Dustin had a sudden image of himself traveling to all of England’s stables in an effort to solicit the blessing of dozens of skeptical surrogate fathers.
Ironic laughter rumbled from his chest.
He was still chuckling when the horses came to a halt in Tyreham’s drive. Swinging down from the carriage, he glanced toward the far grounds and made an impulsive decision.
“Quinn,” he called out to his driver. “Ask Poole to have my bag taken in. Tell him I’m stopping by the stables and will be back shortly.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Dustin was halfway to his destination when he spotted the subject of his preoccupation.
Nicole.
Astride Dagger, she was cantering the length of the course, her breeches and shirt damp and clinging to her slim, deliberately shapeless form.
Pausing, Dustin watched, impressed yet again by the fluidity of Nicole’s movements, the keenness of her instincts. Head bent low, she was murmuring something in Dagger’s ear, probably alerting him to the fence they were now approaching. The horse responded instantly, gaze focused on the barrier, limbs moving in conjunction with his rider’s commands.
Nicole’s eyes narrowed, her concentration intensifying as she gauged the distance to their goal, adjusted their pace. At precisely the right instant, she acted, leaning into position and urging Dagger up and over.
He responded effortlessly, gathering his legs beneath him and sailing over the fence, landing on the opposite side without ever breaking stride.
“Splendid,” Nicole commended, giving Dagger a loving pat. Sighing, she gazed reluctantly at the position of the sun. “That’s it for today, my friend. Let’s cool down. We’ve got to rest up for tomorrow. Remember, we’ll be galloping the course with Brackley timing us. And, if we’re anywhere near as fast as I think we are, we’re ready for Epsom.”
“I agree,” Dustin concurred, continuing toward them. “You’re superb.”
“Dustin!” Nicole’s whole face lit up. “I didn’t expect you home until tomorrow.” Realizing how inappropriate her enthusiastic and spontaneous greeting sounded, she broke off, her gaze darting about to see if she’d been overheard.
“You’re safe, Derby. No one is about but us.” Dustin squelched the elation spawned by Nicole’s joyous welcome. Coming up alongside her, he matched his pace to Dagger’s ambling walk.
“Did you see Sully?” Nicole asked in a hushed voice.
“Yes.” This time it was Dustin who glanced about. “We need to talk alone—your father, you, and I. Let’s return Dagger to his stall and go to your cottage.”
Nicole’s brows drew together in concern. “All right.”
They exchanged nothing more than casual conversation about Stoddard’s preparations for the Derby until the stables were behind them and the cottage was in sight.
“Are you going to tell me what you learned?” Nicole demanded as they neared the entranceway.
“Once we’re inside,” Dustin muttered back. Noting her worried expression, he added, “Everything is fine, Derby. I promise.”
Relief flooded her face.
“I wasn’t exaggerating, you know,” Dustin commented. “Your riding is magnificent. Watching you earlier was like watching a beautiful ballet unfold.”
“Thank you.” She glowed at the compliment. “Coming from you, that means a great deal.”
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll have the benefit of another professional opinion.”
“Who?”
“Raggert, my new trainer. I don’t know if you recall my mentioning him, but he arrives at Tyreham first thing in the morning.”
“I recall.” Nicole scooted up to the door and slipped the key in the lock. Turning, a mischievous spark lit her eyes. “Raggert—wasn’t he referred to you by that incomparable source of information, the earl of Lanston?”
Dustin came to stand beside her, his lips curving into an indulgent grin. “Indeed. As for Lanston, he might be a virtual wealth of information, but he is also sadly lacking in subject matter. Why, I know for a fact that his previous study is out of the running, presently occupied with the blissful process of reforming.”
“I see.” Nicole raised her chin, lifting those incredible amethyst eyes to meet his gaze. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Of their own accord, Dustin’s arms began to reach for her. Forcibly, he checked the motion, clenching his fists at his sides, wanting nothing more than to drag her against him and kiss her senseless.
“Is Raggert’s arrival the reason you returned to Tyreham so quickly?” Nicole asked, easing the door open.
“Ostensibly, yes. Truthfully? No.” Dustin guided her into the cottage, closing the door in their wake. “See how proficient I’ve become with my honesty?”
Another breathtaking smile. “I’m impressed.”
“And I need to be alone with you.”
Concern obliterated the smile. “Very well. I’ll get Papa.”
Dustin shook his head, staying her departure with his hand. “That’s not what I meant. At least not this time.” He drew an unsteady breath. “Nicole, come walking with me later tonight. After we’ve resolved today’s happenings. After the rest of the estate is abed. Just us.”
Warring emotions darted across her face. “I want to,” she admitted softly. “Truly I do. But Papa …”
“I’ll speak with your father. Assuming he agrees, will you come with me?
You
—not Stoddard. There’ll be no risk. I’ll make sure of it. We’ll stroll the far grounds. No one will see us.” His knuckles caressed her cheek. “I’ll take care of you. I promise.” Lowering his head, he brushed a swift, heated kiss across her lips. “Say yes.”
“Yes.”
His forefinger traced the fine bridge of her nose. “
Now
you may summon your father.”
Shivering a bit, she nodded, taking a purposeful step backward as if that act alone could sever the currents running between them.
Pausing, she stared up at him.
“Later, Derby,” Dustin vowed, answering the smoky request in her eyes.
Nicole swallowed and turned away. “Papa?” she called in as normal a tone as she could muster. “I’m home. Lord Tyreham is with me.”
“Tyreham?” Nick took the steps two at a time. “You’re back sooner than I expected. What did Sully say? And what happened with Preighbrook?”
“Preighbrook was of no use to us. As for Sullivan …” Dustin imparted the news as gently as he could. “It seems those hoodlums paid him a visit. When I arrived at his cottage, he was hurt.”
“Hurt?” Nick blurted, ignoring Nicole’s shocked gasp. “How badly hurt?”
“He’s fine now.” Dustin frowned, seeing the color drain from Nicole’s face. “Fine and in good hands,” he added, wishing he could comfort her with more than just words.
“What did they do to him, dammit?” Nick exploded.
“Roughed him up. Enough to be painful but not fatal. It’s a ruse, Aldridge. They’re trying to ferret you out.”
“Are they? Good. They can have me.” Nick snatched his coat, simultaneously reaching for the door.
“Papa, where are you going?” Nicole reacted in a flash, grabbing her father’s arm.
“To Suffolk. To see for myself that Sully’s all right.”
“Don’t be a fool,” Dustin warned, planting himself between Nick and the door. “They’re waiting for you to do just that.”
“Then I won’t disappoint them. It’s me they want, not Sully. I won’t risk his life to spare mine.”
“Papa, stop it.” Stubbornly, Nicole tightened her grip. “Dustin said Sully’s fine.” She glanced at Dustin. “You did say that, didn’t you?”
Dustin nodded. “He was beaten pretty badly. I persuaded a local physician to come to the cottage. He cleaned and treated Sullivan’s wounds, then took his leave, promptly forgetting he’d ever been there. By the time I headed back to Surrey, your friend was sitting up and talking—even issuing, advice. I left one of my carriage footmen behind to oversee Sullivan’s needs and safeguard the cottage.”
“Thank you,” Nicole whispered.
“I’m glad I arrived when I did. Sullivan’s a good man. He didn’t divulge your whereabouts, not even when it meant sacrificing his own well-being.” Dustin shot Nick a censuring look. “Are you going to reduce his heroism to nothing more than a wasted gesture by providing those bastards with precisely what Sullivan withstood a thrashing to conceal?”
“Dammit.” Nick raked a hand through his hair.
“Let me put this another way.” Dustin leaned back against the door, arms folded across his chest. “Sullivan insisted I keep you away. I gave him my word that I would. I don’t break my word. Therefore, I’ll wrestle you to the ground if I must. You’re not dashing off to Suffolk.” Studying Nick’s anguished expression, Dustin felt a wave of compassion. “Aldridge, he’s safe. He’ll continue to be safe. Tuttle is a large, powerful fellow. No one will get into that cottage. Besides, in a way this incident plays right into our hands.”
That captured Nick’s attention. “How?”
“If those men are watching Sullivan’s cottage, they’ll have seen my carriage arrive. It’s hard to miss; my family crest is painted on the door, bold as hell. Thus, they’ll know I visited Sullivan—and the condition I found him in. They’ll wonder what we discussed, and if he told me what he refused to tell them—your whereabouts. Maybe they worried enough to follow me on to Preighbrook, in which case they’re probably agonizing over whether I made a connection between your disappearance and Redley’s death. And if they’re still scrutinizing Sullivan’s cottage, they’ll see I left my manservant behind to guard against intruders. All in all, they’ll be anxious enough to pay me another visit, which, if you recall, is exactly what I hoped they’d do. Because once they approach me, I intend to follow them to whomever they work for.”
Nick mulled over Dustin’s reasoning, then nodded, tossing down his coat. “That makes sense.” He inclined his head. “You said Sully was well enough to talk. Did he fill you in on anything I couldn’t?”
“He added three names to our list—Hills, Borley, and Garner—and provided me with every jockey’s immediate schedule. I’ll begin calling on them as soon as my new trainer is settled in.”
“Dustin,” Nicole inserted, chewing her lip apprehensively. “You’re talking as if you’re invulnerable. Has it occurred to you that these men are dangerous and might harm you?”
“It’s occurred to me.” Warmed by Nicole’s concern, Dustin fought the urge to enfold her in his arms. “Don’t worry, Derby. I’ll think of a way to protect myself.”
“Nickie’s right, you know,” Aldridge concurred. “I appreciate all you’re doing for us, but I don’t want you to get yourself killed.”
“I don’t intend to get myself killed. I’m a very resourceful man. Trust me.” With that, Dustin confronted a far more personal challenge. “Speaking of trust, I’d like your permission to take Nicole out walking tonight. I realize my request is more than a bit improper, but circumstances preclude my following the rules of a traditional courtship. I promise to take excellent care of her and bring her home at whatever time you specify.”
Nick started. “Walking … alone?”
“Yes. Alone.”
A prolonged silence.
“You’ve entrusted me with your lives, Aldridge. I’m asking you to entrust me with your daughter. And I’m vowing that you won’t regret it.”
Uncertainly, Nick looked from Dustin to Nicole then back to Dustin again.
“She’ll be safe,” Dustin added quietly.
“Safe,” Nick muttered. “From danger? Or from you?”
Dustin’s lips twitched. “From both.”
Again Nick searched his daughter’s face, obviously affected by whatever he saw there. With a resigned sigh, he nodded. “All right. But only for an hour. No more.”
“Agreed. And I thank you.” Dustin glanced at Nicole. “Nine o’clock?”
Nicole blinked up at him, looking as if she didn’t believe what had just occurred. “Nine o’clock,” she repeated dazedly.
“Excellent. I’ll collect you then.” He turned to go, pausing to tug the brim of Nicole’s cap. “And, Derby?” he murmured, for her ears alone. “Leave this home—along with Stoddard.” A lazy grin. “You won’t need either of them.”
A
SURGE OF RENEWED
energy accompanied Dustin back to the manor, every fiber of his being pulsing with the knowledge that tonight was going to fulfill another of Nicole’s dreams.
A dream that, like her longing to run in the Derby, couldn’t be bought in a store nor offered in a velvet-lined box.
But, oh, how cherished it would be.
Smiling, Dustin began planning the evening.
He was interrupted by the sound of Poole’s anxious summons. “My lord.” Standing in the drive, the butler sagged with relief when he spied Dustin. He whipped out a handkerchief and mopped his face, his gaze darting from Dustin to the entranceway door and back. “Quinn said you were at the stables. I’ve just returned from searching them, inch by inch. You were nowhere to be found.”
“I was meeting with Stoddard. What on earth is wrong?”
“It’s the duke, sir. He’s been at Tyreham all day, awaiting your return. He arrived a scant quarter hour after your carriage departed. He’s in quite a state about that missive we sent him.”
“Yes, he certainly is.” Trenton Kingsley stormed out of the manor, glaring angrily at his brother. “I thought I heard your voice. Where the hell have you been? And what’s this about Alexander being in danger?”
“Hello, Trent,” Dustin greeted him. “What took you so long? I expected you at Tyreham days ago.” With a sympathetic glance at his butler, Dustin murmured, “Thank you, Poole. I’ll take over from here.” He climbed the stairs, laying a comforting hand on Trenton’s shoulder, seeing beyond his brother’s rage to the hollow fear beneath. “Stop bellowing. You’re terrifying Poole—which you’ve probably been doing for hours. Let’s go to my study. We’ll have a drink and I’ll fill you in.”
With a terse nod, Trenton stalked through the house and into the study, waiting only until Dustin had joined him before shutting the door and leaning back against it. “Talk to me. Who’s threatened Alexander? And why?”
Dustin filled two goblets with brandy, offering one to his brother. “Two men visited Tyreham a few days after I left Spraystone. They insisted—with their fists—that I not engage the services of Nick Aldridge who, if you recall, I was dead set on hiring.”
“They barged in and threatened you?” A muscle worked furiously in Trenton’s jaw. “That makes no sense. Whatever their reason for wanting Aldridge off the turf, it’s immaterial now. He’s in no condition to ride—for you or anyone. According to the newspapers, he’s injured and recuperating in Scotland.” Trenton broke off, suspicion narrowing his eyes. “Unless, of course, the newspaper reports are inaccurate.”