Duke Looks Like a Groomsman - Valerie Bowman Page 0,45

“You’re not the type of young lady one leaves.”

Nearly growling, Julianna ground her boot into the dirt. She was most likely imagining it was his face. Ha.

Once the saddle had been properly fitted and Rhys had helped a slightly trembling Mary atop it, he spent the next hour leading her gently around the paddock while Mary clung to the reins, her knee firmly ensconced around the horn.

Julianna, of course, took advantage of every opportunity to exasperate him.

When they walked past her and Rhys said, “Keep your back straight and your shoulders centered—the horse can tell when you’re not confident.” Julianna said, “Yes, listen to him, Mary. Mr. Worthy here is a master at confidence. Some might even say arrogance.”

When they trotted past and Rhys said, “If you lean forward, the horse can guess what you want,” Julianna replied with, “Yes, and Mr. Worthy is an expert at knowing what ladies want.”

And when they came by at a slow canter and Rhys said, “Just let me know when you’re tired and we can take a small break,” Julianna didn’t miss a beat when she shot back, “Don’t listen to him, Anna. I happen to know Mr. Worthy doesn’t know what a small break is.”

“What does that mean?” Mary asked, frowning.

“Yes,” Rhys said. “What does that mean, my lady?” He blinked innocently at Julianna.

“Oh, nothing,” she said to Mary, ignoring Rhys. “I’m sorry. Please continue with your lesson.”

Mary shook her head and promptly returned to clutching at the saddle for dear life. It wasn’t until they’d been at their lesson for the better part of two hours that Mary announced that she thought she might be able to ride about the paddock alone for the first time and Rhys happily obliged. He waited in the center, watching her like a mother hen and its chick for several rounds before he strolled over toward the barn door to stand next to Julianna.

“She’s truly getting the hang of it,” Rhys said.

“She is. You’ve done an excellent job teaching her,” Julianna replied, not looking at him.

“What was that?” He cupped a hand behind his ear.

“I believe you heard me.” But her smile belied the tone of her words.

“Praise? Words I never thought I’d hear coming from you, Lady Julianna.”

“She looks good, Rhys. I appreciate your…help.”

“Why, Lady Julianna, are you trying to thank me?” He batted his eyelashes at her.

She let out a long sigh and turned to face him. “Whatever else I may think of you, I happen to adore my sister, and she’s been scared witless of horses her whole life. That is until you helped her. She was thrown at the age of three.” She shook her head slightly as if to dispel the unwanted tears that sprang to the backs of her eyes.

Rhys’s throat tightened. He searched Julianna’s face. “I didn’t know she’d been thrown, and at such a young age. I’m sorry to hear that.”

Julianna shrugged. “Not exactly something one mentions when one is courting.”

“No, of course not,” he replied. “But it certainly explains why she is so fearful. I don’t blame her.” He leaned back against the barn wall and stared out to watch Mary and Whisper.

“She’s had a difficult time of it,” Julianna continued. “Especially growing up in a household where the rest of us love horses so much.”

Rhys inclined his head. “I can imagine. I only hope I’ve been able to help her in some small way.”

A slight smile flitted across Julianna’s lips. “She couldn’t stop talking about the progress she made yesterday. She was quite proud of herself.”

“She should be proud. She’s done a fine job of overcoming her fear,” Rhys continued.

“Do you think she requires another lesson?” Julianna asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“That depends,” Rhys replied evenly. “Will you have time for more lessons after Lord Murdock arrives?”

Frowning, Julianna’s arms fell to her sides and she turned to face Rhys, her mouth slightly open. “Lord Murdock? What do you mean?” She eyed Rhys warily.

Rhys shrugged. “Clayton told me he’s arriving tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Julianna shook her head. Her frown intensified.

“You didn’t know?”

“I…ah, didn’t know what day it would be,” she replied, tugging at the collar of her riding habit.

“I see,” Rhys replied, just before the devil on his shoulder prodded him to say more. “I hear your wedding date is being moved up to autumn, as well. I suppose best wishes are in order.”

“My what?” Julianna’s tone increased nearly two octaves.

Rhys nodded nonchalantly. “Clayton mentioned that Murdock wrote to your father to ask him to agree