Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (29 page)

Chalifour's hand lashed across the distance
and Lucy cringed. Lucy wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't
Chalifour pulling her to him. Chalifour crushed her to his chest
and held her tightly. His strong arms soothed her. Lucy was
suddenly so weary.

"I know about it already," Chalifour
said.

"You do?" Lucy didn't even recognize her own
voice, muffled against Chalifour's chest.

"Your brother told me." Chalifour pressed his
lips to Lucy's forehead. "I didn't know everything, though I had
guessed most of it. What I needed, was for you to trust me enough
to tell me the truth yourself."

"I am so ashamed. I thought you would hate
me."

"I know admitting this has been difficult for
you, but it's a step in the right direction. You're in trouble and
you need help. Lucien knows about the contract now. I don't know
your brother well enough to discern how he will feel about the
cheque, but I presume he will forgive you that."

"I can only hope."

"Where did that cheque leave Lucien
financially?"

"It didn't leave much money in his
account."

"Your brother must have known Perdan would be
insisting on additional payments. That's probably why he wanted a
concession with some of the foals this year."

"Yes. Now Lord Perdan is demanding Lucien pay
him more money or race in the Derby. Lucien doesn't have the money,
thanks to me. Now he has to enter the race even though he's not
physically up to it."

"How exactly did you plan to stop it?"

"I was going to do whatever I needed to
protect Lucien."

"Which is?"

Lucy didn't answer. She couldn't bear to say
it aloud.

The coach stopped in front of Perdan's
townhouse. Chalifour looked at her. "Do you still want to see
Perdan?"

"I can't see Lord Perdan now," Lucy
whispered.

"Good. I was hoping you would say that. Now
we need to find a way to extricate you and your brother from
Perdan's intrigue."

Chalifour gazed into Lucy's tear streaked
face. She sniffled and rubbed at her magnificent green eyes.
Chalifour pulled a pocket square from his coat and gently dried
Lucy’s tears. Chalifour handed her the cloth and Lucy blew her nose
in a most unladylike manner. Chalifour hid his smile. He had to
determine a way to free her and Lucien from Perdan’s blackmail.
"Are you ready to return to Glenhurst Hall?"

"Yes," Lucy said in a nasal voice. She blew
her nose again.

The door of the coach opened. Henry peered
in, ready to assist them from the coach. Henry tacitly tried to
ignore the fact Lucy was in Chalifour’s arms in a most improper
fashion. Chalifour instructed Henry they had changed their minds
and wanted to return to the mansion.

The coach got under way again and Chalifour
returned his attention to Lucy. He couldn't help but admire the
courage she had shown. Her actions had been misguided for sure, but
her motives had been true. Lucy had been ready to sacrifice herself
for her brother. Chalifour now had to decide how best to foil
Perdan.

"Did you mean it when you called me love?"
Lucy’s voice had a vulnerable quality to it.

Chalifour smiled at her. "I did." He looked
at her incredible mouth and found himself shifting in his seat.
Chalifour leaned down again to capture her lips and take his
pleasure, pulling her more snugly against him.

Lucy sighed and her body relaxed against him.
Chalifour’s breathing grew ragged and he became aroused. It would
not do for Henry to find him making love to Lucy in the coach so he
forced himself to push her away. Chalifour allowed his breathing to
return to normal before asking Lucy, "Do you doubt my
intentions?"

"I'm beyond worrying about your intentions,
Chali."

The tentative sound of his familiar name on
Lucy’s lips for the first time was music. Her mouth was swollen and
her voice husky.
God help him
. It was Chalifour could do not
to take Lucy right then and there. "I've paid your debt to
Henry."

"I'll have to repay you."

"Oh, have no fear, Miss Goodwin. I'm sure
I'll find ways to extract payment from you."

A lovely blush bloomed on Lucy's cheeks.

"Lucy, have you thought about why Perdan
would want Lucien to race in his condition?"

Lucy looked at Chalifour blankly.

"It can't be because Perdan thinks Lucien can
win in his current state." Chalifour mused. "Perdan wants money,
but he can't expect to receive it from Lucien’s taking the purse.
So what could his motivation be?"

"I have no idea. I never thought it
through."

"The only way this could work would be if he
were betting against Lucien."

"Why would he do that?"

"The fact Lucien was recently injured is not
well known, thanks to your efforts, correct?"

"I would say that's probably true."

"So a lot of people are apt to bet on Lucien,
right?"

"Yes."

"Perdan likely knows that as well. So if he
bets against Lucien, when everyone else is betting for him ... "
Chalifour allowed his voice to trail off to see if Lucy followed
his line of reasoning. He could see her working though his
suppositions. Lucy looked at him questioningly. "If he's desperate
for money, what do you think he might do to ensure Lucien lost,
especially after everyone else has bet in his favor?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you're
saying," Lucy said.

"I think he might harm the horse Lucien will
ride."

Lucy’s eyes widened and her lovely mouth
dropped open to form a perfect "O."

"You’re well-aware Perdan has accused Lucien
of cheating in manner which is similar to the scandal the Prince of
Wales got caught up in with his horse, Escape, and Sam Chifney some
years back. I have a feeling Perdan might have sabotaged the very
Newmarket races he's accusing Lucien of losing last year. I think
Perdan created the illusion of a similar pattern. It wouldn't
surprise me to discover Perdan had bet against Lucien in the first
race at Newmarket last year and then bet with him in the next."

"Could you find out?"

"I don't know. Maybe. But I have a better
chance of finding out how he's betting in the upcoming race."

"And then what?"

"If Perdan's betting the way I think he is,
then I suspect we'll catch him or his subordinates in the stables
doing something they shouldn't." The scenario made perfect sense to
Chalifour now. He could almost guarantee Lucien would tell him his
horse had been taken ill during the first race. Chalifour looked at
Lucy. "I'd like to know if Lucien’s horse became ill during or
before that first race last year. Do you know the answer to
that?"

Lucy shook her head in the affirmative. "Yes,
our horse became sick without any warning."

"Do you remember which horse Lucien rode
during those races?"

"It was Zeus."

"The Derby is the day after tomorrow so
Lucien will likely arrive in Epsom today, though maybe not until
tomorrow. Any idea which horse he'll be riding this time?"

"It would have to be Thor. The only eligible
three year olds we have right now are Heather Mist, the filly I
planned to race in the Oaks," Lucy looked at him wryly, "or Thor.
So it would have to be Thor."

"Do you know where Lucien would likely
stay?"

"The Fox and Hound is his favorite inn
because the stables are quite good there."

"Does anyone stay awake to care for late
travelers and watch over the horses at that inn?"

"I'm not sure," Lucy said. The coach slowed,
apparently approaching Glenhurst Hall.

"That's what I figured. Pack your things.
We'll be leaving for Epsom first thing in the morning. For now,
I’ve got to see my lawyer and the bow street runners this
afternoon."

Lucy’s eyes widened. "My reputation is
already slightly tattered at the moment, if I leave unescorted with
you, there may be no salvaging it."

"Ah yes. We'll take my sister. Besides,
Elizabeth loves the races. She'll enjoy the outing"

Lucy’s eyes sought his. Chalifour breathed
easily. He was now confident Lucy’s longing was equal to his.
"Lucy, we have many things to discuss, but now is not the time.
Right now, we need to focus on keeping your brother from being
injured and thwarting Perdan. No, we need to focus on exposing
Perdan. Your brother will not be safe until we do."

Lucy nodded slowly. Chalifour couldn't help
himself. He gathered her in his arms and lowered his mouth to her
succulent lips and feasted. Chalifour dimly heard the coaches’ door
open and quickly close.

Henry had no doubt been embarrassed with an
eye full. No matter. Chalifour had his own plans for Lucy. First,
he had to free Lucien from Perdan’s machinations. Chalifour
released Lucy reluctantly and opened the coach door himself. Bless
Monique for having seen through both of them.

Chalifour, Lucy, and Elizabeth arrived in
Epsom early in the following day. Chalifour registered them at the
Lion's Gate Inn.

The innkeeper wrung his hands nervously. "I'm
sorry, Lord Chalifour, I didn't know you would be here. The private
rooms for dining are all full at the moment." He eyed them with
trepidation. "If you want to take a meal, it will have to be in the
tavern. I am lucky to have rooms available for you to sleep
in."

"It's quite all right. You did not know we
would be here."

The innkeeper's thinly veiled curiosity was
revealed in the sly glances he shot in Lucy’s direction. His
curiosity evaporated when Chalifour referred to her as his sister's
friend. Lucy suppressed a smile. "Ah, I see. Your sister and Miss
Goodwin are friends!" the innkeeper said.

Surprised the innkeeper knew her name, Lucy
said, "I wasn't aware that we were acquainted, sir."

"We aren't, ma'am. However, I know your
brother, and there's no denying your identity. I was just wondering
if which one of you were planning to race in the Derby Stakes."

Lucy seethed.
Honestly. Wasn't there
anyone who was unaware of her misadventure at Epsom Downs?

The innkeeper chuckled at Lucy's discomfort.
"Well, I'll say one thing, Miss Goodwin. You've got spunk."

After making arrangements for the horses,
coach and luggage, Chalifour wrapped an arm protectively around
Lucy and Elizabeth's waists and shepherded them into the inn's
crowded tavern. The excitement in the tavern was palpable. Raucous
laughter was punctuated by wild gesticulations. Heated arguments
erupted over the perceived merits of one horse as opposed to
another. Chalifour navigated them through a sea of elbows and arms
until they reached an open table.

"Oh, how exciting," Lady Elizabeth said.
"Chali never takes me to places like this!"

Chalifour scowled at his sister.

"Why didn't we go to the Fox and Hound?" Lucy
asked.

Lady Elizabeth and Chalifour looked at her
blankly. Lucy leaned closer so they could hear her above the din
and raised her voice. "Why didn't we go to the Fox and Hound?"

"I don't want us to be seen, by Lucien or
Perdan."

"Why not?"

"I don't want Lucien to know about our plan
just yet, and since you have a lot you need to discuss with him, I
don't want you speaking with him. As for Perdan, he would likely
wonder why we're here together. I want him to be unaware of our
presence here too. Let him think Lucien is here all alone and
vulnerable."

"If your theory is correct, do you think
Perdan will come to the stables himself, or send someone else?"

"I'm not sure. It would be better if he
appeared himself, but unfortunately, it's very possible he might
send one of his servants instead."

"So we essentially have to hope he shows in
person instead of sending someone else to do his bidding?"

"Yes. Think about it. Perdan can deny
everything if a servant is discovered in the stable doing something
unsavory. He can't be directly accused. If he comes himself, being
a peer, he's less likely to be questioned or watched. He'll have
more access. However, he's also directly culpable if he's caught.
So it's impossible at this juncture to know which course of action
he'll choose."

It was maddening. Chalifour must be correct
in his assumptions. It all made sense. But who would appear at the
stables tonight? Their plan could collapse if Perdan didn't come in
person. Butterflies vied for space in Lucy’s stomach. She was
desperate for this to be over.

"So what do we need to do?" Lady Elizabeth
broke in. Chalifour and Lucy had explained the situation to Lady
Elizabeth en route to Epsom.

"I need you and Lucy to retire to your rooms
and stay out of sight. I'm going to confirm Lucien has arrived at
the Fox and Hound. It wouldn't do to appear at the wrong stables
this evening."

"I want to go with you," Lucy said.

Chalifour looked at Lucy with a stern
expression on his face. "Both you and Lady Elizabeth will attract
unwanted attention if you accompany me. You're both beautiful,
known women. Lady Elizabeth is a member of the ton and your brother
is a celebrated jockey and breeder. You really don't think anyone
will note your presence?" He raised his eyebrows and shot her a
dubious look.

Reluctantly, Lucy agreed, "You're right. I'll
stay here." She didn’t like it, but Chalifour made a good
point.

Chalifour, Monique and Lucy shared a meal of
cold chicken, a loaf bread and cheese. The food was tasteless in
Lucy's mouth. Chalifour looked at her and smiled encouragingly.
Chalifour knew she was worried.

"Exactly what do you plan to do?" Lady
Elizabeth asked her brother.

"After I confirm Lucien is staying at the Fox
and Hound, I'll take a look at the stables on the pretense I plan
to bring my horses to the inn and wanted to see the facilities. I
want to get an idea of the general layout of the stables, the
number of ways you can enter and leave. I also want to get a look
at any areas where someone could hide. With any luck, I'll be able
to see what stall Thor is actually in."