Wishes In The Wind Part 11

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 to 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 a.s.sured 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 pa.s.s 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 a.s.sume 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."

Nicole's gaze snapped back to his. "Do you mind?"

"I don't know. Should I?"

A heartbeat of silence ensued.

"Nickie," her father said quietly, "we need to have a talk." He glanced at the grandfather clock standing just outside the sitting room.

"I'm filthy, Papa." Nicole blurted out the first excuse that came to mind. Her feelings about Dustin were too raw, too baffling to discuss, especially with her protective-and opinionated-father. "I need a bath. Also, I'm famished. Why, I believe I could even manage to swallow one or two of my scones."

"Given the amount of food Lord Tyreham stocked the cottage with, we can find something more substantial and far better tasting for you to eat than your scones." Her father's tone told her he was unfooled by her attempts at evasion. "We'll talk while you eat. You'll have more than enough time to bathe before your guest arrives."

Like a condemned prisoner, Nicole nodded, following her father into the kitchen.

What in G.o.d's name was she going to tell him when she herself didn't understand these careening emotions, much less how to squelch them?

Frowning, Nicole filled a plate with cold chicken and apple pudding. More unsettling still, what had Dustin said to pique her father's curiosity?

Apparently, she was about to find out.

Her appet.i.te gone, Nicole leaned against the counter, nibbling at her meal and trying to swallow past the lump in her throat. "This is delicious," she announced, pushing the food about on her plate.

"Yes it is. Although I'm surprised you noticed, given you've scarcely downed two mouthfuls." Her father folded his arms across his chest and faced Nicole squarely-a decisive gesture she'd seen him use countless times with others, rarely with her. "Tell me about Lord Tyreham and your feelings toward him."

Nicole stopped chewing. "What did Dustin tell you?"

"That's the second time you've referred to your employer by his given name. When did you become so well acquainted?"

She could actually feel her cheeks flame. "I explained to you that when Lord Tyreham and I met, he introduced himself only as Dustin-not out of disrespect or because he was making advances," she added hastily, "but because I'd only supplied him with my given name. Which, as you can guess, was to conceal my ident.i.ty. He merely responded in kind. So that explains why I occasionally slip and refer to him as Dustin."

"I see. Does that also explain why you refuse to meet my eyes and are blushing profusely?"

Nicole's flush deepened. "If you're worried about my jeopardizing my disguise, don't be. I'm very mindful that Alden Stoddard addresses Lord Tyreham by t.i.tle."

"How rea.s.suring," her father returned dryly. "But it isn't Stoddard's welfare that's troubling me. It's my daughter's. A daughter, I might add, who has never been less than straightforward with me."

Sighing, Nicole gave up all semblance of eating ... and hedging. "Papa, it might seem otherwise, but I'm not intentionally keeping anything from you. I'm just not certain how to respond."

"Respond with the truth. Do you have feelings for this man?"

"I don't know." Nicole shook her head in frustration. "I shouldn't. I can't."

"But you do," Nick concluded.

"Yes," Nicole whispered. "I do." She stared out the window. "Papa, right now I'm fighting to keep you safe. Until this ordeal is over, I haven't the strength to contend with emotional upheaval. And that's precisely what giving in to my attraction for Dustin Kingsley would be. I can't do it-not now. Maybe never. He and I are worlds apart not only in social position but in values, in ways of life. The complications are vast, possibly insurmountable."

"True. Yet, knowing all this, you invited him for tea."

Her lashes lowered. "I can't explain it."

"I believe you just did." Nick crossed over, lifting Nicole's chin with his forefinger. "There's a voice inside me commanding me to forbid you from a.s.sociating with a man whose reputation is as black as Tyreham's. A man who's not only a womanizer but an aristocrat whose life is far removed from the one you know, and who has the wealth and power to break your heart without ever breaking stride. But judging from what you just said, you're already aware of who he is and what's at stake."

"I do-in here." Nicole tapped her head. "Unfortunately, I can't seem to convince my heart to be equally as pragmatic."

"So I gathered." Nick appeared to weigh his options, and his words. "I know I can't keep you a child forever. However, nor can I stand by and watch you get hurt. Therefore, I'll honor Lord Tyreham's visit. As for his request, that remains to be seen. Now go have that bath. Should your guest arrive early, which I strongly suspect he might, I'll entertain him."

His request?

Nicole blinked, comprehending that whatever permission Dustin had sought clearly involved more than an invitation to tea. "Exactly what is it Lord Tyreham requested?" she asked cautiously.

"The opportunity to become better acquainted with you, or rather, with Nicole Aldridge, not Alden Stoddard. The right to call on you with some degree of frequency. In this sitting room, under my watchful eye."

Her heart skipped a beat. "And how did you respond?"

"I intended to refuse. But the marquis was very convincing."

"Convincing." Nicole moistened her lips. "In what way?"

"Let's just say that either the man is the most accomplished of liars, or he genuinely cares for you-whatever, in his realm of thinking, *caring' means. Based on what I've seen of bluebloods, I remain wary. Only time will tell if my misgivings are unfounded where Tyreham is concerned. The important thing is I believe he's sincere about not meaning to hurt you. He was also entirely honorable in his approach. After hearing him out, I relented-a bit-agreeing only to his first visit. From there on, I reserve judgment."

"Thank you, Papa." Nicole kissed his cheek "Don't thank me yet," Nick said gruffly. "I'm far from rea.s.sured, because, no matter how sincere Tyreham is, his good intentions can't eliminate the obstacles that, as you yourself pointed out, are vast. Nor can they alter the glaring contrast between your way of life and his." Nick scowled. "In any case, once I've had the chance to think and to personally a.s.sess Tyreham's behavior toward you, I might very well revert to my original impulse, to toss him out and barricade the doors. The marquis might be a very persuasive man, which he is about many things, but so am I."

Her father's last statement brought Nicole up short. "About many things," she repeated. "Are you referring to the blackmail situation?"

A reluctant nod.

"Papa, don't shield me. I'm as involved as you are. What did you and Dustin discuss?"

"Lord Tyreham is determined to uncover the entire scheme, complete with whoever's at its helm."

Fear gripped Nicole's stomach. "Won't that endanger you?"

"Not the way the marquis intends to handle it." Her father's gaze met hers, and he gave a resigned sigh. "Very well, Nickie. I'll tell you the rest. The last thing I want is for you to worry. Lord Tyreham's plan consists of his doing the probing while I stay in hiding and supply him with details, at least those I'm aware of, such as the names of crooked jockeys and occasions when they threw their races. I've compiled a list. I'll give it to him this afternoon. He intends to ride to Suffolk first thing tomorrow to see Sully and, if possible, to add to my list. After which, he means to call on the necessary parties."

Nicole's fear intensified. "Those steps can hardly be kept secret, especially in light of Dustin's reputation on the turf. The entire racing circuit will be buzzing with news of his investigation. He'll be a walking target."

"That's what he's counting on. He wants to lure the lowlifes who threatened him back so he can follow them to their employer, then expose him. By the way, Tyreham and I compared descriptions. The men who warned him away from me are the same ones who tried blackmailing me and, doubtless, the same ones who left me that friendly greeting on Oberon's stall."

"I a.s.sumed as much." Nicole clutched her father's forearms. "Papa, this whole thing scares me to death. Maybe we should just leave matters alone, stay in hiding until more time has pa.s.sed. Then you and Lord Tyreham will both be safe."

"Stay in hiding?" Nick teased gently, patting her cheek. "And have you replace me on the turf? Never." Seeing her ashen expression, he sobered. "Nickie, this situation won't go away by itself. We have to put a stop to it. Now."

"I know." With a small nod, Nicole relented, realizing there was no choice, terrified by the prospect.

"Go have that bath of yours. The marquis will be arriving in less than an hour."

"All right." Uneasily, Nicole made her way from the kitchen, up the stairs to her room. Leaning against the door, she battled the apprehension that knotted her gut, rea.s.sured herself that fate would intercede and set things right.

But fate alone was too mercurial, its path too uncertain.

It needed wishes to fortify its magic.

Instinctively, Nicole's hand slid into her pocket, extracting her wishing locket and placing it in her palm. With infinite love, she traced the pattern etched into the burnished silver, recalling that special night fifteen years ago when she'd held the necklace for the first time.

Do you like it, Nickie?

Oh, Mama, it's beautiful. Is there a photograph inside?

No, darling, there's a far greater treasure kept tight within this locket's walls.

What is it? Oh, Mama, let me see.

Nicole smiled softly, remembering how she'd fumbled with the catch, mastering it at last and tugging it free.

Acute disappointment had surged through her five-year-old heart when she'd found the locket to be empty.

There's nothing here, Mama, she'd murmured, her eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears.

You're wrong, love.

I'm not wrong. It's empty.

Only because you're looking with your eyes, not your heart. If your heart were to peer inside, it would see that this is no ordinary locket. It's a wishing locket. Inside is a bottomless cache made especially for wishes, with enough room for every dream you've ever dreamed, still more for all those wishes yet to be wished.

Really? Nicole had looked more closely. How does it work?

First, you must think of what it is you're wishing for-and focus on it very, very hard. Then close your eyes and squeeze the locket tight between your hands. And, lo and behold, your wish will be captured by the locket's magic and stored inside.

Until when?

Until the locket deems it time to set that wish free, and make it come true.

When will that be?

Ah, Nickie, only the locket knows the answer to that. When it decides to grant a particular wish, it will cast it from its depths, transforming that wish to reality. But you must trust in the locket's wisdom and never stop believing in its magic.

But what if it takes years and years and years for a wish to come true?

Then that wish's time has yet to be.

What if, in the meantime, the locket gets too crowded and runs out of room for new wishes? How will I know?

That's part of the locket's wonder. It never runs out of room. It can hold as many cherished dreams as can your heart.

You're sure?

I'm sure, my darling.

Savoring the memory, Nicole gazed down at her legacy, two tears trickling down her cheeks and dropping onto the locket's shimmering surface.

"I hope you're right, Mama," she whispered aloud, wiping the silver dry. "I hope my locket truly does hold infinite wishes because I have another to entrust to its magical depths." Her fingers closed around the necklace, clasping it tightly, her eyes squeezed shut. "I've already prayed for Papa's safety. Now I must pray for Dustin's, as well. Because if anything were to happen to him ..." She choked back more tears. "I couldn't bear it. So please, wishing locket, take care of him. Take care of them both."