Page 7 of A Duke for Hire

“Ah, Seraphina, there you are,” Amelia answered happily, she and Rose each looping an arm through hers.

“Theo told me of your plan,” Rose whispered at Seraphina’s side. “I think it is fabulous. Simply fabulous.”

“It will only be fabulous if it works,” Seraphina muttered, throwing a nervous look around the room.

“When is everyone else going to be here?” She asked. “Where is Theo?”

She had so many more questions. Was the actor handsome? Would others recognize him? Was he good enough to fill this role? Was he going to be kind? All the men of thetonseemed to have a cruel edge to them. Would he pretend to be cruel as well?

“Theo has taken over the duties of coordinating the dinner,” Amelia explained, “We most likely will not see her until it is time to eat. As for everyone else, it turns out Tristan kept the guest list quite exclusive. There are only a dozen or so other guests.”

Seraphina’s anxiety spiked. Not only was Theo not going to be there to walk her through the plan, but the lack of witnesses meant that little interest would be stirred when their plan unfolded.

“Worry not, all it takes is one person to see you dancing with the proclaimed Duke and the news will spread,” Amelia insisted, noticing her friend’s uncertain look. “You can do this! Theo explained the plan to you, yes?”

Seraphina nodded.

“I convinced my mother I could handle this soiree alone, so she will not be here to interfere. And I am to meet the ‘Duke of Merrivale’ on the patio outside the library. We will introduce ourselves, briefly go over the plan, and then I shall go around the house so that the others may see me walk in alone,” she explained.

Her mind flashed to the small map Theo had drawn of Tristan’s house. Before dinner was announced, she was to meet Theo’s friend Rowley, the actor that would play the part of the Duke there, have a brief discussion of the plan, then part ways until it was time to dance. It was simple…only, it did not feel that way at all.

“The others will start to arrive in twenty minutes or so,” Amelia whispered, she and Rosalind letting go of her arms. “Time to put it all together.”

“Remember you can do this!” Rose said supportively, giving her a push toward the hallway.

She looked over her shoulder at her friends, still nervous about the plan. But she was greeted with two bright, supportive smiles, and both of them were giving shooing motions with their hands. Amelia was right. She was running out of time. It was now or never.

Taking a deep breath, she turned back toward the hallway, and with quick steps, made her way toward the library. She only stopped once at the mirror hanging close to the door, and gave herself a quick inspection.

Her aquamarine gown was well-fitted, as were the white elbow-length gloves she wore. The simple blue gemstone she wore at her neck complimented her eyes, and her swept up chocolate curls dangled gracefully around her clear-complected face. She pinched her cheeks quickly, adding some color, and forced on a smile.

The library inside the bachelor’s home was surprisingly vast, but she found the doors to the patio open, the sheer, pale blue curtains blowing in the warm wind. Through the wavering fabric, she saw the outline of a man. Her heart jumped as she saw him; knowing that there was no turning back now.

Raising her small chin higher, Seraphina squared her shoulders, and approached.

He was taller than she expected, and his muscular stature, wrapped in fine clothes, was hard to miss. Even with his back facing her, she could feel a sort of strength and mystery exude from him.Well done, Theo,she thought,Perhaps this will work after all.

“Pardon me, sir,” she called cheerfully, “Are you waiting for me?”

The man turned around slowly as he took his hands from his pockets, and she nearly gasped as she saw his face. He had a rugged handsomeness beneath his head of black hair. Chiseled cheekbones and a jawline so hard it could have cut glass. There were scars, yet they seemed to only enhance his handsome features.

His eyes, though, were what made her lose her thoughts for a moment. Green. Not light green, like Theo’s, but dark and woodsy. His eyes—his entire appearance—reminded her of the tall pines that grew in the countryside. He was dressed as a noble, yes, but he could have played the part of handsome woodsman far better, she was sure of it.

He looked at her with quiet contemplation as he began to rub his palms together- a habit she herself had used herself at times to calm her nerves. She supposed he had a right to be as nervous as she. It was, after all, a crime for a commoner to pretend to be a noble. Even for their little ruse. There was great risk to them both.

“It is all right,” she told him assuredly, taking a timid step toward him. “I am nervous as well. However if we play our parts correctly, no one will be the wiser.”

His right black brow rose in curiosity, but he did not speak or move toward her.

“Shall we go over the plan?” She asked, then let out a nervous laugh. “Of course we should. The other guests will be arriving soon, and we need to be sure we are not somehow seen together out here. So I am not sure all of what Theo has told you. Some light conversation would be helpful, but I suppose not necessary, before it is time for the dancing portion of the evening. And then when the music starts, you are to ask me for a dance. However, itmustbe in front of everyone. At least half of the dinner party must see you doing this so that the rumors can spread.”

She paused, giving him a moment to agree, but he only continued to look at her with that intense stare. Letting out a sigh, she pushed away the growing annoyance for his silence, and went on.

“You are to be like any other nobleman. Polite. Courteous. Actually, I have yet to meet a gentleman that shows such traits,but in this role I insist that you do so. I am told you are an excellent actor, so I assume you know all the current dances?”

“My Lady,” the man said, his deep voice catching her off guard.

Ah! He does speak,she thought, feeling a wave of relief. For a moment she feared the whole scene was going to be played mute.

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