George and Thomas were pouring over the rough draft of their proposal.
“It looks fine on paper, but how accurate do you know these figures to be? And how long do you estimate it will take before we see a profit?” George asked.
“I think your guess is as good as mine,” Thomas replied. “We are dealing with live animals here—buying, selling, breeding, racing. There are so many variables. I would not be able to hazard a guess as to when or even how much the profit could be.”
“Then how are we going to convince anyone to invest with us?” George asked very sensibly.
Thomas walked away from his desk and began to pace. “Are we being fools to consider such a venture?”
“I certainly hope not. We know this can work, for we have seen others who have been very successful. But perhaps we are not experienced enough to take on such a project,” George said.
“I think we have each been successful on the various elements, but we have never put them all together.”
George studied the plan again. “And this is how much we need to begin the operation?”
“I believe that is accurate.”
“And you say Ralph is interested?”
“I believe he can be convinced,” Thomas said, coming back to the desk.
“And how are we to maintain a living until we start seeing a profit? You have estate expenses. I want to be able to establish a home with Helena. How can any of this be possible? I can certainly continue living at home, unmarried, for a while, but you need a considerable amount of money to maintain your land and your household.”
“I still have enough income from my other investments to manage the estate, but I have also factored in some money for your maintenance in the budget—but it is not a lot.”
“And we must have cash to purchase the horses we need to get started.”
“Besides the two I already have, I have a few mares and stallions in mind to add. And several of the owners are friends I might be able to convince to give us credit,” Thomas said.
George was concerned. “I would feel a lot better if we were fully financed and could do business without asking favors. It just does not feel right to start our new venture being heavily in debt and not knowing what the outcomes might be.”
“You are absolutely correct, George. And I am glad to have your sound perspective on these matters.”
George turned and suggested, “Then let me speak to my father. Perhaps he might be willing to invest. If we had Father and Ralph, and if you could come up with a few more investors, we might be able to get started. Do you think that is possible?”
“I would need to go to London. And I do have a banker who has worked with my family for many years. He might be willing to help us.”
“Then let me speak to Father and see what he might be willing to do, and then we can meet again.” George looked at the proposal. “Might I have a copy of this to take to him? I know he will want to study it before deciding.”
“Yes, let me prepare that, and then we can meet again tomorrow.”
Chapter 15
Thomas was in the stables examining the two horses he already had in his possession—the mare George’s father had been interested in—and a colt he had recently obtained, that was as yet untrained, but which showed great promise as a racer.
“What do you think, Barnstable, is he old enough for the track?” Thomas asked as he and his trainer were examining the colt.
Barnstable answered, “I can start working with him,” he said nodding, “but you must be prepared to wait for at least a year before he’ll be up to the race. Maybe longer. Each horse… very different. Depends on his temperament and how quickly he can learn.”
“Then I would like to get started right away. I should like to try him out in next year’s St. Leger, if possible.”
“We can try, Your Grace… but just sayin’… Patience be the game.” He touched his cap and led the horse back into the stall.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Thomas called out and headed back to the house.
As he was crossing the entryway toward his study, he came across his Grandmother coming down the staircase. He stopped when he saw her.
“I did not know you had returned,” he greeted with a smile.
