To seal their elation in a dance as old as time.
All of which characterized the very avenue he’d promised Nicole he wouldn’t pursue.
So where the hell did that leave him? He couldn’t elude his feelings, nor could he act upon them. At least not until Nicole made the next move—an unlikely possibility, to say the least. Even under the best of circumstances, a sexual overture would be as foreign to Nicole as the donning of a corset. And now? Given that she spent every waking moment disguised as a man, coupled with the fact that the rare visits she’d agreed to allow him would occur in her cottage under her father’s watchful eye?
The prospects were less than grim.
And Dustin’s time was short.
Because once the culprits who’d threatened Nick Aldridge had been unearthed, the cause for Nicole’s disguise would be eliminated. At which point, there was every likelihood that she would vanish from Dustin’s life as swiftly as she’d materialized, and not only for propriety’s sake, for her own sake as well. Dustin could feel her confusion as palpably as he could her awakening. She was overwhelmed by the intensity of what hovered between them. Hell, so was he. But Nicole was young, inexperienced. Headstrong. Her misgivings would win out over her newfound emotion and drive her away.
It was up to him to get through to her first.
But how?
With a muttered oath, Dustin refilled his glass, silently berating himself for erecting his own insurmountable barriers. In attempting to put Nicole at ease, he’d succeeded in digging his own proverbial grave.
Think
, he commanded himself, lowering the bottle of madeira. There had to be a way. A way to keep his promises to Nicole without letting the miracle of what was between them slip through his fingers. A way to maximize their time together; to get her alone without jeopardizing her disguise.
There was.
Dustin’s head came up, determination pulsing through his veins. The plan he’d just conjured up involved taking a hell of a risk, one that could backfire and wrench Nicole from his grasp forever. On the other hand, it could be just the answer he sought—his only answer.
It was a risk he had to take.
Abandoning his drink, Dustin once again consulted his timepiece, his mind racing ahead. He’d conclude his morning interview posthaste, especially since his final decision was virtually made. Both trainers vying for the position at Tyreham’s stables had flawless records and came with glowing recommendations. But Raggert, the candidate who was returning to Tyreham today, had been referred to Dustin by the earl of Lanston, a colleague whose instincts were second only to his own. Lanston had sung Raggert’s praises to the skies—a fact that weighed heavily on the fellow’s behalf. So, if Raggert were amenable, Banks’s job would finally be filled, and Dustin’s attention could return where it belonged.
To the Derby.
And Nicole.
Crossing over to his desk, Dustin collected the necessary papers. He would expedite the business ahead. After which, he intended to make his way over to the tenants’ section of the estate to hold a discussion whose potential impact eclipsed all else from his mind.
A discussion that could very well determine his future.
No one answered Dustin’s knock.
Given the situation, that came as no surprise.
Waiting until he’d given the cottage resident ample time to reach the door and be silently poised to listen, Dustin knocked again, this time quietly announcing, “It’s I, Tyreham.”
The lock slipped free of its bolt, and the door eased open a bit, then halted, as the still-unseen occupant assessed his visitor from within. A heartbeat later, the door swung wide. “Come in.”
Dustin entered the cottage and faced the slight, dark-eyed man he recognized immediately as Nick Aldridge. “Throw the bolt,” he advised. “No sense taking chances.” He waited until Nick had complied, then extended his hand. “Aldridge. ’Tis a pleasure.”
“An honor to meet you, my lord,” Nick replied, gripping Dustin’s fingers. “There aren’t words enough to thank you for your help.”
Waving away the thanks, Dustin glanced about.
“We can talk in the sitting room,” Nick supplied. He led the way to a small but cozy chamber. “What can I offer you?” A scowl. “Neither Nickie nor I are very adept in the kitchen. I can’t vouch for the refreshments—other than our liquor, of course.”
Recalling Nicole’s description of her culinary skills, Dustin stifled a grin. “No refreshment is necessary. I ate a large breakfast not too long ago. Besides, I’d rather not waste time. You and I have a lot to discuss.”
“Indeed we do.” Nick gestured for Dustin to be seated, after which he lowered himself into an armchair.
“First, let me apologize for arriving early,” Dustin began, perching at the edge of the settee. “I realize you weren’t expecting me until noon. But my morning interview was as brief as it was successful, and, given that I was most eager to meet with you, I took the liberty of coming directly to your cottage. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you.”
“Of course not.” Nick shook his head, leaning forward with avid expectation. “You had time for a morning meeting? Does that mean the elf—” Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. “Nicole—brought your stallion around?”
The term of endearment was as touching as the paternal pride that accompanied it. “In record time,” Dustin reported with a grin. “Within an hour she and Dagger were trotting, moving together as if they’d been a team for months rather than minutes. Your daughter’s abilities are staggering.”
Pride glowed on Nick’s face. “She is extraordinary, isn’t she? A born rider from the time she was a tot.”
“So you said in your letter of recommendation.”
Nick’s smile faded. “I’m sorry for the deception. Had there been another way—”
“There was no deception,” Dustin interrupted. “You might have fabricated the name Alden Stoddard, but the many claims you made about him were true.”
“Let’s not play games, my lord, well-intentioned or not. Your assumption was that Stoddard was male. There are no female jockeys.”
“There are now.”
“No one knows that, except Nicole and me. And now you.” With that, Nick shifted in his chair. “Pardon my bluntness, sir, but before we delve into Alden Stoddard or the circumstances that necessitated inventing him, we need to discuss Nicole and your expectations of her.”
“I agree. We do.” Dustin’s tone was equally candid. “You’re her father. Air your concerns and I’ll address them.”
“Fair enough.” A flicker of surprise—and perhaps admiration—flashed in Nick’s eyes. “To begin with, I’m worried about the idea of Nickie racing.”
“You don’t think her capable?”
“Capable? Hell, she’s better than nearly every jockey I’ve ever been up against. What I’m worried about is her well-being.”
“Her well-being?” Dustin frowned. “How will competing in the Derby jeopardize that? Are you concerned it’s too much too soon? That the pressure on her will be too great?”
An ironic snort. “Quite the opposite. Not only does Nickie ride like she was born for it, she thrives on pressure. I expect she’ll stay calm long after the others are sweating profusely.”
Well-being.
A sudden, unnerving thought struck Dustin. “Do you have reason to suspect the bastards who threatened you will recognize Nicole?”
“Definitely not,” Nick answered with the kind of conviction that suggested long hours of contemplation. “To my knowledge, those men have never laid eyes on Nickie. And even if they have, they’ll believe what everyone else does—that she’s in Scotland. With me. Tending to my injury. Besides, they’d never see through her disguise. It’s too bloody good. Nickie made sure of that—given she’d have to get by the other jockeys, most of whom are my friends and have known the elf since she was a tot. She took extra precautions to fool them, lowering her voice, altering her mannerisms, and … er, binding herself down.” Nick flushed. “Anyway, combine all that with the cap she wears that hides half her face, and my colleagues would have to be looking damned close to see a glimpse of the real Nickie, which they won’t be. Not at Epsom. All their attention will be focused on their own mounts.” A troubled pause. “At least, I pray that’s the case.” Nick rubbed his palms against his breeches. “My nagging fear is for the time immediately preceding the race. Nickie will need to weigh out a quarter hour before the Derby’s onset, draw a lot for her starting position, line up at the gate. That’s when she’ll be most vulnerable. Stoddard is new to the turf. The
Racing Calendar
will have printed his name as your stallion’s jockey of record, so speculation will be rampant. It’s only natural for the other jockeys to want to size up an unknown competitor. If they should stare long enough …”
“They won’t have the opportunity.”
“What?”
“I’m not without influence, Aldridge. I intend to make special provisions to eliminate the possibility you just described. Nicole won’t arrive at Epsom until the Derby is about to commence. She’ll be weighed out
alone.
Then she and Dagger will be ushered to their position at the gate just before the starter’s flag is lowered. The other riders won’t have time to scrutinize them.”
“Thank God.” Nick sagged with relief. “I can’t tell you how that’s preyed on my mind.”
“Well, you can put it to rest. Now tell me precisely what else is causing you to worry about Nicole’s well-being.”
Again, Nick stiffened. “I’ll be blunt, my lord. I never meant for Nickie’s scheme to go this far. We needed an income. I needed to ‘disappear.’ She was only to get a job and support us until the buzzards stopped circling me. I expected she’d stay at Tyreham, train for the summer races, and never put that training to use. July is a full two months off, more than enough time for those bastards to lose interest in me and cast their eye on a more cooperative source. Once that happened, I planned to resume my life and have my daughter resume hers.” His mouth set in harsh, stubborn lines. “I won’t have Nickie living the life of a jockey—a man among other men. Traveling, living, sleeping in the same quarters.”
“Nor will I.” Dustin’s expression was as steely as his tone. “I never even considered such a prospect. You have my word, Aldridge. Nicole will be shielded, separate, not only at the starting gate but in every aspect of her job.”
“And, with all due respect, how do you intend to arrange such thorough overseeing?” Boldly, Nick met Dustin’s gaze. “Or should I ask, who’s going to provide it—you?”
“I take it you find that notion disagreeable?”
“Disagreeable? No. Unthinkable.” Nick inhaled sharply, struggling to temper his reaction. “I realize I’ve got a lot of nerve speaking to you this way, given all you’ve done for us. As I said earlier, I’m grateful as hell for your assistance and your protection. Further, I have no grounds for questioning your motives. Not according to Nickie, who swears you’ve been not only kind but a perfect gentleman. I’m also aware I’m blatantly overstepping my bounds, given who you are and who I am. My only excuse is that Nickie is the most important part of my life.”
“You’re Nicole’s father. Which, in this case, far outweighs any meaningless title or rank. Now speak your mind.”
“Very well. Nickie’s grown up in the stables among men who treat her with all the teasing affection of fathers to then-child. Consequently, she’s had no cause to view herself through the eyes of a suitor. The fact is, she doesn’t even realize that over the past few years she’s grown to be an extraordinarily beautiful young woman—the image of her mother. I myself didn’t perceive the transformation until several days ago when she actually donned a gown. ’Twas the night she located your ad in the personals. You recall the evening you and she met.”
“I recall.”
“I’m certain you do,” Nick returned dryly. “Which is precisely why I’m a bit uneasy.”
“Because I met Nicole as herself prior to meeting her as Stoddard?”
“No, because of your quick and avid interest in her. Because Nicole is bloody beautiful and innocent, and your reputation is as black as Satan himself.”
Dustin found himself chuckling. “I begin to see where Nicole inherited her forthrightness.”
“And are you equally forthright?”
“Apparently, I’m destined to be—at least when it comes to the Aldridges. So, yes. I intend to be uncharacteristically frank, but not only for your sake, for mine as well.” Dustin paused. “And for Nicole’s.” With staunch determination, he leaned forward, muscles taut. “I don’t customarily discuss my private life. This is an exception. Partly because you’re indirectly involved and partly because I need your help.”
“My help?”
A nod. “First, let me assure you—as I seem to be perpetually assuring your daughter—the issue we’re about to broach is separate and apart from both Nicole’s entry in the Derby and from my proffered assistance in your dilemma. I’m committed to your safety
and
Nicole’s victory, regardless of the outcome yielded by this morning’s talk.”
“You’ve discussed this matter with Nickie then?”
“Several times.”
“I see. Very well, I’ll accept your statement as sincere.”
“Good. Now on to the subject at hand—Nicole. To be blunt, I’ve never known anyone quite like your daughter. From the moment we met, my feelings have been … intense is the only word I can muster. And, believe me, that in itself is telling. Because, while I cannot muster emotions at will, I can always muster words. It’s an art I’ve perfected over more years than I care to recall.”
“With women, I presume you’re implying.”
“With nearly everyone. But, yes, with women.”
“Don’t bother elaborating. I’ve heard how accomplished you are at your various liaisons.”
“Accomplished?” Dustin repeated with a bemused shake of his head. “That’s an ironic choice of words. Because with Nicole, I feel anything but accomplished. To the contrary, I find myself unsure in ways I never imagined. I wonder how to proceed so as not to hurt her; how to avoid frightening her away; how to convince her that what I’m feeling is entirely real and entirely new—rooted in something far deeper than attraction.
“I’m aware of my reputation. Unfortunately, I can’t prevent the spreading of gossip. But I can attest to the fact that my past has nothing to do with Nicole nor with my sentiments where she’s concerned. Which leads me to my request. If I give you my word that I won’t compromise Nicole’s values or ask anything of her that would threaten her happiness, will you give me permission to call on her? Here. With you as a chaperone, if need be.”