Wishes In The Wind Part 20

"What's wrong?" Dustin came to his feet.

"I'm not sure. Trenton has been acting so odd these past few days. This morning he very nearly forbid me to take Alexander to Tyreham with me. When I insisted, he commanded four additional footmen to accompany us. Look at them." She gestured toward the drive. "They're lined up outside the manor as if ready to do battle."

Dustin followed her gaze, warning bells ringing loud and clear inside his head. "They're probably waiting to accompany us to the stables."

"Why?"

"Because, although Trent loves Alexander with all his heart, you're his life. And, being that you're not exactly a strapping, muscular woman, he worries about your endurance. Why, in less than a year, your son has all but worn you out. And Alexander is getting older, more physically demanding. Trent is probably just ensuring you have enough help to get along."

Ariana planted her hands on her hips. "I'm slight, but I'm not exactly a weakling. Besides, four additional men? Plus the customary three, Mrs. Hopkins and myself, not to mention the staff at Tyreham? No child, energetic or not, requires an army to oversee him."

An offhanded shrug. "Trent has been more overprotective than usual lately. He all but swooned when I implied that I'd fallen in love so quickly and deeply. If he's fretting over me, he's bound to be a nervous ninny when it comes to you. Remember, Ariana, my brother's thoughts, like his love, run very deep. But that shouldn't surprise you. After all, you know how"-a grin-"intense we Kingsley men are."

"I suppose," Ariana murmured, chewing her lip.

"Don't give it another thought. Come. Let's head for the stables. I have a new trainer starting today. You can meet him, and Alexander can proffer a few cubes of sugar to the horses."

"That sounds wonderful." Ariana's somber mood lifted, precisely as Dustin had intended. "I'm also eager to meet this new jockey of yours, the one you're training for the Derby. Incidentally, it goes without saying that Trenton and I will be in the stands on Derby Day. In fact, we'll make a visit of it. We'll stay at Tyreham for the duration of the Epsom races. How would that be?"

"Splendid," Dustin heard himself say, feeling a frisson of apprehension as he realized that, simultaneous with Derby Day, Nicole would be exposed to the world's scrutiny for the first time. Hundreds of onlookers would see her race. What if she were recognized not by Ariana and Trent, who were completely trustworthy, but by someone else-the wrong someone? Countless jockeys knew Nicole Aldridge. What if a particularly compet.i.tive or unscrupulous one saw through her disguise and reported it? The ensuing disqualification, even the scandal, meant not a whit to Dustin, but Nicole's safety did. Was he endangering her life by permitting her to ride as a man?

Forcibly, he squelched his qualms, chastising himself for thinking with his heart, not his head. The truth was, there was nothing to fear. He'd known from the start that he needn't shield Nicole from the world. Her disguise was flawless, allowing no one a glimpse of Alden Stoddard's true ident.i.ty. He was just overreacting-as Kingsley men apparently did when they were in love.

Nevertheless, just to be on the safe side, he'd implement the extra precautions he'd planned, not only on Derby Day but for the entire week the Epsom races were being run. The additional staff Poole was providing would ward off the reporters and the touts. Especially the touts, who'd be sniffing around Stoddard in an attempt to determine what odds to lay on Dagger's Derby performance. If they got near enough to make that discernment. Which they wouldn't, Dustin vowed silently, a muscle working in his jaw. In fact, as he'd promised Aldridge, Dagger and Stoddard wouldn't be approachable until they paraded up to the starting gate and swept the Derby.

"Dustin?" Ariana's expression was perplexed. "What is it? Will our visiting Tyreham during the Epsom races be too much for you? If that's the case, say so. Trenton and I will understand. We'll simply come another time and-"

"Nonsense." Dustin's composure reinstated itself. "I'd be insulted if you didn't stay for the duration. I'm just preoccupied. Let's gather Alexander and head for the stables." He turned, striding toward the door. "I'm eager to see how Stoddard is faring."

Stoddard was not faring at all well.

In fact, she was distinctly unhappy at the moment, and her unhappiness didn't stem from the upcoming race or from Dagger. It stemmed from Raggert.

From the minute the lanky, arrogant trainer had sauntered into the stables, Nicole had taken an instant dislike to him. It was nothing tangible, nothing she could put her finger on. His knowledge was thorough, his loudly boasted credentials impressive. There was just something about him-a c.o.c.kiness, an icy condescension, that disturbed her greatly. Plus, his att.i.tude toward her was nothing short of appalling.

"So, you're the fellow Lord Tyreham intends to sweep the Derby stakes," he muttered, his dark eyes a.s.sessing her. "How old are you, boy? Fifteen?"

"Twenty."

"That old, are you?" he taunted lightly, rubbing a blade of straw between his fingers. "Well, let's see what you can do, especially on that impossible stallion Tyreham insists on entering."

"You're familiar with Dagger?"

"Yup. I was with Lord Lanston when he bought him. Never saw much hope of reforming him. He was too far gone. I was relieved as h.e.l.l when Lanston sold him. Personally, I think Tyreham's crazy for investing so much time and energy in a wild, reckless lunatic like that stallion. But-" A shrug. "That's the marquis's decision, not mine. In any case, let's get a stableboy to tack him up."

"He's already tacked up," Nicole replied, controlling her temper with the greatest of efforts. "I was about to take a trial run over the course when you arrived."

"Good. I'll oversee your practice."

"There's no need," Nicole heard herself say, despite the fact that Dustin had specifically mentioned to her that Raggert would be doing just that. "Brackley has arranged to time me."

A glint of annoyance. "I'll time you. Brackley can tend to the other horses."

"Very well." Nicole turned. "I'll lead Dagger out and meet you at the course's starting point. Are you familiar with the grounds?"

She could actually feel Raggert tense. "Don't be insolent, boy. I'm familiar with everything to do with my job. I make it a point to be. Brackley showed me around the grounds, including the entire course, before I came to find you."

"Fine. I won't be more than a few minutes."

Nicole stalked off, fury welling up inside her as she made her way into Dagger's stall. Deliberately instigating Raggert had been a stupid thing to do, but at that particular moment, she didn't give a d.a.m.n. Who did the man think he was? Worse, what false veneer had he a.s.sumed to convince not only Dustin but Lord Lanston to hire him? Because, competent or not, no trainer could successfully relate to horses with an att.i.tude like Raggert's. He lacked humility and compa.s.sion, supplanted instead by an overabundant-and undeserved-feeling of self-worth.

Stroking Dagger's velvet muzzle, she tried to bring herself under control and almost succeeded, until she glanced at the beautiful thoroughbred who was now nuzzling her palm. Raggert's ugly, inaccurate condemnation of Dagger sprang to mind, enraging Nicole anew. Trainer? The fool was no judge of horses. She had half a mind to march into Tyreham and ...

And what?

She drew herself up short. In the name of heaven, she was merely a jockey, and an inexperienced one at that. Without using the leverage of their personal relationship, how could she run to Dustin and inform him he'd made a huge mistake in hiring Raggert? What grounds did she have-that he'd spoken harshly to her? She was, after all, a mere novice, and he, a seasoned trainer.

No. Alden Stoddard was here on merit and on merit would remain. Until and unless Raggert did something truly wrong, Stoddard's feelings would stay private.

Besides, bickering with the new trainer was the last hindrance Nicole needed right now. Her riding, most particularly her sessions with Dagger, were the only aspect of her existence that were stable, controlled. Her ident.i.ty, her home, her world-and now her heart-had all been upended. In fact, her personal life was a tangle of complications, all centered around a man who dominated her thoughts like a fine, intoxicating wine.

Especially after last night.

She paused, her hand on Dagger's bridle, a tiny shiver of memory rippling through her. Last night. She'd been so consumed with her own vulnerability that she'd scarcely taken time to consider Dustin's.

He'd shared his dreams with her, opened his heart, and welcomed her in. Never had she imagined such tenderness, such sensitivity from a man of Dustin's ilk-or perhaps she had. Her heart had always viewed him as a man rather than as a marquis. Maybe it was time she heeded her heart's dictates.

Her thoughts shifted to those magical moments of sensual discovery.

Enfolded in Dustin's arms, she'd savored her first taste of pa.s.sion, cast misgivings to the wind, and let emotion guide her. And, brief though their encounter had been, it had changed everything. After last night, nothing could ever be the same-she could never be the same.

Nor could Dustin.

She wasn't certain how, she just knew that to be true. Perhaps it was the wonder in his eyes, the helpless trembling of his body against hers. Or perhaps it was insight-the same insight that had drawn them together from the start and the same insight that was propelling her into the future-an unknown future with undetermined boundaries.

Dustin had sworn to conquer each and every obstacle that thwarted their way, make all her wishes reality. And, G.o.d help her, she was starting to believe he just might.

"Good morning, Stoddard."

That deep, unbearably seductive voice that had dominated her dreams resounded behind her.

Slowly, she pivoted-only to find that Dustin was not alone. Beside him was a beautiful, auburn-haired woman with turquoise eyes as clear as a cloudless sky. She was delicate and feminine, and Nicole felt a surge of jealousy so profound it shocked her.

"Good morning, Lord Tyreham," she replied, automatically lapsing into Stoddard's voice, keeping her face carefully devoid of emotion.

Dustin looked like he was biting back laughter. "I have a few people I'd like you to meet."

At that instant, a stout woman scurried up to Dagger's stall. In her arms was clasped the most precious tot Nicole had ever seen, a tot that was battling for his freedom.

"This is Ariana Kingsley, the d.u.c.h.ess of Broddington," Dustin was saying. "My brother's wife," he added. "And the wild man in Mrs. Hopkins's arms is my nephew Alexander." He turned to Ariana. "Meet Alden Stoddard, the incomparable jockey who's going to ride Dagger to fame."

"A pleasure, Your Grace," Nicole replied, her relief so acute it nearly brought her to her knees.

"Mr. Stoddard. I've heard a great deal about you." Ariana's smile emanated genuine warmth, and Nicole could understand why Dustin was so fond of her. "I hope you don't mind our dropping by. I promise we won't get underfoot. We'll only-"

As if to refute his mother's words, Alexander chose that moment to jerk free of his governess's arms, shimmy down her skirts, and crawl furiously off.

Dustin s.n.a.t.c.hed him up before he'd gone ten feet. "You are incorrigible," he proclaimed over his nephew's howling protest. "Would you like to meet Dagger?" Dustin pointed toward the horse. "He's new here. You have to be very gentle with him. You remember-I showed you with the others." In an exaggerated motion, Dustin demonstrated by smoothing his palm down the column of Dagger's neck. "Like this."

Alexander's squirming halted at once, his cobalt gaze fixed on Dagger.

"Would you like to try?" Dustin inquired, urging the child's arm forward.

Eagerly, Alexander reached out.

Nicole smiled, watching as what two minutes ago was a thrashing lion cub and was now a docile lamb petted Dagger's neck and back, his tiny fingers light as feathers, his expression awed.

"He's got an affinity for horses already," she murmured aloud. "I was like that at his age."

"The stables are the only place he's content," Ariana responded with a sigh. "Other than when he's sitting triumphantly amid his scenes of destruction."

"I was also like that," Nicole admitted with a grin. She turned to Alexander. "Would you like to watch me ride him?"

The child stared at her, as if attempting to discern the ident.i.ty of this unknown stranger.

"I was about to take Dagger over the course," Nicole explained to Dustin. "Raggert"-she nearly choked on the name-"is waiting to time me. If things go well, we'll be making trial runs at Epsom in several days, letting Dagger grow accustomed to the course. In any case, your family is welcome to watch this morning's practice. I'm sure your nephew would enjoy it."

Her eyes met Dustin's for the first time since last night, and everything inside Nicole went liquid with longing. Not only was he magnificent, but he looked so poignantly natural with a child in his arms, and for a fleeting instant, she found herself wishing Alexander were theirs. Recoiling from the realization of how dangerous such thoughts could be-not only to her heart, but to her ident.i.ty-she averted her gaze, wondering how much longer she could endure this masquerade when she was so in love with Dustin it made her weak.

"That would be wonderful." Ariana beamed.

"Yes, it would," Dustin concurred quietly. He ruffled Alexander's dark hair, then placed him in his mother's arms. "Ariana, you know where the course begins. Why don't you and Mrs. Hopkins take Alexander there, and we'll lead Dagger out in a minute or two."

"Splendid." Ariana gave Stoddard a grateful smile. "Thank you for your patience."

Nicole nodded, watching them make their way out of the stables. "The d.u.c.h.ess is lovely," she said quietly. "All you described and more."

"I didn't close an eye last night." Dustin's voice brushed her ear. "Are you all right?"

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Nicole nodded. "Fine."

"You didn't speak a word the entire way home."

"I had a lot to think about."

"Dammit." Dustin's breath expelled in a hiss, his gaze darting about their section of the stables, now momentarily deserted. "We need to talk. Alone. Tell me when."

"I don't know. My father is not in a particularly generous mood today."

"He wanted to shoot me dead."

"That was my fault. I'm not sophisticated enough to conceal ... certain things."

Dustin's swallow was audible. "I should have insisted on speaking with him."

"What would you have said?" Nicole asked softly, staring at the ground. She didn't wait for an answer. "Besides, the point is a moot one. Papa doesn't talk when he's angry, he shouts, except when he's truly outraged. In those cases, he stews for a while, then bellows. Evidently, this is one of those cases." She sighed. "Immediately after shutting the door in your face last night, he stalked off to bed. He hasn't spoken to me since. By this evening, he will."

"Derby-" Dustin made a move to hold her, then checked himself. "I'm sorry. I never intended to-"

"Please, Dustin, stop apologizing." On the heels of uttering his given name, and in her normal voice, she glanced about them, needing to verify that they were not being overheard. Rea.s.sured, she met his gaze, whispering, "I wanted those moments as much as you did."

Emotion-heated, drenching-surged between them.

"I meant every word I said," Dustin managed huskily.

"I know you did." Nicole had to fight the relentless urge to fling herself into his arms. "But now is not the time to discuss this." She wet her lips, her admission emerging in a breathless rush. "I'm having a hard enough time continuing this pretense in light of what's happened."

A vein throbbed at his temple. "I need to be with you."

"Give Papa a few days. Give me a few days to bring him around. Please, Dustin, give me some time."

Time. Her choice of words seemed to incite a private battle within him. Abruptly, he nodded, his intensity clearly unabated, yet somehow simmering beneath the surface. "Take whatever time you need. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here."

"Will you?" she heard herself murmur, searching his face for some palpable a.s.surance.

Emotion darkened his midnight eyes to near black. "The fires of h.e.l.l couldn't keep me away." His gaze delved deep into hers. "And Derby, in answer to that silent wish you made moments ago, one day the child I'm holding will be ours."

Eleven.

"THAT WAS BREATHTAKING."

Ariana shook her head in amazement, leaning back from where she'd been perched, whip-taut, on a fence near the course's end, straining to see Stoddard and Dagger complete their final lap. "I can't remember the last time I saw such an impressive display of horsemanship. Dustin, you're right." She climbed down to stand beside her brother-in-law. "The Derby is all but yours."

"Two minutes, forty seconds," Raggert called out from a dozen feet away, looking as astounded as Ariana.

"Two and forty," Dustin muttered, his expression pensive. "That beats last year's Derby winner by six seconds. Taking into account that Tyreham's course is similar in terrain to Epsom's, and only several lengths shorter, I'd say that's d.a.m.ned good. d.a.m.ned, unbelievably good."

He loped over to his jockey. "Stoddard, you've outdone yourself. Do that on Derby Day and first place is ensured."

Nicole touched the brim of her cap. "I'll certainly try, my lord."