Someday he wanted a woman to look at him exactly the same way. But for now, he would settle for capturing it on his beloved canvas.
"Your Grace, stay where you are, on your knees.” He snapped out the order without thought and the duke's brows shot up in response.
"Good God, please do not tell me you are going to include me in this outrageous masterpiece you are so intent upon."
Since he was the catalyst, the only man to inspire that elusive emotion in his beautiful subject, Nathaniel said, “In a manner of speaking, yes."
Epilogue
Three weeks later
The milling throng was a bit much, and Vanessa tightened her fingers on her husband's arm. The gallery was packed for the showing, and various paintings hung on the walls, St. Claire's brilliance displayed in different mediums. Robert seemed as always, both self-possessed and urbane, every inch the sophisticated, well-dressed aristocrat in his formal dark evening wear. However, rather than being oblivious to her nervousness, he glanced down and gave her a reassuring smile. “I must admit I am wild with curiosity for the unveiling, my love. You must be even more so."
"A bit. I'm more petrified someone will recognize it is me."
"St. Claire has taken care of that by claiming he was inspired by an ideal, not a single woman. It's very neatly done, I might add, for while he doesn't directly say he didn't have a model, it is implied. So there, even if there is speculation the woman in the painting resembles you, no one will think you actually posed for it.” His mouth twitched. “For one thing, I doubt anyone would believe I would allow it. I am still a bit surprised myself."
"I am glad you did.” Vanessa meant every word. “Though he is a most unorthodox sort of person, Nathaniel did us a very big favor by making his outrageous demand."
"I couldn't agree more. Last night comes to mind.” He leaned down and his breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, “A repeat performance this evening would be met with great enthusiasm on my part."
Vanessa felt a little breathless, recalling how ardent and demanding he'd been, and how they had come together time and again, their bodies damp with the exertion, wicked pleasure exploding as they collapsed in the tangled sheets together. Sated and exhausted, they drifted to sleep finally in each other's arms, which was now how they spent each night since the fateful day she first posed for St. Claire.
"Behave yourself, Your Grace,” she said with a small laugh, giving him a playful look from under her lashes. “We are in public after all. Look, there is Nathaniel and I suppose that must be it next to him all draped in fabric. Oh dear, let me hide behind you."
"Never.” Robert encircled her waist his arm. “You belong by my side and nowhere else, my love."
She had no idea if their arrival prompted St. Claire to finally decide to dispense with the cloth, but he suddenly whisked it off in a dramatic gesture and bowed to the collective gasp of the crowd.
Though she had expected to feel embarrassed at the idea that everyone who looked at it would see her naked—whether they knew it was her or not—she curiously wasn't, she discovered. In fact, when they could get close enough to actually see the painting, she found her emotional reaction to it seemed to be similar to most everyone else.
It was difficult to focus on the erotic pose and be too shocked, for the woman's face and her expression captivated and dominated one's attention. How he had caught and held something so intimate and personal she didn't know, but it was more about naked emotion than a naked woman. Now she had two things to thank St. Claire for, she thought as she studied it, for he had captured the happiest moment of her life forever.
"A bit scandalous, but brilliant,” a full-bosomed dowager said next to her. “Don't you agree?"
Vanessa tore her gaze away and murmured politely, “Yes, indeed."
The woman glanced at her and then back at the canvas and frowned. Vanessa merely smiled serenely and then turned to her husband. “What do you think, darling?"
He wasn't even looking at St. Claire's masterpiece but looked down at her, a faint smile hovering on his mouth. “I think it is ... perfection."
About the Authors
Victoria Blisse is a mother, wife, Christian, Manchester United fan and erotica writer. She is equally at home behind a laptop or a cooker and she loves to create stories, poems, cakes and biscuits that make people happy.
She was born near Manchester, England and her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her stories. Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.
If you want to know more about Victoria and her books please check out her website at www.victoriablisse.co.uk.
Victoria loves to make new friends, so if you're on Myspace pop over and say hello: www.myspace.com/victoriablisse.
Or send an email to her at [email protected].
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L.E. Bryce was born in Los Angeles, California and has never lived anywhere else. She has a Masters in English Literature from California State University, Northridge, and currently works as an English teacher. Her Jewish mother, dog, and a passel of cats help her keep her sanity. She is a regular contributor to Forbidden Fruit Magazine, and is the author of Dead to the World, My Sun and Stars, Ki'iri, Becoming, The Golden Lotus, Snake Bite and Other Dark Homoerotic Fantasies and Those Pearls That Were His Eyes. She maintains a blog at granamyr.livejournal.com.
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Kate Burns loves few things as much as she loves writing. She always knew she wanted to be a writer but circumstances kept her from pursuing her first love until a few years ago. That's when she tossed in the towel on her “conventional” job, moved back to Martha's Vineyard and began to write full time. Since then she's sold a modest number of books using her real name.
Writing erotic romance is a new venture for Kate—one that she's having a lot of fun exploring. It promises to keep her occupied for a long time to come. When she's not busy writing, Kate enjoys painting and cooking. She spends a lot of time boating with her boyfriend, a tall, handsome man who is the inspiration for all of her leading men. Kate Burns is a happy woman—and it shows in her writing.
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Emma Wildes loves the infinite variations of romance in all its forms. She believes that passion makes the world go around ... and delights in being able to write about it. Come see her at www.emmawildes.com. If you also like traditional romance or mystery, please visit her at www.katherinesmith.net.
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Visit www.phaze.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.
Phaze Fantasies, Vol. 5 Page 16