Page 21 of Only By Grace
“But is not your passion horses?”
“Born of necessity,” he said simply. Breeding horses had saved his family, a trade respectable enough to gain entry to England’s elite. But it had required shipping, and so his life had become entwined with both land and sea. His men requiredtalent for both horses and the sea, and he asked a lot of them. He asked a lot of himself.
The Irish peerage was not like the English. Yet running a business venture was not something one discussed amongst theton. Horse breeding was one of those acceptable occupations gentlemen considered hobbies, and they were willing to pay obscene amounts of money for horseflesh.
Ronan leaned back slightly as he spoke. “After the potato famine, the estate needed more than rents to stay afloat. Breeding gave us something of quality to offer that couldn’t be ignored.”
His voice carried a note of pride as he continued. “We’ve sold to some of the finest stables in Ireland and England. The Earl of Denby is particularly fond of our hunters, and Lord Strathmore swears by the endurance of our carriage horses. They’re special because we breed them for more than appearance. Strength, temperament, and intelligence—those are what make a horse truly great.”
He met her gaze, his expression thoughtful. “Each horse that leaves Donnellan carries our name, our reputation; and it helps support more than just my family. The tenants, the workers—they all benefit from what we do.”
“I wish it were possible for a lady to do such things.”
“I do it because I must.” A faint smile curved his lips. ’Tis not what thetonexpects of a gentleman, but it’s what keeps us standing.”
“That is admirable. Why pretend otherwise?”
He looked at her, surprised by her boldness. Yet he knew she referred as much to his reputation. “’Tis not pretending, lass. I’ve simply no care to correct assumptions.”
Her nod told him she perhaps did understand. Perhaps Grace was not so timid after all, but rather a woman who didnot waste her breath on trivialities, rather didn’t feel the need to trouble herself to compete for attention with those around her.
“So if you cede rights to this Flynn fellow, does that put your horse breeding in jeopardy?”
“Amongst other things. But I will never cede anything to the scoundrel.”
A comfortable silence ensued as they both became lost in the wonder of the sky.
For a brief moment, Ronan pretended that there was nothing else in the world to worry about other than if the wind decided to blow. He could allow himself to enjoy the sounds of nature and peace around him. Perhaps even enjoy being in the presence of this woman. None of those things seemed meant to be for him—unless perhaps he could purge the earth of Donnagh Flynn. At the moment, the thought was fleeting and futile.
CHAPTER 7
Meanwhile, aboardThe Tempest
“Why are we not moving?” Joy asked.
“I’m not sure. ’Tis deuced odd, but the wind has just stopped,” Freddy remarked, seemingly as perplexed as she was. “Never seen that happen before.”
They sat on one of the wooden chests that covered the deck. Mostly they held ropes.
“I hope it starts again. It will be difficult to reach Grace if we cannot move.”
“I suppose they don’t have wind either,” he said reasonably as they stared up at the mast with the sails limp against it.
“This is rather tedious,” Joy remarked. “It’s not at all what I expected.”
“It will get better if the wind picks up again. It is always windy in England.”
Then Joy wondered what Patience and Ashley were doing—whatever the newly wedded did. They had not seen hide nor hairof them since they boarded, but to each their own. She’d much rather be on the deck, watching the world go by. If only it would start going by again.
“How do you think Carew reacted when he found Grace?” she asked.
“He was probably spitting fire.”
“Like a dragon?” Joy asked.
Freddy seemed to ponder that. “They blow fire rather. Still, I cannot think he would be pleased. Now he will be shackled to her.”
Grace might like that, but Joy wasn’t sure. They had teased her about the Irish Earl, but Joy knew Grace the best and she wasn’t certain that just because she found the man handsome that she would want to be married to him. They were very different. Joy was not sure someone like Carew could appreciate her quiet, bookish sister. Although she was only really quiet around strangers. Or if there were too many attention-seekers in the room. Then Grace didn’t bother to compete. Joy admired that about her. For herself, Joy tended to draw attention, but not because she wanted it. That was why she had no desire to be part of Society. She drew the wrong kind of attention on accident.
