She didnt like the man named Nuri. He was the one who had had her arrested, and she was sure he would hurt Leila when he dragged her away from Harrison. She didnt trust him one little bit.
Harrison nodded his consent, steering her none too gently by the arm as he propelled her into a changing hut. He shut the door against the curious staff, then he leaned against it and crossed his arms over his chest in the dim, relatively cool building.
Julia wished she was wearing something more than a bathing suit. Her skin felt clammy, and he was watching every move she made.
She lowered herself onto a painted, wooden bench that wrapped around three sides of the octagonal hut.
Start talking, said Harrison.
I didnt kill Millions to Spare, she said. Id never, ever harm a horse.
He was poisoned, Harrison said bluntly. Fannew.
She had no idea what fannew might be, but horror washed through Julia at the thought of the life leeching out of the poor, defenseless animal.
I saw him at Nad Al Sheba, she began, determined to come clean. He reminded me of a friends horse, and I thoughtThat is, I hoped She didnt know how to explain it concisely.
You looking to go back to jail?
Hes the spitting image of Leopolds Legacy, she said.
And who is Leopolds Legacy?
My friends, the Prestons-theyre here to race Something to Talk About in the Sandstone Derby. But their champion stallion is Leopolds Legacy. Theres a problem with his lineage, and hes been disqualified from the U.S. Stud Book, because they cant find his real sire.
She stood up, wrapping her arms around herself in a hug. I wanted a DNA sample. I thought if I could either prove or disprove a relationship between the two horses, I could maybe She paused again. Maybe help solve the mystery and get Leopolds Legacy reinstated.
So you broke into my stable.
I got trapped in the trailer.
And you took a DNA sample?
Saliva.
Without my permission.
She pushed back her slick, wet hair. There was no point in upsetting you. The chances of disqualifying Millions to Spare were slim.
At least hed be alive.
Do you honestly think I had anything to do with his death?
Harrison rocked away from the door and took a step forward. How would I know? All youve ever done since I met you is lie to me.
Im not lying.
He scoffed out a laugh, his emotionless gray eyes sending a chill through her damp body. Now, where have I heard that before?
She closed the space between them. You have to listen to me, she said.
No, you have to listen to me. Im going to call the Prestons. Im going to check out your latest story. And then maybe, just maybe, I wont send you back to jail.
A cold rush of fear snaked through Julia at the thought of that jail cell, and she gave an involuntary shiver.
You have to take a blood sample, she told him. Before they cremate Millions to Spares body.
He shrugged out of his jacket. Youre not in a position to demand anything.
Im not demanding, she assured him.
He draped the jacket around her shoulders and paused.
Im asking, she whispered. I lost the saliva sample, and then I took some hair from his mane, but Im not sure She took a deep breath. It would mean a lot to the Prestons.
You know, said Harrison, something close to compassion flickering in his eyes. This is the very first time your actions have actually matched your words.
She didnt know what to say to that.
He straightened the lapels of the jacket, and the backs of his knuckles briefly grazed her breasts. She was suddenly and sharply aware that they were alone, and she was barely dressed, and his word was law here.
Finally, he said, voice husky.
Finally what? she asked nervously as an undeniable sizzle of attraction filled the air.
Finally, youre being honest with me.
A moment of taut silence stretched between them. He shifted almost imperceptibly toward her, his eyes clearly telegraphing his intent.
Dont get the idea that Im easy, she quickly warned him.
Because you wear a thong?
A gentleman would forget about that.
He shifted closer still, tugging ever so slightly on the lapels of his jacket. But, surprisingly, she wasnt afraid. There was no anger in his expression, more curiosity than anything.
Whatever gave you the idea I was a gentleman?
Youre the Right Honorable Lord Harrison William Arthur Beaumont-Rochester.
His gaze fixed on her lips, eyes darkening with obvious desire. That only means Im from a long line of reprobates and libertines.
Nothing good can come of you kissing me, she pointed out, even though it was starting to seem like a very interesting idea.
So far, nothing good has come from me meeting you.
So cut your losses.
She could almost see the debate going on inside his head. It lasted several minutes. And by the time he eased back, her pulse was racing and her skin was prickling.
He dropped his hands and nodded to his jacket. Theres a phone inside the pocket.
Seconds after that, hed walked out, leaving Julia alone, sunlight streaming through the open door.
Harrison quietly entered the palace through a side door, heading directly into a small study and sitting down at the computer. He brought up an article on Leopolds Legacy and quickly scanned it through. By the end, his worry over Julia and the secretary-generals reception was replaced by a new fear for Cadair Racing.
Leopolds Legacys sire had originally been listed as Apollos Ice. Apollos Ice was also Millions to Spares sire.
The odds were overwhelming that Millions to Spares death was linked to the Leopolds Legacy mystery. Which meant it was somehow linked to Julia. Which meant he needed to talk to the Prestons, and he needed to talk to them as soon as possible.
He asked the first staff member he came across to have the vet meet him in his study, to please invite Julia to dry off and meet them there, too, and to bring him all the information available on the Prestons and Leopolds Legacy.
Finally, he forced a relaxed, cheerful expression onto his face and veered into the great hall, where Alex would have taken Brittany.
Grandmother, he greeted, crossing to where she sat on a French provincial chair overlooking the east garden. He held out both hands to Lady Hannah Beaumont-Rochester.
As always, his grandmother was perfectly groomed, every blond hair in place, tasteful earrings at her ears. She was wearing a shimmering, brown-and-gold-leaf-patterned blouse paired with a plain, brown skirt.
She smiled warmly, reaching out to touch him. Harrison. So good to see you, dear.
She smiled warmly, reaching out to touch him. Harrison. So good to see you, dear.
He leaned forward for a quick hug and cheek kiss.
How was your flight? he asked her.
Very nice. But, my, it is hot here today.
Shall I have the air-conditioning adjusted?
Its fine inside. Her gaze shifted to Brittany, who had stood up from her chair.
Brittany, Harrison greeted, holding out both hands to her, and drawing her in for a slightly more personal hug.
Then he drew back to look into her smiling face. Like his grandmother, everything about Brittany was perfect. From her pale pink-and-white outfit to her jewelry, her hair. She was stunningly beautiful, always had been.
Harrison was ten years her senior, and he could remember every stage of her growing up. No awkward teenage years for Brittany; shed always been poised and attractive.
I explained about the accident, Alex put in.
Harrison shifted his attention to Alex, looking for clues on the story hed come up with.
That poor girl, said Grandmother.
A close call, said Alex, and Harrison waited to understand.
Harrison had to haul her out of the pool, Alex continued. At first, we thought mouth-to-mouth might be necessary. But a few firm backslaps did the trick.
Right. Harrison nodded. It was lame as stories went, but he supposed it was better than admitting hed been about to strangle Julia.
He looked at Brittany, and he couldnt help but contrast her crisp appearance to Julias disheveled state. Brittany inspired respect. Julia, well, Julia had inspired something completely different.
He gave his head a quick shake to banish the image. Please, may I offer you lunch? He gestured to the hallway that would take them to several informal dining areas.
His grandmother came slowly to her feet.
Alex moved to help her, but Harrison gave him a quick shake of the head. Lady Beaumont-Rochester did not yet take kindly to assistance.
Please, she said. Not outside in the heat.
We have a lovely dining room overlooking the fountains, said Harrison. He gallantly held out an arm to his grandmother.
Alex stepped in next to Brittany.
Im afraid I cant join you for lunch, Harrison said in a voice loud enough that they could all hear it. Some last-minute preparations for the party tomorrow night, and a few other business details. I hope you dont mind.
You men and your business, said Grandmother. But Harrison knew it would take a whole lot more than an inconvenient business meeting to upset her today. Shed be thrilled by his invitation to Brittany. He could probably do no wrong in her eyes for quite a while to come.
Of course we dont mind, Brittany put in.
Im sure Alex would be happy to join you, Harrison offered.
My pleasure, said Alex in a carefully neutral voice.
Harrison was sure he was the only one who realized Alex was ticked off. Alex didnt want to entertain the ladies over lunch. He wanted to find out what the hell was going on with Millions to Spare and Julia.
Chapter Five
Brittany Livingston didnt like being humored, and she certainly didnt like being lied to, and Mr. Alex Lindley had been doing both for the past hour. That woman at the pool hadnt been drowning. Harrison was clearly reaming her out. Which meant she must have done something pretty terrible, because Brittany had known Harrison her entire life, and shed never seen him anywhere near that angry.
And something was still going on.
Alex Lindley had glanced at his watch at least three times since theyd finished lunch and Lady Hannah had excused herself for a nap.
If theres somewhere you have to be, Brittany offered, her tone a study in civility.
Nowhere important, said Alex, though the strain around his mouth told her differently.
It was on the tip of her tongue to probe for answers.
Where was Harrison? Who was the mysterious woman? What kind of party disaster would take him away from his duties as host?