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ORIGINAL QUERY
The Royal Mews, Historical Fiction complete at 60,000 words, is the story of an endangered breed UK stallion purchased by an American who planned to ship him to the US. Elizabeth II wanted the horse creating a royal cock-up.
When Gerald MacGrath won the grueling three day show turning his horse into a national treasure, he had no idea he was stepping from the winner’s circle into a showdown between heavyweights, the horse’s new American owner and the Queen of England.
The sale, hammered out before their big win, subject to breeding licence approval won’t complete until the Registry’s annual stallion inspection, and the horse passes. Debts Gerald’s father left must be paid smartly or the estate and chattels are going to be seized and auctioned. The stallion is chattel.
Gerald is stunned by the offer HM’s Secretary presents when he turns up at his farm. It is a sweet one, more money and no conditions. Gerald wrestles with collapsing the US sale. The royal purchase of his stallion, tantamount to stamping his foals with “By Appointment To” is priceless. Gerald isn’t sure how one could say “No, Your Majesty, I’m afraid you can’t have the horse.”
He manages it however. Completing the sale with the American is his only honorable choice. HM informs her Prime Minister she wants Pied Piper and please see to it. The Prime Minister, forced to act fast to avoid a news story involving Elizabeth II scrapping over a horse with a Yank, calls the President. The American won’t give the horse up. HM decided the horse will remain in Britain, at her stud. Gerald’s need for cash is urgent. The Prime Minister hopes the President has a better solution than his. He’d like to assassinate the horse.
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GOBLIN-EDIT
When Gerald MacGrath won the Royal Mews, turning his horse into a national treasure, he had no idea he was stepping from the winner’s circle into a showdown between the horse’s new American owner and the Queen of England.
The sale was hammered out before the big win, and it will free Gerald from his father's debts. However, Her Majesty's Secretary just presented Gerald with a better deal, not to mention the prestige of being able to claim the queen as a customer. Completing the sale with the American is the only honorable choice, but Gerald isn't sure how one says, "No, Your Majesty; you can't have the horse."
He manages it. Unfortunately, the queen isn't familiar with the word "no," and she informs the Prime Minister that she wants that horse, and please see to it.
While the Prime Minister scrambles to keep the story out of the news, and goads the U.S. President to intercede as well, Gerald's need for cash grows urgent. Neither Her Majesty nor the American will back down, and the only solution anyone has proposed is one that will financially ruin Gerald.
Furthermore, it's being proposed by someone who also isn't familiar with the word "no." The Prime Minister has decided it's time to assassinate Gerald's horse.
The Royal Mews, a historical fiction, is complete at 60,000 words. It tells the story of a UK stallion, of endangered breed, purchased by an American who planned to ship him to the US. Elizabeth II wanted the horse, and a royal cock-up ensued.
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