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Except by his body, he noted ruefully, shifting to alleviate the sudden constriction in his trousers. Disguise or not, his body hadn’t a doubt that Nicole was a woman. He wanted her so much, he throbbed with it.
Poole cleared his throat politely. “My lord?”
“Forgive me, Poole.” Forcing his attention back to the matter at hand, Dustin ascended the manor steps. “Have you filled Saxon in on any details?”
“Only that the matter is a delicate one, requiring both physical prowess and utter discretion. The rest I left for you.”
“Thank you.” Dustin paused. “See that we’re not disturbed.”
“Of course, sir.”
Dustin entered his study, shutting the door and greeting Poole’s nephew. “Good to see you, Saxon. I appreciate your coming on such short notice.”
The tall, powerfully built fellow rose. “It’s good to see you, too, sir. I’m delighted to be able to be of service to you.”
“I hear you’ve established quite a glowing reputation for yourself.”
“I enjoy my work, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to pursue it on my own.”
“So your uncle mentioned.” Dustin poured two drinks, extending one to Saxon. “I won’t insult you with words like secrecy or confidentiality. I assume they’re ever present in your line of work.”
“Indeed they are, sir.”
“Very well, then, here’s my dilemma.” Dustin proceeded to fill Saxon in on the entire situation, from the personal he’d placed in the Gazette, to Aldridge sending Stoddard in his stead, to the menacing intruders who’d invaded Tyreham, to Sullivan’s beating and Redley’s questionable death—the whole ugly scheme he suspected was undermining the turf, everything except for the fact that the Aldridges were staying at Tyreham.
Saxon listened intently. “Obviously, what you want is to bring the men who threatened you out of hiding so they can lead you to whoever issued their orders.”
“Exactly. I have a list of jockeys I suspect are taking bribes, throwing races for money. I intend to call on them.”
A nod. “That will serve two purposes—gain information and upset whoever is in charge.”
“Hopefully upset him enough to send those hoodlums back to beat me into compliance.”
“You do realize, sir, that you’re setting yourself up as a walking target.”
“Um-hum. A walking target with a very capable carriage driver for an escort. A driver who insists on transporting me everywhere. Why, would you believe the faithful fellow refuses to indulge in even one day off lest I have to abide an inferior substitute? That’s how loyal he is.”
“A rarity indeed, sir.”
“I thought you’d say that.”
A corner of Saxon’s mouth lifted. “Have you ever considered investigative work, my lord? You’re quite good, you know.”
Dustin grinned back. “I’m flattered. Now, the remaining question is, how well do you handle a carriage?”
“Nearly as well as I handle unsavory people.”
“Excellent. We’ll leave for Newmarket tomorrow. The second set is commencing. It’ll run until May fourteenth. Most of the jockeys on my list should be there.” Dustin tossed off his drink. “Get a good night’s rest, Saxon. It’s off to Suffolk in the morning.”
“Reins in hand, sir.”
“Thank you, Atkins. You can go now.”
The astonished footman started at the unexpected dismissal, blinking first at Lord Tyreham, then at the closed cottage door, and last at the cart of food he’d just rolled from the manor to the tenants’ quarters. “Don’t you want me to carry in the trays, my lord?”
“I’ll manage.”
“But the cart is laden. Surely …”
