Thomas and George were ecstatic with their new horses. The day after they arrived at Pemberton, the two men spent the entire day with Barnstable examining every inch of the horses, making certain they were in the top of health. They then spent the rest of the day leading them around the training ring so that they could become familiar with their new surroundings.

Thomas and George stood leaning against the training ring’s fence, watching their four thoroughbred horses becoming acquainted near the end of the afternoon.

“Well, friend, here we are,” Thomas said. “We have the beginning of our stable and now all we need to do is raise the other thirty percent of the investment. Have you any wonderful new ideas?”

George considered. “I hate to say this, but I really believe Ralph is our best chance. He knows the proposal, and I believe he would have invested with us if it had not been for the interference of your uncle.”

“What do you think? Now that he knows about you and Helena marrying, might he reconsider?”

“I am afraid to say, I think not. He has accepted the marriage because he has no choice, but I know he is still not happy about it, and I know for certain he is still angry at you.”

Thomas sighed and then sucked in his breath. “Lady Alderman and her mother and sister will be coming for a visit soon. Perhaps they might have some other ideas of someone who might be interested. We have exhausted all of our other leads.”

George put his hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Something will come along. At least we have enough to keep us going for now.”

“But time is running out to enter next season’s races. We need to be registered within the next month or two, and we need to be able to put up cash to do that. Cash we do not have.”

“And we must start thinking about finding a jockey,” George said. “That will be an expense which we will need to include in the other thirty percent.”

“Might not Barnstable serve as our jockey?”

“You must be joking. Take a look at him. He is far too old and too large to be an effective jockey. He is a magnificent trainer, but he could never be our jockey.”

Thomas remembered an encounter he had, not that long ago, and he realized he might know of the right person. But he was puzzled about how to approach the young man. “George, I think I might know of a local lad who could make our perfect jockey. But it is an errand you must take on.”

“Why is that?” George asked.

“The young man is Robert, Miss Jenny’s younger brother… and… well… it would not be appropriate for me to approach him… after…”

“After what, you dog?” George asked with a smile. “I thought you and Miss Jenny were on good terms. Did you not invite her to do the pastries for the ball?

“I did, but things might have become a little complicated between us.”

“Oh? And how is that?”

“We… I… was developing feelings for her. But my focus is now on Lady Alderman, and I must squelch those feelings for Jenny. Therefore, I do not believe I should be the one to approach her brother. If I ran into her again… well…”

George nodded in sympathy. “I do understand. And is this young man experienced with horses?”

“He is not, but he has expressed to me a passion for riding. And I thought that Barnstable could train him. He is small, slight of stature, and I believe would be perfect on a horse.”

“But is that what we want? Will we not need an experienced jockey?”

“He will be a great deal less expensive than a seasoned professional, George, and we have time to train him. We need to save every penny we can until we get the rest of our investment.”

“Then leave it to me. I will interview him and see if he is qualified and interested.”

Barnstable had just quartered the last horse, and he came over with the last set of tackle to store away.

He said, “It is time, Your Grace… We need to start work on the course. It is all well and good working in our small ring, but we need them to be stretching their legs on a half mile course.”

Thomas and George had already chosen the spot to build a dirt racing course. It was a level field that had been cleared of brush and small trees and was ready for workmen to start posting the fences and doing the final clearing and leveling of the track’s dirt surface.

Thomas turned to George and said, “Maybe tomorrow you can contact young Robert and sound him out, I will get the workmen started on the track, then we can meet up afterward and see what is next for us to do.”

George nodded. “And then we need to raise the rest of our investment.”

Now that George and Helena were no longer restricted to meeting secretly at her Aunt Rosemary’s, George was able to meet his fiancé at Springford Manor at any time. It was such a huge relief for Helena to anticipate Georgie’s appearance any morning or afternoon without clandestine notes for secret rendezvous.

Helena was working with her mother on the guest list for the wedding when Benton appeared and announced, “Miss Helena, your fiancé has arrived and wishes to see you. He is in the blue parlor, Miss.”

“Thank you, Benton.” She turned to her mother. “Can we continue this later?”

“Of course, dear,” her mother responded.

Helena ran to greet her dearest George.

“How lovely. I did not realize it was already tea time?” she said as she entered the parlor.

“I am actually on an errand and wanted to consult with you first.”

“Very well,” she said, sitting in a chair opposite him with her hands folded in her lap. “I am ready to be consulted,” she teased.

“I know Jenny is your very best friend—aside from me, of course.”

“Of course.”

“And Thomas and I are in need of a jockey.”

Helena howled with laughter. “And you are thinking of Jenny as a jockey?”

“You are being silly. Of course, not. We are thinking of her brother, Robert.”

“But he has never ridden anything that I know of. Why him?”

“Apparently, Thomas believes he is interested and can be trained, and well... we want to give the lad a break… and he will be a lot cheaper than a professional.”

Helena gave him a sour expression and shook her head.

“Not a good idea?” he asked, dubiously.

“I have no idea. But it seems like a complete long shot to me. Robert is working with the family in the bakery. Why would he want to just up and leave the family for a rather strange job?”

“Fame and fortune for one thing,” George said without a lot of conviction.

“Truly?

“Helena, like anything in life, there are no guarantees, but evidently the young man expressed an interest to Thomas at some point and now Thomas believes we should give him a chance.”

“Then why does Thomas not ask him?”

George leaned in as though he was to impart a great secret. “Apparently, Thomas and Jenny developed feelings for each other, and now that Thomas is courting Lady Alderman, he feels he must leave the task to me.”

Helena nodded. “So, he has admitted having feelings for her?”

“Apparently. In any case, he wants me to ask the lad.”

“And you are consulting me, why?”

“I am not quite certain how to go about this. Should I ask him directly? Should I speak first to his parents? Or maybe I should ask Jenny? You know the family so well—I thought you might be able to advise me.”

“Hmm,” Helena said, as she considered what might be the best approach.

“Of course, if you think we are on the wrong track altogether, then I should like to know that as well.”

“You know what? Perhaps it would be better to sound out Jenny first. She will know the best way to approach this if she thinks this will suit him.”

“But do you think Jenny might be hurt if her brother was to work for Thomas when she was unable to? I know it was her big dream to be a pastry cook in a great house.”

“I think Jenny is magnanimous enough to not stand in her brother’s way if she believes it will benefit him. Although, I cannot say it will not hurt her at some level.” She thought for a moment then asked, “Are you planning to go over there now?”

“That is my plan.”

“They should be finished at the bakery shortly. Let us have tea first. Then would you like me to accompany you?”

“What would that accomplish?” he asked.

“In case Jenny should need my support. I am not saying she will, but I would like to be available to her should she need me.”

“If you like. I came in the trap, so you will not need your horse.”

The bakery was already closed when the trap pulled up in front of the bakery.

Helena said, “Sometimes Jenny lingers in the bakery after they close the shop. Let us go in the back way and see if she is still there.”

“I will secure the horse and join you,” George said jumping off the trap and helping Helena down.

Helena found the back door open and she went inside and called out, “Jenny? Jenny, are you still here?”

“Over here, Helena,” she answered. “I am wiping down the pastry table.”

Helena went over to Jenny and put her arm around her shoulder. “How lovely to see you. How have you been holding up?”

Jenny gave her a weak smile. “Well enough. What brings you here today? Shopping?”

“No.”

“Are you in there?” George called out.

“Over here,” Helena replied.

“George is with you?”

George appeared and came over to where they were standing.

“I have come on an errand,” he said. “And it concerns your brother. But Helena thought I should speak to you first.”

“Oh? My brother? What could you possibly want with him?”

George explained the offer and asked, “What do you think, Miss Jenny? Is this something that might interest him?”

Jenny smiled. “What an idea. Yes. I think he would jump at the offer.”

“And your parents? Would they feel it might disrupt the business if he were to leave?”

“Possibly. But I know Robert has always loved horses and has longed to work with them. But what opportunity did he have stuck here at the bakery?”

“Might I speak to him now? Is he around?” George asked.

“He should be upstairs with the family. I am just finishing. We can go up together in a moment if you do not mind waiting.”

“Of course,” George said as he wandered away and began to examine the workings of the bakery.

Helena took Jenny’s arm and asked, “And it will not upset you to have your brother working for Thomas? After…”

Jenny put her finger on Helen’s lips. “Hush. After is past. There is only now, and if this is what Robert wants, then I totally support him.”

Shaking out her towel, Jenny hung it on a line and taking off her apron, signaled, “Let us go and surprise the family.”

They went out the back of the shop. Jenny locked up and they went to the front and climbed the stairs to the flat.

As they reached the top, Jenny called out, “Robert? Where are you? There is someone who wishes to speak with you.”

Robert came out of the kitchen. He was now fourteen and had grown a few inches in what seemed to be no time at all, but he was still a short and slender young man, and Jenny could see he would make a perfect jockey.

“Oh, hello, Mr. Edgerton, did you wish to speak to me?”

George smiled when he saw the boy who was quickly becoming a young man. “Yes. Might we sit together for a moment?”

Robert directed George to a chair and he sat opposite.

Jenny and Helena went into the kitchen where Susan and Sally—who was now twelve—were preparing supper.

“Oh, hello, Helena. Nice surprise seeing you. Are you staying for supper? We have a nice saddle of mutton with a parsnip sauce, and you are more than welcome to stay.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Barnett, but I am just here with Georgie on an errand and we will be leaving shortly.”

Jenny then asked, “What can I do to help, Mama?”

“Nothing my dear, you go entertain your friend. Sally and I are on top of everything.”

Jenny smiled and, taking Helena’s arm, they left the kitchen and went to her room, not wanting to disturb George and Robert in their important conversation.

They sat on the edge of Jenny’s bed and Helena took Jenny’s hand in hers and asked, “Are you really doing well?”

Jenny looked wistfully at her and replied, “As well as can be expected, I guess. I do not think I shall ever get over my feelings for Thomas Haddington. But I know I must try.”

“Would it upset you to have Robert working for Thomas?”

“I do not see why. I should be so happy for him. My only concern is for my parents and the bakery. But Sally is coming along very well and shows a sincere interest in baking, so I am certain she could fill Robert’s shoes if he left. I think my parents always expected some of us would seek our lives elsewhere. It is only natural. At one point I thought it would be me who would be the first to leave, but… that did not happen.” And she fell into a moment of silence.

Helena squeezed her hand. “Jenny, you are still young. Life is stretching out ahead of you. Who knows where your life might take you. You might end up being the wife of a printer someday. Or a top pastry chef in a grand house as you always dreamed. Or…”

There was a knock at the door and George peeked in, saying, “We have finished our conversation, and your mother wants you to join the family.”

They went to the sitting room where the whole family was gathered. Mama patted the chair next to her for Jenny to sit beside her.

Papa said, “Son, what think you about this offer?”

Robert’s face lit up as he said, “Oh, sir, I want it like it were the whole world.”

“But it would mean travelin’ the country and being away from home. Would that suit?”

“Most ever so.”

He turned to his wife, “What say you, Mama? Can you let your young’un fly the nest?”

“But he could still live at home while he is learning.”

“We might need to get him a horse for traveling to and from Pemberton,” Papa said. “It be too far to walk morn and even.”

“Papa, I would walk on my hands to be able to do this.”

The family laughed.

“And Sally, would you be able to step up and shoulder your brother’s work in the shop?”

She nodded and said, “I should like that. Might I be in charge of the shop?”

“Not yet, but one day soon,” Mama said, patting her daughter’s head.

Robert turned to George and asked, “When can I start?”

“Then it is agreed?” George asked the family. They all nodded. “Then I shall tell Thomas, and we will get back to you with an answer to that as soon as possible.”