When A Rose Blooms

Juliana woke early for the first time since she had arrived in London, feeling relaxed and well rested. She didn’t remember coming to bed though, just falling asleep on the sofa watching frank smile to himself. The thought warmed her and she smiled too at the memory. Perhaps he had carried her to bed, the idea of this made her blush slightly but she ignored the intimate idea- something a husband might do for a wife- and got up, flinging the wardrobe doors open wide. It really was early as even Olivia was still asleep. Juliana rummaged through all her old and new dresses and simply couldn’t decide what to wear yet. Instead she wrapped her dressing gown securely around her and went and stood on the small balcony attached to her room that over looked the neat garden at the back of the house. The scent of roses hung heavily in the dewy early morning air. It was quiet cool out but Juliana relished it, as the world seemed fresh and new as if they weren’t in a giant city after all. A soft neigh sounded to the side of the house and reminded Juliana that they had stables here too. Now she knew what she would wear today- her riding habit and she would make Frank take her riding through the local park.

~

“Good morning Wells,” Juliana greeted the butler as he brought in her breakfast and the post. “Just put the post by Frank’s, Lord Carlyle’s seat he isn’t down yet. Do you know where he is I want him to take me riding.” She realised as she said it he sounded rather spoilt and demanding but she didn’t care, she was to happy and full of energy to just sit around.

“He is just coming Miss Lucas.” Wells told her pouring out a cup of tea for her.

“Thank you Wells,” she smiled up at him from her seat and he nodded back in acknowledgement. The door opened and Juliana transferred her warm smile to whoever stood there. It was Frank looked a lot better then he had the morning before when he had had a hangover.

“Good morning Juliana; Wells. You seem very perky this morning Juliana, I take it you slept well.” He sat down in his seat next to her at the head of the table and started to open his mail.

“Very well thank you, in fact I feel so rested today I would like to go riding. Have you got a horse suitable for me?” Frank seemed surprised at this request but did not question it.

“Yes I believe so when would you like to go?”

“After breakfast please while it is still quiet and cool.” He laughed at this and Juliana stared at him confused. “What is so funny?”

“You will find that the park will be anything but quiet in the morning in fact it is often the busiest time of the day there. Everyone worth knowing will go there to socialise.”

But Juliana ignored him she would not be put of her first ride in the city. “We best go sooner rather than later then.” She told him primly. He chuckled at this but she just ignored him and munched on her toast. The she waited impatiently for Frank to get changed into his riding apparel, as she was already ready and had sent a maid to fetch her hat and gloves. Juliana heard Frank bounding back down the stairs, apparently her energy was infectious and went to meet him in the hallway.

“The horses are waiting just outside, I asked a groom to get them ready before I went upstairs.” He lead her outside and as he said there would be there were two horses waiting them patiently, held still by smartly uniformed grooms. Frank went and greeted the older one whom Juliana assumed was the head groom and then went and greeted his horse feeding him a sugar lump.

“Master Francis,” the head groom told him in a rough country accent, “what have I told you about feeding that ‘orse of yours sugar lumps?”

“That its bad for him, I know George but Orion does like then so.” The big black stallion Frank had been feeding harrumphed as if in agreement. Frank laughed light heartedly. Juliana watched this exchange with a smile, it was good to see Frank happy and relaxed. Then she turned her attention to the other horse that had been brought around for her and stared at it unhappily. It was pretty bay mare and she was a perfectly sound horse but she simply stood there still and docile while Frank’s horse Orion pranced around excitedly, full of energy. Her horse may as well have been asleep.

“Frank?” Juliana interrupted his happy chatter with the groom’s man and they both looked at her questioningly. “This horse is not acceptable; she appears to be a snail not a horse.”
George the groom let out a large merry laugh and Frank scowled at him. “She’s the perfect lady’s horse; there is nothing wrong with her.” Frank informed her.

“She is going to be slow and docile you can tell just by looking at her, I will not even bother mounting her. Can I see your other horses please?” Frank did not look impressed that she wasn’t impressed by her thorough bred snail. “Please Frank?” she asked him again.

“Remember I grew up in the countryside I know about horses and although his horse is very pretty I would like one with some energy.”

“Fine,” he growled defeated “but don’t blame me if you break your pretty neck.” George chuckled some more at this winking at Juliana and smiled at him. Franks scowled at his friendly exchange but led her round the side of the house to the stables with out a word. The first horse they showed her was very similar to her first horse and she rejected it quickly. A fine boned roan with quick feet and lively eyes was led past them by a stable boy on its way to be exercised but Juliana stopped him.

“I want this one, he is the perfect size and has a lovely temperament.” She informed them stroking the horse’s velvety nose. Both George and Frank stared at her in amazement.
“What?” she asked them noticing their surprised expressions.

“That ‘orse hates strangers miss only myself or master Frank can touch him. He is also very highly stung I doubt you could ride him.”

“Now you doubt me too do you George? Well saddle him up for me and I’ll prove you wrong I do love a good challenge.”

“But you’ll be hurt.” Frank exclaimed stopping her from mounting the now saddled horse.

“Stop fussing Frank I know what I am doing just watch and learn.” Frank shut up knowing now that he couldn’t stop her when she was determined to do something. He watched anxiously as she walked the horse into the exercise ring. She had him under perfect control but that didn’t stop Frank from worrying Juliana spurred him into a neat trot and George called encouragement to her.

“That’s it lassie keep him going.” Juliana sped the pace up to a collected canter but although she could feel the horse straining for more she couldn’t let him go because there just wasn’t the space. She stopped perfectly next to an amazed Frank and a grinning George.

“What’s his name George?” she asked happily, please greatly with the horse.

“Well he don’t have one just yet miss, he’s new and all so we haven’t decided.”

“Can I name him Frank, can I? Can he be mine please?” she smiled sweetly at him and Frank could help but smile back and give her what she wanted. “I think he should be called Triumph, because I proved you all wrong.” She decided quickly with a gleeful laugh. George and Frank laughed along too.

~

The ride to the park was uneventful. Triumph and Orion were well matched and Frank and Juliana made a handsome couple in their unintentionally matching riding gear. Frank was as usual dressed in the colours of his household that suited him so well- black and a bright royal blue with silver details and Juliana’s riding habit was a dark midnight blue. People stared at them with mixed emotions. Many women stared at Juliana enviously thinking she was Frank’s mistress, not knowing of their relationship as guardian and charge and few of the death of Frank’s wife. Many men were surprised know Frank from parliament or various clubs and knowing that he was married and his wife had just died but also that he had never once had a mistress when he was married; however unfulfilling his marriage was, so they were unsure where this beautiful young woman had come from so quickly especially one no-one in society knew.

“I think people are curious about you my dear,” Frank whispered to Juliana. She blushed at this use of an endearment but said nothing in reply. “Well anyone worth knowing or who deserves to know about you, you will meet properly at the ball tomorrow night. That reminds me we should properly return to Madame Laqué this afternoon for your dress fittings for the ball.”

“Is this it?” Juliana asked him as they slowed to a stop at some large ornate gates that lead to a large garden with wide paths full of a gentle stream of people on both foot and horseback. “This is the park but it’s beautiful, it’s more like a garden. I have never ridden any where like this, only through woods and fields and country estates, not the same at all. And look at all the lovely people in their fancy dresses.” Frank smiled at her obvious excitement at this new setting.

“You’ll get used to it soon enough and then you’ll be longing for the country once again.”

“Well country or not I would like to start riding properly now please.” She smiled enticingly at him and trotted into the park leaving a bemused Frank behind. They trotted side by side along the wide tree lined paths. Juliana’s confidence had slowly evaporated as Frank greeted person after person that they rode past. How he remembered all these people’s names and titles was beyond her. Eventually they stopped their ride at the edge of a neatly cut grass race track, with smart white rails circling it. It wasn’t very big but big enough for a decent race of about five people. Juliana watched the five young gentlemen currently whipping around it at a hair raising pace, with interest. She hadn’t seen a race as good as this in a couple of months since one of the last meets she had attended at home. Underneath her firm seat she could feel Triumph pulling at his rein and shifting excitedly about on his light feet. Bending down low over him she whispered conspiringly in his ear.

“Looks like fun doesn’t it boy I bet we could beat them all though, but Frank won’t let us I should think. I thinks I’m just a timid female rider but we’ll show him won’t we boy, with out his permission though unfortunately. There is no point in even asking because he will say no, I know it.”

“What are you telling that horse Juliana?” Frank asked her curiously, sideling his horse next to hers startling her with his closeness.

“Nothing.” She replied sitting back up with a start and smiling innocently at him. He frowned slightly but didn’t question her further.

“Frank!” an unknown male voice called at them. Both Frank and Juliana turned to look at the man who was calling him. Juliana didn’t recognise him but Frank’s face lit up and he called back.

“Cameron! It’s good to see you old friend where have you been? Let me introduce you to Miss…” Frank turned to Juliana to introduce her to his childhood friend but she was gone. Cameron chuckled deeply now sat next to Frank on his own horse.

“Your foxy haired lady friend? She rode of to the race track the moment you turned your back Francois.” Frank looked in the direction his friend was pointing and sure enough Juliana and Triumph were now stood in the midst of the five young racers, laughing merrily.

“Juliana!” he shouted to her. If Juliana had heard him she showed no recognition of it, in fact she turned away from him and the small group of riders and lined up next to the winner of the race ready to start riding against him. Frank paled. She wasn’t going to race him was she? Did she know how dangerous racing was and on a horse as unruly as Triumph? Why had he let her ride him? Frank whipped Orion into action and the horse started off at a gallop towards her. Cameron followed him at a more sedate pace on his pretty bay that contrasted his masters dark features most excellently, chuckling to himself. By the time Frank had reached the track Juliana was riding into the distant curve of the racecourse a good five strides ahead of the previous winner, or so the riders looking on through gilt glasses exclaimed. He stopped and stared after her in dismay. If she hurt herself he would never forgive himself. He silently vowed to never let her ride again. What had happen to his sensible Juliana? Cameron reined his horse in at his side.

“She’s a cracker François; where did you find her? And I’m surprised to see you so openly with another woman. What happened to Rebecca? It appears I have a lot of catching up to do after my trip to France.”

“So that’s where you have been hiding. I have told you time and time again to give up the tables no good will come of it…”

“Don’t I know it…?” Cameron muttered mysterious. “Continue friend continue.”

“That firecracker will be the death of me, she is my charge, Miss Juliana Lucas and she insisted we went riding today but I did not expect this to happen. She is usually so sensible and proper. And I’m afraid Rebecca has died. And I know what you’re thinking Juliana is rather young for me and it rather soon but she is not that much younger than us because she was meant to be my father’s charge but he had died.”

“And you just throw all this into casual convocation. I’m sorry about Rebecca and of course the baby, but we both know you never really cared for her. And how come you never told me about this charge before. I would be very interested in meeting her.”

“Precisely, I know what you are like…”

“What I am like you were always the worst when it came to women, not as bad as Jonnie but bad none the less!”

“But I am married, was married and she is my charge it would be wholly inappropriate. Also you know I hate to talk business when I’m with you lot.”

“Oh I suppose so!” Cameron agreed dejectedly. “Look here she comes. Oh I say she won!”

“I won Frank! I won!” she cried as she drew nearer to them. Juliana pulled up next to the two gentlemen flushed and breathless, her eyes shining in excitement. Frank smiled at her softly all his reproof he had planned for her disappearing. He loved his side of Juliana, one she only ever seemed to show to him; the one who ran on the stairs and snuck around in the middle of the night, blushed at the slightest thing and apparently loved to ride. “Oh excuse me.” She said suddenly noticing Cameron at Frank side and blushing once more. Frank chuckled at the blushed well timed appearance. “You aren’t angry with me are you Frank?” she asked reminding him of the first time that they had met and she had suggested they talk about the weather.

“No Juliana, now let me introduce my close friend Lord Cameron -, Cameron met Miss Lucas.” Juliana murmured her greeting to him and held out her gloved hand.

“A pleasure Mademoiselle Lucas,” he replied bowing as low over it as he could while still seated on his horse.

“Thank you Lord Cameron, I may call you that may I not if you are such a good friend to Lord Carlyle, Frank I mean.”

“Of course you may. We, I and Frank that is, played together as children so any friend of Frank’s is a friend of mine, especially one as beautiful as you are Môn Cherie.”

“Cameron, leave her alone. Ignore him Juliana he thinks he is being charming when he speaks French, when in fact he is just annoying. Leave your French in France where it belongs Môn Amie.”

“You are just jealous of my dashing French looks. My mother was French Mademoiselle to explain all this French rambling and I take strongly after her side of the family in fact I have just been to France to visit them.”

“How fascinating, I myself have never left the country.”

“You must persuade François to take you one day.”

“I will,” Frank interceded. Juliana and Cameron smiled at him.

“Really? You would take me abroad? Where?” She asked excitedly.

“Well, it’s up to you if you want to go somewhere I can arrange it, but first you should get use to London. I mean you have just arrived here!”

“Just arrived! Well why didn’t you say so before? We need to show this girl the ropes. Has she met the others yet?” Cameron asked jovially. “Well I’ll see you tomorrow morning to arrange something.” And with that he rode away.

“Others?” Juliana asked curiously.

“Yes, all though I’m a very social person I have very few close friends Cameron is one of them. The others are Jonathan Butler, Duke of Ormonde and Ellis Dexter, Earl of -. I grew up with Cameron and we met the other two when we began gallivanting the city, to put it politely. It’s getting late perhaps we should be heading home now, besides we are going to Madame Laqué’s this afternoon for you’re final fitting for the ball tomorrow night.”

“You’re right.” They rode out of the park and back into town to Frank’s home.