Free One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney Page B

tree.”
    â€œI can help with the scenery,” Stephen volunteered. “Though I don’t know anything about carpentry, I can fetch and carry.”
    Rosalind hesitated. “But you’re recovering from an injury.”
    â€œI promise I won’t carry anything on my head,” he said gravely.
    Before Rosalind could protest further, Ben said, “Take him up on the offer, Rosie. We need every pair of hands if we’ve going to put this play on properly.”
    â€œVery well—but if you feel tired, Stephen, please rest.”
    â€œI will.” Under Ben’s direction, Stephen went out the stage door to the wagons and brought in an armful of shimmering blue-green draperies that would be hung along the back wall. He recognized the fabric as having been used in Prospero’s cave. It made an equally effective backdrop for a magical forest.
    For the next several hours, he fetched, carried, stacked, and erected sets under Ben’s direction, all the while marveling that such simple materials could create such grand illusions. He also enjoyed the controlled chaos of the theater, with actors coming and going and dramatic scenes being declaimed over his head.
    Dusty and a little tired, he was admiring the finished set when Maria Fitzgerald exclaimed behind him, “Mr. Ashe is the duke, Thomas!”
    Dismayed, Stephen swung around, wondering how she knew. Perhaps he had been pointed out to her somewhere, and she only now had remembered his real identity.
    Maria’s exclamation had stopped everyone in their tasks, and all eyes were on Stephen. His period of blessed anonymity was over.
    The keenest gaze belonged to Thomas Fitzgerald, who said thoughtfully, “He certainly has the countenance of a duke, my love, and it would save me two costume changes, but perhaps Mr. Ashe has no desire to tread the boards with us.”
    Stephen blinked in confusion. “I beg your pardon?”
    Maria gave him a brilliant smile. “You would make a most impressive Duke of Athens, Mr. Ashe. Since Rosalind says that you’ve had some amateur acting experience, would you like to take the role of Theseus in tonight’s play?”
    His relief that he had not been identified was quickly followed by shock. The Duke of Ashburton, appear in a play performed in a common tavern? He stared at Maria. Acting with a professional company, even in a minor role, was quite a different matter from performing in a country house with friends.
    â€œNot everyone fancies standing up in front of an audience, Mama,” Rosalind said. “Most people would consider it a penance, not a pleasure.”
    â€œAnd Mr. Ashe is convalescing,” Jessica added.
    Maria’s face fell. “Of course. I wasn’t thinking.”
    Her crushed expression gave Stephen a sudden insight into why she had made the suggestion. For Maria, acting was delight. Like a cat presenting a favored human with a dead mouse, she had impulsively offered the man who had saved her son the chance to act because it was the greatest treat she could imagine.
    The idea was absurd, of course. Yet after his surprise wore off, he found the prospect of behaving so outrageously rather appealing. “I will surely regret this, but I’d like to try it anyhow,” he said with a slow smile. “As long as you’re sure I wouldn’t ruin the performance.”
    Maria’s face brightened and Thomas said with a rumbling laugh, “Splendid! Don’t worry about hurting the play. It’s not a large part, and with a bit of coaching from me no one will realize you’re a novice.”
    Jessica clapped her hands together gleefully, and Rosalind gave him a warm smile. “Welcome to the Fitzgerald Theater Troupe, Stephen.”
    â€œIt’s just for a night,” he pointed out. Yet as Thomas led him aside to begin work, Stephen found that he was very pleased with himself.

Chapter 6
    Rosalind stayed close to Stephen as