“I don’t see why not. Besides, it shall only be a loan.”
“A loan?” Maggie furrowed her brow.
“Yes. I will promise to repay him in future. It may take the rest of my life saving my pin money, of course, but I’ll give it to him.”
Maggie lowered her voice. Her eyes softened. “Thea, getting that horse back … it won’t bring back your moth—”
“Don’t,” Thea warned, tears stinging the backs of her eyes. “I’m getting Alabaster back. No matter the cost.”
Maggie averted her gaze, nodded, and returned her attention to her sewing.
THEA WAITEDon tenterhooks for two entire torturous days before she received an answer from Viscount Clayton. She’d sent a footman directly to his estate with her letter, but his letter came back in the regular post as if he couldn’t be bothered to believe it was of importance.
The moment her butler handed the letter to her, she ripped open the seal and scanned the page, all the while holding her breath as her heart pounded in her chest.
Dear Lady Theodora,
While I appreciate your story and am sorry for your loss, I could not possibly part with the Arabian. I, too, have reasons for wanting him. He’s a beautiful steed.
Lord Ewan Fairchild, Viscount Clayton
Thea read it once more. Then she turned over the page. It was blank. There had to be more to it. “That’s it! That’s all he has to say? He has ‘reasons’? He didn’t even bother to tell me what they are.”
Maggie wrinkled her nose. “He’s not required to tell you his reasons.”
Thea fought the urge to crumple the letter in her fist. “You’re right, but it would have been gentlemanly of him. I told him how much I love Alabaster.” She was already pulling out a fresh piece of vellum to write back to the old curmudgeon.
Dear Lord Clayton,
While I appreciate that you may have your reasons for wanting Alabaster, though you failed to enumerate them, you cannot know what his loss has done to me. Please name your price. I eagerly await your reply.
Lady Theodora Ballard
There, that was succinct enough, was it not? He couldn’t possibly mistake that for some sort of coy negotiation tactic. She wanted that horse and was prepared to stop at nothing to get him.
This time, she had to wait even longer for the reply, prompting her to attempt to mount a trip to his estate more than once. Maggie had to talk her out of doing that, of course. Finally, the reply came one week later.
Dear Lady Theodora,
It is with deep regret that I must inform you that nothing and no price could entice me to part with Alabaster. As I’m certain you’re aware, he’s an incomparable horse. I commend you on your knowledge of horseflesh.
Red flashed before Thea’s eyes. She crumpled the letter in her hands, her face heating with undiluted anger. How dare he refuse her and how dare he patronize her while refusing her!
Maggie hurried into the room. “What did he say this time?”
“He refused my offer,” Thea said through clenched teeth.
Maggie cocked her head to the side. “I don’t understand. Didn’t you ask him to name his price?”
“I did!” Thea replied, indignation filling her.
Mag’s face fell. “I’m terribly sorry, Thea. If he refused that offer, he’s clearly intent upon keeping the horse.”
Thea’s nostrils flared. She glared at the odious letter sitting atop her desk. She would not write to him again. The hideous man had left her no choice. She would simply have to pay him a visit.
CHAPTER FOUR
Ewan sat behind the desk in his study, intent upon his conversation with Mr. Forrester, who sat in the chair facing him on the other side of the desk. Both men were enjoying a brandy.
