Lyons Gate

Elgin Sloane raised his head. “I beg you, sir, agree not to race for a year. I must wed, I must, or all will be lost. A word from Lord Northcliffe, and Elsie’s father would shut the door in my face. I need her, sir, very much. I need her now.”

“That’s true enough, Elgin,” Charles said, “but it’s the horses you really want. You can see yourself, the proud son-in-law, owning a big stud farm.”

“Perhaps that is a part to it, Charles, and why not?”

Jason said quietly to Elgin, “Remind Lord Grimsby about Elaine.”

Elgin ’s jaw dropped. “You know about Elaine? But how?”

“Actually,” Jason shrugged, “I know everything.”

Lord Grimsby said, staring at Jason, “You do?”

Elgin said, “He’s right, sir. You must do as he says, else I won’t marry Elsie and my sweet sister will starve in a ditch. Already she has no governess, I can’t afford one. She is alone, and will not have a roof over her head unless I wed very soon.”

Jason said, “Did you hear him, my lord? Elgin is concerned that Elaine will starve. What do you think, sir?”

Lord Grimsby rounded on Elgin, ignoring Jason. “You damned idiot, you foolish ass! You could have married Hallie Carrick, beautiful and rich she was, but no, you had to sleep with some bucktoothed matron during your betrothal! Naturally she found out and broke it off! Then you were married to A

“Oh no, sir.”

“Damn you, she belongs with me. My wife wants her here. Bring her to me!”

Elgin said, “I will never give up my leverage. I’m Elaine’s guardian and I will remain her guardian. You will continue to do as I tell you, sir. You will not race for a year.”

“I’ll kill you!”

Jason said, “No, sir, he’s not worth it. I’ve found there are always reasons for a man’s behavior. One must find out what they are. It didn’t take me long to discover why you’ve suffered this idiot in your home, given a ball in his honor, tried to find him a rich wife. How long have you known Elaine was your daughter, Lord Grimsby? Like I told you, I know everything sir, no reason to lie anymore.”

He whirled around to Jason. “I would tell the world about her, if it weren’t for this bastard making his damned threats. I’ve known since before she was born, so did Elgin ’s father. He threatened to make her a servant in his own house unless I paid him well. And now his son does the same thing. Rotters, both of them. My wife wants her with us. We have no children and Elaine is but ten years old. She’s ours, she shouldn’t be under this idiot’s thumb.”

Jason said, “And you, Charles? I’m not quite sure how you fit into this puzzle.”

“I’m not a big mystery, Jason. I was only trying to help Lord Grimsby. I’ve always known about poor little Elaine, how Elgin has used her for a bargaining chip, learned it from his father. Poor little girl, I feel for her. I must say I’m impressed with how quickly you’ve gained your information. You are talented, Jason.”

“Just don’t ever try to hurt my horses,” Jason said. He turned to Lord Grimsby. “You will agree not to race for a full year, my lord. All will know that you are being punished for your misdeeds, and all will know they run a huge risk if they try anything against my jockeys or horses in the future. Do you agree, sir? One year of not racing? I’m perfectly ready to help you gain what you wish.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Jason nodded to the open doorway. Lord Grimsby looked up to see his wife standing there. She’d heard everything, he knew it. The woman had ears like Elgin. Lord Grimsby said slowly, “I will agree not to race for a year if you make Elgin give me my daughter. I mean give her to me legally. My wife and I wish to adopt her. Then I won’t have to ever speak to this nincompoop again. Can you do it?”

“Of course, sir. Elgin?” Jason’s voice was very soft, the voice he always used to gain instant attention and compliance from every child he’d ever met. “You will have Elaine here within the next three days. Lord Grimsby’s solicitor will see to the adoption. Then you may marry your heiress.”

“No, I won’t give up my leverage. My father told me I could dine on this until Lord Grimsby croaked. Oh damn! It’s not fair.” He fell silent, his hands clasped between his knees. He looked ready to cry. He said finally, “I want that racing stud. Blaystock is a fool, knows nothing about anything. Did you hear the idiot shouting for Brutus to bite the horses in front of him? He has no finesse, no imagination.” He turned to Charles. “Do you assure me that Blaystock is very rich?”

“As rich as Croesus until the Persians planted their heels on his neck.”

Slowly, Elgin nodded. “I would certainly rather marry Elsie Blaystock than Hallie Carrick. She doesn’t show the proper respect for a man, doesn’t forgive him for small, really insignificant blunders. She doesn’t shut her mouth and she’s too smart by half. I am in her father’s debt for convincing me she wouldn’t make me a good wife.”

Jason smiled. “She forgives my blunders.”

“That’s just because you’re so damned pretty,” Elgin said, and waved a fist toward Jason.

“Pretty is as pretty does,” Charles Grandison said, and rose. “What a morning it’s been. I believe I am no longer needed here. My lord, my lady, I wish you the greatest happiness with Elaine. She’s charming. Elgin, I doubt I’ll be attending your nuptials. I would like to keep Jason as a friend in the future, you see. Jason, I’ll see you at the Grantham races next month.”

“I’ll be racing two horses,” Jason said as he shook Charles’s hand. “James Wyndham is bringing Eclipse over to me. He was born and bred in Baltimore.”

“Eclipse?” Elgin said. “He’s been dead for years and years. He wasn’t bred in America.”

“The same name and, I hope, a similar future. I believe my Eclipse may be as fast as Dodger.”

“An American horse named Eclipse, just what we need,” Charles said. “What do you say we try to make this one a straight race?”

“I know that Kindred and Potter will spread the word.”

“What is your punishment?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Jason said. When he took his leave a few moments later, Lady Grimsby stopped him at the front door. “Thank you, Jason. How I’ve hated all this deception, hated having to pander to this paltry young man. I have wanted Elaine since she was born, you see. How very grateful I am to my husband for making you his victim. Thank you for what you have accomplished. Give my regards to your lovely wife.”

Jason’s lovely wife was sitting on the ground, covered with dust, yelling at the top of her lungs at Charlemagne, who’d thrown her trying to get to the mare who’d been delivered to Dodger.

Jason pulled her up, dusted her off, kissed her nose. “I’ve been thinking. Why don’t we breed a mare to Charlemagne? He’s a bighearted fellow, arrogant as his namesake. Who knows, with the proper mare, we might produce a legend.”

“Charlemagne, a legend,” Hallie said, and laughed.