“I did. And all went well. We have our jockey.”
“How splendid,” Prunella said. “Who has he ridden?”
Thomas explained. “He is a local lad. Just starting out. We will be training him along with the new horses.”
“Oh, is that wise? Certainly, you need someone experienced, if we plan to win any races.”
“But everyone needs to start out somewhere. And we should have plenty of time to season the lad before the first spring race,” George insisted.
“I know several excellent gentlemen who have been riding professionally for years. I would be happy to contact them for you if you wish?”
Thomas and George exchanged a glance and then Thomas said, “Thank you, Miss Prunella, but until we are able to raise the remainder of our investment, we cannot afford to take on a highly experienced jockey just now.”
“Then you have not raised all you need yet?” Prunella asked.
“Not yet. We were hoping you might have some more suggestions for us of people we might approach as possible investors.”
“You mean the names I gave you were not interested?”
“I am afraid not,” Thomas said.
Prunella and her mother looked at each other briefly. “That is a shame. Well… I have no more suggestions.”
Thomas was suddenly struck by the fact that he was discovering a different Lady Alderman than the one he had met in London. What was going on? He decided they might be tired from the journey and he suggested, “Dinner will be served at eight. Perhaps you would like to go to your rooms and rest after your journey. Willoughby will be happy to show you the way.”
“Do I have my own room?” Cordelia asked.
“You do, Miss Cordelia.”
“How splendid. Mother said I should need to share with her, but I said you were a Duke and I would have my own room in such a fine place as Pemberton.”
“And so you shall,” Thomas said with a smile.
Prunella stood and said, “Yes, I am fatigued. It would be nice to retire for a time. I assume we dress for dinner.”
“We do. But not quite as formally as in London. Please feel free to make yourselves comfortable. I want you to have a pleasant weekend.” He turned to her mother. “And if you like, Lady Alderman, I am certain we can organize a game of whist for you after dinner.”
That seemed to please her. “I should like that very much.”
The three guests filed out of the room and followed Willoughby.
Grandmamma came over to Thomas with a scowl and started to speak, but he held up his hand and said, “Say not a word. Not a single word.”
She raised her chin, turned away, and left the room.
“Is that the same Lady Alderman we met in London?” George asked.
Thomas sighed. “I have no idea.”
“What shall we do about Robert? I said we would start him as soon as possible.”
Thomas looked at George and said definitively, “We start him tomorrow, of course. We hired the lad, and we shall train him, and he shall be our jockey. I will send a message to him right away.”
George smiled. “I was hoping you would say that.”
* * *
There was only the gentlest breeze in the dark of night as the ship pulled up to the dock, and the deckhands threw their lines to the men on the dock to secure the vessel.
