About this story
Lord Milford, Mr Latour, and Lord Fitzheron needle you toward hedging your wager on Caravan as thunder breaks over the city. Morning brings the race itself, over almost before you can watch it. Then a summons to Lady Marney's boudoir changes the subject entirely: the King is dying, and a seat in the old borough may open sooner than anyone planned.
How it opens
Lord FitzheronThe eve of the Derby fills this golden saloon with wagers and confidence.
Lord Milford recorded odds while Mr Latour guarded a grey head and a sharper book.
Every conversation returned to Caravan, Mango, Phosphorus, or the size of a man's stake.
Lord MilfordI will take the odds against Caravan, provided the wager is settled now.
Mr LatourDone, my lord; tomorrow will judge every confident pencil.
Choose
A horse can lose without insulting the man who backed it.
I trust Caravan because everyone here has agreed to trust him.