Page 2 of A Duke for Hire

Theo’s small, sincere smile grew into a wide, mischievous one, and she pulled both Seraphina and Amelia closer to her.

“Actually, I believe I do have something,” she said, casting a glance at the dancing surrounding them.

“Do tell,” Seraphina urged, “Anything to get me out of this predicament.”

“The men of this society are weak-minded,” Theo explained, “They follow one another. Therefore, if we find one gentleman to dance with you, I will conclude that more would follow.”

“Well, that is obvious,” Amelia scoffed.

“Indeed,” Seraphina sighed, “If it were easy to have a single gentleman ask me to dance do you not think I would have done so by now?”

“Which is why we do not try to convince any ofthesegentlemen,” Theo whispered excitedly.

“What are you on about, Theo?” Amelia asked. “A man of thetonmust ask her to dance and all are present.”

“So wethink,” Theo replied wagging her brows, “But, what if that is not so?”

Seraphina felt interest pique.

“Go on,” she urged.

“As you know, Rose and I are avid readers and we often borrow one another’s books,” Theo explained, “In the recent one she lent me, there is an actor pretending to be a prince to woo the princess. He looks, acts, talks, like royalty, but in secret, he is just a peasant boy. He fools everyone, including the princess, until the villain, a sorcerer, reveals his true lineage then kidnaps the princess. The peasant boy saves her in the end, and due to hisbravery is awarded a title and is able to marry the princess in the end.”

“What a lovely story,” Seraphina sighed, “But our circumstances are different. Everyone in thetonknows one another, we cannot just make up a new noble.”

“No,” Theo agreed, “But we can hire an actor to play the part of a known one. One, perhaps, that thetonknows of, but has not seen in a while.”

Seraphina and Amelia both burst into laughter.

“You and your imagination,” Amelia giggled.

“It is quite whimsical,” Seraphina agreed, “But a bit preposterous, don’t you think?”

“Hear me out,” Theo urged, dropping into a whisper, “I know it seems a bit ridiculous but it could work! My brother, Tristan, is friends with the Duke of Merrivale, whom–”

“The name does not sound familiar,” Amelia protested.

“He is a bit older than us,” Theo acknowledged, “I suppose he is thirty by now or so, and he is a recluse. Does not leave his Dukedom for anything, according to my brother.”

Seraphina opened her mouth to protest, but found she had no words to say. The idea was wild- but also interesting.

“I know of an actor who works in a traveling troupe,” Theo went on, “We became friends one summer when he and his companions came to the countryside to put onA Midsommer Night’s Dream,and every time he returns, he regales me with his travels. He is very good, you know, and is coming back to London for the season. I am sure for the right price, he could play our estranged Duke at a party.”

The reality of such an idea set in, and Seraphina shook her head as she let go of the possibility.

“It is a lovely idea,” Seraphina sighed, “But come now, we all know it would not work.”

Theo’s lips parted to protest, but before she could speak, Mary’s voice invaded their small circle, sending all of their shoulders up to their ears- especially Seraphina’s.

“Seraphina, what are you doing against that wall?” Mary said with disappointment, reaching for her daughter’s hand. “You will never find a husband if you spend all your time conversing with other ladies.”

Mary, who some would still consider beautiful, turned a forced smile to Amelia and Theo.

“Lady Theodosia, Lady Amelia, don’t you both look beautiful this evening.”

“Thank you, Ms. Kinderson,” they said in unison, each giving Seraphina’s mother a polite but small curtsey.

“Far too beautiful to be fused to the wall,” Mary went on, squeezing Seraphina’s hand tighter as she pulled her away from her friends, “You should be out there, trying to attain a husband just as my daughter should be.”

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