The Pinchbeck Peer: Book 7: A New Veneer by Andrew Wareham

Author:Andrew Wareham [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishNation
Published: 2023-10-09T22:00:00+00:00

“A thousand guineas in coin, Jim. More than twenty pounds weight of gold! I need not tell you to keep your pistols loaded.”

“Earnshaw has a pair strapped to his saddle as well, sir. Three at least of heavy hunters, depending on Earnshaw’s judgement. Perhaps a mare with a yearling at her side. No geldings. We may wish to breed from our own stock. It can be done, sir.”

“I have no doubt you will do it, Jim. Have you spoken to Rosemary?”

“Briefly – she is not especially interested in the horse, and that is her choice, of course. She has asked for a strong animal, one that will take her across the moors when the mood strikes her. She also wishes it to be within her powers of control, inasmuch as she has no wish to impress the onlooker with her centaur-like qualities.”

“So, big and strong but not too much so… Was I you, my son, I might be inclined to allow her to make her own choice…”

“She can make her own mistakes? You may well be right at that, sir. I much suspect that the animals I see will be too much of one thing, insufficient of the other. A decision needed from the rider herself. Perhaps it will be better for her to purchase over winter, at Tattersall’s, perhaps.”

“That can be an expensive way of buying a horse, Jim. Another twenty guineas on the price for being in the company of gentlefolk, of whom there are many of every sort to be found in that location.”

“I have been told that the auctions are an interesting experience, sir.”

“My favourite Bow Street Runners have told me much of what is to be seen there. More than one of the genteel in decline, the lesser sons of greater men and trying to recoup the family fortunes through sharp practice in the sales ring. Often, I am told, most indignant that they should be regarded as criminal merely for selling a horse that is not quite all it is made out to be.”

“Stolen?”

“Rarely so, though there may be a few of such at any horse fair or regular auction. More commonly with coats dyed and a generous dollop of laudanum in their morning feed so they do not hobble on tired old legs. Caveat emptor rules in the auction ring – if you buy a bad ‘un, that’s your bad judgement at fault. Nobody forced you to bid!”

“Harsh but fair – the man who does not know his horses should not be there with money in his hand. That is why I have Earnshaw to hold my hand, I believe, sir.”

“It is why I never purchase my own horses, Jim. I have a working knowledge of the animals, no more.”

“I presume I can expect assistance when I am seen to be in the way of buying? Any number of friendly gentlemen happy to give their disinterested opinion of various animals?”

“So I am told, Jim. Just in passing, there will be men who happen

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