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had investigated the
family. His investigation has confirmed the Goodwin reputation for
forthrightness and integrity. The father had been well respected
and known for his brilliance in breeding winning thoroughbreds.
    Lucien, living in the shadow of his father,
was not as well known as a breeder. He was, however, known as one
of the most renowned jockeys in the field. After his father's
death, Lucien Goodwin, as the heir, had taken the reigns of the
family business, literally and figuratively. Chalifour hoped
Lucien's leg was not broken. Lucien's fame as a jockey was an
important asset to the new partnership. His many winnings in
various races had brought much acclaim and demand for the Goodwin
horses, which would soon be affiliated with his own.
    The Goodwins possessed horses descended from
the great bloodlines of Herod, sired by The Byerley Turk, and the
undefeated Flying Childers, "Mile a Minute Childers," sired by The
Darley Arabian. He himself possessed several "royal mares"
descended from Matchem, from the Godolphin Arabian's line. All of
his own mares were listed in the General Stud Book. Their combined
cattle represented all three of the great thoroughbred
bloodlines.
    Chalifour and Lucien were going to bring all
three of these bloodlines together. This business partnership would
be a coup for both him and for Lucien Goodwin. Chalifour had always
loved horses and thoroughbred racing. Now he could combine his
passion and his business. His excitement at the prospect made him
restless. Chalifour intended to breed a line of the finest
thoroughbreds available.
    Chalifour's thoughts deviated once again to
Lucy. The image of her mouth made him shift in his seat. He had the
curious sense Lucy had been simultaneously annoyed with him and
grateful to him. Why she would feel either of these emotions was
beyond him.
    Chalifour, no stranger to women, never lacked
for female companionship. Women, however, for all the many
pleasures they could provide, were frequently an enigma. Except for
his occasional mistresses, Chalifour just could not make out the
internal workings of their minds.
    His mistresses were the only women who were
generally straightforward. They provided pleasure to him, and in
return, he provided lavish gifts and money to them. Yet, a
diversion with Lucy Goodwin might be worth exploring.
    Shaking off the image of Lucy Goodwin,
Chalifour began to work out some of the details which needed to be
included in the contract. He would meet with his lawyer first thing
the next morning to get the process underway. Chalifour should be
able present the contract to Lucien Goodwin on his way back to his
estate in the next two to three days. His dream was within his
grasp. So was Lucy. Chalifour smiled and settled back into his
seat.
     
     

Chapter Six

     
    Dawn broke clear and bright, but Lucy was
cold and grey inside. Until Lucien was better, the task of keeping
the business prosperous fell to her. They had to make payments to
Perdan, or he would dishonor them with the scandal of an unpaid
debt. They would be ruined. Or she could become his
mistress .
    Lucy shuddered. She must succeed. If she
didn’t, they were lost. How was she going to keep their business
intact until Lucien recovered? Lucy wouldn't allow herself to
entertain the notion that Lucien might fail to recuperate.
    Hugging her knees to her chest, Lucy brooded
over the debt. Could the debt have originated from their father's
funeral? In retrospect, her father's funeral was both elaborate and
expensive. Her father was laid in a gilded coffin and the hearse
was adorned with black ostrich plumes. The horses which bore the
hearse were dyed black and wore matching ostrich feathers with
black and silver trappings.
    Lucy and her brother had even hired mutes,
professional mourners who walked in the funeral procession. The
buffet she and Lucien served after the burial was lavish and
costly. Lucy smiled. Her father would have loved the attention.
Surely they were able to