Page 65 of Lady of Fortune
"Oh, Maybelle!" she said, jumping up from her chair, her pink wrapper flowing around her as she raced across the room toward her maid. "That's wonderful!" She reached out and wrapped her arms around Maybelle, hugging her tightly.
"I'm so happy for you," Julia said, her smile wide and her words true. For a moment her own issues and disappointments faded as she celebrated in Maybelle's joy. “Will seems to be a very good man, and I know you will have an absolutely wonderful life together."
"Thank you, my lady," Maybelle said, now allowing her own smile to emerge, and she looked at Julia just a little shyly. "I could hardly believe it when he asked me last night. I must admit that I snuck out to see him at the pub, and he walked me home. As we came to the entrance, he asked me, and I could hardly speak through my tears. It seems so sudden, but at the same time, it is the only way for us to remain together. Will said he just knows it is right. I am aware as the wife of a jockey, life won’t always be easy, but it will be thrilling as well, won't it? I wish I could stay with you, my lady, but one never knows where a jockey will be."
"Of course, Maybelle. You must be with your husband."
They spoke for a few moments of wedding plans and where Will and Maybelle were planning to make home and Julia felt as though she were speaking to one of her close friends, and no longer her lady's maid. Which is what Maybelle would become. For Julia did want to maintain their acquaintance. They had grown up together and had only become closer over the years.
"There is something else," Maybelle finally said, and Julia looked up at her, surprised — what else could there be besides Maybelle's wedding news? "I saw your Eddie last night."
"Oh," Julia murmured. "Well, he's not really my Eddie — at least, not anymore.”
"Do you truly believe that?" Maybelle asked with a raised eyebrow. "He was so despondent last night. Will says his heart is broken."
"Well, that is ridiculous," said Julia, becoming angry now. "He was the one who brokemyheart, so he shouldn't be feeling sorry for himself. If he would like to be happy, it is within his power."
"He thinks what he is doing is right," Maybelle said with the shrug of her shoulder. "I don't know what must be done to convince him, but his feelings are there. It's his mind that is in the way of your happiness."
"Stupid man," Julia said, kicking the toe of her slipper into the floor's blue carpet.
"Yes, I would have to agree with that," Maybelle said with a rueful laugh. "But if anyone can convince him, my lady, it's you. You have the most romantic heart of anyone I have ever met. And what epic romance doesn't require a bit of angst?"
They shared a smile, and Julia's heart lifted ever so slightly. Could she do it?
* * *
Thankfully,by the time Julia made it downstairs for breakfast, her parents were nearly finished. Her mother offered to stay while Julia ate, but Julia waved her away. She would much rather be alone without them at this moment. Seeming to understand, her mother finally left, with one more concerned look over her shoulder. Julia wished she would stop staring at her like that. If her mother and father had been so concerned, why could they not simply accept the man she loved and the life she chose, instead of helping to push Eddie away?`
Julia sighed as she placed her chin in her hands and stared down at her buttered piece of toast and tea, finding she had no appetite this morning. She hated this feeling of despondency, as she was typically a much happier person. She willed it away, but couldn't push Eddie from her mind. How in the world was she going to convince him that her feelings would never fade, but had already remained for over for eight years of separation — and that a life together was more important than anything else?
Julia had picked up her piece of toast and was staring at it as though it was her enemy, when the dining room doors burst open and she nearly jumped out of her chair.
"Lady Julia!" Shockingly, it was Finter standing in the doors of the elegant dining room, looking completely out of place among the watercolors and shelves of fine china. "My apologies, my lady," he said, as the disgruntled butler followed in behind him. "It's Orianna — she's in some distress, and I knew you would want to see to her."
"Of course!" Julia said, tossing away her toast and following Finter out the door, wiping her hands on her yellow day dress, unconcerned with its current status, knowing that Orianna was in trouble.
Forgetting all else that plagued her, Julia rushed out of the dining room with Finter. Julia followed Finter as he ran toward the servant's quarters, as it was the fastest way to the stables.
Julia dimly noted the stares they received from many of the other servants as they ran by, and she could imagine that the sight of one of the ladies of the house running through with the groom was obviously something they didn't see every day, as much as they were used to her eccentricities — such as returning to the house each morning over the past week in her brother's old riding clothes.
Julia managed to keep up with Finter as they covered the grounds quickly, though she had to churn her much shorter legs with a great deal of speed. She skidded to a stop when they reached the stables, not wanting to spook any of the other horses housed within.
When she reached Orianna's stall, pain sliced through her as though she could feel what the horse did. Orianna was clearly in distress, sweating and pawing at the ground.
"Has she eaten anything today?" Julia asked, looking up at Finter, who shook his head. "Drank any water?" Another shake.
"It seems like colic," she murmured.
"That's what we believe as well," he said with a nod. "Though what would cause it, I have no idea."
Julia placed her ear to Orianna's stomach, murmuring to the horse as she did, gently rubbing her sides. "I can't hear anything," she said, knowing that she should typically be able to hear the digestive noises of Orianna's belly.
"We've done all we can for the moment, my lady," Finter said. "We thought perhaps a walk might do her a bit of good, and I considered that you may wish to be with her."
Julia nodded and managed a tight smile for the groom.
"Thank you, Finter, you are correct. I would like to take her if you don't mind."
