed upon entering her home, he might have asked Luther why the man looked so upset as Hale breezed through the foyer in his haste to get to the drawing room.

Finding it empty, he returned to the hall to find Luther had moved to the study to announce him.

Gia hardly ever spent time in the study and when Hale entered, he barely hid his disappointment at finding Lord Waverly sitting at the desk instead of his intended.

It was for the best though. Now that the man had returned, they had a bit of business to attend to.

“Welcome back. I was told you wouldn’t return for a fortnight. I trust you had a lovely honeymoon.” He greeted the man who would soon be his father-in-law.