“So, you see,” Adriana concluded, “Papa has already agreed to sell the horse to the Cynster Stable.”
“And,” Nicholas added, “from the perspective of a breeder and trainer of racehorses, The Barbarian’s bloodlines are such that the world of English racing truly needs him to go to one of the top stables and not vanish into the underworld of less-than-reputable breeders.”
Phillip cocked his head. “Could that be who is ultimately behind this? Another breeder, possibly one of the less-than-reputable ones?”
“It’s possible,” Nicholas conceded, “but at this point, I’m less inclined to that notion.” He explained about the importance of the horse’s papers.
“Hmm.” Phillip frowned. “I’m not sure the man who contacted me was the sort who would have known to ask about such papers. To demand them for his client.” He met Nicholas’s gaze. “He didn’t seem the horsey type, although I admit that’s a conclusion based on superficial observation.”
Nicholas nodded. “I’ll have a better idea when I see the man in The Drove, when he comes to keep his appointment with you.” He looked at Adriana and Dickie. “What we need to decide is how best to proceed to successfully retrieve the letters in question and learn who is ultimately behind this—which, as the future owner of The Barbarian and a member of the English racing world, I have a vested interest in knowing—while keeping The Barbarian in our hands.”
Unsurprisingly, Adriana and Dickie launched into a discussion of their options. As the pair best knew the area and also the horse, Nicholas let them lead the way, as did Phillip.
Nicholas seized the moment to study the three Sommervilles. He accepted that Phillip, in acting as he had and, subsequently, owning to his fears, hopes, and dreams, had sacrificed considerably—his pride, for a start. Despite his staunchly upright character, he’d been prepared to stoop to being a thief, stealing from his own family no less, to protect Viola Styles.
Not having met Mrs. Styles, Nicholas had no way of knowing if she truly deserved such devotion, but he knew the value of what Phillip, through his actions, had already offered up for her. In order to protect her.
Nicholas respected that.
He’d also seen the shift—a seismic shift—in Adriana’s and Dickie’s attitude to Phillip. He understood their change of heart and could only applaud their readiness to jettison their previous antagonistic stance and embrace Phillip’s cause. That was what family did—what family should do.
Of that, he wholeheartedly approved.
On top of all that, although he didn’t know why, he sensed that forging a better relationship with Phillip and embracing Viola was important to Adriana especially. And what was important to her was, by definition, now important to Nicholas.
That was the way love worked, and he was no longer in any doubt that connection now existed between him and her.
Eventually, with her expression resigned and not a little troubled, Adriana declared, “Phillip will need to follow the instructions and take The Barbarian to The Drove tomorrow evening—” She broke off as the little carriage clock’s tinny chimes were echoed by the distant pealing of the town bell. She huffed. “Make thatthisevening.” She looked at Phillip. “You’ll need to hand over The Barbarian and get the letters in return.”
“You should count them to make sure they’re all there,” Dickie put in. “Do you know how many there were?”
Phillip blinked. “Most likely, Viola will know. I’ll ask.”
Adriana narrowed her eyes on Phillip. “We can all ask, because you’re going to introduce us to Viola later this morning.” Before a startled Phillip could comment, much less protest, she waved. “But back to the handover in The Drove. The rest of us will need to be there, to seize the man and take back The Barbarian.”
Her gaze shifted to Nicholas in a look he interpreted as hopeful—hoping he would support her idea. He inclined his head. “That seems the most straightforward plan.”
The relief in her eyes told him that she understood how important The Barbarian was to him and appreciated that he was willing to risk the horse even in such a minor way.
Phillip had been looking from one of them to the other. “But… You’ve found The Barbarian. You could simply reclaim the horse—I can hardly complain when you do—and return to the Grange and complete your purchase.” He shifted his gaze from Nicholas to Adriana then to Dickie. “I can’t ask you to take such a risk. I…don’t have the right.”
Dickie screwed up his face. “Don’t be daft. This isn’t about you asking us—”
Adriana cut in, “It’s about us helping you deal with a blackmailer, which, of course, we’ll do!”
Phillip’s gaze rested on his half siblings, his expression one of honest humility and dawning hope, then he looked at Nicholas. Adriana and Dickie did, too.
Nicholas met Phillip’s gaze. “They’re right. This is not about you asking. This is about us offering. And for us and you, what Adriana has suggested is the right thing to do.”
Phillip’s features wavered, and he blinked rapidly, then his gaze raked them all. “Thank you.” Looking down, he paused, then more quietly said, “After the past years, I’m not sure I deserve your help, but”—he glanced at Adriana—“I know we—Viola and I—need it. So…thank you. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to say that enough.”
Dickie grinned devilishly, reached out, and cuffed Phillip on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll think of suitable ways for you to pay us back.”
The insouciant comment broke the tension and made everyone smile.
Nicholas stirred. “It’s late.” He glanced at the carriage clock, then looked at the three Sommervilles. “I suggest we turn in and reconvene over breakfast.” He tipped his head toward the table across the room. “If you’ll join us, Sommerville, we can thrash out the details of a plan for the evening.”
Phillip agreed. He still seemed dazed, hardly daring to believe the change in his situation.
