Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) (32 page)

"That is the way I feel sometimes," he told her. He led her to a marble bench and sat down beside her. "Tell me about your plantation, Victoria."

Her eyes got a faraway look in them. "It was the only home I ever knew. I grew up there, thinking life would always be much the same. Safe, secure, happy. By Rio del Lobo's standards, it is small, five hundred and fifty acres. The house was a Georgian manor house. The back lawn sloped down to the Savannah River. It was peaceful, beautiful. Your house is three times bigger than my home was, but it was mine, and I loved it."

"Yet you burned it, Victoria. Why?"

"I could not allow the Yankees to burn it!"

Her eyes flashed dangerously. He could almost see her standing with her father's pistol in her hand, defying the intruders. She was so small and very young, yet she was courageous, one who met life on her own terms. He felt pride for this half-girl, half-woman, who was his wife. It was the woman in her, however, who caused his pulse to race with a longing to possess her.

"I wanted to tell you that I have to go away for a few days, Victoria. It is unavoidable, or I would never consider leaving you."

She looked at him. "How long will you be away, Edward?"

"Three or four days at the most." He slipped his arm about her shoulder. "Will you miss me, Victoria?"

She knew she would miss him very much. The thought of being separated from him was so painful, she wanted to beg him to remain. Instead she said:

"I will keep busy while you are away. There are many books in your library I would like to read."

He lifted her chin up to his face. "Why could you not tell one small lie and say you would pine for me until I returned?"

"I dislike deceit above all things," Victoria said, knowing she was being very deceitful.

"Will you not kiss your husband good-by then? I will be gone before sunup."

Edward lowered his head and kissed her tenderly. She felt the familiar longing and returned his kiss, causing him to crush her to him. Her arms went around his neck. She could feel her heart beating loudly. Edward released her suddenly, and stared down at her in surprise, his eyes dark with passion. "Beware, Victoria, that you do not light a fire within me that I will be unable to control. Last night you were lucky. Next time you might not be so fortunate. I have to remind myself of your injury."

She withdrew from him, her body trembling from his kiss. She loved him so deeply that it frightened her.

Edward stood up and offered her his hand. "Come, I will see you to your room." He lifted her in his arms when they came to the staircase. He put her down gently at the top and walked her to her door. He traced the outline of her lips with his finger.

"Good night, Victoria. I will see you in a few days."

She watched him walk away from her, feeling helpless and very much alone.

Edward did not return in three or four days, as he had told Victoria he would. Each day had seemed endless. Victoria had tried to keep busy so she would not miss him so badly. She had no visitors; everyone tactfully left the newly weds to themselves. She spent most of her time in the garden, taking a book with her, trying to pass the lonely hours. She began to feel apprehensive. What if Edward were injured somewhere, or worse? Why did he not return?

Dan had come on Friday, removed her bandages, and pronounced her well enough to travel. He did not ask her about Edward, so she assumed Dan knew where he was. What had been so important that he had to attend to it himself? she wondered.

Edward had received word from Ray Courtney to come at once; he had located the whereabouts of Corporal Fish. They had spent one day going over documents and deciding on the best course to take. Then Edward sealed a packet and rode to Galveston himself, placing the information on board a ship to insure that it would reach Price Williams as quickly as possible.

Edward was weary as he rode home. He spurred his horse on to a greater pace. He had missed Victoria more than he had imagined he would. When he reached the gates of Rio del Lobo, he urged his horse even faster. He could not wait to see her. Rio del Lobo would not be lonely now. She would be waiting for him.

He went through the house, calling her name. Juanita came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her white apron.

"So you have returned, Senor Eduardo. Shame on you for leaving your little bride alone," she scolded.

"Where is she, Juanita?"

"In the garden. It would serve you right if she had
not been here when you returned."

Edward ignored Juanita and hurried through the
back of the house and out into the garden. He looked
about him, unable to locate her. He crossed the bridge and made his way to the fountain. There he saw her under the shade of a tree, curled up on a
lounge, fast asleep. The book she had been reading
had fallen to the ground.

He stood over her, letting his eyes take in her loveliness. Her golden hair was spread about her. Her face was resting on her hand. He knelt down beside her. The familiar scent of lilac engulfed him. Edward bent his head and kissed her satiny cheek. She awoke slowly. Was it joy he saw in her eyes?

Victoria sat up. "I did not expect you today since it is getting so late."

He rose to his feet. "I apologize for being away so
long, but it was unavoidable."

"Have you eaten?" she asked, picking up the book
that had fallen to the ground, and rising to her feet.

"No, I could not wait to return to my bride." His eyes were mocking. "See how I rushed to your side. I did not even stop to wash the trail dust away."

"I will see to your dinner while you bathe, Edward."

"Mrs. Hanover, we have hardly been married a week and already you order me about," he teased. "Will you sit with me while I dine?"

"Yes, of course, if you like."

They had reached the house. "I will not be long," he told her, going quickly up the stairs.

Victoria sat beside Edward while he ate. "Tell me how you have filled your time while I have been away."

"I read mostly, but I became very bored, Edward. I am not a person who can sit by doing nothing. I have to keep busy. I was mistress of Farraday for many years. I do not like being idle."

"It is only natural you should chafe at inactivity, Victoria, but do not forget you have been injured. When we return from Jamaica, you will have your hands full taking care of this house and keeping me in line."

She wrinkled her nose and gave him an impish smile. "I wonder if anyone could keep you in line, Edward."

He laughed. "Something tells me you will be able to, Victoria. You have already proved it on numerous occasions."

Later that evening, Victoria and Edward sat in his study. He was working at his desk and she sat on the leather couch, sewing on a piece of needlepoint her grandmother had given her.

Edward looked up at her and smiled. Her face was drawn up in a frown as she concentrated on what she was doing. He leaned back in his chair and watched her. How different his house was now that she had come. It was as if her presence changed the whole atmosphere.

Victoria felt his eyes on her and looked up at him. She sighed and gathered up her sewing.

"Why do you stop? I like to see you doing little domestic things," he told her.

"I am afraid I am a lost cause when it comes to needlework."

"Perhaps your talents lie in another direction, Victoria."

"Maybe."

"You could always sketch."

"Yes, I do enjoy that, but I have misplaced my sketching pad somewhere."

Edward smiled, opened a drawer in his desk, and removed her sketching pad. "Could this be it, Victoria?"

"Yes. Where did you find it?"

"You dropped it by the river that day when you were so angry with me."

"Why did you not return it?"

"Let us say it was another memento."

Edward closed his desk drawer, walked over, and sat down beside her. He flipped to the page that held his own likeness.

"You are quite good, Victoria."

She stared down in horror at the sketch she had done of Edward. She had forgotten all about drawing him. "I like to sketch interesting faces."

"Do you think mine is interesting?" Edward asked, studying her face.

Victoria looked at him. "You are probably the most handsome man I have ever met." She had not meant to say it; the words had just slipped out.

Edward drew in his breath. "Then we have something in common, Victoria. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Our children should be exceptional, don't you think? Did Dan come by while I was away?"

Victoria nodded, not liking where the conversation was heading.

"Did he remove the bandages?"

She nodded.

"Did he say you were healed?"

"Yes, he did. Edward, I have been thinking; I want to continue with my Spanish lessons," she said, changing the subject.

He smiled. "I am pleased. How would you like it if I became your tutor?"

"Would you do that, Edward?"

"It would be my pleasure. There are many things I would like to teach you, Victoria," he said meaningfully.

"When can we start?"

"Start what?" He grinned.

"The Spanish lessons," she said indignantly.

He threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, Victoria, you are truly amazing. Being married to you will be anything but boring. We will start tomorrow. We will set aside one hour every day. Before long you will be speaking like a native. Would you like to retire now, Victoria?" he said, looking deeply into her eyes and pushing a stray curl from her face.

"Yes," she told him, gathering up her sewing. "I am rather tired."

Edward rose and slipped his arm about her waist. "Perhaps you misread my meaning." He drew her to him, and laid his face to hers. "I have waited a long time for tonight, Victoria."

Victoria felt trapped. She had been dreading this night. She searched her mind for a way to save herself. She felt his lips on her throat.

"I do not think I could have gone one more day," he whispered. Edward laced his fingers through her hair. "Relax, darling, I promise you a night of pleasure." His lips traveled up her throat to seek her mouth. "You are so sweet in your innocence, Victoria."

She struggled in his arms.

"Do not worry. Juanita has gone to bed. We are quite alone." He pulled her tightly against him. Victoria felt his hands slide down to her waist as he molded her body to his.

She pulled away from him. "Please let me go," she pleaded. "Surely you do not intend to . . . for me to—

Edward smiled. "We are married, you know. I believe it is the usual procedure."

Victoria's eyes were frightened. He reached out and caressed her cheek.

"Do not be frightened of me, Victoria. I promise I will be very tender with you."

"No!" she said backing away from him. "Please, I beg you, do not do this. I do not want you to touch me."

Edward's face clouded. "I never had a woman beg me not to make love to her before."

Victoria bristled. "I am sure you have not. I am not one of your women who long for your embrace."

"Is it so distasteful, the thought of my making love to you?"

"That was not part of the bargain we made. If you remember, I told you I would be mistress of Rio del Lobo, Edward. I do not intend to share your bed. I have not forgotten how you persuaded me to marry you."

He looked at her angrily. "No matter, Victoria. What you prize so highly, I can easily get somewhere else."

She shook her head in disbelief. "How can you say such things to me?"

"Go to bed, Victoria. I am weary of this conversation."

She moved across the room, her heart beating so loudly she wondered if he could hear it.

Later Victoria lay in her bed. She had not wanted to quarrel with Edward. She knew she had provoked him. Why was she so frightened of her feelings for him? Her body ached for his touch. She wanted more than anything to feel his lips on hers, and yet, she knew if she gave herself to him she would be lost forever.

"Oh, Edward, I love you so deeply," she cried. Each day her love for him grew, and each night her fear of him increased.

The next morning she rose early to find Edward had already ridden out, leaving instructions he would not return until dinner. Juanita was angry with Edward for treating the little
senora
in such a manner.

Victoria walked down to visit with Consuelo after lunch. She played with little Roberto, and held the baby, Vickie—which is  what  the Delgados had decided to call their infant daughter.

Afterward Victoria went to the stables to see Rebel. She found Old Ned brushing Rebel's shiny coat.

"Glad you came to see Rebel. He has missed you.
He don't know you have been sick."

She rubbed the black stallion's coat. "How is he taking to his new home, Ned?"