Wishes In The Wind Part 33

Perception ignited Dustin's eyes, eased the rigidness from his shoulders. "Would you reconsider the part about sleeping naked in my arms each night?"

She gave him a watery smile. "Well, perhaps that."

"Nicole." He kissed her fingertips. "Say yes. Say it and by month's end you'll be Mrs. Dustin Kingsley."

"By month's end?" That made her start. "Dustin, that's five days after the Derby."

"All right," he conceded reluctantly. "I'm not unreasonable. I'll give you a fortnight to recover from the Derby or from the day we resolve the crimes plaguing the turf-whichever is sooner."

Joyous laughter bubbled up inside her, spilled out. "That's not unreasonable?"

"Very well, it is." A corner of his mouth lifted. "But as you noted earlier today, the Kingsley men are unnervingly single-minded when we want something badly enough, and I want you more than life itself. I intend to make you my wife-before you change your mind, before you conjure up new and equally nonexistent differences between us that would preclude our happiness."

"I have no other differences to name," she rea.s.sured him, wondering if it were possible to explode from exhilaration. "You've obliterated them all, just as you promised."

"I have, haven't I?" A self-satisfied grin. "To continue. I'll go to your father at dawn, secure his permission and his blessing. Then, I'll arrange for a special license to be delivered posthaste so it's ready and waiting. In the meantime, you make whatever wedding plans you choose. Large, small, formal, informal-I'm amenable to whatever sort of ceremony and reception you want. So long as when it's over, you're mine."

"I'd like a church wedding," Nicole answered softly, laying her cheek against his robe. "And a reception right here at Tyreham, but not in the manor."

"In the stables?" he queried huskily.

"Close. On the grounds. Where you and I walked, and rode, and created our first memories. At twilight. With all those we love present-our families, our friends, and the stars that brought us together."

"And your wishing locket?"

"And my wishing locket."

Smiling, Dustin wrapped his arms about her in a way that clearly stated he meant never to let go. "Am I going to have to prove myself to dozens of indignant jockeys and other a.s.sorted hors.e.m.e.n who love you as Sullivan does?"

"No. All they'll have to do is look at me to see how happy you've made me, and they'll welcome you with open arms."

"That's a relief." He rested his chin atop her cap. "Anyone else you'd like to invite?"

"Mama," Nicole managed in a choked voice. "But she'll already be there. As will your parents," she added, tilting her head back to gaze up at him.

"I love you." Dustin's breath grazed her lips. "I'll spend forever fulfilling your wishes."

"I love you, too." Nicole twined her arms about his neck. "And speaking of forever, my answer is yes." She smiled against his mouth. "After the Derby, Stoddard plans to retire, which is just as well. Because, all of a sudden, I find myself surprisingly eager to become the marchioness of Tyreham."

Sixteen.

THE EARL OF LANSTON stepped gingerly into the stable, frowning at the muck that settled around his shoes, the stench that greeted his nostrils. It was a d.a.m.ned good thing he only had to come here once in a long while. More than that, he couldn't abide.

"Where are you, Cooper?" he called.

"I'm here. Hold on a minute." Coop stepped out of a stall, wiping his hands on the sides of his breeches, and leveling an ice blue stare at his visitor. "Well, I was wondering when you'd finally get here. The Derby's in three days. I haven't seen a sign of Raggert since he showed up on my doorstep over a week ago. What the h.e.l.l's going on? How do you want this handled?"

"Raggert was a bit put out by the reception you gave him. He came directly to me with his report."

"The reception I gave him? h.e.l.l, Lanston, it was the middle of the night. What did he expect?"

"He was just doing his job, Cooper. In case you've forgotten, he works for me. As you do."

Coop wiped sweat from his face, a lethal glint flashing in his eyes. "Whatever you say. So what did Raggert tell you?"

"First of all, it appears Archer and Parrish were successful. Tyreham has restricted himself to licking his wounds and preparing his contender for the Derby. He's made no further inquiries into the situation on the turf. So, for the time being, that's one less noose around our necks." The earl shifted his weight, scowling as he sank deeper into the ground. "Don't you ever clean this place?"

"It's a stable, Lanston, not a ballroom." Coop ma.s.saged his forearm. "So we're rid of Tyreham-for now. What about his jockey?"

A scowl. "Unfortunately, it appears Stoddard is every bit as good as Tyreham boasts. Arrogant, but good. Raggert detests him."

"Raggert hates anyone who's got a better way with horses than he does."

Lanston shrugged. "In any case, Raggert's been studying Stoddard for weeks, hoping to detect a weakness in his technique-something we might use to our advantage-but the blasted boy seems to be a model horseman."

"So we need him in our corner is what you're saying."

"Exactly. You and I both know my horse must win that Derby. Our pockets are counting on it."

"Are you sure your mount's good enough?"

"Oh, he's good enough, all right. Demon is as fast as they come. As is Baker, who's riding for me. Without Stoddard for compet.i.tion, we'll win by a dozen lengths."

"Then we've got to bring Stoddard around."

"Indeed. I don't think it will be a difficult task. To begin with, Archer and Parrish will have no trouble finding him for their little talk. Stoddard practices at Epsom daily, accompanied by Tyreham and Brackley. Tomorrow Raggert will be joining them as well, supposedly to provide last-minute suggestions."

"Supposedly," Coop repeated. "I take it you want him there for another reason."

"I certainly do. Tomorrow is the final day of Stoddard's test trials. The Epsom meeting begins on the twenty-fifth, which will preclude further practices. Thus, tomorrow is also the day for Archer and Parrish to pose their business arrangement to Stoddard. And I want Raggert to overhear the outcome of that chat."

"What if the outcome isn't to our liking?"

"Should that happen-and I don't believe it will-I've made provisions to ensure the race anyway."

"Yeah? How?"

"That's my concern, not yours."

Coop's mouth thinned into a menacing line. "Getting paid is my concern."

"You'll get paid, Cooper," Lanston a.s.sured him. "We'll all get our long-awaited money." Pensively, he smoothed his neck cloth. "Now, to continue: I intend to be in the stands at Epsom tomorrow morning to keep Tyreham occupied. Instruct Archer and Parrish that they're to waylay Stoddard during that time. Tell them to make the offer attractive and the alternative terrifying. My guess is, the lad will be an easy target. He might love his work, but he's poor, he's naive, and he's alone. With the right incentive and the appropriate threat, he should give us no trouble."

"That's what you said about Aldridge."

Lanston bristled. "Aldridge was an entirely different matter. He's an established jockey, perhaps the finest one on the turf. He was seasoned, financially secure, and disgustingly ethical. Tact was what was needed to sway him, something you and your lowlifes lack. I should have handled that one myself."

"Really?" Coop bit out. "How? By marching into the paddock and announcing you're running this whole scheme? By telling everyone you'd have been bankrupt if you hadn't recouped your losses from this illegal operation? Now that would have given you high marks at the Jockey Club."

"Shut up, Cooper." Beads of perspiration dotted Lanston's brow. "I may be a thief, but at least I'm not a killer."

"No?" Coop inquired in a low, taunting voice. "Funny, I thought that was what you meant to do to Aldridge when you got your hands on him."

"d.a.m.n you." The earl took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead. "If you hadn't murdered Redley, I'd never have to-"

"If I hadn't murdered Redley, he'd have blackmailed us out of every pound we earned or turned us over to the magistrate," Coop snarled. "So shut your b.l.o.o.d.y aristocratic mouth. I did what had to be done and took care of the whole thing without dirtying your n.o.ble hands. The entire procedure will repeat itself when we find Aldridge-this time with your blessing. So let's stop playing games, Lanston. Just do what you do best-issue the orders, let me carry them out, then pay me."

"If the process is that simple, why haven't your men found even a clue as to Aldridge's whereabouts?"

"Because you wanted the cheap way out. Because, as you well know, Archer and Parrish are brainless fools, useful only for browbeating terrified jockeys. Let me handle the job alone. I cost a lot more, but I'll get it done-fast."

Lanston wet his lips. "How much and how long?"

"Twice what you're paying them, plus the cut I usually get for being the middleman. Give me a week once we're done at Epsom. Not only will I find Aldridge, I'll eliminate him." A scathing laugh. "And you'll never have to hear the details or feel guilty when you go to church."

"All right. Do it." Lanston dragged a shaking arm across his brow. "But I can't stop wondering-what if Aldridge didn't hear us talking at Newmarket? What if he has no idea you killed Redley? What if we're murdering the man for nothing?"

Coop spat at the ground. "We've been over this a dozen times, Lanston. I don't know if Aldridge heard us or not, but he sure as h.e.l.l saw us. And that's enough to make him one big walking risk."

"If he knew something, wouldn't he have gone to the authorities by now?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on how scared he is. It's a h.e.l.l of a lot easier to disappear than to die."

"But he didn't disappear, at least not immediately."

"He was probably hoping we hadn't noticed him that day at Newmarket. Even when Archer and Parrish started pressuring him into throwing races, he most likely prayed he was only another jockey on our list, instead of a potential obstacle whose loyalties we were testing. But once Parrish painted that death threat on the stall, he knew we were after him. He panicked and bolted."

"If only he'd agreed to throw those d.a.m.ned races, then we'd be certain he wasn't a threat to our discovery."

"But that didn't happen. Aldridge refused to cooperate. And we don't know if it was just his d.a.m.ned ethics standing in the way, or something more, something he meant to hold over our heads-like murder." Coop spat again. "Take my advice, Lanston. Shed your conscience. Newgate's an ugly place. I've been there. I know."

"h.e.l.l," Lanston muttered, rubbing his throbbing temples. "One d.a.m.ned meeting. One. In all these months. I was so careful about where and when. Ten full days before the onset of the first spring meeting. At b.l.o.o.d.y dawn. No one was about. We were at the far end of the stables in a deserted stall. Why the h.e.l.l did Aldridge have to pick that time to check out his mount?"

"He's the finest jockey on the turf, remember?" Coop mocked. "And soon he'll be the deadest."

"Enough!" Lanston exploded. "I've agreed to let you take care of him. I've offered you an exorbitant sum to do it quickly. But that doesn't mean I have to listen to the details."

An evil sneer. "Suit yourself."

"I intend to. In the interim, we've got the Derby to focus on and to win. Contact Archer and Parrish. Get them to Epsom tomorrow by seven A.M."

"They'll be there."

"Good. I'll be in touch." Lanston turned on his heel and strode away.

Blaker flattened himself against the stable wall, waiting only until the earl had climbed into his phaeton and urged his horses off, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

Then he slipped off to report to Saxon.

"Do you know, my lord, you're surprisingly good for an amateur-an amateur horseman, that is." Nicole's eyes danced as she handed Dustin a cup of tea, then lowered herself to the settee beside him. "This morning, I only beat you by five lengths, and that included the two times you managed to edge me away from the railing and the three times you cut me off. That was a fine improvement from yesterday, when I beat you by seven lengths, and you had to work considerably harder to impede my concentration and my speed. Of course, I'm sure you would have progressed far beyond that point had your wounds not precluded your beginning our challenging sessions until five days ago, rather than the originally scheduled eight."

A corner of Dustin's mouth lifted, and he set down his cup, tugging Nicole into the circle of his arms, her back curved into his side. "Your father's right. You're an arrogant chit. Beautiful, and one h.e.l.l of a rider, but arrogant." He nuzzled her hair.

"Thank you, sir." She snuggled closer, cherishing these few isolated moments alone as much as he did. "Coming from a man whose very smile causes women to swoon, I consider your praise of my physical attributes to be the highest of compliments."

Laughter rumbled from Dustin's chest. "*Whose very smile causes women to swoon?' You've been talking to Ariana."

"Ariana has been pointing out the changes she sees in you. In the process, she filled me in on your varied and colorful past, yes."

"That's my past," Dustin emphasized softly. "You, Derby, are my present and my future. I have changed-permanently. Wait and see. I'm going to be the most devoted, faithful husband in all of England-possibly in all the world. In fact," he murmured, brushing aside her hair to kiss her nape, "based upon my sordid past, I feel it's only fair that, once wed, I demonstrate my devotion to you- repeatedly-until you're fully convinced." His lips sought the pulse point at her neck, punctuating each word with a breath of a kiss. "I'll use all the countless and diverse techniques I know to win you over." A heated pause. "Every last one."

A shiver rippled through her. "A most prudent idea, my lord. I look forward to this thorough and prolonged demonstration of your devotion."

Dustin made a harsh sound, and his embrace tightened, all humor having vanished. "G.o.d, Nicole, have you any idea how long it's been since we've been alone?"

His hoa.r.s.e question found its mark, Nicole's clamoring body screaming that it had been a lifetime since he'd held her, filled her. "Not counting these precious minutes Papa allows us? Eleven days."

"An eternity," he confirmed, nibbling at her ear. "Derby, if I'm not inside you soon, I'm going to explode."

She moaned softly. "Dustin, please. Papa and Sully are right in the kitchen. If they hear you, they'll shred the marriage license you so painstakingly acquired and call you out."

"They won't hear me," Dustin murmured, unperturbed. "Sullivan arrived a mere two hours ago. He and your father haven't seen each other in a fortnight. They're catching up on news, paying not a whit of attention to us." His hand slid up to cup her breast through the barrier of her shirt. "Just let me touch you."

With a whimper of pleasure, Nicole shifted closer, biting her lip as Dustin's thumb teased her hardening nipple.

"I love how you respond to me," he muttered, continuing his exquisite torture until tiny bursts of pleasure began to tug at Nicole's loins, converging in a damp pool between her thighs. Dustin groaned, somehow sensing-and sharing-every inner ripple as her body prepared to receive him. "I can almost feel you wrapped around me."

"Dustin." Nicole's head fell back against his shoulder. "Don't."

"Don't what? Touch you until you melt? Or tell you how perfect it feels when I'm inside you, buried in your softness? So hot. So tight. So wet."

Nicole's breath exhaled in a rush. "Don't say things like that. I can't bear it."

"Wait until our wedding night, my love. I'll say things that will make you blush-everywhere." Turning her into his arms, Dustin raised her chin to meet his burning midnight gaze. "Don't make plans to see a soul for the first month of our marriage," he commanded fiercely, "because I intend to make love to you for at least that long, and that will only appease our initial urgency. After that, we'll begin exploring every exquisite nuance in existence and invent a few of our own."

"I think I'll die waiting," Nicole confessed heatedly, twining her arms about his neck.

"So will I." Dustin's mouth seized hers in a poignant, hungry caress.

Their kiss was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door.