Page 31 of Romancing the Artist

Edward stood to his full height, gaping at her. His mouth opened and closed again. He made a strange sound, like a protest, but his lips remained clamped shut. Finally, a strangled, single word escaped from him. “Atlas?”

“The Titan holding up the earth.” She added in a rush, “I will still help with the a pretend courtship, even if you cannot help me. I wouldn’t ask anything of you if it is upsetting, or—”

“Yes.”

She couldn’t quite believe it. Had he agreed, so quickly? “You will do it? You may take time to think on it, if you’d like.”

Edward looked at her for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. Caroline looked away from him, watching the room again. Edward’s sister stood with other young ladies, but she watched them with a curious tilt of her head.

Their time alone in the corner was nearly over. Caroline felt it keenly.

Finally, he let out a deep sigh. “I must confess, Miss Clapham, I’m not entirely certain what I’m getting myself into,” he said, his voice tinged with amusement. “But if it means helping you achieve your artistic vision, I will pose for you. I trust it will be a fair trade for what you are willing to do for me and for Mariah.”

Caroline wanted to sag with relief into the nearest chair. Instead, she gave a sharp, succinct nod. “Thank you.”

He grinned at her, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Promise me you won’t make me look too foolish, will you? I don’t know if my reputation could stand it.”

“You will look as Atlas ought to look, Mr. Everly.” Caroline had no intention of letting him set the terms on her work. Though she had a new problem to solve. How would she explain Edward’s willingness to model for her to Lady Inglewood about? And convince the countess that there was nothing inappropriate about Caroline using Edward for her work.

He offered her a slight bow, then tilted his head toward the other guests. “I had better make certain my sister is behaving herself. Perhaps we could play Whist later?”

“I would like that. Thank you.”

And then he was gone, leaving her in the corner, facing a room full of people who had come to Inglewood Castle to meet her. Caroline squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and rejoined the party.

Chapter 10

Edward sifted through the mail at breakfast with more than his usual interest. He had some slim hope, some idea, that there might be invitations in the morning post. Invitations to parties, dinners, picnics, or something of the like where he had a chance of encountering Caroline.

Their plan was underway. And their secretive conversation in the corner hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Charity had attempted to question him about his tete-a-tete during their carriage ride home. Edward evaded her questions by informing Charity of Mr. Howard and Mr. Penrose’s rudeness at the dinner table. “I wanted to be certain she wasn’t upset,” he told his sister, who accepted that as reason enough before she shared her thoughts on the inexcusable behavior of the other two gentlemen, who—according to Charity—were undeserving of that title.

A letter in an unfamiliar hand waited for his father, another was addressed to his mother, and a third—in his elder sister’s hand—had Charity and Patience’s names swirled upon its face, and the seal of the Córdoba family keeping the paper closed against prying eyes. Hope Córdoba always wrote her mother and sisters, but she often put a word or two for Edward in her letters. He supposed married sisters had little to say to bachelor brothers when they lived several countries apart from one another.

There was nothing addressed to him, or to the family as a whole. Which meant he couldn’t justify breaking seals in the hope of finding himself invited to the same evening’s entertainment as Caroline.

Edward experienced a complex blend of emotions, a mingling of nervousness and excitement intertwining within him. There was a sense of relief that he would be free from his parents’ matchmaking, accompanied by a tinge of uncertainty that coursed through his being. It was as if he stood at the precipice of a great adventure, brimming with anticipation yet aware of the unknown that lay ahead.

What was Caroline thinking, now that they had a firm agreement? How did she see their plan unfurling? Curiosity drove him to impatience, and they had barely started their ruse. There was so much he didn’t yet know about Caroline. Was there a possibility of regret creeping into her mind, or did she revel in the thrill of embracing a self-imposed challenge?

Edward had barely slept, but instead of worrying, he found himself anticipating their next meeting. Even if he couldn’t plan how he would act. There were too many variables to even attempt such a thing. Best to go with his instinct, to follow his first inclination, to convince others around them that he and Caroline were venturing into the early stages of a romantic relationship.

Because if Edward ever pursued a lady in truth, he couldn’t imagine treading carefully. Not if his heart was at stake. Love would be an adventure of its own. He knew that instinctively. The same way he knew his heart wouldn’t be content until he’d seen more of the world and its wonders.

As to the matter at hand, it was a lark. A game. Of course, Edward doubted he would face any difficulties when it came to public flirtation or expressing his admiration of her to others. As Edward contemplated Caroline’s beauty, he couldn’t help but feel a certain attraction to her. He found her dark hair, dark eyes, and sun-kissed complexion quite lovely, and he appreciated the way she carried herself with confidence and poise. Yet her smile hinted at good humor, or at mischief she held in reserve.

Sprite, indeed.

Already, he found her fascinating. The way Caroline Clapham spoke to him, without reserve or false modesty, had surprised him. Even if she compared him to a wild boar, charging through trees and drawing rooms both.

He needed a reason to see her again.

Slouching in his chair, one elbow on the table, Edward poked at the fried ham on his plate.

Perhaps he ought to go for a walk toward the Inglewood estate. He might encounter Caroline as he had before, completely by chance. No one could accuse him of impropriety if he came across her while enjoying a ramble toward the shoreline.

Was it too early to call at Inglewood? He looked up at the long-case clock hanging at the center of the dining room wall. It confirmed the hour was yet inappropriate for making neighborly visits.