Wishes in the Wind (33 page)

“For the last time I’m asking, what are you involved in that’s endangering my son?” Trenton slammed his fist on the edge of Dustin’s desk. “Last time we spoke you told me two men had invaded Tyreham, assaulted you
and
threatened Alexander’s well-being if you were to hire Nick Aldridge—who, the newspapers claim, is injured and recuperating in Scotland. When I pressed you for details, you said only that you were in the process of resolving the whole sordid matter. You refused to say more. You also assured me that Alexander would remain unharmed. Well, that no longer appears to be the case. Therefore, your silence is no longer acceptable.”

“No, it’s not.” Dustin stared at the note, weighing his words
and
his loyalties.

“Dustin,” Ariana said softly. “I realize we’re putting you in a difficult position. But we have no choice. Alexander is our son. He means the world to us. If anything were to happen to him—” Her voice broke.

“Don’t, misty angel,” Trenton murmured, enfolding her against him. “No one’s going to harm Alexander. I won’t allow it.”

“Nor will I.” Dustin’s heart lurched at their pain. “I’m going to be as honest with you as I can—tonight. I hope whatever particulars I omit now can be filled in tomorrow.”
After I’ve gotten permission from Nicole and her father,
he added silently. “But that’s neither here nor there, because what I’m about to relay will cover everything pertaining to Alexander.” He glanced at Trenton. “I assume you’ve filled Ariana in?”

“On what? I’ve just specified every bloody detail I’m privy to. But if you mean, did I describe your original telegram and our first conversation, the answer is yes. This situation has far surpassed the point where I can protect Ariana from the truth.”

“I agree.” Dustin looked from Ariana to Trenton. “You can’t repeat a word of what I’m about to reveal. People’s lives depend on it.” He waited for their nods. “Trent, when you came to Tyreham last week, you asked if I knew more about Nick Aldridge’s disappearance than I was willing to say. The answer is, yes. Stoddard, my new jockey, is Aldridge’s protégé. He saw my ad in the personals and responded to it. When I hired him, he told me the real reason behind Aldridge’s disappearance.”

“So I was right, Aldridge wasn’t injured.”

“No, he
wasn’t
—yet, but he was about to be.” Without pause, Dustin relayed the specifics behind Nick’s disappearance, elaborating on Sullivan’s beating, the list of dishonest jockeys Stoddard had provided, and Dustin’s own decision to hire Saxon and travel to Newmarket to grill the disreputable jockeys—everything but his direct contact with Nick and Stoddard’s true identity.

“Has Stoddard heard from Aldridge?” Trenton cut in. “Does he know his whereabouts?”

Dustin’s jaw set. “That’s one of the questions I can’t answer until tomorrow.”

“Hell, you know where Aldridge is.” Trenton dragged a hand through his hair. “Dustin, these men aren’t playing. You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“No, Trent, I’m not. Nor will those bastards harm one hair on my nephew’s head. I might not have anticipated this note you received, but I am prepared to deal with it. Now, calm down and hear me out.”

“Go ahead.”

Dustin pointed at the note. “This tells me that whoever is overseeing this contemptible scheme obviously learned of my Newmarket inquiries and panicked. I expected just such a reaction. In fact, I counted on it. My only miscalculation was in assuming their retaliation would be aimed solely at me.” A scowl. “I should have guessed they’d involve Alexander. Whoever is running this operation evidently knows enough about me to recognize that my family is my Achilles’ heel.” Dustin raised his head, an unwavering look in his eyes. “However, I still believe, as I originally did, that they’ll strike directly. Mark my words, those two hoodlums will be back at Tyreham any day now to beat me into silence. After which, Saxon will follow them to whoever it is they report to and expose him.”

“What do you mean ‘after which’?” Ariana interrupted. “Are you saving you intend to
let
those men beat you?”

Dustin smiled faintly, touched by Ariana’s unwavering softheartedness, despite her alarm over Alexander’s safety. “Don’t worry about me,” he assured her. “I’m very resilient. I doubt they’ll inflict too much damage. If things get out of hand, I’ll yell for help. As for protecting Alexander …”

“Dustin, why are you doing this?” Trenton’s cobalt gaze delved into his brother. “And don’t tell me it’s to protect the turf. I know you better than that. You’re principled as hell, but you wouldn’t jeopardize your family for anything on earth. As I suggested last time, you’re shielding someone. Who?”

Silence.

“It’s Stoddard, isn’t it?” Ariana murmured, watching Dustin’s face. “You’re safeguarding your new jockey.”

A cautious nod. “Stoddard is twenty years old, Ariana, the same age as you. Nick Aldridge is all he has in the world. I feel …” Dustin searched for the right words, words that would be accurate but not revealing. “… responsible for him. I can’t explain why, but if I’m able to help him, I must.”

“You don’t need to explain,” Ariana surprised him by saying, precluding whatever furious response Trenton had been about to render. “We understand.”

“We do?” Trenton demanded incredulously.

“Yes.” Ariana’s nod was strangely insightful. “We do.”

“Thank you.” Dustin gave Ariana a grateful—albeit puzzled—look. “Let’s get back to Alexander. As I mentioned, I’ve hired an investigator. Actually, I did so right after meeting with Trent, who bluntly informed me I wasn’t skilled enough to investigate on my own. He was right. I realized that the instant I interviewed and hired Saxon. Watching him do his job is an education unto itself. The man is exceptional. So, here’s what I propose. You were planning to come to Surrey for the Derby anyway, you’ve merely arrived early. Stay on. Have your bags sent, as well. Let Saxon oversee Alexander. Believe me, no one will get past Poole’s nephew.”

“Poole’s nephew.” Ariana’s brows arched in comprehension. “So that’s why Quinn was relegated to his recent position as footman. You hired Poole’s nephew as your new driver … and investigator.”

“Precisely. In this way Saxon could accompany me to whatever racecourses I needed to visit, safeguard my well-being, and assist me at the same time.”

“Trenton?” Ariana twisted around to glance up at her husband. “Dustin’s suggestion does make sense. I’d feel much safer with Mr. Saxon keeping an eye on Alexander. He is, after all, a trained professional. Not to mention that this way we can all be together, draw strength from each other. Perhaps you and I might even help. I’m sure Dustin is eager to resolve things as quickly as possible.” Her gaze flickered briefly over Dustin before returning to Trenton. “May we stay?”

“You couldn’t drag me out of here,” Trenton retorted.

Ariana sighed with relief. “I’ll ask Poole to send for our things. Then, I want to check on Alexander.”

“And
then
you’re going to bed,” Trenton concluded. “Otherwise you’re going to collapse.” Tenderly, he kissed his wife. “Dustin and I will work out the remaining details.”

“I’ll even speak to Saxon before retiring,” Dustin added. “He’ll begin watching Alexander tonight. How would that be?”

Ariana crossed the room and kissed Dustin’s cheek. “You’re a fine man, Dustin.” A flicker of a smile. “The woman in your life had best know how lucky she is.” Squeezing his arm, she retraced her steps, pausing only to receive Trenton’s brief, reassuring embrace and his murmured, “I’ll make everything right, misty angel,” before hastening from the study.

The instant the door closed behind her, Trenton turned back to his brother, his former intensity restored. “This conversation is far from over.”

“I never thought otherwise,” Dustin returned dryly. “I assumed your intention was to ease Ariana’s mind enough so she’d agree to get some rest, then to continue this discussion in private.”

A terse nod. “Ariana is taking this whole situation very hard. I won’t keep things from her, but I needn’t immerse her in unnerving specifics either. The fact is that, unless she believes we’ve eliminated all cause for worry, she’ll post herself at Alexander’s bedside until dawn, and become ill in the process.”

“I feel guilty as hell.”

“Don’t feel guilty. Just tell me everything. What did you learn at Newmarket? What more do you know about those hired hands who came to Tyreham? What can I do to help? And what the hell can’t you tell us?”

“You can pour me a drink while I ask Poole to summon Saxon—after which I’ll address your first two questions. Also, you can understand, or at least accept, that what I can’t tell you must wait until tomorrow.”

“That’s an untenable request.”

“I wouldn’t make it unless I had to.”

Sucking in his breath, Trenton relented. “Very well. I’ll wait until morning.” He stalked across the room, pouring two goblets of brandy. “
Early
morning,” he called after his brother, who’d stepped into the hallway to speak with Poole.

“How can I be of assistance, my lord?” Poole inquired quietly.

“You can tell me if Saxon has retired for the night. I need to speak with him.”

“He headed off for bed mere minutes ago, sir. Would you like me to summon him?”

“If you would. It’s critical, or I wouldn’t disturb him at this late hour.”

“He’d expect nothing less. I’ll fetch him at once.” Poole hurried off.

Confident that Saxon would soon be joining them, Dustin returned to his study.

Tyreham’s entranceway door eased open silently, a lone figure assessing that the hallway was, at last, empty. Hearing Lord Tyreham’s study door click shut, he crept in the direction of the sound. Upon reaching his destination, he pressed himself to the wall outside the room, straining to hear the conversation unfolding between the marquis and his brother.

Oblivious to the intruder’s presence, Dustin and Trenton resumed where they’d left off.

“Here’s your brandy.” Trenton handed Dustin a goblet. “I’ve already downed half of mine. God knows I need it.”

“Everything will work out, Trent. I’m certain of it.” Dustin accepted the proffered goblet. “You asked if I discovered anything of consequence at Newmarket. The answer is yes. Do you remember Alberts?”

“Your jockey?” Trenton halted, the reason for Dustin’s question snapping into place. “Was he one of the names on that list? Did he throw your races?”

“He most certainly did. And, as luck would have it, I stumbled upon him at Newmarket.”

“Who foolishly engaged his services?”

“No one. He wasn’t entered. In fact, he’s been unable to secure a position since I discharged him. He was there to blackmail one of the other jockeys into sharing his illegal winnings with him.”

“The bloody scoundrel.”

“A scoundrel, yes, but an informative one. I convinced him to describe the two men he dealt with.”

“And?”

“They were the same men who visited me. Everything Alberts revealed about them I already knew. However, in the process of relaying his experiences, he disclosed a new and interesting fact. It seems that during one of their visits, they brought a companion with them. An unsavory sort with a horribly scarred arm. Alberts described him quite thoroughly.” Dustin slammed his goblet to the desk. “I intend to find this bastard—whoever he is.”

Still listening intently, the intruder scowled, wondering how much more time he had. His answer came in the form of approaching footsteps that alerted him to the butler’s imminent return. Instantly, he retraced his steps and slipped out the front door to avoid discovery.

Fortunately, the grounds were deserted.

Raggert darted off into the night.

“R
AGGERT, WHAT THE HELL
do you want? It’s two in the morning.” Coop rubbed his unshaven face, glowering at the trainer.

“When you hear why I’ve come, you won’t care what time it is. Now are you planning to let me in?”

Eyes narrowed, Coop swung open the door. “This better be good.”

“Oh, it is, all right.” Raggert wiped the sweat off his forehead, striding into the shabby hall and pacing restlessly about. “Broddington and his family are at Tyreham. They showed up a couple of hours ago in a snit about something. I couldn’t get close enough to hear what they were saying, not for a while anyway. I finally got my chance—so I sneaked in and listened.”

“So?”

Raggert blinked. “Aren’t you surprised?”

A shrug. “About the duke bursting into Tyreham? Not particularly. Our employer said something about going after Tyreham through his family, especially after the prying he just did at Newmarket. I don’t see why—all Tyreham learned was what he already knew, but I couldn’t calm our nobleman friend down. He muttered something about planning to send Broddington a telegram about his son. That’s probably what got him and his family so riled up.” Coop shot Raggert a dark look. “Is that the only reason you’re here?”

“No, although it explains a lot. I wish you two would tell me your plans. It would be nice to know what’s going on since I’m the one who’s supposed to be keeping an eye on Tyreham’s estate and his jockey. Speaking of Stoddard, he’s a cocky, insolent—”

“I don’t give a damn about Stoddard,” Coop growled, rubbing his scarred arm. “He’s your problem, not mine. Just tell me what the hell you’re doing here, then get out and let me go to bed.”

“You’re wrong about Tyreham not learning anything at Newmarket. In this case, our source did a lousy job.”

Coop’s massaging motions slowed. “Our
source
is not about to miss anything—not when he’s got more to lose than we do.”

“Well, he missed one conversation, that’s for sure. Did he mention that Alberts was at Newmarket?”

“Yeah, he said something about Tyreham scaring him off. Why?”

“Before he ran off, Alberts did a bit of talking. He told Tyreham about the time Archer and Parrish brought a friend with them. ‘A terrifying man with a horribly scarred arm,’ I think were Tyreham’s words.”

With a vile oath, Coop slammed his fist into the wall.

“Still sorry I came?” Raggert taunted.

“Shut up,” Coop snapped. “We’re going to have to speed up our plan. I’ll contact Archer tonight, tell him and Parrish to get over to Tyreham and beat the hell out of our friend the marquis. Maybe then the bastard will mind his own business. The last thing I need is for him to come looking for me.”