if people only see what they expect to see, then why doesn't julia harrington? when her friend, lady samantha, spies a rather handsome groom from her bedchamber window, lady julia agrees the man is far too handsome to be a groom. "he could be a gentleman," she tells sam, thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to teach the servant how to speak and dance and dress like a gentleman. doubting julia can accomplish such a task, samantha dares her to do just that--and in time for the mayfield ball--in just three weeks! alistair comber, the second son of the earl of aimsley, was fighting napoleon's forces on the continent until his true identity was revealed. having assured one of his dying soldiers he would see to a monthly income for the man's widow and children, alistair returns to england intending to keep the promise. his father refuses to honor the obligation, though, so alistair is forced to sell his commission to help raise the funds. angered that his son would do such a thing, the earl disowns alistair. in need of a position and a place to live, alistair uses his skills as an expert horseman to gain a position as a groom at harrington house. when lady julia tells him of her plans to make him into a gentleman in time for the ball, alistair agrees to the scheme. after all, how hard can it be when he's already a gentleman? alistair is about to find out just how hard it can be in my fair groom.