Harlequin Historical November 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 (64 page)

Epilogue

‘Shall I cease here? ...
Might I not tell of
...vows,
where there was never need of vows...'

—Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
‘The Gardener's Daughter'

‘I
want you here.' Benedict beckoned. ‘Come over by the window. I need to see you in a proper light.'

Cameo smoothed down her dress, surprised to find her hands were trembling, just as the first time she'd come to the studio. She walked over to the window, on legs that were once again unsteady. She stood, self-conscious, the afternoon light streaming in behind her. It was the only night they'd spend there. Before they moved.

To Warley Park.

But her honeymoon night had to be spent in the studio. It was all she'd ever wanted. It was where it all began.

‘Take off your bonnet,' Benedict said huskily. ‘Let me see your face.'

She removed the pearl-tipped pin that held her silk bonnet with its white lacy trimming. Slowly, she undid the white-satin ribbons tied under her chin. With a shake of her head she set her ringlets free.

She heard his sharp intake of breath, but his expression appeared inscrutable.

‘And now your hair.'

One by one, Cameo took the pins from her hair. As she dropped them on the table beside her, he watched each move in a way that made her stomach lurch. She slowed her pace, tantalising him as she let each long black strand free.

He didn't shift an inch as finally she released the last hairpin. Her long black curls loosened from their ringlets and loops, until she felt them tumble about her shoulders and foam down her spine.

He stood silent for a moment. He pointed to her white gown, with its lacy collar. ‘Undo your dress.'

She sought for a gulp of air. Her heart thrummed as she fumbled to untie the fine French lace around her neck. The invisible connection flared between them, as with taunting precision she undid the tiny crystal buttons at the front of her smooth bodice. She undid the top button. He stayed silent, observing her. When he made no sign, she undid the next.

‘Is—is that enough?' she asked him, as she had that first time, her voice low.

‘Almost.'

Cameo undid the third button, and the fourth, and then fifth. She looked over to him.

His eyes darkened to their unfathomable black. ‘Let me help you.'

He came close to her, so close the heat burned from his body.

The flame she'd recognised in his work, before they'd even met.

He reached over and put his fingers to her bodice. She held her breath as he undid the remaining buttons. She released a gasp as he opened the dress to reveal the ribbon and lace trim of her silk chemise, and the top of her stays with her breasts pushed up over them.

‘Will you let me...?'

‘Yes...' she breathed. ‘Yes.'

Cameo's mouth dried as Benedict turned her hands palms up. His fingers played against the sensitive skin of her wrists as he undid the buttons at the cuffs where her billowing silk sleeves tightened. Still not speaking, he eased the top of the dress over her shoulders.

With a sudden movement that brought a cry to her lips he put his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him, his mouth almost against hers. She longed for his lips, but he did not kiss her. Instead, with expert fingers he unclipped the waistband at the small of her back. The dress dropped in a pool of pale silk on to the floor.

He held her hand as she stepped out of the circle of silk as daintily as if she were waltzing with him. With a leather-clad toe, he casually pushed the garment aside, never taking his eyes from her.

Cameo shuddered.

‘There's that draught again.' She heard the smile in his voice.

Benedict spun her around, his grasp on the laces of her corset now, releasing her from their sharp confines. With each loosened lace the fullness of her body expanded in his hands, her breasts falling and then lifting as she braced against the air, their pink tips tightening underneath her chemise.

The clatter of her corset as it hit the wooden floor. The warmth of his fingers through the thin silk barrier was all that remained between them as he twirled her to face him.

She bit her lip as he edged a finger inside her garter, before taking a flimsy silk stocking down each leg, balling them into his fists before dropping them to the floor.

Wordlessly, he untied the white ribbons of her chemise, eased it down over her shoulders and slid it over the curves of her hips. She wore no pantaloons today.

He retreated. With his gaze never moving from her naked body, he lifted a wooden chair and placed it at an angle by the window. ‘Sit down.'

Against the straight-backed chair, Cameo arched slightly. He backed a step away, his gaze unwavering. Her body went taut as he gently folded her hands in her naked lap.

‘Now, turn to the right.'

Remembering, she gave him a glimmer of a smile. She turned marginally on her seat.

‘No, not like that. Turn some more.'

She shifted her body an inch to the right.

‘More.'

She shifted again.

‘Now lift your chin.' Leaning forward, Benedict held her chin, tilted her head upward and forced her to stare directly into his burning expression.

The charge shooting between them burned as hot as the fire in the grate. Would it always be like this? she wondered dizzily as he removed his hand, his fingers running lightly against her bare skin.

‘There's another thing.' This time, she didn't move as he lifted up her cameo necklace from where it lay against her skin, twisted on its velvet ribbon. Lifting it high, he dropped it down again into the soft dip between her breasts.

He backed away further, still scrutinising her. ‘Now, you must hold still while I do my preliminary drawings. Can you do that?'

‘Yes.'

He seized a large sheet of paper and propped it against a board on his easel. Taking a stick of charcoal, he made strong, bold strokes on the paper, glancing back and forth.

Cameo hid an inner smile.
You think you're watching me, Mr Cole, when in fact I'm watching you.

‘Benedict.'

He looked up, the familiar lock of dark hair falling across his forehead.

‘I just wondered—what will this painting be called?'

He smiled, his white teeth flashing. ‘Well, surely it's obvious, my darling Cameo. This painting is for my own, private collection. It will be called
Portrait of
the Artist's Wife
.'

A thrill ran through her body. ‘On her wedding day?'

‘On her wedding day,' he confirmed. Dropping his paintbrush, Benedict crossed the room and took Cameo in his arms.

* * *

‘“The secret bridal chambers of the heart,
Let in the day.” Here, then, my words have end.'

—Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
‘The Gardener's Daughter'

* * * * *

Historical Note

The Art of the Pre-Raphaelites

C
ameo's story is inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite artists and models of Victorian England. The beautiful, romantic Pre-Raphaelite paintings are some of the most familiar artworks in the world today. Just like Benedict Cole, the art and love lives of the Pre-Raphaelite painters, a group of brilliant, free-thinking young men, were considered scandalous, as featured in the BBC television series
Desperate Romantics
. Their artistic milieu was in complete contrast with the strict conventions of the Victorian upper classes. Ladies like Cameo, Lady Catherine Mary St Clair, lived in a controlled, stifling world, and they were often trapped and unhappy. It would have been considered unthinkable for a young aristocratic woman such as Cameo to pursue art seriously and even more unthinkable to be an artist's model. Cameo's story celebrates every woman who ever challenged convention for the sake of art, and for the sake of love.

To learn more go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/praf/hd_praf.htm

See Pre-Raphaelite images on Pinterest at
www. pinterest.com/tategallery/pre-raphaelites/

Or meet the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood at:
prerapha elitesisterhood.com

There's even a T-shirt!

The Beauty of Cameo Stones

A cameo is a small carving in relief on a semi-precious stone. Usually, the lighter-coloured layer is chipped away to reveal a darker background. Cameo stones were produced as far back as ancient Greece and Rome.

The relief image is produced by carefully carving the material with a plane, to the point at which the two contrasting colours, light and dark, can meet. The technique, used mainly for jewellery making, has gone through a number of revivals, during the Renaissance and into the nineteenth century, when cameo jewellery was popularised by Queen Victoria. At that time cameo portraits were often made of well-to-do young women to adorn jewellery, for a keepsake or to give to a lover. Glass and shells were also engraved. The word
cameo
, with an original Greek meaning of ‘shadow portrait', today more commonly describes the unique style of carving or engraving, and is also used in plays and movies to capture the fleeting dramatic appearance of a character: i.e., to make a ‘cameo appearance'.

Enjoy some cameo appearances on Pinterest at
www.pinterest.com/elizaredgold/

Find out more about Victorian cameos at
www.victorianbazaar.com/cameos.html

The Fashion of the Mid-Victorian Era

The clothes Cameo and Maud would have worn in mid-Victorian times were extraordinary. Getting dressed would have taken a while. At the time this story is set, around 1850, layers of frothy petticoats were just giving way to daring hoop skirts. Corsets and bodices, bonnets and gloves were part of daily life, and for high society, beautiful ball dresses made of silk and lace, complete with flirty fans, were an essential part of the Season. Today, Victorian-era fashion, style, homewares and decor continue to enchant. Take a peep inside a Victorian room or closet. Be inspired to add some Victorian decorative touches to your own home or fashion style.

Make a virtual visit to the Victorian and Albert Museum at
www.vam.ac.uk/page/0-9/19th-century-fashion/

For all things Victorian, from teacups to jewellery, homeware and accessories, try:
www.victorianeralovers.com/topsites/in.php?id=40

Or why not play dress-up in some romantic Victorian outfits? Visit
romanticthreads.com/index.html

The Romantic Poetry of Tennyson

Interwoven into Cameo and Benedict's story is the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, a favourite poet of Queen Victoria. While Tennyson's works have gone in and out of favour, he was one of the most fashionable poets of his day.

One of the most romantic writers who ever lived, Tennyson was writing—and falling in love—during the time of Cameo and Benedict's story.

One of his lesser-known works is the poem ‘The Gardener's Daughter; or, The Pictures'
(1842). Full of passion and longing, it's the inspiration for Benedict's painting in which Cameo features as the model.

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Historical.

You dream of wicked rakes, gorgeous Highlanders, muscled Viking warriors and rugged Wild West cowboys from another era.
Harlequin Historical
has them all! Emotionally intense stories set across many time periods.

Enjoy six new stories from Harlequin Historical every month!

Connect with us on
Harlequin.com
for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

Other ways to keep in touch:

Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com

ISBN-13: 9781460387740

Enticing Benedict Cole

Copyright © 2015 by Eliza Redgold

All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical,
now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.

www.Harlequin.com