Page 1 of Lady of Fortune
PROLOGUE
1807
“Catch me — I dare you!”
Julia laughed with the abandon of youth as she dug her heels into her mare, Princess — so named by her brother as he felt the horse reminded him of Julia — to urge her to run even faster.
The impromptu race was on as they galloped over the green pastures of her family’s country estates. She had to win, if for no other reason than to prove to Eddie that she was more than the fourteen-year-old girl he saw her as, but nearly a woman now.
She dared a quick look over her shoulder, letting out a shriek when she saw that Eddie was gaining on her, a wide grin on his handsome face.
“One hundred yards, Julia, and I’m coming for you!”
Julia leaned further over Princess’ neck, speaking words of encouragement in her ear. Princess responded with speed, and Julia let a shout of victory ring through the air when she reached the lone pine at the edge of the field first, signaling her win.
She continued her celebration as she twirled Princess around, stroking her withers in praise. She finally looked up to find Eddie slowing his own horse as he caught up to her, a smile teasing his lips, despite the fact he was clearly trying to hide it — which was never an easy feat for Eddie, who seemed to live in a perpetual state of happiness.
“Well done, little one,” he said, leaning over his own mount, patting the horse’s neck. “You ride well.”
Julia beamed with pride at his words, knowing how much they meant from a man who knew horseflesh and the quality of a rider as well as he did. Eddie was four years her senior, and she longed for not only his respect for her as a rider, but as a woman as well.
“It’s thanks to you,” she said, her eyes on the ground so he couldn’t see just how much she admired him. It was difficult to hide when not only was he the best rider she had ever known, but he was also the most handsome, charming man she had ever met — which included the many friends of her two elder brothers, the boys who often visited on holiday during the summers.
But none of them, even with their impeccable manners and distinguished titles, had ever caught her attention like Eddie.
“I only gave you a little advice,” he said with a shrug and a wink that made Julia sigh inwardly. Were she not on a horse, she might swoon so that he would catch her — that’s what her friend Caroline had recommended — but she had too much pride in her riding ability to do so. Instead, she simply sat there staring at him, her cheeks warming, which made her only blush all the more as she knew he must be aware of just how embarrassed she was.
He took pity on her, however, which was just one more thing she loved about him.
“Come, little one,” he said, tilting his head back toward the expansive estate that loomed in the distance behind him. “We should get you home before someone comes looking for you. Wouldn’t want anyone to find you riding the way you are, now would we?”
Julia furiously shook her head. No, if her family caught her in such a position, it would be the last of her days riding alone. They trusted Eddie as a chaperone for her rides through the woods, for he had long been with their family, as had his father before him. Julia’s maid was supposed to be accompanying them as well, but she could never keep up. It didn’t take much to convince Maybelle to pretend to be doing so, however. All Julia had to do was offer her some of Cook’s best pastries and an hour alone to read in the shade of the trees. Although Julia did also wonder if part of Maybelle’s agreement had to do with Eddie’s request along with his charming smile, which had made Julia’s stomach turn in jealousy. But if it gave her a few moments alone with Eddie, well, it was worth it.
Their return ride to the stables was much slower, and they fell into companionable conversation.
“So, you’re back to the city tomorrow?” Eddie asked her, to which Julia nodded.
“I do not wish to go, but Mother loves the balls and the parties, you know, and despite the fact that Martin is but one and twenty, my parents are already pushing for him to find a girl who would suit him. You know Father, with his love of horse breeding? Well, I suppose that extends to our family line as well.”
Eddie gave a bark of laughter and Julia immediately snapped her lips shut as she realized what she had just said. It was true her father cared of not much but breeding and racing his horses — and ensuring the happiness of his family — but it wasn’t something she should be speaking of aloud, particularly not to a man. That she had said such to Eddie was the height of impropriety. Though he didn’t seem to mind. He was so easy to talk to, he made her forget her reservations.
“And you?” he asked, looking at her in such a way it was as though he already knew the answer. “Are you looking forward to London?”
“Not particularly,” she said, turning her gaze from his as she tapped her foot and when Princess started forward a bit, Julia had to remind herself to keep her feet still when on the horse. It was her one fault as a rider. “London is ever so… stifling. And it is not as though I can even attend any of the parties, so more often than not I am confined to our London home. Of course, Father allows me to go on rides, but one must be so careful in London.”
“No riding astride there, I imagine,” Eddie said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Of course not!” she said, turning wide, astonished eyes on him before she realized he was kidding.
They slowed as they neared the brush near the house, and Eddie dismounted in one smooth motion as Julia did the same, refusing to wait for any assistance. She had a fair drop due to her small stature, but any proficient rider could dismount on her own. She made to undo Princess’s saddle, but Eddie brushed her hands aside before he quickly and expertly did so himself, exchanging the saddle with the wretched and hated sidesaddle that was hidden in the brush. He held out a hand once more to help her mount, but Julia gripped the stirrup iron steady, placed her left foot in, and then reached up, grasped the pommel, and hoisted herself into the seat, sitting up as straight and stiff as possible on Princess as they returned back to the stables.
She sensed Eddie watching her, and when she turned to look at him, she could see the approval in his eyes and pride filled her.
“I shall miss your company, little one,” Eddie said, causing Julia to look sharply toward him.
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked, her heart beginning to beat rapidly. Eddie typically returned to London with the family in order to look after Papa’s horses. It was not as though she ever saw him there — truly, this was the first summer she had paid much attention to him at all – but she was looking forward to knowing that he would be nearby should she have the urge to see him this winter. “Are you not returning to London?”
“Nay,” he said with a shake of his head as he looked off into the distance, but when he turned back toward her, Julia caught the sparkle in his eye. “I’m leaving. I’ve found a new position.”
