Page 70 of Lady of Fortune
“You likely don’t believe me,” the nobleman said with a shrug. “Which I’d understand. I’ll admit that I cheated and lied about Valiant, which was a rather terrible thing to do. I know that. But I’m in some dire straits, and, well, I was desperate. Desperate men do desperate things. I did not, however, attempt to blame you for all of this, Francis. That was some collusion between Totnes and Dorchester, though why the Viscount cares about any of this, I have no idea. I have a meeting with the Jockey Club this afternoon, and I’ll tell them all of this, hopefully convince them to clear your name, allow you to race again. I’d keep you on, though whether I’m allowed to race another horse ever again, I have no idea.”
Eddie stared at the man incredulously, shocked by his apology. He had never expected that the Earl might be actually… contrite over all that had happened.
“Thank you for your words, my lord,” he said. “I would appreciate the opportunity to race again, of course, including anything you could do to clear my name.”
“Of course,” Torrington said, then paused for a moment in slight awkwardness.
“Did you poison the horses?” Eddie asked suddenly, knowing it wasn’t a question he should ask the lord, but no longer caring.
“No,” Torrington said, his head snapping up. “Absolutely not. I may have done some things that I regret, but I would never do that to the horses.” He sighed. “Totnes has had it out for me since a bit of a mishap last year when I didn’t back him regarding a matter in which he was entirely in the wrong. I suspect he did this in order to make me look worse, but I’m not sure we will ever know for certain.”
Eddie could hardly believe the extent to which people would go for revenge, though it wasn’t the first time he had seen it.
“I am sorry to hear of such a thing, my lord.”
“Yes, well, I’m glad to hear that all of the other horses are recovering. As for Midnight Express, well… I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to race the poor chap again. If you can bring me a decent price for him, he’s yours.”
Eddie smiled ruefully. “That’s a kind offer, my lord, but I’m afraid that despite my recent wins, I have been saving my earnings to someday find a home of my own. Midnight Express is a tempting offer, but…”
“Well, think on it, Francis,” Torrington said. “If you need to find me, I’ll be back in London once this business in Newmarket is cleared up. Thank you for all you’ve done, and how well you have raced. You take care now.”
He pressed some notes in Eddie’s hand — payment, Eddie saw, for both races, the one he ran and the one he didn’t, then nodded at him before ambling back through the door.
Eddie watched him go with mixed feelings. He knew Torrington had held out a peace offering, and he appreciated it, though in the same breath he was well aware that the outcome of all of this would change little for the lord, while Eddie’s entire life and career balanced on the decision of the Jockey Club as well as the willingness of another owner to hire him.
He blew out a deep breath. One last stop, to say farewell to Will, and then off he’d go to London. And leave this all behind.
CHAPTER35
Eddie was told he could find Will at the Rowley Mile, packing up his things from the race the day before. It was also, unfortunately, the location of the Jockey Club, and he decided he would do all he could to avoid any of the lords who would be in attendance. He had no wish to face any of them at the moment.
After dismounting from Boomerang and making his way to the jockey’s clubhouse, however, he found that it would be difficult to ignore them all, for there in front of him stood Lord St. Albans. Julia’s father.
“My lord,” he said in greeting, hoping this could be a cordial visit. “I am just on my way to say farewell to a friend and then I will be off.”
“I understand,” the Earl said with a nod. “And I apologize if I came off rather harsh the other day. There was something I did want to speak to you about before you left, however.”
Eddie nodded, his curiosity piqued, and St. Albans continued.
“I’d like you to ride for me,” he said, stunning Eddie, who could only stare at him.
“I’m sorry, my lord, but… do you mean, as your jockey?”
“Well, of course,” the Earl responded. “Perhaps not in every race, but the key ones. In the races I have no horses not entered, you can hire yourself out to others.”
“Can I ask why?” Eddie managed, knowing the question was rude, but he had to ask.
“While Smith performed admirably, I do not believe he will be racing again. He seemed a fine rider, but I would prefer a man I know — who is straightforward, who I can converse with about the race and his plan. I know you, Francis, and despite all that has happened with my daughter, I know there is no better jockey, no man I would trust more with my horses. So would you do it? Starting at Epsom?”
Curious that St. Albans no longer wanted Smith racing for him, but obviously not questioning it any further, Eddie had to clear his throat to give himself more time before he could respond to St. Albans’ offer.
“I appreciate your faith in me, my lord. Would you mind if I took a day before responding? And if I do accept, I can only ride if I am cleared by the Jockey Club to race again.”
“Not to worry about that, son. I’m on my way to meet with the lot of them and will turn them around. As for your response…” the Earl looked somewhat confused but shrugged his shoulder. “A day would be fine. Tell me tomorrow. Just do me one favor — do not accept another offer in the meantime, especially from Clarence, as I know he is keen to find a new jockey.”
“That, my lord, I can do,” Eddie promised. “I will speak to you soon.”
He and St. Albans went their separate ways, and Eddie’s mind began to race with what the Earl had offered. He already knew that St. Albans was a good man to work for, and he had an excellent stable of horses. The question was could he work for Julia’s father, meaning that he might spend far too much time running into her? He wasn’t altogether sure about that part of it.
