Page 53 of A Pure Lady for the Broken Duke

“Then proceed.”

George laid out the prepared presentation on his father’s desk and went over the outline and filled in the pertinent details. After he was finished, his father stood back, and rubbing his chin, studied the plan without responding.

“Do you have any questions?” Thomas spoke up, hoping to elicit a response.

“Iterate for me exactly where the income is going to come from? So far, I see a lot of expenses, but it is not entirely clear how you are going to make a profit.”

Thomas went over to the desk. “I currently have two very fine young horses with great racing potential. You already know one of them—the mare you tried to snatch from me for a ridiculously low price,” he joked.

The three men appreciated the humor.

“Then I have two more horses I am ready to buy once we are funded. That gives us four great racers. We plan to enter them in as many races as we can and—if we win—the purses should provide a very handsome income.

“Then there are the stud fees. A winning horse brings very substantial fees for breeding. And our mares can produce foals—the sale of which can be substantial for the offspring of winners.”

“But that is dependent on your horses being successful on the race course.”

“That is true, and that is where your son comes in. I know him to be quite astute in assessing horses, and I am counting on him to lead us to victory. Not to mention the fact that I have one of the top British trainers at my stable.”

“Very interesting,” Silas said, nodding his head and stroking his chin. “Of course, I will need to study this proposal and think about this. And the amount of the investment you propose as my share will give me what percentage exactly?”

“That depends on what share of the total you wish to choose. The greater the investment the greater the share,” George said.

“I see.”

It was then the tea was brought in and the conversation went in another direction. Silas began showing Thomas his collection of antique coins which he had been collecting since he was a child.

As Thomas and George were leaving—no more business had been discussed during tea—George said to Thomas as they were heading back to Pemberton in the carriage, “You know Helena and I meet secretly at her Aunt Rosemary’s.”

“I believe you mentioned that before.”

“She and I are meeting again shortly. I will need to leave when we get back to Pemberton.”

George frowned and Thomas asked, “Will her father not find out about these, now forbidden, meetings?”

George looked at Thomas with concern. “Her aunt is very discreet. She definitely sides with us. But it is the only way we can meet under the circumstances.”

“If there is anything I can do, let me know,” Thomas offered.

George sighed. “I am afraid Helena and I are on our own. Her father does not look too kindly on you right now—in any event.”

Thomas chuckled. “You are probably right in that.”

They rode on in silence for a moment before Thomas asked, “How do you think the meeting went with your father?”

George said, “He certainly seemed open to the suggestion. However, I think he was trying to please you. He felt honored to have you there. So, I really can’t be certain how he will respond. He is a very conservative businessman, and I think his reservations about the uncertainty of the racing world troubles him. If he were more of a gambler we might have a better chance. But I honestly would not count on him coming in with us.”

“I see,” Thomas said soberly. “Then we will need to think of other possibilities. I shall make a trip to London and talk to my banker.”

“And these horses you want to buy?” George asked. “Are we under any deadline to purchase them?”

“Unfortunately, I must make a purchase within the next couple of weeks or we will lose them. They are fine steeds, and I know there are other buyers interested.

“Then I shall stay on top of my father, so he does not drift away with his indecision.”

“Good man, George.”

Chapter 18