How she would continue to obey his curt instructions without a quick rejoinder she simply didn’t know.
Squarely she placed her feet in front of her and crossed them at the ankle, wishing for something to lean against. Still, the chaise longue was softer than his armchair, and she would allow no fault to be found with her posture.
‘That will do.’
As he rested on his heels her whole body stiffened under his scrutiny.
‘You need to remain still,’ he commanded her brusquely.
How could she be still with him staring at her? She dropped her shoulders and puffed out a slow breath.
‘Now turn to the right. No, not like that—turn some more.’
‘More?’
‘Now raise your eyes. Raise your eyes! Not move your whole head.’
‘I’m not sure what you mean!’ Cameo exclaimed, exasperated.
In a single swift movement he vaulted beside her and clasped her chin.
A portrait of passion …
Do you love the Victorian era? I do. It was an amazing time, when passion lurked beneath propriety and secrets and scandals were hidden beneath the surface. This story is inspired by the desperately romantic Pre-Raphaelite artists and models of Victorian England. The beautiful and sensual Pre-Raphaelite paintings are some of the most familiar artworks in the world today. I expect, like me, you have your favourites—do get in touch and let me know!
Just like Benedict Cole’s, the art and the love lives of the Pre-Raphaelite painters—a group of brilliant, free-thinking young men—were considered scandalous. 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 often felt trapped and unhappy. It would have been considered unthinkable for a young aristocratic woman such as Cameo to want to pursue art seriously, and even more unthinkable to be an artist’s model.
This story celebrates every woman who ever challenged convention for the sake of art, and for the sake of love.
I hope you enjoy it!
Enticing Benedict Cole
Eliza Redgold
ELIZA REDGOLD is an author, academic and unashamed romantic. She was born in Scotland, is married to an Englishman, and currently lives in Australia. She loves to share stories with readers! Get in touch with Eliza via Twitter: @ElizaRedgold, on Facebook: facebook.com/ElizaRedgoldAuthor and Pinterest: pinterest.com/elizaredgold. Or visit her at goodreads.com/author/show/7086012.Eliza_Redgold and elizaredgold.com.
Enticing Benedict Cole is Eliza Redgold’s magical debut for Mills & Boon Historical Romance!
For Madeleine, who first listened to the whole story, and for my sister, the original Catherine Mary.
Many thanks to those who made Cameo’s acquaintance more than once in writing this story.
To the Wordwrights critique group, Janet Woods, Deb Bennetto, Karen Saayman and Anne Summers, who read early versions and made such valuable comments, and to Jenny Schwartz, an angel of a critique partner.
Thanks to my daughter, Jessica, who played Yann Tiersen’s Rue des Cascades on the piano as theme music while Cameo raced through the streets of London to find Benedict, and to my husband, James, who always makes London magical.
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