“Patrick is a hard-headed businessman. He would not trust you with this venture if he didn’t believe you capable.”

“Oh, I know that, Margaret, but all the same, it’s quite a challenge. I know nothing at all about breeding and training racehorses.”

“Which is why you will be hiring experts in the field—and goodness knows, in Ireland they are all horse mad, so there will be no shortage of candidates. Anyway, Patrick is putting you in charge of this stud farm venture because, first and foremost, he trusts you. He knows you won’t try to—what’s his phrase, diddle the books?”

“Fiddle. Yes, he does think I have a good head for figures,” Marion admitted.

“And you are an excellent judge of character, so you’re not going to be taken in by any flim-flam merchants,” Margaret said, in a poor imitation of Patrick’s thick brogue. “And of course, there is the ace up your sleeve, to use another of his phrases: the stud farm in Egypt you visited.”

“Alexander and I did get along very well with the owner, that’s true, but it was a few years ago, and it’s a bit of a long shot, thinking that I can persuade him to sell me any of his precious Arabian thoroughbreds. Patrick would love to be able to boast that his new stables in County Kildare were the first in Ireland to have such prized bloodstock, though of course it’s essentially a charitable venture. His aim is to provide employment for young men from humble backgrounds, just like him.”

“To give something back to the Old Country,” Margaret said, once again failing appallingly to capture Patrick’s brogue. “It’s a wonderful idea. Breda’s brother Brendan is horse mad. You could probably fill every position, from stable-lads to trainee jockeys, from her extended family and the Enniskerry school alone.”

“I’m certainly hoping that I can persuade Julia to help in some way. She needs something to occupy her, and Kildare is not too far from Powerscourt.” Marion pursed her lips. “She’s invited me to stay for a few weeks since Wingfield has gone on yet another of his interminable expeditions. Lady Londonderry will be there, too. I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

“And you’ll make sure to ask her how Mama is, won’t you?”

“Of course I shall, and will give her your gifts to pass on.”

“I got rather carried away with my Christmas shopping spree, I’m afraid. You don’t mind having to take a second trunk?”

“As long as I’m not expected to carry it. Margaret, are you absolutely sure you’ll be happy here on your own?”

“I have Mouse and Bina to look after me here, and Jane and Mary Louise will keep me busy on the work front.”