Page 89 of Snapdragons
“A stallion,” Penelope whispered. That seemed to be the answer she’d been hoping for.
“But he ain’t so full of the fire that he’s difficult. He don’t like doing the farm work I’d hoped he’d do, and it’s a right struggle keeping him patient enough to see to it.”
Under her breath, Penelope said, “That isnota farm horse.”
Aldric eyed them without seeming to.
“I’d like to know where the horse came from,” Penelope whispered quickly, “and if it is truly white.”
To the horse trader, Aldric said, “I do not hail from this area.Are white horses common here?”
“This’n came from Lincolnshire,” the man answered. “And though I’ve seen gray horses about, he’s a different sort. Skin underneath’s pink, if you can believe it.”
“I’ll believe it if I can see it,” Digby said.
The man dipped his head and rushed toward his horse. Digby and Aldric both looked at Penelope expectantly.
“Pink skin tells us it is a true white horse,” she said. “The man said it’s a stallion.Andfrom Lincolnshire, so there is the possibility it could be descended from Alcock’s Arabian.”
“You wouldn’t be able to prove that,” Niles warned.
“I know, but I have a true-white broodmare. We could breed white horses. I don’t know of any other horse-breeding estate with that focus. When a true-white horse happens to be born, the interest is immediate. And when that horse becomes available for purchase, the asking price is incredibly high. To breed true-white horses with lines like this stallion has... . That’d be the making of Fairfield.”
Niles took her hand while they were being paid such little heed. He was having to be careful not to draw notice.
“I don’t want to get excited too quickly,” she said. “I’m certain I can’t afford him. But heavens, Niles, if I could... Being unmarried, I have no hope of the banks lending me money for the other stallion I was hoping to purchase. Having only one stud will slow down the building of my business. But to have this one, thisremarkableone, would change everything. Fairfield could turn a tremendous profit in only a couple of years.”
“Perhaps this is the beginning of that miracle we’re hoping for,” he said.
She released a tight breath. “It would require a miracle.”
The man was returning, leading the horse by a rein. Niles squeezed Penelope’s hand quickly before letting go.
“Age, overall health, more about its temperament,” Penelopesaid quickly. “Let’s make certain it definitely has not been gelded. Then a price.”
Digby and Aldric continued asking the questions, managing to do so without seeming overly eager and without drawing undue attention to Niles. All the while, Penelope studied the stallion. So did Niles. It was exquisite. The pink of his nose, now near enough to be clearly seen, confirmed that he was truly white. And his eyes were blue.
This was a unique horse.
Penelope stroked its nose and rubbed its neck. And while the animal didn’t seem to entirely trust her, it didn’t snap or nip or object.
“True white. Beautiful lines. It hasn’t been gelded.” The slight shake in her whisper, Niles felt certain, arose from the enormity of this discovery. “Oh, Niles, I am getting my hopes up.”
“So am I.”
The horse trader quoted an asking price. Penelope froze. Niles didn’t think he’d ever seen her so still. He’d been to Tattersalls and been present for equine purchases often enough to have had something of a guess as to what the trader would ask. He’d assumed the price would be high. Had Penelope as well?
Digby indicated they’d need to discuss it a moment. The four of them took a few steps away and spoke quietly.
“The price he’s asking is far, far lower than it could be.” Penelope shook her head. “And while I want to agree to it before he realizes his error, I’d also feel criminal accepting it.”
“I know the man’s family,” Digby said. “I guarantee you he believes he is ruthlessly cheating you.”
“What if we asked him to deliver the animal to Pledwick Manor for an additional fee? Then I could pay a little more and feel a little better without wounding his pride by insisting he doesn’t know the value of what he has.”
“Wise,” Aldric said.
“Does this mean you can afford the stallion?” Niles asked. “Without having to petition any banks for a loan?”
