She looked positively delighted. “Am I the first?”
“To my knowledge. And hopefully the last,” he nearly growled.
“Oh, come now, Rhys, you didn’t truly believe you’d all be able to pass as servants and have no one recognize you, did you?”
When he didn’t answer, she paused for a moment in thought and then said, “Allow me to guess. You all came up with this idea while drinking.”
The disgruntled look on his face must have told her she was right. She laughed out loud. “You did, didn’t you? You were intoxicated and came up with this scheme. However did you manage to convince Clayton and his lady?”
Rhys pinched the bridge of his nose. His head was throbbing. How had he managed to get himself into this situation? “Clayton was with us. How he convinced Thea, I’m blissfully unaware.”
“And you’re all doing it?” she asked.
“Well, not Clayton, of course. We needed someone to play host.”
Julianna shook her head. “How did you ever think you’d manage it? Kendall was standing in the dining room for all to see.”
Rhys tilted his head to the side. “Did anyone else recognize him?”
“Not that I noticed,” Julianna replied, “I kept glancing around, expecting others to realize who he was, but no one did.”
“Yes, that was Bellingham’s point. Servants are often overlooked by those whom they serve.”
Julianna appeared to quietly contemplate that thought for a moment. “I noticed you right away,” she finally said. Was it his imagination or had her voice caught?
“I’m noticeable,” he replied with an unrepentant grin.
She pursed her lips. “I see you’re also still arrogant.”
“Confidentis the word I prefer. And I’m quite serious, one of the reasons Clayton stuck me in the stables is so that I would be less noticeable.”
“Let me guess, the other reason he stuck you in the stables is because he was entirely certain you would never be able to perform the duties of either a competent footman or a decent valet?” She finished with an undaunted smile.
Rhys narrowed his eyes on her. Whatever else he disliked about her, she was astute. She’d been able to guess a great deal about their plan and the details surrounding it. He could only hope she was trustworthy. At least when it came to this. Because he had no other choice but to trust her to keep her word.
She tapped her cheek with the tip of the crop. “The guest list makes sense now, I suppose. Most of the guests are debutantes and their mothers. Chosen to ensure the majority of them wouldn’t know any of you, I presume.”
“Precisely.”
“I think you’re all mad,” she said, turning and walking back toward her mount. “I also think there’s no possibility you won’t be found out.”
Rhys blew out a deep breath. “Be that as it may, I’ve told you the truth. Will you promise to keep the secret for all three of us?”
“I’ve already promised,” Julianna replied, using the fence post to hoist herself easily upon her horse’s back.
Rhys breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” He let his chin fall to his chest momentarily. He was getting off easily. She’d promised to keep the secret and he could keep his winnings. Dare he hope she was actually a bit decent after all?
Julianna gathered the reins and turned the horse to face him. “I promised to keep your secret,” she said. “I never promised not to enjoy every moment of watching you try to pass yourself off as a servant. Including ordering you about myself.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
She was already having fun and she’d barely even begun. After Rhys accompanied Julianna back to the stables, she immediately began peppering him with demands to perform a variety of chores.
“Violet needs a rub down,” she pointed out, gesturing to her beloved horse that she’d brought with her.
“As you wish, my lady,” Rhys said, bowing. He left momentarily and returned carrying two buckets of water. One he placed in front of Violet to drink, the other he used with a sponge to rub down the horse. He talked quietly to Violet in soothing tones as he did so.
Julianna found herself wishing very much that she knew what he was saying to the mare. It sounded kinder than anything he’d said tohersince he’d seen her yesterday. He finished by softly brushing Violet, including her lovely dark mane. He was adept with horses, she would give him that.
