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“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.”
“Why would you ask my permission?” Nick countered, having watched Dustin intently as he spoke. “In fact, knowing that I’m privy to your notorious reputation, why not avoid dealing with me altogether? Surely you’ll have ample opportunity to see Nicole during her next few weeks of training.”
“No, I’ll have ample opportunity to see Alden Stoddard,” Dustin corrected. “And, given that I’ve promised Nicole to treat Stoddard as the young man he allegedly is, I’ll have no chance to get to know Nicole Aldridge. Unless I find a way to visit her in a place other than the stables, somewhere entirely separate from her life as Stoddard and where she needn’t fear discovery.”
“I see.” Nick’s eyes narrowed. “You said you’ve spoken to Nickie. Well, she’s not mentioned a word of it to me. Given that fact, I’m curious. What are her feelings on this matter?”
“The ones she’s aware of or the ones she isn’t?”
Nick didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Both. Although I have my doubts about adopting the latter as truth, being that it’s coming from you. Frankly, you haven’t known Nickie long enough, or well enough, to perceive her feelings before she does.”
“I disagree. Nevertheless, here’s your answer. Nicole is confused. She trusts me, and she’s drawn to me, and she’s intimidated as hell by both. In my opinion, this pull between us is more than she’s ready to handle yet. In fact, unless I convince her otherwise, I fully expect her to bolt the instant your circumstances alter.” A corner of Dustin’s mouth lifted. “Unless, of course, that change in circumstances should occur before she’s won the Derby. In which case she’ll delay her departure until after she’s passed the winning post.”
Tenderness flashed in Nick’s eyes, followed by a faraway look and a weighted sigh. “I can’t pretend to fathom the way you titled people live, Tyreham. I met my wife when I was in my teens, fell deeply in love, and married her as soon as I’d saved enough money for us to get by. She meant— everything to me. Oh, I thrive on racing, I always have. It’s in my soul, the spark that drives me. No one understood that better than Alicia.” Nick’s voice quavered. “But although riding was my spirit, Alicia was my heart. When she died, a part of me died with her. Nicole is all I have left, the miracle Alicia blessed me with.” A faint smile. “I see so much of Alicia in Nickie—the dreamer, the romantic, the eternal light of joy. I know Nickie thinks she’s just like me, but she’s not. Not outside the stables. Her heart is like her mother’s—fragile. And I won’t allow you, or anyone else, to shatter it.”
“I don’t intend to shatter it. I intend to win it.”
Silence.
“Give me time to consider all you’ve said,” Nick stated at last.
“All right. But, in the interim, Nicole’s invited me to tea. Today. At four o’clock.” Despite the intensity of the moment, Dustin found himself grinning. “Accompanied by inedible scones. I accepted her invitation. Is that permissible?”
“I suppose if Nickie’s already asked you to come …”
“She has. With stipulations, of course.” Dustin counted off on his fingers. “First, I had to reiterate my vow that she would race Dagger whether or not she agreed to my visits, which I did. Second, I had to promise to eat beforehand, so I shan’t perish from the ponderous weight of her scones. And last, I had to accept her decision to greet me in her customary attire of breeches and shirt, rather than gown and slippers.”
This time Nick chuckled. “That sounds like Nickie. Evidently, she enjoys your company. Very well, Tyreham, four o’clock it is. After which, perhaps I’ll be in a better position to address your request.”
“Fair enough.” Having accomplished his goal—or, at least, a portion thereof—Dustin shifted to the next crucial topic. “Now let’s get to your quandary.”
“Agreed. I take it you have questions. What can I tell you that Nickie hasn’t already relayed?”
“The men who blackmailed you, what did they look like?”
Nick frowned, recalling every detail he could. “I only saw them twice—both times at the stables, both times for no more than two minutes. They were foul-looking and stinking of ale. The shorter one was more muscular. He was heavyset and flushed, with pale eyes. The other one was taller, not by a lot, and less brawny. His hair and eyes were black.”
“The same two men who paid a little visit to Tyreham.” Dustin stood and began prowling the room. “They were exceedingly anxious to find out if you were working for me. In fact, my gut tells me they didn’t just want you off the turf. They wanted you. Badly enough to risk exposure by coming to see me. Badly enough to take the time to unearth my one weakness in order to scare me into producing you if the rumors were false and you were employed at my stables.” Seeing Nick’s questioning look, Dustin added, “My nephew Alexander, my br
other’s infant son. They threatened to harm him if I hired you.”
“Dear God.” Nick dragged a forearm across his brow. “I had no idea …”
“They’re serious, Aldridge. They intend to find you. The question is, why?”
“I’ve racked my brains for that answer, but to no avail. However, I agree with your assessment. They mean to do much more than blacklist me. They mean to kill me. That’s why I got away as fast as I could.”
“Then why do you assume they’ll eventually give up?”
“Because the only time they’ve ever killed was when one of the jockeys involved vowed to retaliate. Openly. Stupidly. As a result, he was silenced.”
“Who was that?”
Nick hesitated.
“Whatever you tell me will stay in this room,” Dustin assured him.
A terse nod. “Redley. After the St. Leger Trial last fall. Although nothing was ever proven.”
