The Captain's Snowbound Christmas: A Captivating Captains story

By Eleanor Harkstead and Catherine Curzon

FROM ROMANTIC NOVELIST ASSOCIATION AWARD FINALISTS CATHERINE CURZON AND ELEANOR HARKSTEAD

A Captivating Captains story

Will Reuben be unwrapping a captain this Christmas?

Reuben's a makeup artist who's much in demand in the business, from making the beautiful even more gorgeous, to creating an alluring love-scene glow. All of his Christmas wishes come true at once when he's hired to work on the set of his favorite TV show. And not only that, but on the swoony Christopher Manners.

Bunny is lusted after by millions as the brooding hero of television's Captain Firth adventures. His manly swash and handsome buckle have earned him a legion of fans and when he strides onto the screen and commands, "draw your sword, sir", it's time to get down to business.

When Reuben and Bunny's first date turns into a disaster, it looks as though the show's over before it's begun, but a blizzard, a mysterious bearded man in a red coat and a hot winter night combine to give them a second chance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839430978

Eleanor Harkstead

Eleanor Harkstead likes to dash about in nineteenth-century costume, in bonnet or cravat as the mood takes her. She can occasionally be found wandering old graveyards. Eleanor is very fond of chocolate, wine, tweed waistcoats and nice pens. Her large collection of vintage hats would rival Hedda Hopper's. Originally from the south-east of England, Eleanor now lives somewhere in the Midlands with a large ginger cat who resembles a Viking.

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Authors

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THE CAPTAIN’S SNOWBOUND CHRISTMAS

CATHERINE CURZON & ELEANOR HARKSTEAD

The Captain’s Snowbound Christmas

ISBN # 978-1-83943-097-8

©Copyright Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead 2020

Cover Art by Louisa Maggio ©Copyright December 2020

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

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The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

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A Captivating Captains story

Will Reuben be unwrapping a captain this Christmas?

Reuben’s a makeup artist who’s much in demand in the business, from making the beautiful even more gorgeous to creating an alluring love-scene glow. All of his Christmas wishes come true at once when he’s hired to work on the set of his favourite TV show. And not only that but on the swoony Christopher Manners.

Bunny is lusted after by millions as the brooding hero of television’s Captain Firth adventures. His manly swash and handsome buckle have earned him a legion of fans, and when he strides onto the screen and commands, Draw your sword, sir, it’s time to get down to business.

When Reuben and Bunny’s first date turns into a disaster, it looks as though the show’s over before it’s begun, but a blizzard, a mysterious bearded man in a red coat and a hot winter night combine to give them a second chance.

Dedication

Cheers, Santa—nice stocking!

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Renault: Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault Corporation

The Mail: DMG Media

BBC1: BBC

Uber: Uber Technologies, Inc.

Tube: London Underground Limited

AA: The AA

Mr. Sheen: Horseshoe Marketing LLC

The Little Match Girl: Hans Christian Andersen

Aga: Swedish Gas Accumulator, Limited

Chapter One

Reuben couldn’t believe his luck. Makeup on the filming of one of his favourite shows. As he found a spot in the studio car park, he felt as if he’d stormed the barricades and at any moment someone would arrive and try to throw him out. And Reuben would say, Go and have a word with Amy, she’s hired me for the day.

Reuben had loved Captain Firth since the first series had been shown on television. What wasn’t to love about the flamboyant show full of men in tight breeches and flowing shirts? And the saturnine and sexy-as-hell captain?

Maybe I’ll get to meet him. Maybe I’ll get to say Draw your sword, sir! to the man himself.

As a makeup artist, Reuben had met a huge number of actors and celebrities. It was both a perk and a downside of the job—some of the people he’d met couldn’t have been nicer, and some couldn’t have been more nightmarish if they’d tried. Reuben had never been particularly starstruck, but he feared he might be if he actually met Christopher Manners, the man who played the captain.

Once he’d found a spot for his Renault, Reuben tightened his scarf round his neck and headed off into the studio. He’d probably spend the day applying mascara to a chimney sweep’s face or brushing rouge onto a kitchen maid’s cheeks, but when he saw the wall behind the reception desk covered by a huge Captain Firth poster, his heart leapt with excitement.

Christopher Manners, you smouldering bastard.

Reuben! Amy appeared from a closed door before he had a chance to approach the receptionist. You’re a lifesaver! Carrie’s gone into labour and we’ve got literally one day left before we wrap. Reshoots, you know… I’ll tell you on the way. We’ll go straight down. It’s a closed set.

Reuben nodded. Hope Carrie’s okay! Closed set, eh? This should be interesting!

He was probably going to be stood in a room with the coachman boffing the brigadier’s wife, but it paid a wage, so Reuben didn’t care. Besides, he’d been told before on closed sets that he was a joy to work with during intimate scenes, so he would be in his element.

I’m going to let you look after Bunny, Amy said as they strode along a grey corridor. It was funny to think that somewhere in this labyrinth, the Napoleonic Wars were being fought by the swoonsome Captain Firth.

Bunny?

Okay, Reuben said, trying to mask his disappointment. Definitely one of the less-well-known cast members, then. No naked, lustful Christopher Manners for him.

Bunny’s a complete peach. She pushed open another door, dodging past two fully equipped astronauts as she strode on. But everything that could go wrong this morning has. It’s all a tad tense for our Regency spies today!

I’ve got my kit, don’t worry! Reuben assured her. And I’m an old hand at love scenes, you know that.

Brilliant. Amy grinned. Because once we get today wrapped, I can start my proper Chrimble!

They paused outside another door that Reuben knew would take him into makeup. He was no stranger to the setup at the studio, after all. Amy opened the door a little and peered in, then told Reuben, Come on in, everyone’s mostly decent!

Reuben strolled in, nonchalant as he swung his toolbox of makeup. Until he clocked who was standing by the mirrors wearing only his breeches.

His very tight breeches.

Oh fucking hell, no way! Christopher Manners!

Erm…nice to meet you, Reuben said. Nice being the understatement of the century.

Christopher turned and raised his teacup to Reuben in greeting. Hello! he said as a man knelt before him, face to face with the breeches. For a moment Reuben wondered what was going on, then the man began tussling with the buckle of Christopher’s sword belt.

‘Draw your sword sir!’

Reuben was so tempted to say it. The words were burning his tongue. But he didn’t dare. Here he was, in the flesh. Captain Firth. His toned chest was even more impressive in reality. And those shoulders…that flop of dark-blond hair and…and…his blue eyes. Reuben tried to bring himself to his senses and said, Just looking for Bunny?

You’ve found him! Christopher Manners extended his arm over the armourer’s head towards Reuben. Sorry, I’m trapped in my sword belt!

Reuben wasn’t sure where to look. He glanced down at the armourer and all he could see was Christopher’s groin in the pale-coloured breeches.