Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (30 page)

"And then?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'll come back here and get some rest this
afternoon since it may be a long night. This evening, I'll go back
to the Fox and Hound. If there are any stable boys on duty, I'll
pay them handsomely to turn a blind eye to my presence. If no one
is about, then I'll secret myself and keep a watchful eye. I'm
positive someone will show tonight. And I don't think that someone
will be there to encourage Thor," Chalifour said dryly.

"What about me? Where will I be?" Lucy
said.

"You'll be here."

"Here? At the Lion’s Gate Inn?"

"I've already explained your presence could
prove to be a hindrance. I need you and Elizabeth to stay here."
The authoritative tone in Chalifour's voice underscored the fact he
was not accustomed to having his orders questioned.

The thought of being trapped in a room,
unable to do anything, chafed Lucy. Chalifour must have seen
something in her face because he gave Lucy a stern look and said,
"Lucy, I'm serious. I want your word of honor that you will remain
here in your room while I'm gone."

Lucy gritted her teeth and said, "I'll stay
here this afternoon."

Chalifour's blue eyes narrowed. He pursed his
lips and studied her face, obviously not trusting her. "And
tonight?" he demanded.

Lucy sighed. "And tonight as well."

Chalifour paid their bill and escorted them
from the crowded pub, weaving them through the tapestry of merry
makers. Once outside, Lucy breathed deeply. She hadn't realized how
stuffy the tavern had grown.

They climbed the stairs to their rooms.
Chalifour had taken the best rooms available for them so it was
quiet in the hallway. Lady Elizabeth turned to her brother and gave
him a peck on the cheek. "I'm sure you'll succeed. You'll save the
Goodwins from being blackmailed into poverty and salvage your dream
of a reputable breeding business."

Lucy felt a gash open on her heart. Chalifour
was fond of her and there was no doubt he was attracted to her
physically. But most of his motivation to help her likely stemmed
from his desire to move forward with her brother in this
business.

Lucy could never hope to entertain the idea
of marriage to Chalifour. Marriage? Lucy jolted. Where had that
little thought crept from? She'd never even considered the idea she
would willingly submit to becoming someone's wife. Yet there it
was.

Chalifour stopped at her door. Lucy’s core
melted in his gaze. He made it so hard for her to breathe
sometimes. Lucy didn't trust herself to speak and could only return
Chalifour's stare. He pulled her against him and bent his head down
quickly. Chalifour forced her surprised lips apart with his and
teased them with the tip of his tongue. Chalifour released Lucy
just as quickly as he had captured her. Breathless, Lucy leaned
back against the doorframe.

"I'll be back in the afternoon. If there is
anything amiss, like I can't find Lucien, then I'll come and let
you know. Otherwise, just assume the plan will proceed and I'll see
you in the morning. If we're successful, we'll go to Lucien first
thing tomorrow so he can scratch himself from the race."

"If we're not successful?" Lucy
whispered.

"We'll still need to scratch him from the
race and deal with those consequences then. I won’t let you down,
Lucy."

Lucy opened the door and walked into her
room. Prison seemed a more appropriate word. She walked to the
window and eyed the bustle of people in the street. There was a
frenetic activity in the thoroughfare below that crackled with a
life of its own. Lucy turned from the window and surveyed her
surroundings. The room was far more opulent than her usual
accommodations were on the rare occasions she visited an inn. After
a cursory inspection of the room, Lucy threw herself onto the large
four poster bed. Ordinarily she would have admired its fine
craftsmanship. Lucy rolled onto her back and stared at the
ceiling.

What if Perdan didn't go to the stables
himself? What if Chalifour only caught one of Perdan's servants?
Then there wouldn't be enough evidence to accuse Perdan directly.
What if they were wrong about Perdan's plan? Lucy couldn't possibly
wait here until morning to find out, could she? How could she not
be at the stables tonight? Because Lucy had given her word she
would stay out of the way. And because she knew Chalifour might
very well be right. Lucy could cause a distraction or create
unwanted attention at the wrong time and jeopardize the success of
the plan. Lucy had already made a mess of things. She needed to
trust Chalifour to help her make things right again.

Intellectually, Lucy knew Chalifour was
perfectly capable of handling the situation. The problem was she
had to trust him to enough to allow him to do it. Lucy bit her lip.
Could she do as Chalifour asked and remain here all night?

Good! Lucien was staying where Lucy thought
he would. Chalifour strode into the stables at the Fox and Hound.
Entering, he found a young lad brushing a horse. The scent of
leather, hay and manure enveloped him.
Such familiar smells to
him
.

"Can I help you, milord?" the young man
asked.

"I'll wager you can. I believe my good
friend, Lucien Goodwin, has his horse stabled here. Is that
true?"

"It is, m'lord." The boy pointed to the great
black stallion pawing the ground. Thor was obviously disgruntled at
being penned. "It's odd," the lad continued. "You're the second
person to come looking for him today."

"Really? Who else has been here?"

"Another Lord, a fancy toff, he were."

Adrenaline coursed through Chalifour and his
hunter's instincts reared. "Could you describe this gentleman to
me?" He tossed a sovereign to the lad.

The boy caught the coin in his right hand and
a wide smile brightened his face."Indeed I can! He was, well ... "
The boy motioned to indicate the man was tall and broad. "His hair
was light. His eyes were a pale blue, almost the color of ice. He
wasn't the most friendly gentlemen I’ve ever encountered."

That had to be Perdan! So Perdan himself had
been here today. "Anything else?"

"Well, you could tell he was a peer. His
clothes and his manner of speaking."

"Fine. That's what I needed to know. Now, I
would appreciate your keeping my visit here a secret. Can you do
that?" Chalifour tossed another sovereign at the boy. The boy
caught the coin and bobbed his head with a grin.

"Do you work the stables in the evening?"

No, but my cousin, George, will be here
tonight. In case of late arrivals, you see, what with the race
going on tomorrow."

"I am Lord Chalifour. What is your name?"

"Peter Donovan."

"Peter, let George know I will be back later
tonight. I want him to leave that stall next to Thor empty. He's
not to mention my visit here to anyone. Tell him there will be a
sovereign for his efforts as well."

"Thank you, m'lord. I'll be sure to let him
know."

"See that you do." He peered at the boy. "Are
there any other doors leading into the stables, other than these?"
Chalifour pointed at the entrance through which he had entered and
a larger door was used for coaches and horses.

"No, m'lord."

Chalifour had discovered what he needed to
know. It was time to return to the inn and rest. He had slept
little the night before, thinking about the many things which could
go awry. Chalifour wanted to be at his best tonight. Especially now
that it seemed likely Perdan would attend to this errand himself.
Chalifour was determined that he would not let Lucy down.

Arriving back in his room at the Lion's Gate
Inn, Chalifour collapsed into his bed. Exhausted, he slept several
hours. Waking, Chalifour fought the temptation to visit Lucy. He
must stay focused. Lucy would definitely prove a distraction for
him.
Not to mention he would have to dissuade her from
accompanying him again
. Chalifour shook the thought of visiting
Lucy off and dressed quickly. He took a light meal in the tavern
and headed back to Fox and Hound.

When he arrived at the stables, Chalifour
spotted another young man. "George, is it?"

"The startled man looked up from his task of
mucking a stall. George swiped a hand across his brow to brush the
sweat away. "Can I help you, m'lord?"

"Yes. I am Lord Chalifour. I believe Peter,
your cousin, told you about me?"

"He did. I left the stall vacant as you
instructed. Is it for your horse?"

"No, it's for me."

The boy's face registered confusion. "I don't
understand?"

"I intend to stay there this evening."

"What? You can't! I mean, m'lord, I'm sure
you can obtain a room." George's face had gone from confusion to
horror.

Chalifour laughed at George's expression."I'm
not planning to sleep in it. I am concerned someone might attempt
to harm Thor, so I'm going to hide in there this evening."

Relief washed over the lad's features and he
asked, "What will you be needing me to do?"

"I'd like you to leave the stables
unattended."

"I can’t do that! I'd lose my job!"

"You only need to be present if there is a
late arrival, right?"

"Yes, m'lord, that's correct."

"I am reasonably sure Lord Perdan will visit
the stables tonight. Do you know him?"

"No, I don't."

"He's a handsome man, not quite as tall as I
am. He has fair hair blond and blue eyes. You'll recognize him best
by his nasty attitude, however. When he arrives, see if he needs
help. Then tell him you are unwell and need to take some air. Leave
the stables to stand outside near the door until you hear me call
for you. Can you do that?"

"Yes, I can do that."

"Remember, not a word to anyone about my
presence here." A thoroughly unpleasant thought crossed his mind.
"Oh, and please tell me you have already mucked out that stall next
to Thor."

George nodded mutely. Thank goodness for
that. Chalifour strode to the stall next to Thor. He petted Thor's
nose and kneeled in the shadow of the dimly lit stall to wait.
Chalifour opened his coat and removed the pouch he had received
from his lawyer yesterday and set it on the floor. Chalifour hoped
he would be able to make use of its contents tonight.

A fly droned around him, landing briefly on
his boot. Chalifour swatted it away and remained stoically
crouched, waiting for the sound of the voice he knew would come.
Several hours later, he was rewarded.

"Yes, by all means. Go outside and be ill. I
don't need your assistance." The petulant voice of Perdan carried
through the stables.

At last. The footsteps came closer. Closer
still until they stopped just outside the stall where Chalifour was
hidden.

"Thor. You are a handsome brute. You might
possibly win tomorrow. I can't have that. I've brought you
something you'll enjoy, at least tonight, but maybe not so much
tomorrow." Perdan laughed a mirthless laugh.

Chalifour readied himself to confront Perdan.
He was ready to spring into action when he heard Lucien's voice. He
froze. What the devil was Lucien doing here?

"I knew it! I knew you would do something to
Thor! You poisoned Zeus last year, didn't you?" Lucien's voice held
a barely contained rage.

"Why would you say such a thing?" Perdan
said, glibly, apparently unaware of the menace from Lucien.

"The evidence is in your hand!"

"It's your word against mine."

Chalifour stood. "It's also my word against
yours."

Both men's heads snapped toward Chalifour,
mouths open in shock.

"I have a good idea that Mr. Goodwin is
right. You poisoned Zeus last year at Newmarket. You bet against
Mr. Goodwin and Zeus during the first race and did well due to his
bad performance. By contrast, the next day when everyone was busily
betting against Mr. Goodwin, I believe you wagered with him and won
rather handsomely. By the by, I've set the Bow Street runners to
checking the betting books to confirm that theory." It was hard to
tell in the dim light, but it appeared Perdan's face had turned a
deep crimson. "Nothing to say, Perdan?"

"All falsehoods."

"I think the accusations against you will be
proven true very soon. In the meantime, I plan to make it a point
of honor to expose your plan to poison Thor. People can readily
extrapolate your intentions from the deed."

Perdan's face became a mask of hate. The
apple he held fell from his hand and thudded on the ground. Thor's
neck stretched and he tried to reach the treat, unaware of the
threat. Chalifour bounded over the stall and kicked the apple out
of Thor's reach. The click of a derringer being cocked in the quiet
building jarred his attention. Chalifour whirled to face Perdan.
The derringer was pointed at Chalifour’s belly.

"Even you aren't that foolish," Chalifour
said.

Perdan's mouth twisted cruelly. "I'll blame
it on Lucien." Lucien started.

"Lord Chalifour? It's been an awfully long
time! I thought I must have missed your call," George called
out.

Startled, Perdan turned in the direction of
the voice. Chalifour launched himself at Perdan and tackled him to
the ground. The derringer flew from Perdan's hand. Perdan was
athletic and struggled to roll from under Chalifour's mass. The two
rolled along the floor of the stable, grappling with one another,
each striving to get the better purchase. Lucien dove for the
derringer while Chalifour threw a punch which connected with
Perdan's jaw. Perdan went limp. Panting, Chalifour rolled over on
his back and looked up into George's white face.

"I'm sorry, Lord Chalifour," George said, his
face stricken.

"No, you did fine, George. You did fine,"
Chalifour said.