Tobias, prematurely inheriting the title of Duke of Tettleburgh and thereby becoming responsible for maintaining the livelihood of sixty full-time estate staff, urgently needed a wife.
Discussing the problem with Clumberpatch, his estate manager, a plan was hatched and rules drawn up for a Winter Selection Ball to which a dozen well-bred girls from the best families would be invited and at which they would undergo a series of tests and competitions to identify the most suitable.
Unbeknown to Tobias, however, was the fact that Clumberpatch had a daughter who was both pretty and practical and who would make a most admirable wife. Mr and Mrs Clumberpatch laid plans to ensure that Alicia attended and that she would either beat every other candidate on merit or they would fail miserably by some trickery or other.
But they forgot to ask Alicia what she wanted.
Discussing the problem with Clumberpatch, his estate manager, a plan was hatched and rules drawn up for a Winter Selection Ball to which a dozen well-bred girls from the best families would be invited and at which they would undergo a series of tests and competitions to identify the most suitable.
Unbeknown to Tobias, however, was the fact that Clumberpatch had a daughter who was both pretty and practical and who would make a most admirable wife. Mr and Mrs Clumberpatch laid plans to ensure that Alicia attended and that she would either beat every other candidate on merit or they would fail miserably by some trickery or other.
But they forgot to ask Alicia what she wanted.
Week #45’s response to Lisa Ricard Claro’s Book Blurb Friday challenge and Tammy Goodsell’s beautiful photograph. Each week Lisa posts a photograph which represents a book cover. Participants are challenged to “Write a book jacket blurb (150 words or less) so enticing that potential readers would feel compelled to buy the book” http://www.writinginthebuff.net/p/book-blurb-friday.html
This sounds like a delightful read. I love the name "Clumberpatch" and can't wait to become engrossed in his schemes to marry off his daughter. I'm figuring he'll fail on his own, but that Alicia will probably fall in love with the Duke and he with her and all will come to right. The fun, of course, will be reading all the mishaps along the way!
ReplyDeleteA wife to run his staff? Tobias isn't much of a romantic. I hope he shapes up or Alicia runs in the opposite direction. I would, of course, have to be reading the story to find out. It promises to be a fun read.
ReplyDeleteYou can't imagine how tickled I am to see my ratty old Missouri backyard turned into a story about the Duke of Tettleburgh. And any story with the name "Clumberpatch" in it has me. The hint of trickery is just tantalizing, but the clincher is definitely that last line. I must read about this character. What a delight!
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