Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series)

by Mariel Grey

  Perdan's eyes flew open and he sat straight up, sputtering and coughing. He wiped his eyes and mouth with his forearm and looked maliciously at Chalifour.

  "Now that I have your full and undivided attention," Chalifour said coldly. "We've a few things to discuss."

  Perdan didn't respond for a full minute during which time Chalifour's eyes bored into him. "What is it you want?" Perdan asked in a sulky voice.

  ****

  Chalifour stood with his feet apart and arms crossed, looking at Perdan with distaste. "What do I want?"

  "Yes, what do you want?" Perdan sneered. He struggled to rise to his feet but Chalifour pushed him backwards with his boot.

  "No, I think I want you just where you are." Chalifour stood over Perdan. "We both know you can only be tried by the House of Lords. Be aware I will press charges there unless you agree to my conditions."

  "Which are?" Perdan glared up at him, eyes bright with malice.

  "First, you will sign a pledge declining any future wagering on thoroughbreds, or any other kind of betting which involves horses."

  Perdan's face was mottled by rage. He shifted on the floor and tried to stand. Chalifour pushed him back again with his boot. "Tsk, tsk." He wagged a finger at him. "I'm not finished yet"

  Perdan's eyes shot up to meet his. "What do you mean you're not finished yet?"

  "There's still the matter of the money you've taken from the Goodwins since last year. You will return every bit of it."

  Perdan sputtered. "I will not!" He rolled on the floor and struggled again to stand.

  Chalifour sighed and pushed him back again. "You don't listen well, Perdan. You will pay every bit of that money back and you will agree in writing to refrain from any betting related to horse racing. And I will be submitting that document to the Jockey Club. Otherwise, I, and these fine gentlemen," Chalifour waved his hand to include Lucien and George, "will be available to testify against you in the House of Lords. Which will it be?"

  Perdan's jaw tightened and his fists clenched. "I will sign the document," he grated.

  "Good. No time like the present. I took the liberty of having my lawyer draft the document before I left Town. Not only does the document make your pledge to refrain from future gambling with respect to thoroughbreds, it also contains an affidavit exonerating Lucien Goodwin of any wrong doing in any past races and attests to his sterling reputation. It also has your promise to repay your debt of honor, not that you have any, to Lucien. I thought that would be the best term to use to describe your repayment of money to the Goodwins. We will witness your signature now."

  Chalifour walked into the stall where he had hidden and returned with a document, together with a sharpened quill and ink pot. Dipping the quill into the ink, Chalifour handed it and the document to Perdan.

  "Sign it. Now." Chalifour said.

  Perdan looked around at the men surrounding him. His lips tightened with restrained fury, white showing around their edges. Perdan pressed the document against a supporting post and signed. Without a word, Perdan thrust the document back at Chalifour and threw the quill on the ground.

  "Rest assured I will present this document to the Jockey Club and will apprise them of the situation. Now, also rest assured I will collect you Monday morning. You will accompany me and the Goodwins to your bank where you will withdraw the money you owe them. We will then proceed to meet with members of the Jockey Club where you will make your verbal pledge to them."

  Chalifour turned to Lucien. "Is that agreeable to you?"

  "Most assuredly."

  "Excellent. It's settled then." Chalifour swiveled back to Perdan and asked him, "Anything you care to add?"

  Perdan stared at him sullenly.

  "No? Good. By the way, I also understand there are some questions as to your, shall we say, unusual proficiency at cards. Be forewarned, I plan to inquire into your other gambling activities as well."

  Hatred and rage distorted Perdan's face. Chalifour extended his hand to Perdan to help him from the ground. Perdan ignored his outstretched hand and struggled to his feet on his own. He dusted his coat and breeches with his hands and looked at Chalifour with pure venom.

  "There’s one matter we have yet to discuss," Chalifour said.

  "Which is?"

  Chalifour’s fist lashed out and he threw a solid uppercut which connected with Perdan’s chin. Perdan’s head snap back and Chalifour had a perverse feeling of satisfaction. Perdan staggered backwards. Chalifour stuck his leg behind Perdan, causing him to trip and fall back onto the floor of the stables.

  "What the bloody hell did you do that for?" Perdan yelled.

  Chalifour leaned in close to Perdan’s surprised face and looked him squarely in the eye. "That," he said, "was for your inappropriate suggestions to Miss Goodwin. Don’t ever speak with her again. Ever. If you do, you’ll answer to me."

  Chalifour glanced at Lucien, whose face had darkened at this revelation. Lucien’s fists clenched and he stepped forward, but Chalifour held his hand up and waved him off. "Are we clear on this, Perdan?"

  Perdan wiped a dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. "Do you think I might get up now? Or do you plan on striking me again?"

  "Are we clear on this additional point?"

  "We’re clear." Perdan’s voice had a barely restrained fury.

  "Good. Then I would suggest you stand before I find another reason to bash you. I must admit that I rather like doing that to you."

  Perdan stood. A furtive look crossed his face as if he was considering launching himself at Perdan, but a quick glance at Lucien and George seemed to change his mind. Instead, without another word, Perdan shouldered his way past Chalifour and then George and stalked out.

  George, who had been silent the entire time, looked at them with wide eyes.

  "Don’t trouble yourself, George. There will be no repercussions for you." He handed him two sovereigns. "Should you ever need a reference or employment, please feel free to visit me."

  George smiled gratefully. "Thank you, m'lord."

  Chalifour looked at Lucien and raised his eyebrows. "So, do you want to race in the Derby tomorrow, Lucien?"

  "No, I'm not really up to the task just yet. I still have dizzy spells and become disoriented when I move quickly. Though I'd like to," Lucien said with a grin.

  Chalifour found himself grinning back. Yes, he did like Lucien. His humor was infectious. "Let's get you well first. Maybe you'll be in shape to run at Newmarket."

  "Do you want to ride Thor tomorrow?"

  "Lucien, at other times I'd be tempted. But I'm not familiar enough with Thor to be confident in riding him. I think we'd be better served getting our affairs completely resolved with Perdan and our own business dealings settled right now before we take any more risks. Also, I thought you might want to know, Lucy is here in Epsom." Lucien's head snapped up. "I believe you both have some things you’d like to speak with one another about, sooner rather than later, I imagine. My participation in the race would only delay your conversation and create a distraction. Let's focus on these things for now. We can plan for Newmarket, if you're up to it by then. If not, then maybe I'll take the saddle."

  "Fair enough. Where is Lucy?"

  "She and my sister are staying with me at the Lion's Gate Inn. It's late, but I'm happy to take you there if you'd like. I imagine you both want to see each other post haste."

  "I'd be in your debt even more than I already am."

  "Good, because I'm going to ask for your sister's hand in marriage and I'd like your blessing."

  Lucien's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in shock.

  Chapter Thirty Six

  A light rapping on the door awakened Lucy. Groggy, Lucy sat up and rubbed her eyes. What was the noise that had awakened her? The rapping on the door started again. Awake now, Lucy called out. "Who's there please?"

  "Lucy, it's me, "Chalifour said in a low voice from outside the door.

  Lucy vaulted fro
m the bed and grabbed her wrapper.

  "Lucien is with me," Chalifour said.

  Lucy stopped. Lucien was here too? How had things gone? "Wait, just wait, I'll be there in a moment." She padded across the room in her bare feet and flung the door open. Both Lucien and Chalifour were standing in the hallway. Suddenly self conscious, Lucy ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at her wrapper.

  "Come in, come in! What happened?" Lucy stepped aside and allowed them to pass. She closed the door and walked to the small couch. Having men in her room at an inn, even if one of them was her brother, was awkward. Changing her mind, Lucy opted to sit on the bed and left the couch for Lucien. Chalifour remained standing by the fireplace.

  Barely able to contain herself, Lucy again asked, "What happened?"

  "It appears Chalifour has saved us from Lord Perdan," Lucien smiled at Lucy.

  "How, what?" Lucy looked from one to the other.

  "We both confronted Perdan. We caught him trying to give Thor an apple undoubtedly tainted with something unsavory. After a, well, a discussion of sorts, Perdan signed a pledge attesting to your brother's honesty and to refraining from any type of gambling which involves horse racing," Chalifour said.

  Lucien added, "Chalifour did most of the, uh, persuading." He glanced at Chalifour. "Lord Perdan has also most graciously agreed to return our money." A mischievous grin spread across Lucien's face.

  A smile crept across Lucy's face in answer to his. Obviously there was a bit more to the story than they were telling, but no matter, she would get all of the details from one of them sooner or later.

  Then the import of it all hit Lucy. Relief surged through her veins and weakened her knees. It was over. Perdan would no longer threaten her brother. He would be safe from dishonor and ruination. Lucy sagged. The money would even be repaid. She and Lucien could go on again as if nothing had happened.

  Except. The smile faded from Lucy's lips. She still needed to make amends with Lucien. Lucy’s heart sank again. How was she going to explain everything to Lucien? Would he understand? Would he believe her? She should be ecstatic. Everything she wanted had occurred. Well, almost. But Lucy still had to make her peace with Lucien.

  Lucy glanced between Lucien and Chalifour, a smile frozen on her face, butterflies bouncing around her stomach. She tried to brighten her smile. "So, am I to understand we no longer need to worry about Perdan? It's over?"

  "Yes, it's over." Chalifour smiled at Lucy. His smile offered the fulfillment of the promise he had made to her. He gazed at her and a quizzical expression stole over his face. Chalifour must have read the trepidation on her face and an awkward silence fell. Chalifour glanced between Lucy and Lucien. "I believe the two of you should have some time alone. I'll take my leave of you now." He strode to the door and walked out without a backward glance.

  Lucy turned to face Lucien. "I don't even know where to begin."

  "What happened? I'm hurt, unconscious, and essentially wake to find out you've forged my name on a contract, which while I wanted, didn't have certain concessions we needed. Then I find out you've obviously forged my name on a cheque paper to pay our limited funds to Perdan for his blackmail demands. Then I find out you've impersonated me in a bid to win at the Oaks until you were exposed by Chalifour. Explain to me why you did these things. You had no right, Lucy," Lucien said quietly. His eyes searched hers.

  Lucy stood and walked to stand before her brother and dropped to her knees. "Lucien, I know I didn't have the right. But please understand, you were gravely injured. No one knew the full extent of your injuries, or how long it would be before you recovered, or even," Lucy choked, hardly able to say the words, "if you'd recover." She took a breath and continued. "The day after you were brought home, Lord Perdan called at the house. He demanded money for a debt. He said you owed him six thousand pounds. You can't imagine my shock. When I inquired as to the nature of the debt, he directed me to you. Only I couldn't ask you. You were unconscious and I didn't know yet if you would ever even wake. Lord Perdan demanded money. I reviewed your ledgers and saw you had been making payments to him."

  "So that's why you forged the cheque."

  "Yes. It wasn't until later he informed me it wasn't a debt of honor, but blackmail. I was petrified he would ruin you, Lucien."

  "But what about the contract?"

  "Right after the incident with Lord Perdan, Chali ... " Lucy's cheeks grew warm. Had Lucien noticed her slip of tongue? "When Lord Chalifour called on you to finalize your contract, I assumed," wrongly, Lucy thought, "there would be money exchanging hands. I was afraid to apprise Chalifour of your true state of health. I led him to believe you were fine. When he returned with the contract and I realized there was no exchange of money, I couldn't very well admit I lied to a peer. Besides, you had been working with him on it for some time, so I signed it for you."

  "You forged it."

  "Yes. And then I worried Lord Chalifour would discover I forged it. I think I prefer to say I signed it for you. It sounds better."

  Lucien rolled his eyes."Whatever you want to call it. So what about the race?"

  "I'm a good rider. An excellent rider, if I say so. If I pretended to be you, I might have a chance to win the race. With the purse, I would have a large sum of money to coerce Perdan into signing some sort of satisfaction of any alleged debt and affidavit of your honesty or something. I hadn't quite gotten that far."

  "Of all the insane ideas! You could have been hurt, or even killed!"

  Lucy declined to answer. She had already heard all of this from Chalifour. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the diatribe again from Lucien too. Swallowing her irritation, Lucy said, "I only tried to help you. Do you believe me?"

  "Yes, Lucy. I do believe you. It's just I'm not sure I approve of your methods."

  "I'm not sure I approve of my methods either," Lucy said wryly. "They certainly didn't fare very well."

  "You're right about that," Lucien said, a smile slowly creeping across his face. "Oh, Lucy," he reached down and pulled her off her knees and wrapped her in a fierce hug."I've missed you!"

  "Does this mean you forgive me?"

  "Of course, I forgive you. I just needed to understand what happened and why you did these things. And I needed to hear it from you."

  Lucy's world brightened and her heart soared with light. Then Chalifour's face crossed her mind and her spirits plummeted again. Her association with Chalifour was now at an end. Chalifour and Lucien would go forward with their business and Chalifour's interest in her would dwindle. It had been inevitable that Chalifour's interest would diminish over time, but it was painful to realize that time was drawing near.

  Lucy pulled away from Lucien's arms, stood, and then sat beside him on the couch. "Thank you. I just wanted to look after you. I'm so very sorry for the harm, or near harm, it caused."

  "All is forgiven."

  "So, what now? Shall we go home in the morning?"

  "Maybe. But we're already here, don't you want to see the race? Besides, there are some loose threads which need to be mended."

  "Such as?"

  "I believe Chalifour has some things he needs to speak to you about."

  Lucy's heart lurched. What could Chalifour possibly have to say to her? She looked at Lucien. "About what?"

  "I think it would be best if it came from him. It's awfully late. Get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow." Lucien planted a quick peck on her cheek, slowly rose and limped to the door.

  Lucy's eyes followed her brother out the door. Sure. Thanks. I'll get plenty of sleep tonight.

  ****

  Chalifour paced his room. He had ensured that Lucy's room was next to his, so he heard Lucien depart a short while ago. Chalifour ached to go to Lucy, rub her silken skin, bury his face in the burnished fire of her hair. Consequences be damned.

  Chalifour was committed to his plan. But would Lucy accept him this time? Lucien had expressed his doubts. He said Lucy had shied from marriage and fought his matchmaking effor
ts at every turn.

  It was nearly four a.m. and sleep would not come to Chalifour, especially with the knowledge Lucy's succulent body rested so close to his. Chalifour dropped into a chair and rubbed his face with his hands. His nervous energy soon forced Chalifour from the chair to resume his pacing. Being unsure of himself, particularly when it came to women, was a new sensation for Chalifour.

  He smiled. Lucy was so like a young, spirited filly. It took a steady and gentle hand to earn a filly's trust. Had he earned Lucy's trust yet? Chalifour couldn't think of anything further he could do on that front. He couldn't help but admire Lucy's spunk and courage. Her actions had been rash, but her intentions were pure.

  Chalifour found his protective instincts surfaced when Lucy was near. He found he jealously guarded her from the admiring glances of other men. He returned their looks with a cold stare of his own until they were forced to avert their eyes. A hot rage suffused his body at the thought of another man touching Lucy and pleasing her.

  Damn it. Chalifour strode out the door and into the hallway. He walked to Lucy's door and stood outside in the hallway, hesitating. Lucy had finally admitted the truth to him. There were no lies between them. Chalifour reached out for Lucy's doorknob. His hand froze in midair. Lucy was probably emotionally drained from her conversation with Lucien. Would she be able to deal with more turbulent emotions this evening? Would that be beneficial for either of them? Or would it further complicate things between them? Chalifour stood and pondered what he should do.

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  Chalifour, Elizabeth, Lucy and Lucien sat in some of the best boxed seats available at the Derby Stakes. Lucy hardly noticed the riotous fanfare around them as the minor races were run, leading up to the main event. She enviously watched the animated conversation between Lady Elizabeth and Lucien. If she didn't know better, she would think they were flirting with each other. Hmmm, maybe Lucien and Elizabeth were the ones that needed a chaperone. Their enthusiasm for each other only served to make Lucy more morose and isolated.