Wishes In The Wind Part 30

"Which way, Your Grace?" she asked.

Trenton jerked his head in the direction of Dustin's room. "It's the last one on the right."

Minutes later, they lowered Dustin to his bedcovers, where he gratefully lay back.

"The blood's soaked down to his shirt," Trenton bit out. "I'll peel it away so it doesn't stick to whatever bruises are beneath it. You get his boots and breeches."

Nicole froze. "What?"

Trenton tossed her an exasperated look. "I said, get his boots and breeches off. It will expedite things for Dr. Welish. I'll handle the shirt, which is a more delicate task."

That depends on who you're asking, she almost blurted out.

Feeling Dustin's eyes upon her, she glanced over, realizing by the slight twitch of his lips that he'd read her thoughts as clearly as if she'd spoken them aloud.

"All right." Ducking her head to hide her flaming cheeks, Nicole tugged off first one boot, then the other, wondering how the duke would react once he learned who she was.

"Let Stoddard go, Trent." Evidently, Dustin had decided to take pity on her and salvage her modesty. "He looks worse than I do." The statement ended on a groan, and Nicole's head shot up, all nonsensical thoughts vanishing in the wake of his pain.

"Just a little more," Trenton appeased, inching the shirt down Dustin's arms, lifting him enough to yank it free, leaving a dozen angry bruises in its wake. "There. Done." He looked up as Poole hurried in, carrying a basin and some towels, a bottle of brandy tucked beneath his arm.

"Dr. Welish is here, sir," the butler announced.

"Good." Trenton glanced at Nicole. "You do look shaken, Stoddard. Go to your quarters and rest."

"No."

The word was out before she could restrain it.

Trenton's dark brows rose. "Pardon me?"

"It's all right, Trent," Dustin murmured weakly. "Let him wait in the sitting room."

With an astonished shake of his head, Trenton conceded. "Fine. Wait in the sitting room."

An hour later, Poole came to summon Nicole. "Lord Tyreham wishes to see you."

She leaped to her feet. "Is he all right?"

"Yes, thank heavens. His lordship's excellent physical condition prevented him from sustaining a more serious thrashing." A smug lift of Poole's brows. "It also helped him deliver an unexpected, and most certainly unwelcome, retaliation."

Nicole found herself grinning. "How unfortunate for his attackers."

"Yes, wasn't it?" Poole sniffed. "In any case, the marquis is experiencing a bit of pain, but the brandy is already alleviating that. Overall, he's doing remarkably well." A brief flicker of emotion crossed Poole's face. "Thank you, Stoddard. From all of us at Tyreham. Your swift and courageous actions spared his lordship further injury. We're grateful." He drew himself up, protocol restored. "You're welcome to see him now."

Swallowing, Nicole nodded. Then she hurried into the hall and up the stairs to Dustin's room.

Trenton answered her knock. "Stoddard." There was a definite gentling to his tone.

Had Dustin told him?

No, Nicole decided, studying the duke's face. There was no indication that he knew.

"Trent, let me speak with Stoddard alone." Dustin's voice was tired but definite.

His brother's jaw tightened. "If this is about Aldridge ..."

"Later, Trent," Dustin interrupted. "Give me a few minutes. You'll have your answers."

With a curt nod, Trenton left, closing the door in his wake.

Nicole crossed the room in a heartbeat, kneeling beside the bed. "Are you all right?" She reached out, touched the bandage that traversed Dustin's ribs, her lashes damp with the tears she could no longer suppress.

His hand lifted, fingertips catching the moisture on her cheeks. "You're beautiful. And, yes, I'm fine."

She kissed the hollow at the base of his throat, one of the few exposed spots that wasn't reddened, swollen, or bandaged. "At the moment, I'm anything but beautiful. I'm murderous. I want to kill those animals myself."

She felt his chuckle ripple against her mouth. "Had I known how fiercely protective you are-and how adept at transporting me around-I wouldn't have hired Saxon." He framed her face, lifting it so their gazes locked. "Do you think you got to Saxon in time?"

Nicole nodded. "Yes, I do. Your attackers were badly hurt, creeping away rather than fleeing. The one named Archer was groaning that his ribs were shattered, and the other one-Parrish-apparently had a bleeding head. You were most effective in maiming them, my lord." She attempted a smile. "I, too, was most effective. As you requested, I raced to the manor in record time. I only hope I manage to be as swift on Derby Day. The same applies to Saxon, who wasted not an instant, mounting Blanket and dashing off mere seconds after hearing my story. Further, it stands to reason that he found Archer and Parrish. If he hadn't, he'd have returned to Tyreham by now, which he hasn't. So I'm sure he's following them, just as you wished."

"Nicole." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I needed this moment alone for two reasons. First, to convince you I was fine, to see you, to touch you, to have you beside me. And second, to make certain, before I reveal everything to Trent, that this is still truly what you want."

"It is," Nicole answered softly. "For all our sakes, I want them to hear the truth." Her palm gently caressed Dustin's jaw. "Incidentally, your brother is a wonderful man. A bit severe, but wonderful. He loves you very much."

"The severity is a facade. You'll soon see that for yourself." Dustin kissed her fingers. "Thank you, Derby, not only for sharing your secret but for coming to my rescue."

"I knew," she whispered. "Somehow I knew you needed me."

"Does that surprise you?" he asked, his voice husky. "That's fate, my darling. Fate and love. Just as your mother described."

Trembling with emotion, Nicole touched her lips-ever so lightly-to his swollen mouth. "Heal quickly. We have much to discuss."

An intense expression crossed Dustin's face, awareness penetrating the effects of the brandy, alerting him to the fact that something had changed. "Today, Nicole. We'll talk today. I don't care what time or how, but I can't go through another night without resolving things between us."

"Nor can I."

He caught her hand. "Stay at Tyreham today. I don't want you at Epsom without me."

"What will you tell your staff?"

"The truth-or part of it. My bruises will be visible for some time, so we can't avoid revealing the fact that I was beaten. We'll say it was an attempted robbery and that you and Blanket made enough of a commotion to frighten my a.s.sailants off. I'll tell Brackley you're too shaken up to ride. How's that?"

"I shouldn't miss a day of practice."

"You won't be. You rode Blanket like a demon from h.e.l.l. It's enough for one day. Nicole, if I can't be there to shield you, you can't go."

She saw beyond his command to the love that inspired it. "All right."

"No argument?"

"No argument. I'll simply conserve my energy for tomorrow, when I defeat you at Epsom."

"I have a better use for that energy, Derby, one I intend to explore soon. Very soon," Dustin repeated huskily, his eyes darkening as he took in her revealing flush. "You'd best go get Trent now, because in exactly one minute I'm going to forget my injuries and our whereabouts and drag you into this bed."

Nicole scrambled to her feet, propelled not by embarra.s.sment but by the realization that, should Dustin do precisely what he'd just professed, she wouldn't have the strength, nor the inclination, to stop him.

Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room and opened the door.

It was no surprise to see the duke pacing back and forth in the hallway.

"Your Grace?" she said quietly. "Your brother would like to speak with you. You-and your wife and son." She glanced up and down the hall, ensuring they were alone. "To address your unanswered questions."

"I'll get Ariana." With that, Trenton strode off.

"The Kingsley men are unnervingly single-minded," Nicole muttered as she returned to Dustin's chambers.

A grin. "When we want something badly enough, yes, we are."

"Your brother's gone to fetch his family. Would you like me to leave?"

"No." Dustin's answer was instantaneous. "I want you beside me. We'll explain the situation to them together."

Together. The very word warmed her heart. "All right."

Footsteps sounded, grew closer.

"Don't look so frightened, Derby," Dustin murmured, studying Nicole's face. "You're in for a surprise."

"Thankfully, Ariana is not as intimidating as your brother, or I'd be quaking under the bed," she returned, perching in a nearby armchair.

"Now that Dr. Welish has proclaimed me well, you'll see another Trenton," he vowed. "Watch."

On cue, the door swung open and Ariana broke out of Trenton's embrace to dash in, Alexander in her arms. "Dustin." She reached the bed, her turquoise eyes clouded with worry. "Trenton just told me what happened. Are you all right?"

"I'm a lot better than I look," he teased.

"That's not much consolation," Trenton declared cheerfully. "You look like h.e.l.l." He grinned, amazing Nicole with his lighthearted banter. "Then again, knowing you, this is a ploy to entice women to your bed, allegedly to minister to your wounds."

That Nicole didn't find at all amusing.

Ariana appeared equally unamused-but for different reasons. "Why did you go out alone?" she grilled Dustin. "You knew those horrible men would be coming to Tyreham."

"I had to take that chance," he replied frankly. "For many reasons." With that, he gestured toward Nicole. "I had to visit my soon-to-be Derby winner."

Following Dustin's motion, Ariana spotted Nicole and broke into a brilliant smile. "Forgive my rudeness-" A pause. "Mr. Stoddard. I didn't see you. Thank you for coming to Dustin's rescue. We're very grateful."

"No grat.i.tude is necessary," Nicole murmured, rising as Ariana approached her.

Five steps later, Alexander, realizing he was near enough, reached out, s.n.a.t.c.hing the rim of Nicole's cap and tugging.

The cap didn't budge.

"Mama," he exclaimed.

"No, Alexander," Ariana scolded gently, prying his fingers loose. "You cannot do that."

"I was wondering what took him so long," Dustin commented from the bed. "Appendages of any kind offend him, be it mustaches or hats."

"Mama," Alexander repeated. Ignoring the adult conversation, he yanked his hand free of his mother's, leaning forward to pull, once again, on the unyielding brim. He gave a frustrated squeal when it refused to give.

"I'll relieve you for a while, misty angel," Trenton said with a hearty chuckle that made Nicole wonder why she'd ever found him intimidating. "Sorry, Stoddard," he added, lifting his son into his arms. "My son is as stubborn as a mule."

"I wonder who he could take after," Ariana mused wryly.

"Mama." Alexander continued to stare at Nicole's cap.

"Mama is exhausted," Trenton informed him. "She'll hold you again later."

Vehemently, the child shook his head. "Mama," he insisted, pointing at Nicole.

"He's not referring to me, Trenton," Ariana noted, her lips curving. "He's referring to Mr. Stoddard."

"Wonderful." Trenton rolled his eyes. "Not only does he call every female on earth *Mama,' he's now extended the t.i.tle to men as well."

"I don't think so." Ariana gazed calmly at Nicole, and, with a start, Nicole realized Dustin's sister-in-law knew the truth. She knew, and she was asking permission to share that knowledge.

With an admiring nod, Nicole granted it.

Eyes sparkling, Ariana crossed over to shut the door and lean back against it. "Dustin." She folded her arms across her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, inclining her head in Nicole's direction. "You have quite a bit to share with us ... wouldn't you say?"

Dustin blinked, easing up on his elbows and glancing from Ariana to Nicole. "You know."

"I know. From the onset, in fact. But evidently no one else does. Except, of course, my brilliant son."

"What is it you all know that I don't?" Trenton demanded, looking from one of them to the other.

Ariana arched an amused brow at her brother-in-law. "You summoned us here to fill in the missing pieces. Perhaps you should begin by introducing us to this lovely woman you've been protecting-whatever her name might be."

"It would be my greatest pleasure." A proud, relieved smile curved Dustin's swollen lips. "Trent, Ariana." He held out his hand, waiting until Nicole had crossed over to clasp it. "I'd like you to meet Nicole Aldridge." His voice was a whisper of a caress. "My very own miracle."

Fifteen.