Page 283 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

Her answering smile was perhaps closer to a snarl.

“Twelve days of Christmas are boring,” she said. “Why not... Twelvedukesof Christmas? Didn’t you say your Yuletide village will be irresistible to the beau monde?”

“There are literally only twelve dukes in England,” Mr. Marlowe pointed out. “I didn’t say they’d all be here at the same time.”

“Thirty if we count Ireland and Scotland,” Aaron murmured. “Still unlikely.”

“I didn’t sayourdukes need belong to the peerage,” Estelle countered. “Remember, you asked a theatre director’s opinion. I work with props and make-believe. Everyone who attends understands it’s a performance. That’s why they come. Let’s give our guests a show. Allow them to be part of the fun.”

Aaron frowned. “But when is a duke not a duke?”

“When it’s ‘le Duc’?” she said. “Aren’t the local blacksmiths Ducs from France?”

“…blacksmiths?” he repeated.

Mr. Marlowe chortled. “I see. My ward has a cat named Duke.”

Aaron stopped writing. “No one will pay extortionate prices to take a holiday with a cat.”

“It’s not the cat,” said Mr. Marlowe. “It’s the fairy tale. I’m not in the business of selling the truth. I’m creating a legend. Given human nature, a few dukeswillbuild homes here in order to be part of the local lore. After that, we need only intimate. ‘There are twelve dukes,’ shall go the rumor. ‘Try to find them all.’”

“It sounds diverting,” Aaron admitted.

“We’ll make it so,” Mr. Marlowe said confidently. He pointed a crooked finger toward Estelle. “You’llmake it amusing.”

“Me?” she squeaked.

“I’ll double your wages through the end of the next year if our village is themed to the Twelve Days—or Dukes—of Christmas by the time the ballroom is ready.”

Doubled wages.

Her mother would be able to retire by next Christmas.

“When will the ballroom be ready?” Estelle asked.

Aaron consulted his notes. “Four days.”

Four. Days.

Turn a sleepy little village into a thriving Christmastide fantasy land infour days.

“Very well,” she said briskly. “I’ll do it.”

Aaron smiled at her. “I’ll help.”

CHAPTER3

Aaron satin the center of the amphitheatre in the very first row, his attention riveted on the play unfolding before him.

He wasn’t the only person who had come to watch the dress rehearsal forTwelfth Night. In the past twenty-four hours, word had spread that once Marlowe Castle officially opened as exclusive haut ton holiday lodgings, its entertainment and meals would be offered to all for free.

The entire village was abuzz with excitement. The locals were delighted to join the inside jest of the Twelve Dukes of Christmas. Many residents had already proclaimed willingness to keep their shops and cottages decorated for Yuletide all year round. It was going to work.

The audience burst into laughter a spate of witty repartee on stage.

This afternoon, only the first dozen rows held spectators, but that would change on opening night. Mr. Marlowe had already posted invitations throughout the village and neighboring towns.

You are cordially invited

---