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“Bolt,” Nicole stated simply.
“Bolt?” Raggert’s mouth fell open. “You mean you’re not competing?”
“That’s what I mean. Listen to me, both of you. No one but the Stewards of the Jockey Club know Lord Tyreham is entering the Oaks. The Racing Calendar made no mention of it. So far as the world of the turf is concerned, Winning Streak is not a contender.” Nicole turned to Raggert. “Lord Tyreham gave you the afternoon off. Knowing how loyal you are to him, I’m asking you to use that time to ride ahead and alert the Stewards to the change in plans. Tell them the truth, sparing neither me nor my cowardice. That way, Lord Tyreham’s reputation will be unscathed, which is all I really care about anyway.”
“Stoddard, think of what you’re doing,” Brackley inserted.
“I have.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Brackley. I can’t face another race. I’m … terrified.”
“I’ll leave this instant,” Raggert announced, a gleam in his eyes.
“So will I,” Nicole murmured. “By the time the Oaks commences, I’ll be miles away.” With an odd expression, she surveyed the grounds, then looked from Raggert to Brackley. “I don’t expect either of you will be seeing me again. Thank you, Brackley.” She extended her hand, clasping his firmly. “You’ve been a good friend. And, Raggert—” She inclined her head in the trainer’s direction. “Working with you has been quite an experience. Conflicting, to say the least. But at this moment, when so much is at stake, I can’t tell you how much your cooperation means to me.”
“Think nothing of it.” Raggert was already backing away. “Good luck, Stoddard.”
Brackley watched him hurry off, took an inadvertent step after him.
“Don’t,” Nicole said quietly. “Trust me, Brackley. This is for the best. Let him go. And me, as well.” She tucked Winning Streak’s reins into Brackley’s hands, then turned to leave. “I’ll see you soon, my friend.”
“Stoddard?”
Nicole glanced over her shoulder, smiling at Brackley’s quizzical expression. “Yes?”
“I thought you said we won’t be seeing you again.”
“I did. But I said nothing about my seeing you.”
A half hour later, Ariana Kingsley whirled a soft blue day dress from her wardrobe. “This is perfect.” She squinted at Nicole, still clad in dirty breeches and shirt, and a self-satisfied smile curved her lips. “You, Miss Aldridge, are going to take the ton by storm.” Lowering the dress to her bed, she began to laugh. “After all this time, Dustin is finally going to get his comeuppance. I can hardly wait to see the expression on his face when the besotted admirers strewn at his feet are men, and the one they’re gazing at with lovesick eyes is you.”
Nicole frowned dubiously. “I wouldn’t count on that, Ariana. I’m not a natural beauty like you.”
“You’re not, are you?” Ariana pointed to the bathroom.
“Wash the dirt away, then give me a half hour. You’ll bring every breathing male in England to his knees.”
Crossing over, Nicole fingered the gown’s soft bodice. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “Are you sure you don’t mind my borrowing it?”
Ariana seized her hands. “Nicole, I’ve awaited this day for two years. You’re the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to Dustin—the woman I’ve prayed for to make him whole. And, selfishly, I’m looking forward to calling you my friend—and my sister. So, please, anything I have is yours.”
Swallowing, Nicole murmured, “Thank you.”
A sharp rap sounded at the bedchamber door.
“Who could that be?” Again Ariana gestured toward the bathroom—this time worriedly. “Hide.”
“All right.” With a mysterious grin, Nicole complied, reaching up to tug the pins from beneath her cap. “But I don’t think it’s necessary.”
An instant later, Trenton Kingsley strode into his wife’s chambers, Alexander in his arms.
“Trenton?” Ariana frowned, puzzled. “It’s not time to leave yet. Nicole and I aren’t finished dressing.”
“I know.” He shook his head bemusedly. “But Nicole asked me to stop by your room an hour before we head for Epsom and to bring Alexander with me. So here we are.”
“Yes, right on time.” Nicole stepped back into the room, tugging her last few constricting hairpins free. Eyes twinkling, she walked over to Trenton. “I believe I made your son a promise, one I intend to keep.” She leaned forward, taking Alexander’s tiny fist and unclasping it to place his chubby fingers on the rim of her cap. “Go ahead, my little lord. It’s all yours.”
Grinning broadly, Alexander yanked, tugging the cap free and sending Nicole’s dark curls cascading out in a dozen directions. “Mama,” he declared, waving the cap around.
“I hope so,” Nicole replied solemnly, kissing his brow. “As soon as the wedding’s over and your Uncle Dustin and I can arrange it. You’ll be the first to know.” She shifted his hand over to his own head, placing the jockey’s cap atop it, where it promptly swallowed him down to his chin.
