The Footmen's Club Books 1-3 by Valerie Bowman

Author:Valerie Bowman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781960015044
Publisher: Valerie Bowman

This was going to be fun, Julianna thought an hour later as she and Mary marched down to the stables. Mary didn’t own a riding habit, so she’d had to make do with one of Julianna’s, which was too long in both the arms and skirt. Regardless, Julianna thought her younger sister looked adorable in the dark sapphire habit that one of the maids had quickly tailored so she wouldn’t trip over it. The sleeves had simply been rolled up.

Mary had worn a pair of her own boots that weren’t precisely riding boots. Julianna thought it best to match fit rather than function.

Rhys was in the far corner of the stables, helping the smithy to shoe one of the horses when they entered. He was using a hammer to beat the burning black metal into shape. Once again, his shirt was off—and Julianna had to glance away, swallowing hard, when he turned slightly and she saw his muscled abdomen. Was that a scar? She’d only seen it for a moment and certainly didn’t want to be caught staring.

“Good morning, Mr. Worthy,” she called when he’d finished his chore.

He turned and wiped sweat from his forehead, giving her his most outrageously charming smile. He knew precisely how inappropriate he was being, going about shirtless. He was making poor Mary blush.

“Ah, Lady Julianna, come for another tour? Bring anyone else with you? The Prince Regent, perhaps?” he asked with an unrepentant grin.

“Not yet,” Lady Julianna replied. “Though I do hear he’s arriving soon.”

The house party had been agog at the news that both the Earl of Kendall and the prince would be arriving soon. Of course, Julianna found it laughable, given the fact that Kendall had already been serving them all in the dining room night after night. But given her promise to Worthington, she’d dutifully kept her mouth shut.

“Then what brings you out today?” Rhys asked. He no longer even pretended she wasn’t here to bother him. That was interesting.

“Mary would like riding lessons,” Julianna announced. “We were hoping you could assist.”

“Riding lessons?” Rhys turned his attention to Mary. “Is that right?”

“Yes, Mr. Worthy,” Mary said with a brave nod. “I’ve decided I must stop being such a ninny. Though, I do hope you’ll pick the tamest mount in the stables for me,” she added, her voice cracking slightly.

“I know just the mare,” Rhys replied. “And it would be my pleasure to help you, Lady Mary.”

Mary smiled and wandered over to the other side of the blacksmith’s area to get a closer look at the work he was doing.

“Let me clean up and I’ll be right back.” Rhys tossed a towel over his shoulder. As he passed Julianna he paused. “Here to attempt to make me quit again, are you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She stuck her nose in the air.

“Oh, so you don’t intend to give me hell at every turn today?” he asked.

She did her best not to look at his glistening chest. “I expect you to give my sister proper riding lessons, if that’s what you’re getting at.

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