“They won’t have the opportunity.”
“What?”
“I’m not without influence, Aldridge. I intend to make special provisions to eliminate the possibility you just described. Nicole won’t arrive at Epsom until the Derby is about to commence. She’ll be weighed out alone. Then she and Dagger will be ushered to their position at the gate just before the starter’s flag is lowered. The other riders won’t have time to scrutinize them.”
“Thank God.” Nick sagged with relief. “I can’t tell you how that’s preyed on my mind.”
“Well, you can put it to rest. Now tell me precisely what else is causing you to worry about Nicole’s well-being.”
Again, Nick stiffened. “I’ll be blunt, my lord. I never meant for Nickie’s scheme to go this far. We needed an income. I needed to ‘disappear.’ She was only to get a job and support us until the buzzards stopped circling me. I expected she’d stay at Tyreham, train for the summer races, and never put that training to use. July is a full two months off, more than enough time for those bastards to lose interest in me and cast their eye on a more cooperative source. Once that happened, I planned to resume my life and have my daughter resume hers.” His mouth set in harsh, stubborn lines. “I won’t have Nickie living the life of a jockey—a man among other men. Traveling, living, sleeping in the same quarters.”
“Nor will I.” Dustin’s expression was as steely as his tone. “I never even considered such a prospect. You have my word, Aldridge. Nicole will be shielded, separate, not only at the starting gate but in every aspect of her job.”
“And, with all due respect, how do you intend to arrange such thorough overseeing?” Boldly, Nick met Dustin’s gaze. “Or should I ask, who’s going to provide it—you?”
“I take it you find that notion disagreeable?”
“Disagreeable? No. Unthinkable.” Nick inhaled sharply, struggling to temper his reaction. “I realize I’ve got a lot of nerve speaking to you this way, given all you’ve done for us. As I said earlier, I’m grateful as hell for your assistance and your protection. Further, I have no grounds for questioning your motives. Not according to Nickie, who swears you’ve been not only kind but a perfect gentleman. I’m also aware I’m blatantly overstepping my bounds, given who you are and who I am. My only excuse is that Nickie is the most important part of my life.”
“You’re Nicole’s father. Which, in this case, far outweighs any meaningless title or rank. Now speak your mind.”
“Very well. Nickie’s grown up in the stables among men who treat her with all the teasing affection of fathers to then-child. Consequently, she’s had no cause to view herself through the eyes of a suito
r. The fact is, she doesn’t even realize that over the past few years she’s grown to be an extraordinarily beautiful young woman—the image of her mother. I myself didn’t perceive the transformation until several days ago when she actually donned a gown. ’Twas the night she located your ad in the personals. You recall the evening you and she met.”
“I recall.”
“I’m certain you do,” Nick returned dryly. “Which is precisely why I’m a bit uneasy.”
“Because I met Nicole as herself prior to meeting her as Stoddard?”
“No, because of your quick and avid interest in her. Because Nicole is bloody beautiful and innocent, and your reputation is as black as Satan himself.”
Dustin found himself chuckling. “I begin to see where Nicole inherited her forthrightness.”
“And are you equally forthright?”
“Apparently, I’m destined to be—at least when it comes to the Aldridges. So, yes. I intend to be uncharacteristically frank, but not only for your sake, for mine as well.” Dustin paused. “And for Nicole’s.” With staunch determination, he leaned forward, muscles taut. “I don’t customarily discuss my private life. This is an exception. Partly because you’re indirectly involved and partly because I need your help.”
“My help?”
A nod. “First, let me assure you—as I seem to be perpetually assuring your daughter—the issue we’re about to broach is separate and apart from both Nicole’s entry in the Derby and from my proffered assistance in your dilemma. I’m committed to your safety and Nicole’s victory, regardless of the outcome yielded by this morning’s talk.”
“You’ve discussed this matter with Nickie then?”
“Several times.”
“I see. Very well, I’ll accept your statement as sincere.”
“Good. Now on to the subject at hand—Nicole. To be blunt, I’ve never known anyone quite like your daughter. From the moment we met, my feelings have been … intense is the only word I can muster. And, believe me, that in itself is telling. Because, while I cannot muster emotions at will, I can always muster words. It’s an art I’ve perfected over more years than I care to recall.”
“With women, I presume you’re implying.”
“With nearly everyone. But, yes, with women.”
“Don’t bother elaborating. I’ve heard how accomplished you are at your various liaisons.”
“Accomplished?” Dustin repeated with a bemused shake of his head. “That’s an ironic choice of words. Because with Nicole, I feel anything but accomplished. To the contrary, I find myself unsure in ways I never imagined. I wonder how to proceed so as not to hurt her; how to avoid frightening her away; how to convince her that what I’m feeling is entirely real and entirely new—rooted in something far deeper than attraction.