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 there some amount 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 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. “Is that why 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.”
“The three of 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 party’s occupants mustn’t find out 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.”
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 Theodora, 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.”
“Confident is