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“Wait.” Nicole’s grip on Dustin’s hand tightened. “A thought just occurred to me. Dustin, do you recall what Parrish said to you before he staggered off? During those last few punches?”
Dustin frowned in concentration. “Something about one punch being for his head and one for Archer’s guts.”
“Yes. And the final one, he said, was to remind you to stay out of things that don’t concern you. He warned you that if you wanted to save yourself and Alexander, you’d better ‘cut out the late-night talks with your brother.’” Nicole inclined her head in Dustin’s direction. “Now how would he know you and the duke had a late-night talk?”
A heartbeat of silence.
“How indeed,” Dustin repeated at last. “Unless someone told him.”
“Someone who was inside the manor at the time of our talk.” Trenton scowled. “Not only inside the manor but right outside the study. How else could he have eavesdropped on our discussion? Dustin, you and I were behind closed doors. Our voices were low. Hell, the window wasn’t even ajar.”
“And no one gets by Poole.” Dustin’s hands balled into fists. “So whoever this informant is could very possibly be a resident of Tyreham.” He shot up—and groaned in pain.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Trenton demanded. “You’re hardly in shape to stagger downstairs and interrogate the staff—unless you want to swoon at their feet.”
“Dustin,” Nicole said softly. “Determining who eavesdropped on your conversation is a delicate matter. You need to mull over the possible suspects, then narrow down that list. Next, you must devise the most effective course of action to take, so as not to alert the culprit or upset your staff. I know how badly you want to resolve things and how impatient you are to do so. I’m equally as impatient. But you’ve been confined to bed for the day. Since your tactics require planning anyway, and since you’ll do a far better job of effecting those plans once you’re healed, why not use today to think and tomorrow to act? Also, remember that by then you’ll have another crucial piece of the puzzle, Saxon’s report.” Nicole gave the man she loved a tender smile. “Wait a day. Then you’ll work your magic.”
With a sigh, Dustin sank back against the pillows. “All right, Derby. One day.”
“No wonder you called her your miracle,” Trenton observed dryly. “I’ve been your bloody brother for two and thirty years and haven’t once been able to placate you like that.” He shot Nicole an admiring look. “What’s your secret?”
“I’m in love with him,” Nicole returned softly.
Trenton’s expression softened. “So I see.”
A tiny spark lit her eyes. “Then perhaps you’ll turn away that stream of women when they arrive to minister Dustin’s wounds.”
Ariana laughed aloud. “If Trenton doesn’t, I will.”
“Also, Your Grace,” Nicole contin
ued, straight-faced, “I hope you won’t hold it against me that I’m terribly inept at removing boots. Men’s boots, that is.”
While Nicole’s first quip had only succeeded in making Trenton look sheepish, her second one caused his mouth to drop open. “Lord,” he muttered, realizing the significance of his earlier actions. “Not only the boots, but the breeches.” He actually flushed. “I apologize. I had no idea …” He leveled an accusing stare at his brother. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I did …” Dustin grinned. “… eventually. Until then, I was having too much fun watching Nicole squirm.”
“What shocking incident did I evidently miss?” Ariana demanded.
“Nothing much, misty angel.” Trenton continued to glower at his brother. “Only the fact that I ordered Stoddard to strip Dustin so I could cleanse his wounds, which poor Nicole began to do.”
“Dustin”—Ariana’s shoulders were shaking—“that’s unconscionable, even for you.”
“Yes.” An unrepentant chuckle. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Nicole,” Trenton declared, catching Alexander’s flailing fist. “You have my permission to trounce my brother at Epsom. I hope you beat him by twelve lengths, not six.”
Her eyes twinkled. “I’ll certainly try, Your Grace.”
“Trenton,” he corrected.
“Trenton.”
“You’ve acquired a welcome ally, Nicole,” Ariana said warmly. She met Nicole’s gaze. “Actually, two.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Nicole murmured. “And please forgive me for the danger I’ve put your family in. I’ll do everything I can to eliminate it.”
“My name is Ariana. And you’re as much a victim as we are. We’ll resolve this situation together. After which”—her whole face lit up—“I anticipate a most festive future.”
