“Aldridge,” Dustin replied soberly, “given your longstanding friendship with Sullivan, do you honestly believe they haven’t already connected him with your disappearance?”
“You’re right. I’m sure they have.” Nick massaged his temples, wearily crossing over to a small desk from which he extracted paper and pen. “Sully’s quarters are in Suffolk,” he informed Dustin, scribbling down the address. “Here. At least you’ll be able to tell him that Nickie and I are well. I don’t dare communicate with him myself.”
“No, you don’t.” Dustin slipped the paper into his pocket “I’ll assure him you’re both quite safe. In fact, I’ll ride to Suffolk first thing tomorrow.” A thoughtful pause. “On the return trip, I think I’ll drop in on the Viscount Preighbrook, ask him a few questions about Redley.”
Nick blinked. “I’d nearly forgotten. Redley rode Lord Preighbrook’s filly Nightingale at the St. Leger Trial.”
“Which was his last race,” Dustin reflected aloud. “I remember how upset Preighbrook was by Nightingale’s performance. In truth, we were all somewhat stunned, given that she was the overwhelming favorite. But then, no one expected Redley to fall behind on that last lap.” Dustin nodded decisively. “Yes, I’ll definitely pay a visit to Preighbrook on my way home. His estate is right here in Surrey.”
“Is that wise? Inevitably, word will get out that you’re dredging up the circumstances surrounding Redley’s death.”
“I hope so.” A steely glint lit Dustin’s eyes. “In fact, I’m counting on it. The sooner those two lowlifes realize I’m delving, the sooner they’ll reappear on my doorstep. At which time I intend to unsettle them enough so they’ll race off to whoever pays their wages—with me at their heels, alert and undetected. If I’m successful, we’ll be one step closer to resolving the crimes and resuming our lives.” Dustin’s gaze drifted to the window, over the path that led to the stables. “Our lives and our futures.”
Seven
“PAPA?”
Nicole shut the cottage door behind her, tugging pins from beneath her cap as she walked through the hallway.
“Ah, if it isn’t my brilliant prodigy, Alden Stoddard.” Eyes twinkling, Nick strolled out to greet her. “Your day must have been successful. You’re beaming from ear to ear.”
“Are you alone?” Nicole demanded, her hand pausing in its task.
“I am. Lord Tyreham left a half hour ago.”
“So Dustin—Lord Tyreham did remember your meeting.” Searching her father’s face, Nicole resumed, yanking impatiently at the next layer of pins.
“He certainly did. He arrived early, in fact.” Her father’s raised brows were the only indication he’d noted her unintentional use of Dustin’s given name. “Lord Tyreham was very impressed with your skill. Evidently, you won his stallion over posthaste.”
“Oh, Papa, I wish you could have been there!” At last, Nicole’s cap came free, releasing her disheveled tresses in a wild cascade down her back and shoulders. “Dagger is magnificent. He’s the most incredible thoroughbred I’ve ever seen. And he’s not hard to handle, he’s just apprehensive—with good cause. Obviously, he’s been abused.” She paused to catch her breath and blow wisps of hair from her face. “The ironic part is that I didn’t need to do a thing to win him over, other than be myself, not because of my affinity for horses but because of my gender. Dagger’s keen senses told him at once that I was a girl, which put his mind at ease, since whoever harmed him was undoubtedly a man. Thus, after two minutes of conversation and an equal number of sugar cubes, we became fast friends. And when we rode, oh, Papa, we were extraordinary together. It was magic. Part of me was itching to break into a gallop, but I could hear your voice in my head reminding me that it was Dagger’s first training session in Lord knows how long and that I should bring him along slowly. So I curbed my enthusiasm. But tomorrow we’ll canter, and by week’s end we’ll be galloping and ready to run at Epsom. Papa, you would have been so pleased!” Nicole dropped her cap t
o the floor and hugged her father.
“I’m more than pleased,” Nick declared, chuckling as he embraced her. “I’m bursting with pride. What’s more, I don’t think you realize how significant your accomplishment was, any more than you recognize the true extent of your rapport with horses. You’re one of a kind, Elf. And, while I’m sure everything you surmised about Dagger’s past is true, rest assured that he wouldn’t have taken so quickly and totally to every woman. Like any responsive, intelligent thoroughbred, he senses someone special.” Gently, her father held Nicole away from him, studying her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. “Worried though I am, I’m equally as thrilled for you, Elf. Thrilled that you’re getting the opportunity to feel the elation you’re experiencing now and the rush of victory you’ll experience when you and Dagger pass the winning post.” His grip tightened. “This one time,” he added in an uncompromising tone.
“This one time,” Nicole repeated without hesitation. “But what a glorious one time. The Derby.” Determination surged through her. “I’m going to win it, Papa.”
“I haven’t a doubt.” He paused. “Evidently, neither has Lord Tyreham.”
Nicole tensed. “Did he say that?”
“He said many things, that being one of them. He was amazed by your ability, and effusive with his praise.”
Relief swept through her. “He left the course rather abruptly. I thought perhaps he was angry that I’d taken it upon myself to mount and ride Dagger without summoning anyone.”
“He was far from angry. As for his leaving abruptly, when he arrived at our cottage, he mentioned something about a morning appointment. I presume that appointment was what rushed him from the course. In any case, it certainly wasn’t disapproval of your actions.”
“I’m glad.” Nicole brightened. “In Lord Tyreham’s absence, his head groom, Brackley, showed me around the stables. They’re enormous, Papa, and the marquis’s horses are the finest I’ve ever seen. Even his staff is exceptional—every attendant right down to the stableboys. I spent hours committing the entire stable to memory, getting acquainted with the horses, and trying to grasp all the details of day-to-day procedure. The staff was generous with their knowledge and patient with my dozens of questions.” Nicole tossed her father an impish grin. “All the while not one of them suspected Alden Stoddard was anything but male.”
“Excellent.” Nick cleared his throat. “You haven’t asked what Lord Tyreham and I discussed.”
Her grin faded. “I assume you discussed the men who blackmailed you.”
“We did—among other things.”
“Other things?” Nicole stared at the toe of her boot.
“Um-hum. For example, the marquis asked my permission to come to tea today. Evidently, you invited him.”