“Act? I’ve never tried,” Darcy said, looking amused. “Apart from acting as if I were fascinated at boring dinner parties.”

Goldman threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Did you hear that voice? And those looks. Just what we need. Young man, I’m going to make you a star. Come with me.”

He dragged the surprised Darcy across the set to where Stella was having makeup reapplied, Mummy was sipping a coffee and Juan was sulking. “Look what I found, ladies,” Cy exclaimed. “He’s what we need for Don Alonso. A real thoroughbred aristocrat. You can’t fake breeding.”

“But what about Juan?” Stella demanded. “You can’t just throw him out after bringing him all this way.”

“I’m not throwing him out. I think the boy will be a big star someday, but he needs polishing. Whereas one look at this guy tells me he’ll be a natural.”

“I can’t believe—” Stella began when she saw Darcy. I saw her eyes widen, then she smiled. “I can see what you mean, Cy. He might be just what we’re looking for.” She held out her hand. “Well, hello. I’m Stella.”

“Of course you are. Only someone in the middle of the Amazon jungle wouldn’t recognize you. I’m Darcy O’Mara,” Darcy said.

“Aren’t you sweet? I’m delighted to meet you,” Stella said. She was doing everything but physically throwing herself at him. Juan clearly had been forgotten. I felt myself bristling, but tried to remind myself that Darcy had to play up to Stella at the moment.

“And me? You tell me that I am no longer in your picture?” Juan said, stepping forward now, dark eyes flashing. “You do not want me?”

“It’s that accent. The way you slur your words. That girly lisp,” Goldman said.

Juan’s eyes flashed even more dangerously. “You insult my mother tongue, my country? You call me girly? I come from the land of bullfighters. Of men who are men.”

“You still lisp,” Goldman said. “It’s an accent that won’t go down well with the ladies in the theaters.”

“Then I will leave and go home now.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Mr. Goldman said.

“You think you can stop me?”

“You bet your sweet life I can. You signed a contract, remember. You belong to Golden Pictures just like Stella and Craig do. When I say ‘jump,’ they jump.” He thumped Juan on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll have a part written in for you. We’ll give you some exposure. Work with a voice coach. But you, young man”—he turned back to Darcy—“I want you for my Don Alonso. Come up to the castle with us this weekend and we’ll go through the script with you.”