Page 53 of Lady of Fortune
Except this victory didn’t just belong to the two of them. Julia lifted herself from Orianna, noticing the shocked expressions on the faces of onlookers. Apparently it wasn’t known for jockeys to embrace their horses. But at the moment she didn’t care.
Eddie couldn’t be far. No matter what had happened, he wouldn’t miss a race like this, nor — she hoped — miss her own riding.
Then suddenly her gaze stopped. There he was. He was leaning against a fence post, his eyes upon her, his body still. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he looked as though he had not a care in the world, despite the fact that, clearly, something was most decidedly the matter.
But his eyes were bright, thrilled, and a grin covered his lips as he watched her. When she found herself frozen, despite the activity around her, he simply winked at her, and it was enough for her own lips to respond in a smile for him alone, a smile of victory, of happiness that she had never thought possible. He had helped her win. And she could hardly wait to celebrate.
But first, she had to make herself scarce. Finter appeared, looking around with a curious gaze — looking for her, as in Lady Julia Stone, most likely. When he took Orianna’s reins, Julia gave her horse one final pat as she slipped off and took the saddle before racing away to weigh in, keeping her head down as she attempted to avoid anyone who might be in her way. She had seen Will begin to walk toward her, likely to congratulate her, but she had no time. As rude as she may appear, she gave him a quick wave and continued on as fast as she could.
Julia was so quick, she was the first to weigh in, and was out of the room before anyone else arrive. She raced out, before finally arriving at the stall where she had left her clothing.
“Maybelle!” she gasped, but when she pushed open the door, it wasn’t Maybelle that awaited her.
“Eddie!” she cried instead, as he stood waiting for her. With two quick steps, she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as she chortled with glee.
"We won! We won."
It was as if at that moment the reality of it all finally kicked in and she breathed deeply. "Can you believe it?"
She brought her palms to his cheeks, looking up at him, incredulous.
"Actually," he said with a proud smile. "I can believe it. You're an incredible rider, little one. And your bond with that horse is nearly unbelievable. I never doubted you for a moment. All you needed to learn was not to doubt yourself."
They stared into one another's eyes for a minute, until finally her smile fell as she realized just how selfish she was being.
She slid easily down as his body, as their clothing was silk on silk, until her feet returned to the ground.
"But Eddie... where were you? Did something happen to Valiant?"
His own smile fell then, and he wiped a hand over his face as though hiding from her for a moment. When he looked back down at her, the smile had returned, but it was clearly forced.
"Best not to worry about that now," he said as though it was no problem at all, though her question had clearly reminded him of whatever it was that was troubling him.
She snorted. "As if that would convince me to think nothing of whatever is bothering you, Eddie! No," she continued, raising a finger in between them. “Tell me what is wrong. Please."
* * *
Eddie didn't wantto ruin this moment for her, but he saw no way around this now. She was clearly aware that something was the matter, and he didn't know how to convince her otherwise. He tried to think of something else to say that could distract her, but he came up empty.
Whether he was tired of secrets, or the desperation in her final "please" pulled at something within him that he couldn't ignore, he finally sighed and nodded, walking slightly away from her.
"You recall what I told you about Valiant, that he may not be the horse we thought he was?" he asked, looking back at her.
"Yes," she said slowly, the look on her face concerned.
"Well, it seems that the investigation came back conclusive. Valiant is not Valiant, but Midnight Express."
"Oh, Eddie, Midnight Express? But how… why…?” she said, gasping, and he read the pity on her face — pity he didn't want. He was angry, and he didn't want the woman he loved feeling sorry for him.
The woman he loved.
The thought came to him so suddenly and yet so naturally that he almost didn’t recognize its significance, but as he looked at her now, he knew without question how true it was. He loved Julia. Lady Julia Stone, the daughter of Lord St. Albans. Which was terrible. He couldn't love her. They could never have a life together. Yet in the same breath, he couldn't keep himself away from her either.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, coming over to him. "I know how much you love that horse, how big the win today would have been for you. For I'm sure Valiant — or Midnight Express, that is — would have won today had he been racing."
Eddie smiled ruefully. "We'll never know, will we? But that doesn't matter. What matters is your win. Today is a day of celebration for you, little one. We'll worry about the rest later."
He stretched the grin across his face to keep her from worrying. Whether it worked or not, he wasn't sure, but she smiled ever so slightly at him and nodded before beginning to unbutton the silk jacket she wore, and he swallowed hard as he turned from her to face the back of the stall.
