Page 19 of Lady of Fortune
“What?” Julia swiveled her head around, looking up at Elizabeth’s face, which was now covered in a knowing smile.
“I never said anything about Eddie.”
“You didn’t have to,” Elizabeth said, one elegant eyebrow raised. “I could see that dreamy look come over your face every time you mentioned him or your training sessions. When did this come about?”
“I’d say about nine or ten years ago,” said Julia gloomily. “He worked in my father’s stables, as I told you, and grew up as friends with my brothers. He taught me to ride astride, and to race. I was determined to do it on my own, but Eddie caught my attempt. Instead of telling anyone what I was doing, he helped.”
“Much like he is doing now,” Elizabeth mused and Julia nodded.
“I pushed him into advising me now, as I did then. Oh, Elizabeth, you must think me a terrible person.”
“Not terrible,” Elizabeth said with a gentle smile. “Simply a woman who took a chance for the thrill of a lifetime, to do something she has been longing do for as long as she can remember. Don’t be ashamed of that, Julia.”
Julia looked up in surprise. “I thought you would think me to be a fool.”
“Well, had it been me, I would have thought through the consequences a little further,” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “But I think the outcome would have been the same.”
They were returning now to Julia’s mother on the sofa when the men entered the room following their after-dinner drink or cigar or whatever it was they did.
“The Duke of Clarence is here,” said Elizabeth, her eyes narrowing upon the man.
“Oh yes,” said Julia, cringing slightly. “That is one other thing. It seems that he —”
He was walking up toward them.
“Ladies,” he greeted them with a nod of his head. “How do you fare this evening?”
“Very well,” Julia finally said, surprised when Elizabeth remained silent. “And you?”
“Much better now that I am in the company of such lovely women.”
Elizabeth emitted the slightest of snorts, and Julia turned to look at her in shock. Elizabeth was the most ladylike woman she knew, and Julia would have thought she would be on her best behavior in front of a man like the Duke.
“Um, yes, ever so lovely to see you, Your Grace,” Julia said, and he rewarded her with a handsome grin that Julia was sure had charmed many ladies.
“Perhaps when the dancing begins, you will save a set for me, Lady Julia?” he asked, and Julia could only nod as he continued on his way, though she could have sworn he slightly winked at her before he walked away.
“It seems you left something out of your story,” Elizabeth mused.
“What’s that?” Julia asked innocently.
“That the Duke of Clarence is interested in you.”
“Oh, yes, it appears that might be the case,” said Julia, cringing ever so slightly at the look of anger that passed over Elizabeth’s face.
“I have not encouraged it,” Julia defended herself, though why she felt she had to, she had no idea. “Are you — are you interested in the Duke yourself?”
“Heavens, no!” Elizabeth responded with such vehemence that Julia nearly took a step back. “I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said, much softer when she saw Julia’s reaction. “The Duke and I have a long history and I can be dramatic when it comes to him. Please forgive me. Of course, he is particularly eligible and if you are interested in him, then by all means, go ahead. I only ask that you be careful, for his attentions can be fickle.”
Julia looked at Elizabeth with undisguised interest. “Did something happen between the two of you?”
“Yes and no,” Elizabeth finally said with a sigh. “Though I do not wish to speak of it at the moment. You will be careful, though, will you not?”
“I will,” Julia agreed, though she couldn’t help but regard her friend with some interest. There was more to this story, and Julia was looking forward to learning it.
CHAPTER10
Eddie shouldn’t have met Julia the next morning.
