Page 5 of Invitation to Pleasure
“Of course he did. I was at the yearling sales when Wentworth’s late father-in-law bought the colt just over a year ago.”
Interesting.Georgiana had mentioned it was a gift from her grandfather. But perhaps it was simply something a man said to his granddaughter. “Then I would be humbled to receive such a Christmas gift.”
Rheda laughed and moved to hug him. “You don’t look that happy about it.”
He wasn’t, because of his encounter with Georgiana, but he did not wish to expose her as the ‘almost’ thief. “I’m only thinking that now I have to find you both an incredible gift in return.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Simply having you stay with us is gift enough.” And Rheda squeezed his hand—hard.
He knew what Rheda was referring too and he would stay until he knew for sure his sister would be all right.
“My lord, the carriage is ready.”
Rufus thanked his butler and they waited in the lobby for Rheda’s maid to fetch her cloak, hat and gloves. Though it was a clear blue-sky day, the wind had a bite to it.
During the carriage ride to Newmarket, Rheda quizzed Daniel on his gifts for his nephew and niece. He refused to tell her, partly because he wanted them all to be surprised and partly because he wondered if Rheda would approve.
The men left Rheda and her lady’s maid in the town to do more Christmas shopping and strolled to the stockyards and stables. Rufus bought three new yearlings and Daniel one. They had a beer with some of the trainers before deciding to head back to town.
They had just reached the outskirts of the town when a carriage drew up beside them. “Lord Hascombe, been at the sales?”
“Lord Wentworth, I have indeed. Even bought a few fillies. My brother-in-law bought one too. May I present Lord de Winter?”
The Marquis merely nodded his head at Daniel. “Have you time to come and see a stallion I’m selling. It’s over in the yard by the first stable block.”
Rufus shook his head. “I’m off to meet my wife, and escort her home. I have all the stallions I need for now.”
“Then you and your lovely wife must come to dinner this week. How is Thursday?”
It was obvious that Rufus did not wish to attend. “I’d love to, Wentworth, however, we have Baron de Winter staying and—”
“Bring him. By all means bring him.” The Marquis banged his cane on the inside of the carriage roof and it began to roll forward. “That’s settled then. See you Thursday.”
“Damn. Damn.” Daniel heard Rufus mutter under his breath.
“What was all that about. Why has the Marquis become so friendly? He lost Apollo to you. Plus if I recall, before you cleared your fathers name, he would not give you the time of day.”
Rufus saw Rheda ahead and waved. “He’s in dun territory and will most likely want to try and sell me more of his horses.”
“I might be interested in some if that helps.”
Rufus sighed. “That would help, but be careful. While Lord Wentworth did have a wonderful stable of thoroughbreds, I’ve heard a rumor that he’s been secretly selling them off and fraudulently buying a horse of similar colorings and trying to sell them off as the same thoroughbred horse again and again, with false papers and all.”
Daniel was no fool when it came to horseflesh. He could tell a hack from a thoroughbred from one hundred paces. “Fallen on hard times has he?”
“The late Lord Upton was the real horse breeder. Lord Wentworth is his son-in-law. With Upton’s only child a daughter married to Lord Wentworth, he left the estate and horse breeding business to his son-in-law as it was not entailed. Unfortunately, Lord Wentworth is more interested in gambling on the horses than breeding them. Lord Upton must be turning in his grave. I don’t believe he knew the extent of his son-in-laws gambling debts.”
This gave even more weight to Georgiana’s words that her grandfather gifted her the colt.
If Georgiana was right, in good conscience he could not keep the horse and that would be a major blow. However, he might be able to convince Georgiana to let him put the colt to stud before handing him back, as Apollo was almost four years old.
“I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before Lord Wentworth and his wife and daughter will find themselves forced to sell the estate.”
Daniel hadn’t noticed that they had reached Rheda until she added to the conversation, “I would not wish that on anyone, but if the estate did come up for sale, it might be an option for Daniel. I’d love him to move closer to us.”
Daniel wondered where Rheda thought the money would come from. He must have shown it on his face for she said, “Tumbury Manor could be sold. It would be enough to buy the Upton estate Rufus tells me.”
That is when it hit him like a rampaging bull and all joy in the afternoon outing died. Rheda believed she was in grave trouble. RhedaandRufus had discussed this, and were serious about him moving closer. As soon as he could get Rufus alone he would get the truth from him about Rheda’s condition. Was she hiding something more from him?
