A vigorous nod. “Yes, my lord. I know it won’t be what it was, but the idea of all those boys...”
“I believe he will also want to host house parties for donors, investors. He has quite an extensive set of plans.”
“Yes, sir.”
“So we have a lot to do to help him.”
Little paused, studying Michael. “Wedo?”
Michael grinned slowly. “I never intended to do this alone, Little. I am a decent judge of horses. I can tell balance, topline, whether a horse is downhill. And I will, of course, be in charge of the purchases—”
“Of course, my lord.”
“But I need someone by my side who knows the ways of a horse far better than I do, who can tell a well-trained thoroughbred from a nag, who can tell the difference between a well-trained but spirited horse from a calm but inexperienced gelding who will buck his rider at the first opportunity. Whoknowsrather than assuming anything from mere appearances.”
Little’s eyebrows arched. “Sir?”
“I want you to organize your staff, choose an associate who can oversee this cleanup while you’re gone.”
“Gone?”
“I want you to accompany me on our buying trips—and we need to start right away.”
“My lord—”
“I have a goal, Little. I have to make our major purchases in the next two months.” He gestured widely. “And I cannot delay much longer on this stage.”
The man paused, looking away, watching the last of the dark water flow out of the room and down the central hall of the building. “My lord, I do not have garb to attend such—”
“I will take care of that once we are back in London.”
Little’s mouth gaped. “London?”
“Of course, I want to start with some purchases in the neighboring estates. The lesser horses for the boys. Small, gentle, but well-trained. You will not need a new wardrobe for that. But I do intend for us to end up at Tattersall’s. I plan to make a rather distinct impression. We will be buying several of the best, including a thoroughly bred stallion for my brother and geldings or mares for ladies.”
Little crossed his arms. “I was told your brother did not ride.”
Michael grinned. “My brother is a better horseman than he allows himself to be. He despises hot weather, so this past summer plagued him. And one of our Ashton Park stallions tossed him arse over teakettle a few weeks ago, and he has resisted getting back on any horse, even his usual mount. But if he is going to run this school and have the boys ride, he has to get his arse back in a saddle, and soon. We will find him the right steed.”
Little looked around. They stood in one of the side stables, where the cleanup of the stalls had not yet been completed. “How many are we talking about?”
“Twenty, including the ones at Tattersall’s.”
The groom’s gaze traveled over the empty stalls. “Let me talk to my boys. When did you want to make the first trip?”
“Tomorrow. Make sure you take a bath.”
Little grinned. “I will, my lord. Where are we headed?”
Michael clapped the man on the shoulder. “To the closest estate most rife with gossip, Little.”
Chapter Ten
Friday, 19 August 1825
The shop of Madame Adrienne Chenevert, London
Half-past nine in the morning
