He liked the stablemaster immediately. Middle-aged with sparkling blue eyes and a ready smile, Mr. Hereford looked as if he’d give Rhys far less grief than Mrs. Cotswold. He’d clearly chosen the correct employment.
“I take it Lord Clayton has informed you of my intentions?” Rhys asked next.
Mr. Hereford nodded. “He did, indeed, Yer Grace.”
“No. No, there will be none of that,” Rhys replied, shaking his head. “I’m to be Mr. Worthy and no one else while I’m here. Nomilord, noYour Grace, and no mentions of dukedoms, if you please.”
“Of course, of course, Yer Gra—” Mr. Hereford caught himself and smiled. “Mr. Worthy.”
“It’ll be especially important when any of the guests are in the stables. And some of them may know who I am so if I’m scarce for a bit, you’ll know why.”
“Understood,” Mr. Hereford replied.
“But I want you to treat me like any other groomsman. I will do my chores and help out around here like everyone else. In fact, I insist upon it.”
“Yes, my lor—” Another smile from Mr. Hereford.
Rhys hoisted the bag he carried on his back. “I didn’t even bring a trunk. Just this bag with a few belongings. If you’ll be so kind as to point me to where I’ll sleep, I’ll unpack.”
“Ye’re gonna sleep out ‘ere, my lo— Mr. Worthy?” the stablemaster asked, looking more than a bit confused.
“Yes, of course,” Rhys replied. “Where do the other stablehands sleep?”
Mr. Hereford pointed to a staircase. “Up there. Any open berth will do, I suppose.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hereford. I’ll be back momentarily, and you may show me what chores I should expect to be responsible for.”
Mr. Hereford shook his head and turned to leave. But before Rhys had a chance to make it to the staircase, he turned back to look at him. “May I ask ye one more question, Yer Grace? Er, Mr. Worthy?”
“Of course,” Rhys replied.
“Lord Clayton didn’t say and the rest of us, we’re dying ta know. Why exactly are ye doing this?”
“Can’t you guess, Mr. Hereford?” Rhys responded with a laugh. “We have a bet. A bet for quite a bit of money.”
Mr. Hereford shook his head again and laughed. “Ye’re right. I should ‘ave guessed.”
“Now may I ask you a question?” Rhys replied.
“O’ course,” the stablemaster responded amiably.
“Do many of the guests come out to the stables when you have this house party? Particularly the debutantes?”
“I wouldn’t say many,” Mr. Hereford replied, tapping a finger on his chin. “But there’s usually one or two wot loves horses more than tea and gossip.”
Rhys nodded and turned to climb up the steps. He knew a lady like that, but surely,shewouldn’t be at this house party. At least he bloody well hoped not.
CHAPTER TWO
Julianna Montgomery looked out toward the tables from her second-floor bedchamber at Viscount Clayton’s estate. She and her sister Mary had been placed in one room and Mama in the adjoining one. They’d arrived for the house party just this morning and Mama had insisted they ‘rest.’
Julianna had always disliked resting. It was so very uninteresting. She’d much rather be out riding. She traced her fingers along the cool glass of the window and stared off across the gardens and meadow beyond the back of Lord Clayton’s estate.
Clayton’s stables were renowned in theton.Julianna couldn’t wait to get out and see them. If the rumor mill was to be believed, two of his mounts were descended from the famous Godolphin Arabians. The only other nobleman she knew who had a descendant of the Godolphins was… Ugh. The odious, awful, lying Duke of Worthington, also known as Detestable.
Julianna shook her head, chiding herself for thinking of him. He wasn’t worth her thoughts. She’d decided that at the beginning of the last Season—ahem—herthirdSeason. The fact that Detestable was the reason for her being unengaged during her third Season still made her nostrils flare. If that despicable, lying, disingenuous… No! That was not helping. Insults still counted as thinking of him, and sherefusedto do so.
What had she been thinking about before Detestable had entered her thoughts? Oh, yes, horses. The Arabians. They were the only reason she’d agreed to accompany Mama and Mary on this particular jaunt to the countryside after all. Well, that and the fact that Mary had asked for Julianna’s help looking for a match. Julianna no longer needed to look for herself now that she was well and truly engaged to the most eligible man in theton. Thank you very much.
