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“They employ no servants there?”
“Only two, neither of whom li
ve at the cottage. Much of the time Trent and Ariana are on their own. As am I, especially on those occasions when I travel to Spraystone alone, simply to bask in the peace and beauty it offers. On those visits, not only do I survive a total lack of servants but a total lack of even the most basic assistance. Why, not even Ariana and Trent are present to aid in my survival. Yet I do remarkably well—for a marquis, that is.”
Nicole flushed. “Touché, my lord. I’ve done it again— branded you unfairly.”
“I might forgive you—for a price.”
A golden spark lit her eyes, turning them that magnificent shade of violet. “And what is your price?”
Leaning forward, Dustin hooked a forefinger beneath her chin. “Several minutes alone after dinner,” he murmured too quietly for her father to hear in the kitchen. “The entirety of which will be spent kissing me good-bye.”
“Such ambitious terms, my lord.” She smiled. “I accept.”
“Good.” He stepped away just before Nick reentered the dining room. Waiting until the older man was seated, Dustin slipped into the kitchen, returning a minute later with a bottle of champagne and three stemmed glasses. “Before we eat, we must properly celebrate by toasting your extraordinary achievement today, Derby.” He brandished the first piece of gleaming crystal, placing it on the table before Nicole. “Two minutes forty seconds—you are indeed astounding.”
“I …” Nicole looked from the champagne to Dustin, her face alight with pleasure. “Thank you, my lord.”
“You’re welcome,” he murmured, savoring her reaction. God, to see that joy on her face—he wanted to give her the world.
Forcibly, he averted his gaze, turning his attention to uncorking and pouring the champagne.
“To Alden Stoddard,” he stated simply, raising his glass. “For the brief time he exists, may he take the Derby—and the ton—by storm, leaving them with a memory they’ll never forget and a record that will go down in history.”
“I echo that,” Nick declared. “To Stoddard. May he be both the first woman and the fastest man to ever pass the winning post.”
“Thank you,” Nicole murmured, her voice choked. “I shall do my very best to make that wish a reality.”
“Secure it in your locket,” Dustin suggested tenderly, “but only for a fortnight. After that, it will be fulfilled and, thus, released.”
Nick’s glass lowered with a thud, his astonished gaze moving from Dustin to Nicole to her locket.
Abruptly, Nicole jumped to her feet. “This lamb is delicious,” she proclaimed, taking up her plate. “I think I’ll help myself to another portion. Excuse me.” She bolted into the kitchen.
For a long moment, Nick simply gaped, his stare finding its way back to Dustin.
“You know about Nickie’s locket?” he managed. “She’s never told a soul …”
“I realize that.” Dustin leaned forward. “Nicole’s sharing the story of her locket with me was as precious a gift as the one her mother gave her. And I’m not referring to the locket itself, because what your wife truly gave Nicole, albeit intangible, was far more valuable than any piece of jewelry could ever be. She gave her the gift of dreams and hope and prayers. Well, Nicole has given the same to me. I intend to treasure those gifts not only now but always. More importantly, I intend to cherish—and sustain—the miraculous gifts that inspired their offering, Nicole’s trust and, I pray, her love.”
“I see.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, Tyreham, I do.” A glint of something—realization?—flickered in Aldridge’s eyes. When it vanished, so did his tension. “I see and I remember. It hasn’t been so very long since I fell in lo—ah, Nickie, you’re back,” he broke off, greeting his daughter as she reentered the room. “The marquis was about to pour another round of champagne.”
Nicole blinked. “We’ve scarcely finished the first round.”
“So what?” Nick grinned, handing Dustin the bottle with a definitive nod. “The way I see it, we have a lot to celebrate.”
“What exactly happened between you and Papa while I was in the kitchen?” Nicole asked several hours later as she walked Dustin to the door. “For the duration of the evening you behaved like old friends. Also, why was he so willing to give us this time together?”
Dustin captured her hand in his. “This isn’t the first time he’s allowed us time alone.”
“Allowed us, no. Urged us, yes. Dustin, did you hear him when he went upstairs? He was actually whistling. Whistling. What on earth happened that I missed?”
“Your father and I toppled one of those supposedly insurmountable obstacles you spoke of,” Dustin replied, drawing her into his arms. “A most important one.” He tunneled his fingers through her hair. “Kiss me.”
