Free Lady X by Claudy Conn

heard that Jerry was bound to accompany me, he said he would join us and make a party of it.” He shrugged, “I was glad for the company, but although I once enjoyed Swit’s company, I have found that Hunter is quite correct about Jerry Swit, but I am rather stuck with him at the moment.” He bit his lip as though wishing he could take back this last statement, so Exerilla let it slide.
    “Once you are settled in, he probably won’t be such a bother,” she said encouragingly.
    He shook his head, “I didn’t realize what a brute he actually is. Just thought he was a bit of wild fun, I should have known, but once I did, it was too late.” he looked away.
    She didn’t want to pry, though something in his words made her think that something more was troubling him.
    She decided to adopt a wait and see attitude and withheld any comment. She dearly wanted to say just what she thought of Jerry Swit, but she had done that already, so instead she told Jacob about her love of horses.
    His face brightened and he said with some enthusiasm, “Indeed, my family was… up until my father’s death very involved. We bred some of the finest race horses in the south of England.”
    “Oh wow, didn’t you wish to continue after you lost your father?”
    His face fell, “I…was devastated for a time. We were close, and…it didn’t seem to matter after he was gone. I have come to see that he would be quite annoyed if he took a look down…” Jacob grinned, “And saw how I have neglected the family enterprise. Mean to put it back in order…for him and because I have missed it.”
    “Sounds amazing,” she said her tone enthusiastic.
    He beamed proudly, “My grandfather started it all. He loved racing, loved breeding winners and did it for the fun of it. My father saw that it could be profitable and began a business out of it. Men flocked from all over to buy a Cressly foal.” He sighed. “I should have been here overseeing, continuing what he started. He frowned. “But I got caught up with the London crowd, you see…and…it has all gone to ruin.”
    “You were young and breaking loose. That’s normal, so don’t beat yourself up over it.”
    He touched her hand, “Thank you. That is very kind of you to say.”
    “It is the truth. Life gives us choices and I know that we sometimes choose what we will later regret, but you can’t do what you aren’t ready to do until you are ready. It looks to me like you are now ready.”
    “I love your American way of speaking. So direct,” he laughed. “And you are right. I thought my father would live forever. He was so big and strong, but he caught a chill, it was only a chill and then suddenly almost overnight he was gone.” I was so angry. I returned to London right after the funeral and tried to forget that he was no longer back home in Dover.”
    “He is home,” she pointed at his chest. “Inside your heart and wherever you go.”
    From that moment on, Exerilla realized they would be good friends. She shouldn’t be making these kinds of friendships in this century. It wasn’t fair to them and it wasn’t fair to her either. One day in the near future she would return to her home and vanish as though she had never been there. The people she allowed to get close would wonder for the rest of their lives what happened to her. It was too late, she and Jacob were already friends. She would figure out the rest at another time.
    Horses dominated the conversation as X was an avid horsewoman and was curious as to the breed Jacob’s grandfather had used to produce such successful steeds.
    Their mutual love of horses explored, they moved into the sport of fox hunting which Sir Jacob loved, he told her above all other sports.
    Exerilla began telling him of the ‘drag hunts’ she had been on with the local ‘fox hunting club’ in her area back home.
    “ Drag hunts ?” he looked perplexed.
    “Yes, when they take the scent of the fox over fences and you follow the hounds