Page 20 of Lady of Fortune
He was in a foul mood following his discussion — no, interrogation — with Elias Young. He had a feeling this had something to do with those well beyond him, the noble class, the owners — Julia’s people. As he dressed in the pants and coat he wore while working with horses and set out for the track, the sun began to rise over Newmarket’s skyline, causing the air to fill with pink sunrise that did slightly lift his soul. Eddie promised himself that he wouldn’t take his discord out on Julia, knowing full well that she was not at all to blame for any of it. Yet he knew his greeting toward her was surly and he could see the hesitation in her eyes when she approached him.
When their session was halfway through and he called her back over to the fence to provide more instruction, he couldn’t help but notice that she was practically lying on top the horse’s neck, and he felt a twinge of guilt.
“Are we done?” she asked, her breath coming fast, and even the horse was lathered.
“On the horse, yes,” he said, “But I think we should have a discussion about your own mindset and the race itself. We still have time to physically prepare. But you have to understand how to manage a race. That was your downfall during the Craven Stakes.”
It came out harsher than he meant it to, but she seemed too tired to care.
“Let’s get Orianna into the stable, curry her, make sure she is fed, and then we’ll take a few minutes to discuss,” he said, and she nodded wearily.
“Do you still want this?” he asked, and she snapped to attention, blinking her eyes rapidly as if to wake herself up.
“Of course.”
“Very well, then, let’s go.”
Silence stretched between them as they worked with Orianna, until Finter joined to help. He rambled on and on about the betting that was taking place throughout Newmarket as the town — both those native to the area and all those who were visiting — was abuzz with the upcoming race. Valiant, he told them, had become heavily favored after last season, while Orianna was somewhat of an unknown commodity, as well as a filly, which staked the odds against her. It was only her second race and her jockey was as unknown as she was — apologies to Mr. Smith, he added, but ’twas the truth — but by the same token, she was from the St. Albans stables, where winners were bred, and in addition, she had shocked them all at the Craven Stakes.
“But I suppose you’ll be showing all of us who is right come next week,” Finter said with a chuckle as Julia snuck Orianna an apple and she gave a whinny of appreciation. “Damn, but she has taken to you.”
Julia only nodded, and Eddie noticed how low she kept her cap over her face. The jacket she wore today was slightly baggier, which was good, he decided, for it helped cover those curves. Although she must be doing something with her breasts, for when he had seen her in her dress, she had been—
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Julia was staring at him rather strangely, and he realized that he was looking down at her altogether inappropriately. He cleared his throat and smiled at the two in front of him.
“Well, then. Smith and I are going to go speak a little about race management. Good day to you, Finter.”
“Good day, Francis, Smith!” said the jovial Finter, and Eddie wished everyone could be a little bit more like the groom.
“Is your mind as tired as your body?” Eddie asked as they made their way through the stables, and Julia snorted in a way that was altogether endearing.
“This has been exhausting,” she said.
“The training?” He cocked his head as he looked at her. “I suppose, if you’re not used to it.”
“Not just the training,” she continued. “But keeping up both lives. For the rest of the day is filled with various appointments with my mother, as well as discussions and rounds with my father to see the horses. Then every evening is some social engagement or another, which go well into the night. I hardly find time to sleep.”
It was his turn to snort, though he did not do so quite as openly.
“Yes, it must be hard to keep up appearances, to sit and look pretty and be fed sumptuous feasts.”
She stopped and turned sharply to look up at him. As angry as she seemed, he had to admit that he enjoyed how feisty she looked, as well as the fact that he still stood inches above her, unlike he did with most women who were at the very least the same height as him or a little taller.
“Are you mocking me?” she asked, jabbing a finger into his chest.
“I suppose,” he slowly drawled, pressing his chest into her finger as he leaned over her, so close that he could see the tiny little golden freckles littering her nose, “I am.”
“You… you…”
But it seemed Lady Julia wasn’t well versed in the school of insults, for she simply ground her foot into the straw and let out a grunt of annoyance. When he laughed, he could tell it only angered her all the more, and she brushed by him, walking quickly away. Feeling slight chagrin at the fact that he had actually bothered her that much, he took a few quick strides to catch up with her.
“Julia,” he said, reaching out a hand and encircling it round her arm, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s only that, well, it’s difficult to hear anyone complain of a life of ease.”
She turned round to face him, her crystal blue eyes sparkling now, in anger though, rather than glee. “I do not know what your problem is this morning, Eddie Francis, but I cannot apologize for the life I was born into it. You have said yourself that my family treated you and any other servants well, and I am unsure what else I am supposed to do in order to gain your respect.”
“That’s what you want?” he asked, slightly incredulous. “My respect?”
“Well,” she said, dropping her eyes for a moment. “That is one thing, I suppose. You have made a fine life for yourself, have achieved your dreams, which is both admirable and inspiring. I would like to do the same, though my life is a little more planned out for me. I may have a life of ease, but I lack a certain amount of choice.”
