Page 10 of A Duke for Hire

Seraphina looked up from her dessert. It looked delicious, as did the rest of the meal, but she was so nervous she had barely touched a thing. At the table, she had hoped that she would be seated by Theo, but was not entirely disappointed when she found herself with Amelia to her right, Rose to her left, and Ophelia directly across from them.

“The one sitting by Tristan’s left,” Seraphina whispered, turning her gaze toward him. Again, he was glancing at her. He looked amused, as if they shared a secret. Yet, something told her it was not the one she thought they thought it was.

“He is quite handsome,” Ophelia mused, throwing him a furtive glance. “Not particularly by London’s standards, but still rather good-looking.”

“Did the talk go well?” Rose whispered.

Seraphina shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“I suppose so. He did not say much, to be honest, but he did state with quite a lot of confidence who he was to play.”

“Do not worry,” Amelia whispered, squeezing Seraphina’s fingers under the table, “It will work.”

“Friends,” Tristan announced, rising from his seat at the head of the table, “Thank you all once more for joining me in my small celebration. If we are all finished, let us all grab a drink and make our way to the parlor. My darling sister has agreed to provide some merry music on the piano for dancing and socializing.”

A round of polite applause rose in the air as everyone stood, and Seraphina felt a new wave of nerves hit her stomach as she got to her feet with everyone else. Whether she was ready or not, it was time to pull off the act of a lifetime.

“Are you ready, Your Grace?”

Hugo turned toward the woman Tristan had called Seraphina earlier. He’d been courteous on the patio, but why was she acting as if they were on the best of terms already? Had he met her before at Merrivale?

“Miss Kinderson, I apologize, but do we know each other?” He asked.

The beautiful woman laughed loudly, startling him and those around them as they turned to the sound with curious eyes.

“Oh, Your Grace, you are so amusing!” Seraphina sighed, shaking her head as if he had said something silly.

He glanced toward the curious onlookers then back at her, his brows drawing higher.

“Are you well, Miss Kinderson?” He asked under his breath.

He watched Seraphina’s cheeks grow red, but the smile he knew was forced grew wider.

“Quite well, Your Grace,” she replied, then more loudly she added “I am ready for the dance you requested earlier.”

Confused but vastly intrigued by Seraphina’s boldness, Hugo reached for her, bowed, and led her to the middle of the dance floor. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he very much wanted to find out what this bold woman was up to.

It had been ages since he had danced. Well over a decade ago, when his mother was still alive. But the woman’s steps were light and easy to lead. Soon, like an old habit he’d thought he had forgotten, he found the steps to match her, and moved her in time with the piano.

Strange,he thought to himself,I am actually enjoying this.

“You are lovely dancer,” Seraphina praised, after he sent her into a twirl and gathered her back up again. “Theo said you were skilled but this is more than I expected.”

“I am glad you are enjoying it,” Hugo replied in a low voice, “Though I am still confused as to how we know each other.”

“We do not, in truth, but Theo told me all about you.”

“Oh?” He asked, thinking it was regarding his reputation. If so, her willingness to be around was only that much more interesting.

“Pray tell,” he urged. “I am always curious as to what the latest rumors are.”

He wasn’t. At least, not usually.

“That you were the perfect man for the job,” she replied, paying him another pleased smile, “And I must say, I agree.”

Hugo chuckled, not expecting that answer at all. What job was she speaking of?

“Perfect, you say?” He mused.

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