“Surprised he’s not in the Derby later on the card.I thought he was one of the best hopes last season, even put an early bet on it.”The elderly gentleman was a consummate gambler who was rumoured to have spent all the funds earned by his several estates.Poor Theodore; he’d have his work cut out for him fixing the mess when he inherited.
“He missed the lead up races with a hoof injury.”
“Oh, what a shame.Well, perhaps he’ll put in a good showing for you today.”
“Perhaps.”Maurice nodded and began a more determined walk towards the bird cage.He’d much rather be in the public stand with Wildgoose—the general public seemed to be having a rather rowdy happy time of it—but it was Derby day and he really had to put in an appearance in the members.He tipped his hat to the Chairman of the Jockey Club, then went to watch the horses make their entrance.Slowly, he made his way towards the fence that separated the members from the riff raff and was gratified when he saw Wildgoose standing on the other side of the fence, where they always stood to watch the horses together.
“Your Grace.”Wildgoose nodded and Maurice breathed in sharply.The man smelled wonderful, like the flowering hedgerows at home, elderberry and freshly cut grass ...damnation, breathing in while standing close to him had been a miscalculation.
“Tell me, what do you think?”He needed to focus on the horses, not the impossibility of kissing his stable master.Bollocks and damnation; thoughts like this were his secret, only to be indulged in the silence of his bedroom.There were clubs for men like him in London, like the King’s Book Club and the Soho Club, and so he knew his attraction to men—to Wildgoose—was nothing to cause any consternation ...aside from the illegalities of it and the very important fact that he would never risk anything that might jeopardise Wildgoose’s position at Pewett Downs.He needed him as a horseman, much more than he needed him in his bed.Admiration from afar was all he could allow himself.
“The Earl of Banbury’s colt is a beautiful athlete.Look at his overstep.”Wildgoose’s focus on the horses reminded Maurice of the futility of his desire.Without horses, they were nothing.
“And Glorification?”
“He’s filled out since his last campaign, stronger through the quarters and neck, but he’s still carrying a little bit of condition.”
“He might need the run?”Maurice had made a similar assessment, and warmth spread through his veins as they agreed.
Wildgoose nodded.“On paper, if fit, he should beat this field, but horses aren’t good at following instructions.The only one who might challenge him is Banbury’s colt.What a beauty.”
He couldn’t buy every horse that Wildgoose liked, or rather, he could but he shouldn’t.The jockeys mounted up and the horses cantered down to the start.A sprint race like this would be over quickly, and the crowd surged towards the outside rail to watch.Soon enough the horses came thundering past and Wildgoose’s chest expanded as he held his breath for the final furlong.Glorification was a length off the leader but closing fast.He crossed the line locked together with Banbury’s colt and Maurice couldn’t tell from this angle if he’d won.
“Close.Hard to know from this angle.”Maurice stared up at the judge’s box, waiting for the judge to indicate the winner.
When Glorification’s name was announced, Sebastian punched the air.“Yes.Good boy.”
“Come with me to lead him in.”Maurice needed to have Wildgoose at his side in the winner’s circle.
“Only members and trainers are allowed in there.”
Could a commoner become a member?Maurice had never asked the question.A few of the wealthy industrialists were members, so it must be possible with enough funds.Would his peers glance askew if he nominated his stable master to be a member?Yes.Did he care?No ...Maybe a little.Wildgoose had told him many times that he didn’t want to be a racehorse trainer; that he preferred breeding them.Maurice’s father’s gruff voice clanged in his head, reminding him of the responsibilities of his position.He was a Duke.
“I wish it was different.You bred and raised Glorification.You should be there to celebrate his wins.”
Wildgoose shrugged.“I am here.Go on, get your trophy.”
There was nothing left to do but head to the winner’s circle and stand with his trainer and his horse while trying to ignore that Wildgoose was missing from the celebrations.Glorification returned to scale as Maurice entered the winner’s circle where he was greeted with a thump on the back.
“Your Royal Highness.”
“I heard my gift arrived safely.”
Maurice swallowed.“Not a gift.Phase one of a wager which I intend to win.”
Prinny laughed loud enough for Glorification to throw his head in the air.Maurice bit back a grin, imagining that if Glorification was a human, he’d be sneering at Prinny’s absurdity.
“St Leger Day will be entertaining this year.”
Maurice bowed his head.“Your Highness.”He turned to his horse, belatedly realising that Prinny was there to present the trophy and now he’d have to face him again after his unsubtle snub.Rank was such a pest, and he was going to enjoy winning this bet, and he might even try to enjoy the absurd spectacle of driving four zebras down the straight at Doncaster in a few months time.He had no doubts that Wildgoose could achieve this.
