Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) (40 page)

25

Edward and Victoria walked hand in hand along the beach. The afternoon sun reflected on the water, causing it to glisten with thousands of fingers that sparkled like crystal. Overhead, the sea birds scolded them noisily for interrupting the solitude. A cool breeze was blowing softly, bringing with it the bracing smell of salt water.

Victoria felt as though her heart would burst with happiness. She smiled up at her dark handsome husband.

Edward arched his eyebrow and gave her an inquiring look.

"It is just that I am so happy, and I wish this day would never end."

He grabbed her about the waist and swung her around in a circle until they both collapsed on the sand, laughing like two carefree children. Then Edward rolled her over on her back and stared down at her lovingly. His eyes caressed her face. "I will give you years of happy days, my love. This is only the beginning." He gently brushed sand from her face. "I want to love and care for you for eternity." His lips brushed hers gently; then he gathered her to him tightly. "All I ask of you, Victoria, is that you never stop loving me; for if you do, I will surely die."

"Oh, Edward, I could never, never stop loving you! Without you I would not want to live." Their lips met hungrily as they clung to each other. Victoria felt her pulse quicken. She strained to be closer to him. "Love me, love me," she whispered.

"You had better watch what you are saying, darling, or I might forget where we are and give you what you ask for," he warned.

Victoria struggled out of his arms, feeling embarrassed. "Edward, suppose someone had come along?"

He laughed. "Then they would have gotten the shock of their lives, because if you had continued to entice me, I would have been unable to stop myself."

Victoria turned her back on him and slipped out of her shoes. "I am going to wade in the water. Do you want to come?"

"No; I will just sit here and watch you." He watched as she raised her gown to her knees and raced into the water, her golden hair streaming down her back. How good life was, he thought. Edward was delighted with his half-child, half-woman bride. He thought of last night when she had come to him so trustingly and had given herself to him completely. He closed his eyes, remembering the feel of her. He heard her laughter as she was overcome by a huge wave and almost lost her footing. She made him feel young and light-hearted, and had driven all his loneliness away.

Victoria waded out of the water. Running toward

Edward, she threw herself into his arms and showered his face with kisses. "Come into the water with me, Edward," she begged.

"No, I am content to just watch you."

"I bet I could get you to change your mind."

"Not a chance, Victoria."

"We will see." She flashed him a mischievous smile. "Let's make a sand castle, Edward."

"A what?"

"A sand castle. Did you never build a sand castle as a child?"

"No, I am forced to admit I did not. I was much too busy learning how to run Rio del Lobo to indulge in childish games."

Victoria felt pity for the little boy who had had so much responsibility heaped on his shoulders at such an early age. She loved him deeply and was determined to fill his life with laughter, to make up to him for all he had missed. Edward seemed such a strong, formidable man, but she had looked beneath the surface of that man and seen kindness and gentleness—and a deep sadness. She was determined to be a good wife to him and make him as happy as he had made her. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Your education has been badly neglected, Edward, but do not worry, I shall remedy that. Come, you shall have your first lesson. If you prove an apt pupil, I may take you on, on a permanent basis."

He laughed as she dropped to her knees and started scooping sand into a pile. He entered into the spirit of her game and soon they knelt side by side, forming the sand into the shape of a castle.

Victoria sat back and surveyed their handiwork. "What do you think, Edward? Is that not a work of art?"

"It is the finest sand castle I have ever built," he agreed, smiling.

Victoria stood up and dusted the sand from her hands. Seeing the formidable Edward Hanover with sand clinging to his silk shirt, on his britches, and even in his hair, was indeed a funny sight. "Edward, always so meticulous about your appearance." Victoria laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes and washed down her face. She fell to her knees and continued to laugh. "What would your
vaqueros
say now if they could see their mighty
patron
playing in the sand?"

Edward rose to his feet slowly. "You dare to make sport of me, wife? Wait until I get my hands on you.

Rising quickly to her feet, Victoria picked up her skirt, raced down the beach, and waded barefooted into the water. "You cannot get me now," she taunted.

Edward waded out to her, heedless of the damage the salt water would do to his boots. He grabbed her and swung her into his arms. "Never think there is anywhere you can go that I will not follow, Victoria." His lips crushed hers. Then he raised his head. "I would follow you to hell if need be."

Victoria laughed up at him. "You have ruined your boots, Edward."

"Yes, and for that you will pay, madam."

She threw her arms about his neck. "Maybe so, Edward, but I said I would get you into the water, and I have."

"You little devil. Under that innocent face is a calculating female." He waded out of the water and sat down with her on his lap. "Now for your punishment," he whispered. His lips brushed hers; then he teased and tantalized her mouth. Victoria
slipped her arms about his neck. "I like the way you
punish, my love. You will have me plotting mischief
just so you will punish me."

He held her to him. "You are ruining my image, Victoria. How can my men respect my authority when I let a tiny slip of a girl rule my life?"

"Oh, my darling, it is you who rules me. I would
do anything you ask of me, and when you look at me
with those fiery brown eyes, I am completely defenseless."

"Come," he said, standing up and setting her on her feet. "Let us return to the cottage. I want to see just how defenseless you are."

As they walked along hand in hand, Edward found
a piece of driftwood and wrote on the sand EDWARD LOVES VICTORIA
.

Later Dorothea reported to Cullem what Lucy had
told her. "Lucy said Edward and Victoria returned
from their walk with sand all over them and soaking
wet. She said they were laughing like a pair of children. And, oh, Cullem, she said they were so loving to each other."

Cullem smiled and folded her in a giant bear hug.
"Well, my matchmaking wife, are you satisfied?"

She beamed at him. "Oh, yes, I am very satisfied."

Cullem shook his head. "Imagine Edward coming
home wet and covered with sand. Completely out of character, don't you think?"

Dorothea laughed delightedly. "Oh, yes, it is out of character for our Edward, but I am convinced we will see Edward change in many ways now that he is married to Victoria."

"You have been very worried about him in the past," Cullem said.

"Yes, in the past. He did not know how to laugh, and went from one woman to another so often I lost count long ago." She smiled and linked her arm through her husband's. "Love has found him at last. There is no need for either of us to worry about him anymore."

Victoria hummed to herself as she set the food Lucy had prepared earlier, on the table. As she sliced the ham that was roasted to a golden brown, she felt a pang of regret that she had not prepared the meal herself.

"My, my, doesn't my little wife look domestic." Edward leaned against the doorjamb, his arms folded across his broad chest. His hair was damp, giving evidence that he had just come from his bath.

"Are you hungry, Edward?"

"Uh-huh, and I could use some food, too," he said meaningfully. He pulled a chair away from the table and waited for Victoria to be seated; then he sat down beside her. At first they talked easily, and laughed often, but when their eyes would meet, Victoria could sense the undercurrents. She felt her heart racing. She tried to avoid his eyes, eyes that burned into her, reminding her of what was expected of her after the meal was finished.

Edward had seemed different today as they laughed and played on the beach, but now, alone with him in the small cottage, Victoria felt something akin to panic in the pit of her stomach. She was unable to swallow one more mouthful of food. She was certain she would choke if she tried.

"You are not eating, Victoria; are you not hungry?"

She rose from the table, and started to clear the dishes away. "Edward, if you will wait in the sitting room, I will bring your coffee to you there."

He folded his napkin and placed it carefully beside the plate that contained his unfinished meal. He was puzzled at the change that had come over her. Edward said nothing, however, and left her to clear the table. Maybe she needed some time alone, he thought.

After Edward left, Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. What was the matter with her? Edward was her husband, the man she loved. Why then did she feel the need to be alone? She would like to see Bodine. She needed the comfort he could give her. Victoria placed the dishes on a tray and carried them into the kitchen. Then she filled the coffeepot with water, and adding the right amount of coffee, placed the pot on the stove. She forced her mind to become blank as she washed and dried the dishes. Soon the kitchen was immaculate, and she could find nothing else to do. Victoria began to pace the floor. Today had been so wonderful, and last night Edward had been so gentle and loving. She closed her eyes. She could almost feel his hands caressing her, his strong muscular body moving against her.

"Don't you think you have left me cooling my heels long enough, Victoria?" Victoria had not heard Edward enter the kitchen, and was startled by his appearance. She felt his hands span her waist, and trembled as he pulled her against his body. "It has been a long day, Victoria. Let's forget about the coffee and go to bed," he whispered.

She swallowed hard and tried to speak, but no sound would pass her lips. Edward released her, walked over to the stove, and removed the coffeepot. Then he turned slowly to face her, and held out his arms. Only a few steps separated them, but as far as Victoria was concerned, it could have been the width of an ocean. She longed for the comfort his arms could bring her, but she knew Edward wanted more than just to comfort her. He wanted her body and soul, and that thought suddenly frightened her. Victoria looked into his eyes, pleading for understanding.

Edward dropped his arms to his sides. "Don't punish me, Victoria."

She saw the hurt etched on his handsome face. "I do not mean to punish you, Edward; I cannot seem to stop myself."

"You have withdrawn from me once more. Please don't take your love away from me. Last night was so wonderful." He closed his eyes for a moment; then focused their brown depths on her. "Won't you tell me what I have done wrong, Victoria? Tell me and I will make it up to you."

Tears stung her eyes. "It is nothing you have done, Edward. The fault lies with me. For so long my life has been full of fear and uncertainties; then you came into my life and put everything right. I cannot explain it, but I am frightened, Edward."

Edward leaned against the cupboard and studied her face for a long moment. "The last two years of your life have been full of danger and uncertainty, but that is all behind you now. I only want to love and protect you for the rest of my life. Do not deny the love we have for each other." He took a step toward her. "I am also a little frightened, Victoria. I know my entire happiness is in your hands, and if you reject my love, I will cease to exist."

"Yes, that is what I feel, too, Edward. My whole world depends on you. I could not stand it if you stopped loving me."

Once more he held his arms out to her. "Come to me, darling, I love you with every beat of my heart, with every breath I take."

Tears ran freely down her face. She recognized her fear for what it was now. It was the fear of loving another person so completely, and placing her trust in that person's hands for her very survival. She moved slowly across the small space that divided them, and felt his arms enfold her. He raised her face and gently kissed her tears away; then he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom.

Edward sat down on the bed and held her in his lap. He buried his face in her golden hair. His body trembled with emotion. He could sense some of what Victoria was going through. To love someone so completely as he did her, left one very vulnerable.

Victoria rested her face against Edward's chest; curly black hair tickled her cheek. Gone were the doubts and fears she had felt earlier. She could now give herself to Edward completely, withholding nothing, and she knew she would never doubt his love for her again. Tonight she had seen Edward as no one had ever seen him. He had let his defenses
down completely, and she had seen a man that was as
dependent on her as she was on him. The love she
and Edward shared was a gift from God, and she felt
it was as close to perfect as mortal man could come.