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“I’ll manage,” Dustin repeated firmly. “I appreciate your offer and your help. But Mr. Stoddard’s father is ill and doesn’t wish to be disturbed. The less fuss—or callers— that intrude on his solitude, the better. Don’t worry. Stoddard will assist me. Between the two of us, we’ll transfer these trays into the cottage.”
“All right, if you say so, sir.” With a dubious expression, the footman took his leave.
Dustin waited a full three minutes.
Then he knocked.
“I’m alone,” he murmured.
Nicole eased the door open a crack, her eyes bright with laughter. “You’re still far too smooth a liar, my lord.”
“Let me in and I’ll show you how honest I can be.”
The door opened the rest of the way, keeping Nicole carefully concealed until Dustin—and the cart—were inside. Then it closed, and she emerged, wearing a simple beige gown, unadorned by anything save her wishing locket.
“Your other dress, I presume?” Dustin managed, drinking in her beauty.
“I’m afraid so. Not terribly impressive, is it?”
His reply was to glance restlessly about. “Where’s your father?”
“He’ll be down in a minute. He’s …”
The rest of Nicole’s words were stopped by Dustin’s mouth. “Kiss me hello,” he demanded huskily.
“Yes, my lord.” She wound her arms about his neck, kissing him without hesitation or embarrassment.
Enfolding her against him, Dustin inhaled the scent of her hair, reveling in her softness. “I’m glad your father’s on his way down,” he muttered, burying his lips in hers for a deep, drugging kiss. “If he weren’t, my resolutions to give you time wouldn’t be worth a damn.” He raised his head, his body taut with hunger. “Is that honest enough for you, Derby?”
She blinked, giving him a sensual look that frayed his control still further. “That was magnificent, my lord, as are you. So magnificent, in fact, that were my father not on his way down, I would suggest you burn your resolutions to ashes and kiss me until I forget all the obstacles that so plagued me last night.”
Dustin searched her eyes, sensing a change that transcended the light, seductive banter in which they’d been engaging. “Nicole.” He framed her face between his palms, frowning as he heard Aldridge’s footsteps overhead. “I’m leaving for Newmarket tomorrow. I’ll be gone several days.”
She was instantly alert. “You’re going to speak with the jockeys on Papa’s list.”
“Yes.” He shook his head impatiently. “We can discuss all that in a minute—with your father present. But before he joins us …” Dustin glanced at the still-vacant stairway, then back at Nicole. “When I return, we need to talk. And I don’t mean about the threats to your father, although I intend to get some answers while I’m in Suffolk. I mean about us and our future. I get the feeling that a few days will give you enough time. Please tell me I’m right, that that’s all the time you need. Because, God help me, I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”
Slowly, she nodded, her amethyst eyes wide, vulnerable. “That’s all I need. We’ll discuss the future when you return.”
God, he wished he had thirty seconds more. To erase the vulnerability from her face. To reassure her.
To tell her he loved her.
No. She deserved better than to hear those precious words blurted in haste. And, as a man who’d waited forever to say them, so did he.
Bending his head, he brushed a light kiss across
her mouth. “Fear not, beautiful stargazer. Your father will resume racing in ample time to sweep the summer meetings. You have my word. As for those other obstacles, they’re as good as gone.”
Gently, he touched her wishing locket, then released her just as Aldridge descended the stairs.
“Hello, Tyreham.” The greeting was not quite as stiff as Dustin had anticipated, and the man actually chuckled when he saw the abundant trays of food. “How many armies will be joining us for dinner?”
“None.” Dustin grinned. “However, as I was telling Nicole, I’ll be away for a few days. Hopefully, this will sustain you during my absence.”
“Papa, Dustin is going to Newmarket.”
Nick’s grin vanished. “When?”
