Julianna had, however, chosen the ladies carefully. She’d picked each one based on the fact that they’d only been in Society for one Season and didn’t have any older siblings who may have known Worthington.
Of course, she’d experienced a bit of trepidation when they’d first arrived at the stables. No matter how carefully she’d chosen, there was always the chance that one of them happened to know what Rhys looked like. But she’d kept her confident smile in place and so had Rhys, and the afternoon had been not entirely unpleasant. Lord Clayton’s estate was lovely, and attempting to trip up Rhys had been nothing if not enjoyable—even if he hadn’t exactly risen to the bait.
The best part, however, had definitely been when the ladies began discussing the Duke of Worthington right in front of him. Why, it couldn’t have gone better if she’d planned it herself. It had taken every ounce of control she’d had not to look at him.
The part about him being in debt was interesting. She’d heard the odd rumor or two, but she’d never given them much credence. He certainly lived as if he were wealthy. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. Many peers lived on copious amounts of credit. Could Rhys’s debts be the reason he was so eager to win the bet? If that was the case, her trying to get him to lose it wouldn’t just be a matter of revenge, it might very well break him. Based on the amount of money he’d tried to promise her for her silence, the bet had to be for a large sum of money indeed.
For the first time since this entire game had begun four days ago, Julianna felt the slightest bit of guilt tug at her. What if she caused him to lose and that plunged him into debt from which he could not rebound? She would single-handedly be responsible for the downfall of the Duke of Worthington.
She bit her lip. A few days ago, she would have said that was precisely what she wanted. But now she had her doubts. If she was no longer trying to rile him, however, what possible excuse did she have for going out to the stables to see him each day?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next excuse presented itself to Julianna the following morning, quite conveniently in the person of her younger sister. She and Mary were eating breakfast off of trays that had been brought up to their bedchamber when she turned to her sister and asked, “What would you like to do today?”
Mary finished chewing her orange slice before replying, “I thought we’d go on the picnic planned for lunchtime with the other ladies. But, perhaps this morning…” Her voice trailed off and she bit her lip.
“Yes?” Julianna prodded, taking a bite from her own small bowl of fruit.
Mary’s cheeks turned ever-so-slightly pink. “At dinner last night one of the gentlemen asked me if I would care to go riding with him sometime.”
Julianna’s eyes widened and a catlike smile appeared on her face. “Ooh, which gentleman was it?”
“Lord Mixton,” Mary replied, her cheeks turning even more pink.
“Mixton?” Julianna set down her spoon. “He seems nice enough.”
“I agree,” Mary replied, “and for the first time, I actually wanted to go.”
Julianna gave her sister a sympathetic look. “Oh, you poor darling, I know you’re scared witless of horses. Perhaps you can ask him to go for a walk instead.”
Mary shook her head. “No. No. You misunderstand. My fear of horses is perfectly silly. I know that. It’s also quite embarrassing. I would do anything to be like everyone else. Tonotbe frightened witless of horses.”
Julianna reached over and squeezed her sister’s cold hand. “Mary, dear, I don’t understand. What are you saying?”
Her sister swallowed hard. “I’m saying I want to make my courage bigger than my fear, Anna. I want to learn to ride a horse.”
“Learn to ride?” Julianna blinked. If her sister had just told her she wanted to learn how to box at Gentleman Jackson’s, Julianna couldn’t have been more surprised. “Truly?”
“Yes.” Mary’s nod was resolute. She lifted her chin, and even though Julianna could see fear still lurking in Mary’s eyes, she could tell that her sister was determined. Julianna knew from experience, whenever Mary became determined, nothing could sway her. That was one of the many things Julianna loved about her sister. She was brave when she chose to be. Brave and kind and wonderful.
Mary had good reason to be afraid of horses. Their father had put her atop one when she was far too young.
“Julianna was three years old whenshelearned to ride and she had no problem whatsoever,” Papa liked to say whenever he was reminded of the fact that Mary had been mortified by her first attempt at riding. The little girl had been thrown from the pony, and while she’d landed on soft grass with only a few scrapes and bruises, she’d been terrified of horses ever since.
Father was right. Juliannahadbeen three years old when she’d learned to ride, and she’d taken to it like a fish to water. But Julianna and Mary were quite different. Where Julianna had always been adventurous and full of energy, Mary had always been quiet and reserved and cautious. It was a mistake Papa had regretted for years and one that had cost her sister her ability to participate in many outings.
“Are you quite certain, dear?” Julianna couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes,” Mary replied, even though Julianna could feel her sister’s hand trembling. “I was hoping you’d take me to the stables and ask one of the groomsmen to assist.”
A slow smile spread across Julianna’s face. “I think I know just the groomsman for the task.”
“Mr. Worthy?” Mary replied with a coy smile.
“Precisely,” Julianna replied with a nod.
* * *
