“Darling, Thomas…” Helena said, breezing into Thomas’s study where he was running figures for the budget.

“Helena… What a pleasant surprise. Were you out riding and suddenly fancied a cup of tea?” he asked, laughing and standing up from his desk.

“No, dearest. I came just to see you—although I would never say no to a cup of tea.”

“Then you are in luck because I have a special treat for you.”

“Oh?” she said, taking off her gloves and throwing herself into the most comfortable chair.

“I have to tell you I have a terrible new addiction, and it is all your fault.” He said leaning over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Oh, how splendid. I love encouraging vices of all natures.”

“I am not sure if it qualifies as a vice, exactly, but it certainly is delightful.”

“You are too cruel to keep me in suspense. Be forthcoming or I shall depart immediately.”

“Very well. I happened to stop by the bakery where your friend, Jenny works…”

“You went to visit Jenny!” Helena shrieked. “How splendid!”

Thomas was not about to admit he went to the bakery just to see her, so he said, “I was out riding and felt a bit peckish, so I stopped at the bakery for a refreshment and…”

“How curious,” Helena said with a sly smile, “You never go into town except on business. And you just happened into the bakery where my dear friend, Jenny, works?”

Thomas assumed a pose of mock indignation. “Will you please let me tell my story? Or are you to interrupt me every other second?”

Helena looked coy. “Of course, my darling, please continue.”

“What I have laboriously been trying to tell you is, I bought some of the bakery’s teacakes, and I find them so delightful, I order them regularly, and you are to have some with your tea if you like.”

“I see.” Helena said and then looked up at him and challenged, “And that is all you want to tell me, is it?”

“It is all regarding the tea I am about to order for you. Good heavens, what a production over a cup of tea.”

Helena appeared to be amused by this conversation. “Then, please order us some tea with those charming teacakes.”

Thomas rang the bell and ordered the tea. Then he turned back to his guest.

“If you were not out riding, then what did you come to see me about?” he asked.

“I came to thank you.”

“For?”

“Speaking to my father about your…engagement. Most kind of you.”

“And has it helped?” Thomas asked.

“I believe so. I have begun a conversation with him about George, and he seems much more open than I expected. Did you talk to Father about him?”

“Only in connection with the project George and I are doing.”

“Yes, George told me about that. He seems to be quite excited about it and says it may solve our problem of an income.”

“But you have a very nice income, Helena.”

“Yes, but George is being very manly and insisting—however much I bring with me to the marriage—he wants to be the breadwinner. He wants to provide.”

“That seems like an honorable request.”

Willoughby came in with the tea cart. “Shall I serve, Your Grace?”

“If you please, Willoughby.”

As they were settling in to enjoy their tea, Helena casually asked, “Thomas, now that we are no longer engaged in dear Father’s eyes, I was wondering what your next romantic inclinations were?”

“Inclinations?”

“Yes, you are getting along, old man. Certainly, you must be considering marriage soon?” Thomas did not respond but looked into his teacup. “All those trips to London—all those lovely young ladies—is there no one of interest to you?”

This was a subject Thomas did not wish to explore. “No one in particular.”

“Then what sort of a young lady are you searching for?”

Thomas gave that some thought. “Someone who is open, honest, caring. She must be able to get along well with Grandmamma and have the ability to help me manage an estate the size of Pemberton.”

Helena laughed. “It sounds as though you are seeking an estate manager, not a wife.”

Thomas wagged his head. He had to admit there was some truth in what she said. “Then perhaps you know better than I do.”

“Then might I make a suggestion?”

“Please,” he said without a great deal of enthusiasm.

“The morning I stopped by, not long ago, you had rescued my friend, Jenny, from the rain.”

“That is correct.”

“And I could not help but notice how your face lit up when she came into the room in that quite lovely dress.”

“Yes, that is true, I was happy to see her.”

“And I know her to be the very finest of young ladies. She is educated, comes from a well-respected family in the community—although they are not of the nobility—and I believe is far superior to those snooty London ladies you have been entertaining.”

“Oh, Helena, are you suggesting I should consider your friend as a future Duchess?”

“And why not?” she asked, taking another of the delicious teacakes.

Thomas sighed. And even though the thought had crossed his own mind more than once, he said, “You know what is expected of me, Helena. I am not free to marry just anyone. I am a part of society that expects me to marry within the aristocracy. I cannot disregard those interests. And, although, I find Miss Jenny quite charming… she is, after all… a baker. And certainly you, as the daughter of an Earl, know full well the restrictions placed upon us.”

“I do. And that is exactly the restriction I have been fighting against. George is not an aristocrat, and I fully intend to marry him.”

That silenced Thomas, for he saw her point and had been supporting her choice of George. Perhaps the heart was not so easily influenced by the strictures of social convention.

Thomas tried again, by saying, “But you have to admit, Helena, although Miss Jenny is charming, she is a bit rough around the edges. When I happened to see her at the bakery, she looked like a serving wench. Her hair was a mess. Her clothes were spotted and shabby and one has to admit that she and her family are tradesmen.”

“Thomas, I am surprised at you. I never thought of you as a snob.”

That took Thomas by surprise. “I have nothing against her, and I would never demean her, Helena, but I cannot disregard my station in life. I must adhere to certain standards as the Duke of Pemberton.”

Helena stood and began putting on her gloves. “Thank you for tea, Thomas. And thank you for helping me with my father. But I think you are making a big mistake not considering Miss Jenny. And one day I may forgive you for your narrow-mindedness, but it may take me a day or two.”

She glared her disapproval. “Thomas,” she said with an abrupt nod as she exited.

“Helena,” he answered equally curt.

George and Thomas were pouring over the rough draft of their proposal.

“It looks fine on paper, but how accurate do you know these figures to be? And how long do you estimate it will take before we see a profit?” George asked.

“I think your guess is as good as mine,” Thomas replied. “We are dealing with live animals here—buying, selling, breeding, racing. There are so many variables. I would not be able to hazard a guess as to when or even how much the profit could be.”

“Then how are we going to convince anyone to invest with us?” George asked very sensibly.

Thomas walked away from his desk and began to pace. “Are we being fools to consider such a venture?”

“I certainly hope not. We know this can work, for we have seen others who have been very successful. But perhaps we are not experienced enough to take on such a project,” George said.

“I think we have each been successful on the various elements, but we have never put them all together.”

George studied the plan again. “And this is how much we need to begin the operation?”

“I believe that is accurate.”

“And you say Ralph is interested?”

“I believe he can be convinced,” Thomas said, coming back to the desk.

“And how are we to maintain a living until we start seeing a profit? You have estate expenses. I want to be able to establish a home with Helena. How can any of this be possible? I can certainly continue living at home, unmarried, for a while, but you need a considerable amount of money to maintain your land and your household.”

“I still have enough income from my other investments to manage the estate, but I have also factored in some money for your maintenance in the budget—but it is not a lot.”

“And we must have cash to purchase the horses we need to get started.”

“Besides the two I already have, I have a few mares and stallions in mind to add. And several of the owners are friends I might be able to convince to give us credit,” Thomas said.

George was concerned. “I would feel a lot better if we were fully financed and could do business without asking favors. It just does not feel right to start our new venture being heavily in debt and not knowing what the outcomes might be.”

“You are absolutely correct, George. And I am glad to have your sound perspective on these matters.”

George turned and suggested, “Then let me speak to my father. Perhaps he might be willing to invest. If we had Father and Ralph, and if you could come up with a few more investors, we might be able to get started. Do you think that is possible?”

“I would need to go to London. And I do have a banker who has worked with my family for many years. He might be willing to help us.”

“Then let me speak to Father and see what he might be willing to do, and then we can meet again.” George looked at the proposal. “Might I have a copy of this to take to him? I know he will want to study it before deciding.”

“Yes, let me prepare that, and then we can meet again tomorrow.”