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 assailants 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 hell. 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 embarrassment 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.”