Worth groaned and rubbed his eyes. “Of all the house parties in all the world, why did Lady Julianna Montgomery have to pickthisone? And by the way, Clayton, I’m none too pleased with you for inviting her here. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were out to sabotage my odds.”
“On the contrary, I had nothing to do with it,” Clayton replied, leaning back in his chair. “I asked Thea about it last night. She told me that Lady Julianna’s mother and sister were invited, and at the last minute they sent word that Lady Julianna would be accompanying them. It was too late to write and ask them not to. Besides, what excuse could poor Thea have possibly given?”
“Yes, well, she might have letmeknow Julianna was on her way. The chit loves horses. I could have made myself scarce.”
“A groomsman making himself scarce in the stables is hardly good form,” Clayton replied with a laugh. “Besides, Thea had quite forgotten your history with Lady Julianna, and she hadn’t told me the girl was coming. When you mentioned it yesterday it was the first I’d heard of it.”
“Regardless,” Bell interjected. “Do tell what happened when she saw you, Worth.”
“Yes,” Lucas added, leaning forward and propping an elbow on the table. “She had to have recognized you.”
“Of course she recognized me,” Worth declared, pulling up his boot. “The chit isn’t blind. Not to mention I’m not exactly someone to forget.” He sat back and gave them all a wicked grin.
Bell rolled his eyes. “Go on, what happened?”
Worth’s smile didn’t diminish. “I managed to convince her to go on a ride with me without sounding the alarm.”
“And then what happened?” Lucas asked, turning in his chair to see more of Worth. His memory of Worth’s history with Lady Julianna amounted to some gossip in the papers and then Worth saying he’d dodged a bullet. As far as Lucas knew, they’d never actually beenbetrothed.
“Let’s just say I managed to convince her to keep her mouth shut,” Worth replied, smoothing his hands down both sleeves of his jacket.
“How?” Bell asked, his sharp, narrowed eyes searching Worth’s face.
Worth cleared his throat. “My charm?”
Bell arched a brow. “Truly?”
“Very well. I’d rather not say,” Worth replied.
“Oh, you can’t do that to us, Worth,” Lucas said with a groan.
“I can and I will,” Worth retorted. “We all spoke about this. One or two people knowing who we are is perfectly acceptable. Therestof the party just can’t know.”
“Agreed,” Clayton said with a nod. “As long as Lady Julianna keeps it to herself, I suppose you’re still officially in the game.”
“Thank you.” Worth inclined his head toward their host and gave the other two men a smug smile.
“I can only imagine what you had to do to get her to agree to remain silent,” Bell said, whistling. “If memory serves you werepersona non gratawith her the last time you two spoke.”
“Wroteis more precise,” Worth replied, “and no amount of prodding shall make me tell you, though I admire your subtle efforts, Bell. And for the record, thenon gratawas quite mutual. Now, let’s speak of more pleasant things, shall we? Any wifely prospects, Kendall?” The duke blinked at Lucas.
Lucas tugged at his cravat and scrunched up his nose. What was there to say? “No,” was the first word on his lips. Frances Wharton had certainly intrigued him, but he wasn’t prepared tomarryher at this point and there were definite things about her and her family that made her a poor choice. There was, however, something he did want to discuss with his friends. “I have yet to find my future bride, but I do need your help with something.”
“Yes?” Clayton asked, leaning forward.
Lucas cleared his throat. “Since Sir Reginald Francis is here and—”
“Sir Reginald?” Bell interrupted. “I haven’t seen him. What’s he doing here?”
“That’s a question I’d like to know the answer to also.” Lucas leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared directly at Clayton.
“I couldn’t help it,” Clayton replied, lifting his chin. “I always invite Sir Reginald. He’s thick as thieves with the Prince. I hardly want to get on the bad side of their ilk.”
“But you might have warned me before I had to serve him at dinner,” Lucas replied.
Worth whistled. “Thatmust have been something.”
“I admit,” Clayton said with a wince, “Thea and I wanted to see if Bell’s theory was correct. Would youtrulybe overlooked when dressed as a servant, Kendall? And you were. Sir Reginald never even glanced at you. By God, it was amazing.” Clayton clapped his hand against his knee.
