Page 19 of The Music of Love

He raised his eyebrows. Was she finally going to mention watching him on his rides?

“Thank you,” he said.

“You have quite a few horses. Are they for personal use or do you breed them to sell?”

“Most of the breeding I’ve done in the past was for my tenants.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, most farmers don’t have a use for stallions as they can be temperamental. I own several studs and allow my tenants to use them at no cost as stud fees can often be too expensive. Over the next few weeks you will see farmers bring their mares.”

She glanced at him. “That’s very kind of you.”

“A happy tenant is a productive one. Besides, by providing good sires I’m doing my part to maintain the quality of livestock in the area.”

“So Geist’s offspring are numerous?”

“Geist is far too valuable to use for draft animals. He is still young, and this is his first season so he will cover only my own mares. But next year I’ll stud him for a fee.”

Beside him, she shook her head. “I don’t understand—I thought you said your tenants couldn’t afford to pay?”

“These would be other breeders from around the country.”

“And they would bring a horse all the way here?” She sounded more than a little skeptical.

“Oh, indeed. I’ve already got twenty-five owners on my list, some from as far as Scotland.”

“That is astounding! I take it Geist is a racehorse?”

Stacy heard the same disapproval in her voice as when she’d asked him about hunting dogs. “He raced for a short period, but only long enough to establish his qualities. When he was put up for sale, I purchased him.”

“You bought him because he won races?”

“In part.”

“Then why don’t you still race him?”

“While it’s true he exhibited impressive speed and endurance on the flat he possesses an impeccable lineage so he is far more valuable as bloodstock than as a racehorse. He’s also a good-natured horse and fairly biddable for a stallion, which should make him easier to stud.”

The brief look she gave him was heavy with censure. “So he’s nothing more than a business to you?”

Rather than finding her annoying, Stacy liked her fire. “May I not enjoy him and earn money, Signora?”

“You may do whatever you like. It just seems cold to only care about him because of his bloodline. Not to mention arrogant to believe one should control such bloodlines.”

Stacy gestured to the two trees on either side of the drive, just ahead of them. “What do you think of these trees?”

“The trees?”

“Yes, the trees.”

She shrugged. “They’re trees.”

“Look closer.”

She leaned forward as they passed. “My goodness, are those large things buds?”

“Yes, they are. In less than a month you will be gifted with an amazing sight. This year the circumstances have been propitious and our magnolias will flower.”