If it was possible for the smile on Julianna’s face to widen, it did. “No. I haven’t changed my mind. I don’t want money. I want you to tell me why you’re sneaking around Clayton’s stables pretending to be a groomsman.”
“Blast it. Isn’t theresomeamount of money you need?” he grumbled.
She gave him a tight smile. “No. You cannot buy me off, Rhys.” Her voice was firm and deliberate.
Rhys cursed under his breath again. “Fine. If I tell you, you must promise—no,swear—not to tell any of the other guests. Including your mother and sister.”
“I promise.” She gave him a beatific smile.
“Fine.” Damn it. He didn’t entirely trust her, but he had little choice. He paced away and then abruptly turned to face her again. “The truth is that I’ve made a bet with my friends.”
Her brows shot up. “Really?” She shook her head. “I should have guessed.”
“Too late to ask for money now.” The look he gave her dripped with sarcasm.
She rolled her eyes. “Who did you make this bet with?”
“Clayton, Kendall, and Bellingham.”
“Kendall, eh?” The hint of a smile curled the corner of her lips.
Rhys scratched at the back of his neck. “It was sort of Kendall’s idea,” he admitted.
A gleam came into Julianna’s eyes. “Isthatwhy he was parading around the dining table last night pretending to be a footman?”
Rhys’s eyes widened and he gave a start. “You saw him?”
“Of course I saw him. I’m not blind. What I want to know is what in heaven’s name are you two up to?”
Rhys shook his head and searched her face for the truth. “Did you say anything? Did you tell anyone?”
Julianna crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course not. I’m far too interested in learning why the two of you are trying to pretend to be servants.”
“Thethreeof us,” Rhys replied with a sigh. He might as well out with the entire plot. She already knew too much.
“Bellingham’s doing it, too?” She arched a brow.
“Yes,” Rhys replied. “He’s valeting Lord Copperpot.”
She rolled her eyes again. “Of course he is. Very well, go ahead,” she continued with a nod. “Tell me why the three of you are pretending to be servants.”
Rhys pushed his hair back with one hand. “If you must know, we bet each other a goodly sum that we each couldn’t pass as servants for the duration of this house party.”
“A fortnight?” she breathed. “That’s a lofty goal indeed.”
“Perhaps.”
“Without being found out, you mean?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes, that’s part of it.”
“What’s the other part?” Her eyes remained narrowed on him as if she didn’t believe he was telling the truth.
“We must be convincing and actually perform duties as servants. The guests mustn’t discover who we really are.”
She pressed her lips together briefly. “But you haven’t lost yet even though I know?”
“That’s correct. We expected there to be at least one or two people who’d recognize us and who we’d have to take into confidence.”
