The Lady's Chocolatier: a Victorian-era romance novella

by Sandra Sookoo

  A grin curved his sensuous lips. That gesture transformed his face and set amusement dancing in his eyes. Again, she fantasized about what those lips would feel like if he nibbled a path down the side of her throat to her breasts and… “Somehow, I doubt your family is traditional. You’ve told me enough stories that I know it’s not true.”

  His words yanked her back to the present. “My mother is extremely traditional, which is amusing since her sister is the opposite.” She answered his grin with one of her own. It was so easy with Jasper, this sharing of confidences. “Mother married well and is scandalized by Grandmother’s life and stories.”

  “And that makes you all the more determined to break away, to be like Lady Jane.”

  “Yes.” Her grandmother had traveled all over the world even before she was married. Why couldn’t she enjoy the same freedom?

  “You know,” he lowered his voice once more, and the thrilling whisper ran over her like the slightest caress. “The right marriage would still afford you the freedom you crave.”

  Her jaw dropped. “It’s neither here nor there.” God, what a lie that was.

  “If you don’t wish to be traditional, what do you want to be?” His question took her by surprise.

  Endless moments passed, marked by the ticking of a grandfather clock she’d spied on the lower level as she’d come upstairs. “I want to be happy. That’s all.” After the last five years, she simply coveted happiness that had been absent while she dealt with the struggle. So far, it had been elusive, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was due to leaving the man in front of her. Every moment she’d spent with Jasper, she’d been acutely aware of being… happy. Yet the second he’d brought out that damned ring with its implications, it had changed into panic. With anxiety clawing through her chest, she scuttled up from her position on the sofa. Her heart pounded, her pulse rushed through her veins. Now was not the time to see her flaw in logic. Marriage to him had every possibility of being different, and now that chance was gone.

  It was my fault. No matter what she thought in hindsight, their time together had reached its natural expiration date. “Thank you for listening. I’d needed to tell you certain things for a while. Goodnight.”

  Before he could utter a response, she fled the tiny parlor and didn’t stop until the door to his bedroom was safely closed behind her.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Jasper worked in the tiny back room where he crafted his chocolates and sweets while his assistant tended to any customers who might drift in at such an unfashionably early hour.

  In his experience, the need for chocolate and confections had no set time. Customers wanted them whenever the mood struck.

  Before he’d come down to the store, he’d tiptoed into the bedroom to grab garments for the day. Evangeline slept on, tucked into his bed with the bedclothes drawn tight about her, the strawberry-blonde braid of her hair slung like a snake over one shoulder. Though she’d surprised him with her midnight talk and confessions, he’d gained a few important insights that allowed him to understand her better.

  She was not attached, and from her wistful expression when talking about it, she wished to be despite her misgivings. She wanted passion from a beau and future lover. That had sent blood pumping into his groin. He’d had no idea she was a lady who harbored such secret yearnings. It was one of the reasons he’d gone slow with her and had played the gentleman—he hadn’t wanted to scare her away by showing his desire for her.

  That thought had him snorting with derision. Not that it had mattered. She’d run out of fear anyway.

  And lastly, she hadn’t had much luck in her choice of occupation that was supposed to bring independence. The fact she peddled corsets and undergarments intrigued as well as aroused him. All this time that he assumed he’d known all there was to Evangeline Bradenwilde, and he’d barely scratched the surface. She wished for passionate embraces and worked a scandalous trade. What sort of woman was she truly? He didn’t know, but he would find out in short order.

  All of her problems could be solved, and quickly. A grin stretched across his face. And he’d be the man to do it. Why? Because her happiness was tied into his, and if there was a chance he could still be what she wanted—what she needed—he had to try. He glanced out the windows that overlooked the alley behind his building. Gloomy skies and persistent rain met his gaze—the perfect weather for beginning a seduction of the woman he’d never quite gotten over.

  Please God, let her be receptive.

  As Jasper contemplated the delicate bonbon shells of thin chocolate he’d turned out of their rounded metal molds, he dug into a pocket of his vest and withdrew a delicate ring. The very ring he would have given to Evangeline on that fateful day he’d meant to propose—the ring that, when she caught sight of it, sent her pelting out of the garden and out of his life.

  Now that he understood why, he wouldn’t make the same mistakes, and he’d be damned certain he’d make it clear that marriage didn’t mean the shackles she thought.

  Carrying the ring over to the window, he held it between his thumb and forefinger while giving it a once-over with a critical eye. It was part of the jewels that went with his father’s viscounty, but it would suit Evangeline well. The diamond solitaire, at least a half carat weight, lay surrounded by eight, round amethysts, all set in delicate silver filigree. It resembled a flower found when the weather was fair in the country at his father’s estate. The deep purple flowers had grown in abundance in the meadows during the late spring and summer months.

  Damnation. He should have kissed her with abandon in those meadows, kissed her until she couldn’t remember her name, should have laid her down among the fragrant blooms and made love to her when he’d had the chance.

  Why did I never show her how I felt? His mind reeled. Because that sort of thing simply wasn’t done and such displays were frowned upon in their society. Because he’d been afraid of how much he would need to change upon marriage and perhaps become the very man she abhorred. Because in showing his desire, he would spook her, or so he’d thought at the time. Because he was the world’s biggest idiot not to go after what he’d wanted most out of life—Evangeline. She always been his ideal, the woman he’d wanted above all others.

  And he’d lost her for a myriad of reasons that had no bearing on the present or their future, for they would have one—together—this time around.

  Again, he dropped his gaze to the ring. Even in the gloom, the jewels winked. Would she welcome a renewed courtship from him? By her own admission, she was skittish regarding the concept of marriage. Also from her own admission, she wanted heat in a relationship, and she wanted to be happy. All things he could provide for her, if he tried a different tack this time. What if, instead of the perfunctory and polite strolls or mindless conversations about nothing, he plied her with kisses and caress, used his words to thrill and seduce? If he put aside everything he wasn’t to impress the woman she wasn’t pretending to be anymore, would he have different results?

  I am willing to risk it, for in this instant that risk outweighs the reward. He would show her exactly that. They were a good fit for each other. It was a matter of convincing her and moving her past the panic. Logic wouldn’t fly, so he would present his case on the emotional.

  Yes. It just might triumph. He enfolded the ring into his hand and returned to his work area. And if things went well, he would propose again, but not in the traditional way. As he looked over the empty bonbon shells, his grin grew. He’d pop the ring into one of those shells and fill the interior with violet syrup, topping the whole thing with a sugared violet flower.

  That would play to her romantic side, for he was sure she had one, if missing passion was part of her complaint. Couple that with a willingness to help her sell more underpinnings, and this revisitation of a courtship would have a much more pleasant outcome.

  Consign her to the past? Foolish notion, that. She’d always been with him. Now he could correct what had gon
e wrong before.

  “Theodore?” he called to his assistant and strode to the doorway.

  “Yes, Mr. Winslow?” The eager young man with a shock of red hair severally parted in the middle of his head, faced him, wiping his hands on his Parisian-style black apron.

  “See if you cannot locate the bottle of violet syrup we made a few weeks ago. I’m going to fashion a special, limited run of bonbons today. Perhaps, if successful, we’ll expand into a whole flower collection—rose, orange blossom, lavender, honeysuckle, clover honey and so on. It is, after all, still spring, and once this dratted rainstorm blows itself out, customers will visit in force.”

  “Intriguing idea.” The other man nodded. “It would be wildly lauded. Floral anything is a big draw at the moment.”

  “We can only hope the trend will have staying power.” He returned the ring to his pocket. Seducing his lady fair would begin at the first available moment.

  It wasn’t until later that afternoon when Evangeline made an appearance in the emporium.

  Jasper caught sight of her and his breath stalled. Though she wore the same shirtwaist and skirt she had on the previous night, in the day time and despite the gloom, she retained an air of expectation. A certain light played about her face that sent a twinkle into her blue-green eyes. Her golden hair glimmered with red highlights, and the braids she’d wrapped around the back of her head resembled the finest, silken ropes.

  When she smiled at Theodore and accepted the young man’s offer of tea, Jasper nearly expired on the spot. He sucked in a lungful or two of oxygen while she made her way to the one available table in the far corner of the emporium.

  Had she always been so beautiful? But his fascination of her went beyond her physical appearance. He continued to observe her while Theodore fussed over her table, laying out the standard sweets and individual trays of tea cakes and scones. She thanked him then engaged him in light conversation, and when he went away to fetch her tea, his cheeks blazed as scarlet as his hair. She didn’t have to talk with his assistant, but she did. Where most patrons ignored the help, she singled him out for a chat.

  Jasper grinned. Not suited for ton life indeed. She was as gracious as any duchess he could think of. He wiped his fingers on his Parisian-style apron and glanced about the emporium. The convivial hum of genteel conversation filled the cozy shop. With all six tables now occupied, one could almost forget the dreary weather outside. Perhaps that was what brought the patrons on this afternoon. Chocolate made a person happy.

  “Theodore, the lady in the corner there. Do you know her?” He gestured with his chin at Evangeline once his assistant returned from delivering her teapot.

  “I do not, Mr. Winslow.” His grin was of a smitten youth. “She’s a looker though.”

  “Indeed.” Jasper stroked his chin. “She is, in fact, the woman who begged off from an engagement to me five years before.”

  The other man’s eyes went round as saucers. “Truly?” His shop assistant knew the story of how the emporium came into being and what had spurred the inspiration behind the heartbreak bonbon collection.

  “Yes.” He nodded as confirmation. “Do you know what I’m going to do about that?” His mood elevated, Jasper removed a few soft caramels enrobed in silky dark chocolate from one of the specialty cases. On the top of each chocolate, a few pieces of flaked French sea salt rested. This would enhance the deep and bitter flavors of the sweets.

  “Toss her out in the rain?” Doubt hung heavy on the question.

  “No.” Jasper gave an indulgent chuckle. He couldn’t keep the news to himself any longer, and in an effort to make certain he wasn’t a fool, he needed to tell someone of his intent. “I am going to seduce the lady and ask her to marry me if all goes well.”

  Theodore glanced at the small plate of chocolates in Jasper’s hand. “If I may say, Mr. Winslow, it’ll take a more than a few sweets to win back a lady such as her. She’s one of those sophisticated types, stubborn, the ones who have too much spirit for any man to tame.”

  “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, my young friend.” He winked. “You see, I do not wish to tame her. I want to support her in whatever it is she decides to do. I adore that she isn’t like the rest.” That was exactly the key to handling this delicate situation. But first he needed to seduce her, show her a different side of him she didn’t expect but desired, and allay her fears regarding marriage. “Will you prepare one mug of drinking chocolate please? Bring it to her table in ten minutes.”

  “I will, Mr. Winslow.” Theodore nodded. “Good luck, sir.”

  “Thank you.” He didn’t need luck this time around, for the odds were already on his side. With confidence in his step and a lightness in his heart he hadn’t felt for a long time, Jasper made his way between the tables until he reached Evangeline’s. “Would you care for a bit of company?”

  She glanced up, her eyes twinkling like the finest jewels. “That largely depends on the company.”

  The wit and charm she exhibited was endearing. “How about me?”

  “I suppose you would be acceptable… until someone else of consequence enters.” Evangeline made a show of looking about the small emporium before returning her regard to him. His chest tightened and he forgot to breathe again. “I apologize for not coming downstairs sooner. I slept rather later than I’d intended.” A wash of pink infused her cheeks. “Then I puttered and made use of the bathtub in your wash room.”

  Dear God. His mind veered into a dark, shadowy place where her naked body lay nestled in hot, steaming water, perhaps interspersed with clouds of soap bubbles. Heat lanced through Jasper’s body and embedded itself into his groin. His member twitched to life. He quickly pulled out the free chair and sat before he embarrassed himself. “Uh, I’m glad, for I’d forgotten about giving you a tour before we retired.” He forced a swallow into his thick throat. “My home is your home for the length of your stay.”

  “Thank you, but I plan to make arrangements to depart this evening.” She took up a teaspoon and stirred the amber liquid that hadn’t been unadulterated by cream or sugar while Jasper’s hopes crumbled around him and panic set in.

  “Ah. Well, that is undoubtedly a good idea,” he agreed and leaned back in his chair as if what she did didn’t matter. “Wouldn’t want to give your proper and traditional family the wrong idea about what you’ve been doing. No matter how innocent.” He shrugged and glanced around the room where no one was currently paying them mind. “It’s best to make certain they do not think you’re that kind of woman,” he couldn’t help adding.

  A frown marred the perfection of her lips. “What kind would that be?”

  “The kind who would indulge in unsavory shenanigans.” He forced a laugh and hoped it sounded as unconcerned as he wished. “Not that there is any sort of that nonsense at play here.”

  “I see.” Was that a hint of disappointment in her tone? She took another sip of tea.

  Jasper nodded. “Because there is not, what is the harm with staying until the storm passes? No sense rushing into horrid weather out of a misplaced sense of propriety.” When she remained silent, he pushed the plate of caramels toward her. “These are for you.”

  “What are they?”

  “Soft vanilla caramel enrobed in bittersweet chocolate. One of my most popular sellers.” He leaned forward. “Chocolate is the next best thing to hanky panky a person can get.” Waggling his eyebrows, he lowered his voice. “Or so I’ve been told. Some of my customers have mentioned they’re almost… orgasmic.”

  If she thought to depart early without exploring the spark that had once more ignited between them, he’d make certain she was well and truly hooked like a fish. Only then could they begin again, with gusto this time.

  Evangeline’s eyes widened and she slowly lowered her teacup. “Is that so?”

  He gestured toward the pieces. “Try them for yourself.”

  “I… I’m not in the mood for sweets.” She pushed the plate back at him.

&n
bsp; “Very well.” Jasper tamped down the urge to roll his eyes. High-spirted and stubborn indeed. He moved his chair closer until his leg brushed hers and the outside of his thigh pressed into hers. “Chocolate is a favorite subject of mine, so let me share some of my knowledge. Throughout the history of Western civilization, chocolate has been reputed as used for aphrodisiacal purposes.”

  “Oh?” She laid her teacup into its saucer on the table.

  “Yes.” He pulled the plate toward them, took one of the sweets and held it between his thumb and forefinger. “I find it interesting that people have linked chocolate and sexual congress. For instance, the Mayans used the beans of the cacao pod as a way to pay for prostitutes in the early version of whorehouses.” His voice faltered over the word. Discussing such things in front of a lady wasn’t well done of him. As a distraction, he took a bite of the candy, his teeth easily cutting through the chocolate shell and the soft caramel beneath. Sweet and redolent with vanilla and the bittersweet notes of the chocolate, the treat melted in his mouth as he chewed. Once he swallowed, he smiled. “I believe the whore’s rate was eight beans per woman.”

  “That is an insult to women.” She eyed the remaining chocolates but didn’t make a move to take one.

  “Oh, I heartily agree. Women are worth much more than that, nor should they be used in such a fashion.” He lowered his voice. “Yet women, once aroused and primed for coitus are infinitely more valuable than that, especially if their hearts are engaged during such an intimate act. The men in the Mayan culture should have kept their females steeped in as many beans as they wanted. That’s how valuable such women are.”