It’s been awhile since we had a Caption That Cover, so let’s fix that, yeah?
In the July 17 Books on Sale post, Amanda featured Better Than a Duke by Suzanne Enoch. And we all met…this guy:
Meet Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, who needs a wife. (Don’t they all.)
That’s…quite a facial expression. And, boy, did y’all notice!
Tam noticed it first and said:
The Marquis of Hentrose has a very punchable face…. He looks like he’s going to sell you crypto, or some new longevity gummies with peptides.
Kim replied :
…it’s FINE he knows one weird trick doctors don’t want you to know.
Jazzlet knows exactly who Beckett is:
Hentose looks exactly like a gynaecologist I had who assured me for a year there was nothing wrong with me, he was most surprised when after having a laproscopic look he told me there was indeed something wrong….
Cora added:
…he has strong opinions about pickleball and calls himself a political moderate.
I legitimately lost it at “strong opinions about pickleball.” It reminds me of scripts where a character’s descriptive detail is “expensive watch” or “granola and leather sandals.”
So let’s do this. It’s game time!
How does Caption That Cover work?
- Drop your captions below!
- To vote for your favorites, use the like button to the side of the comment (I will be adding comments from the folks above so they’re in the game, too)
On Sunday, we will reveal who the winner is, and that winner will win a $25 gift card to the bookstore of their choosing!
Standard disclaimers apply: Void where prohibited. We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Must be over 18 and ready to call this git a git. Open to international residents were permitted by applicable law.
Let’s caption this cover! Who is Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, really?
Update, July 27, 11:50am EDT: Congratulations to Kira! Honestly, “just told a chambermaid to smile” nearly launched me out of a deck chair.
Thank you for making this weekend so fun!
This comment is for Tam:
The Marquis of Hentrose has a very punchable face. He looks like he’s going to sell you crypto, or some new longevity gummies with peptides.
This comment is for Kim:
…it’s FINE he knows one weird trick doctors don’t want you to know.
This comment is for Jazzlet:
Hentose looks exactly like a gynaecologist I had who assured me for a year there was nothing wrong with me, he was most surprised when after having a laproscopic look he told me there was indeed something wrong….
This comment is for Cora:
…he as strong opinions about pickleball and calls himself a political moderate.
He writes male-gaze FF erotica as Aimee le Bois.
What a duke-head…
You know that refrain in Grease: Tell me more, tell me more was it love at first sight/Tell me more tell me more did she put up a fight?
That’s stuck in my head for some reason.
thinks he might be “a low-T male” so he takes testosterone supplements without a prescription
Coincidentally, while falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, I came across this yesterday. A striking resemblance, and Lamb seems to have been a bit of an a-hole. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Lord_Melbourne_(Lawrence)
smirk (n): a smug smile
Pronounces his title “mar-kee” instead of “mar-kwess”. Secretly thinks he’s not just better than a Duke … he’s better than the Prince Regent. Has just told some poor chambermaid to smile.
TOLD SOME CHAMBERMAID TO SMILE. Omg.
“Mister, you seem like a man of rare intellect. I know of a opportunity for such a man.
No? Well, of course that is your right (sigh). I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
You are correct in doubting, of course, there are such swindlers these days….
No, of course I don’t mind some questions. I don’t trust a man who doesn’t ask questions
It is a mining claim, the Central East Africa Gold Company. They have found something near Kafia, of course a man like you knows where Kafia is, right?
Yes, I knew you were a man who cares to keep up with world affairs! There is a chance to invest in this company. Why, it is an investment better than having your daughter marry a duke!”
(Yes, there is a deliberate shout out to one of my favorite romance ever)
Max Greenfield: Cover model
You’ve pouted out your lips,
Polished up your perfect hair
Rubio is contemplating
Going out somewhere.
Once upon a time, you
Knew Trump was a blatant con.
Ruuuubio,
Don’t give your love to Don.
Reminds me a little of the portrait of Jaser Schade painted by Frans Hals – if there ever was a smug idiot looking down on everything, he’s the one!
Definitely not vain, but he has a bet on Kalshi that the song *is* about him.
Oof. That expression straightens, hums a regretful note and says, “Um, actually…”
Alas, the burdens I carry. Men want to be me. Women (and some men) want to do me. But I’m tired and just want to go curl up with the latest Jane Austen. Mr. Knightly is my hero!
Dude looks like he complains about women wearing make up because it’s deceptive but only does it in videos where he’s obviously using a filter.
Arrogant duke-bro with more money than God, who thinks his riches and looks make him better than everyone else (even the Prince Regent, whom he mentally dubs that “fat old lecher.”)
[And just why am I reminded of a certain trillionaire?]
I actually feel kinda bad for him, now that he got kicked out of his Adam and the Ants cover band. Poor guy could never get through “Goody Two Shoes” without making it all about him. I remember now…
LYRIC
“Put on a little makeup, makeup/Make sure they get your good side, good side”
HIS RESPONSE
“This is just my face, I swear! I HAVE no good side—I mean, it’s ALL my good side! Quit giggling, Marco!”
LYRIC
“Don’t drink, don’t smoke/what do you do?”
HIS RESPONSE
“Actually, I *do* smoke now, because Rogan had a guy on this week who TOTALLY proved that nicotine thing is just a left-wing libtard CONSPIRACY, just ask RFK Jr.!”
LYRIC
“Subtle innuendoes follow”
HIS RESPONSE
“Is Candee spreading rumors that I’m handsy and a bad tipper AGAIN? Everyone knows you only tip on the alcohol, even in the champagne room. That’s what Chad told me, anyway. Stop giggling, Marco!”
Stand and deliver, indeed. Know anyone with a keytar?
He’s pleased with stealing his best friend’s valet.
That my fortune is founded on the misery of others is no reason to frown. I’m pleased that the fashion industry hasn’t figured out that my line of cravats and jacquarded jackets is made by enslaved child laborers in a nameless village in Asia, then smuggled into Milan and relabelled.
He spends at least 50% of his time thinking about the fall of the Roman Empire.
It’s not mansplaining, darling, if I’m right and we both know I am.
Why yes, the double cravat is the 19th century precursor to the Steve Bannon double polo shirts!
Darling, I know just what you need, and I’m just the man to give it to you. I’ll be over at ten, and we’ll set everything right, hm? You know how much I hate to see you in the dismals, beloved. By the way, could you loan me about two thousand pounds? Had a bad run at the tables last night, and my poor old mother will be turned out in the street if I don’t pay her rent today. I’ll repay the debt next week, I swear.
He is the real life version of the dude in that Renaissance painting meme. You know the one:
Him: Women are very hard to read *gazes off into the distance*
Woman: Actually, we just want –
Him: Such complex creatures
Woman: If you just liste-
Him: So mysterious *smugness intensifies*
Desperate, But Not Serious
I don’t know why the Adam Ant song came to mind. Adam always seemed to end his videos with a smug mug.
Y’all are incredible – I hath snorted many snorts. Thank you for making this so much fun! I’m updating now with the winner.
Thanks. Now I cannot help but think of every single one of these captions when I open my library. 😂😂😂