She pressed her lips together and gave him a look that said,Well-played.
Next, the conveyance rattled on past the meadow and out to the lake. The same place they’d been for their picnic with Mary. When the break came to a stop, the ladies’ chatter ceased once again and they all looked expectantly at Rhys, anticipating that Julianna would ask him more questions.
“How many fish are stocked in the lake, Mr. Worthy?” Julianna dutifully asked.
“As I am not the groundskeeper, my lady, I’m not entirely certain, but I do know his lordship has caught both pike and perch here in abundance. I have also heard that my lord and lady have planned a picnic for the guests here tomorrow.”
The ladies must have liked that response because their chatter increased, and a general air of excitement was in their tone.
“Oh, please, Anna, can’t we take a quick walk along the shoreline?” Mary begged.
Julianna looked at Rhys. “Mr. Worthy? Would we be able to take a walk along the water? Is there time?”
“Whatever you wish, my lady,” he replied agreeably.
The ladies conferred for a few moments before deciding itwouldbe lovely to take a stroll by the lake. Rhys and Henry hopped down from their spots and helped all six women to alight.
Mary and three of the ladies all took off at a decent clip to look for the buttercups she’d promised them. Julianna and one other young woman walked more slowly toward the edge of the water nearby. Rhys strode along behind them to continue answering questions.
“Mr. Worthy,” Julianna soon asked, “what is the depth of the lake?”
Rhys did not hesitate. “It’s approximately fifteen and a quarter meters, my lady.”
She turned and gave him a look that clearly indicated she knew he’d made that up.
He returned it with a look that clearly indicated he knew she could never prove it.
She paused for a moment at the water’s edge and thoughtfully tapped her cheek with one gloved finger. “Mr.Worthy? An interesting name is it not, Helen?” she said to her companion. Julianna then turned to Rhys. “You don’t happen to be any relation to the Duke of Worthington, do you?”
Helen was staring at the water and as a result, was unable to see Rhys blink his eyes slowly at Julianna while wearing a false smile and giving her anI’m-going-to-make-you-pay-for-thislook. “Not to my knowledge, my lady, but I certainly wouldn’t mind discovering I’m a relation. I hear the current duke is handsome, wealthy, and charming.”
Helen took the opportunity to speak. “I have also heard he’s handsome, but he may not be wealthy. According to my Papa, he gambles a great deal and has lost his fortune. Though he’s still quite eligible, of that there can be no doubt.”
“Well, I can assure you rumors of his charm have beengreatlyexaggerated,” Julianna added with a tight smile.
Helen giggled at that.
“I doubt that,” Rhys replied, his tone clipped. “He’s visited Clayton Manor upon occasion. I’ve met him. I found him to bequitecharming. Witty, too.”
“He certainlythinkshe’s witty,” Julianna replied.
More giggling from Helen.
They went on that way for several more minutes before the other ladies returned each carrying a plucked buttercup in their hands.
“The flowers are beautiful on the far side of the lake,” one of them exclaimed.
“Yes, well, we may want to return to the carriage, my lady,” Rhys said to Julianna. “We still have a great deal more to see if you would like the entire tour.”
“Indeed,” Julianna replied as she began ushering her friends back toward the carriage.
As they walked, one of the ladies said, “I’ve been having the loveliest time at the party so far, but I cannot help but be disappointed that more of Lord Clayton’s friends aren’t in attendance.”
“Like whom?” Julianna asked, clearly relishing the topic. She gave Rhys a sideways glance.
“The Earl of Kendall should be here,” one of the other ladies said.
“Yes, and the Marquess of Bellingham,” another added.
