His smile was back, his whole body relaxed. “Yes. Tiernan’s father and uncle became horse jobbers and in just a few years have a very successful enterprise.”
Unfortunately, his explanation didn’t help. “And a horse jobber does what exactly?”
“A horse jobber lets out trained horses for the season.”
Still not sure what he meant, she was about to ask a follow up question, but Tiernan jumped in. “That’s right. We rent them to many aristocratic families who don’t want to bring their horses to London. We also lend them to the gentry and a few merchants as well. We train and match pairs for carriages of all kinds as well as provide individual mounts.”
She hadn’t realized that some people didn’t bring their own horses to Town. She glanced at the large building again. “It appears your father is very successful.”
Tiernan beamed with pride. “Aye. We all help. Would you like to see?”
Marcus chuckled. “I hope you do, because this is what I wanted you to see. Given your interest in horses and possibly horse breeding, I thought you might like to see the Clancys’ business.”
Her heart filled at his thoughtfulness and unusual thinking. Bringing a woman to a business of this sort was not common. Even Tattersall’s had very few women who attended, yet here was Marcus offering her experiences she could only dream about, if she knew they existed. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was using their fake betrothal to apologize for staying hidden. Surely, that couldn’t be it. He did not apologize for hiding.
Tiernan opened his palm toward the stables. “My lady?”
She looked from him to Marcus, whose brow furrowed in worry. “I would love to.” She faced Tiernan. “Please, tell me everything there is to know.”
At the young man’s toothy smile, she started forward, rather excited to discover this other world within her world but completely unknown to her until now.
Marcus leaned in and kept his voice low. “Be sure to ask how they train the horses if you wish to see a young man excited to be alive.”
She nodded to acknowledge his remark just before they entered the massive building.
“This is where we house the carriages, coaches, phaetons, and curricles. We train the matched pairs on them daily, so having an area to harness them up out of the weather is helpful. We drive them out every day no matter if it’s stormy or sunny, so they get used to all conditions. Of course, after training here, we do bring them into our stables in Town to get them used to the noises and traffic there. We’ll have to walk down further to see the horses.”
As Tiernan explained everything from the horse collars to the feed, she noticed everything, most especially how neat it all was. Mr. Clancy at Ravenridge kept those stables spotless, or as spotless as possible with horses about. It appeared it was a family trait.
Tiernan moved to the side and held his arm out. “These horses in this section are the ones who are being trained. The ones further down are the ones that are let out, though with it being mid-season, we only have a few matched pairs available.”
Tiernan moved forward again, looking back at them after empty stall after empty stall was passed.
She could tell he was quite excited. “Are these all out being trained?” She motioned toward the last empty stall before one that had a young mare in it.
Tiernan immediately spun around to face them. “Aye, they are. I have seven men I’m in charge of. I insist on my training regime.” He shook his head. “Sometimes the older ones want to tell me what should be done, but I tell them if they do not follow my instructions, they can find another post. They don’t realize I’ve got horse training in my veins.”
Marcus explained further. “The way Mr. Clancy tells it, he can trace his ancestors back eight generations and every one of them was a horse lover.”
She nodded, having heard the same from the old man. “I cannot say the same. I know not why I enjoy the company of horses so much. No one else in my family is that enamored of them.”
Tiernan took a couple steps back. “These are the horses I train myself. They are for young ladies and gents. I train them differently as I like to have a horse for a lady who is used to the sidesaddle, though those mounts can also be ridden by men.”
She let go of Marcus’ arm and strolled toward the first stall. A lovely seal-bay thoroughbred mare stood there eyeing them. “She’s still young.”
Tiernan joined her. “Yes. She just started her training. She won’t be ready for a couple of years yet.”
The deep brown horse with the black mane, tail, and legs moved toward her. She backed away, not wanting to interfere with any training.
Tiernan gave the mare a pat. “She’s a smart girl. Sometimes too smart.”
She meandered past a few more stalls, the number far surpassing what was at Tattersall’s’ stables. Though he strolled behind her, she could sense Marcus observing her. She felt both safe and oddly excited by that. She halted as she came upon another empty stall, no doubt waiting for a new horse to be born or bought. She faced Tiernan, Marcus remained in her peripheral vision. “Do you train the horses to follow any particular commands for women that are different than for men?”
The young man frowned. “Different? I’m not sure what you mean.”
She set her index finger in the palm of her other hand and held it. “Women on horseback in a sidesaddle might be in danger of wild animals or even unwelcome guests. I trained Zephyrus to rear and attack upon a certain whistle I make.”
Tiernan’s eyes rounded. “You did?”
