Part 28 (1/2)
”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 a.s.sist 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, rea.s.suring 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 a.s.sumed 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 h.e.l.l.”
”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 h.e.l.l 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 a.s.sistance, 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 a.s.sessing 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. G.o.d 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 b.l.o.o.d.y 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 b.a.s.t.a.r.d-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.
Fourteen.
”RAGGERT, WHAT THE h.e.l.l 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 n.o.bleman 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 c.o.c.ky, insolent-”