Page 66 of Lady of Fortune
"I'll stay close, in case you should need anything," he said, and Julia thanked him again as she led Orianna out of the stall. What would cause the horse to fall into colic so quickly? Was it the stress of the race yesterday, or the training this week? But it was not anything overly different from what Orianna was used to, for she had been training for some time now, just with a different trainer.
Julia looked over at the horse. "Oh, Orianna, if only you could tell me what went wrong."
"Unfortunately she's not the only one."
Julia swiveled around in shock at the voice. Had she been imagining the warm baritone, as it seemed to be pervading her every thought, her every dream?
But no — there he was.
"Eddie." She swallowed hard as she held onto Orianna's lead, not knowing how to react. She yearned to go to him, to allow him to hold her and provide comfort with his warmth, but in the same breath, she didn't think she could be so close to him yet with the risk that what he had said was true — that he simply cared for her, without any love. "What are you doing here?"
He walked up toward her from where he stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets and his expression friendly but slightly wary as well.
"I was at the stables at the Rowley Mile, gathering some of my things," he said, scratching his forehead underneath his cap. "I heard that many of the horses who raced yesterday had taken to colic. They're looking into it, but I've my suspicions that this wasn't a coincidence."
"You think that someone would do this on purpose?" Julia asked, shocked that anyone could do such a thing to an animal.
Eddie sighed. "Unfortunately not all people in the world are as good as you, little one. Motivations drive them that are not altogether honorable."
"Who do you think did it?"
"Well, if Torrington was so hell-bent on winning that he would substitute a horse, what would stop him from poisoning the other horses? Or, maybe it was Totnes, who also brought Valiant’s identity to light. Whoever did it, though, was not particularly astute, as the effects didn't occur until long after the race was over."
Julia processed the information, horrified by the fact that someone could do such a thing, though she was relieved to be aware of the cause of Orianna's distress.
"Are the other horses doing any better? How would you treat it?"
"She needs water, to flush the poison out of her system," Eddie said. "I've brought some salt cubes, though I know you likely have them here anyway. Come, let's walk her back and see if we can convince her to drink."
Julia nodded as they turned around back to the stable.
"When did you learn of this?" she asked, their conversation rather stilted, as she was finding it difficult to know exactly how to speak to him with all that was between them — both said and unsaid.
"Just now," he replied. "I knew how concerned you would be about Orianna so I wanted you to know as soon as you could."
Julia snuck a glance over at him. "Because you care about me?"
"Julia..." Eddie began, a pained expression returning to his face, but just then Finter came out to greet them.
"Francis!" he said. "What brings you here? I'm sure you're aware by now that our prize horse is ailing. Has word gone round so quickly then? My lord will not be pleased, as Orianna's got quite the season ahead of her."
Eddie quickly related his information to Finter, who looked somewhat relieved at the news that with new feed and water, the other horses were beginning to recover.
"Good," he said. "Let's bring her in then."
After a few attempts and some salt rubbed over her lips, Orianna was drinking again, much to Julia's relief.
She could feel Eddie's presence in the stall beside her, though he hardly said a word, but for some mumblings to Finter. Not that they could speak of much with the groom here, and Julia was aware there were many other men coming and going as they were seeing to the rest of the horses. But all she could register was Eddie. As it would always be. He had come and related his news and his advice — so what was he still doing here? Had he changed his mind? Did he want to speak further with her?
Her heart beat more rapidly as she thought of it, hoping that there was some truth to her imaginings, though she despaired of increasing any hopes she may have, for the potential disappointment was far too much to consider.
Finally when Orianna had taken in some water and seemed slightly less distressed, Julia rose from her place in the straw next to the horse.
"Will you please tell me if there are any changes, Finter?" she asked the groom, who nodded. "I'll be back to check on her shortly," Julia said. "I best go tell Father what has occurred."
As she continued out of the stables, Eddie followed her, and when they found themselves at a slight distance out of hearing of any of the stablehands, Julia finally turned to Eddie.
"Was there anything else you wanted to say to me?" she asked, forcing herself to meet his eyes, despite the fact her heart was pounding faster than it ever had before.
