Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) (42 page)

Edward was delighted. Once again he thanked his lucky stars for sending him his love. He knew he would never be bored with her beside him. "You really tricked me, you little witch," he said softly.

"As we would say in Georgia, you have been run through the swamps barefooted." She arched her eyebrow and looked him in the face. Her eyes gleamed as the cards she dealt out sailed expertly through the air and landed by his hand. She spoke to him with an exaggerated Southern accent: "Prepare to meet your match, Yankee. My name is Victoria Lee Hanover, and five-card stud is my game."

Edward laughed. "You beautiful devil, you."

They played for another hour and Victoria won almost every hand. Finally, Edward threw in his cards. "I give up. You have taught me my lesson." He drew her into the circle of his arms and smiled at her. "Did your Mrs. De Leon never tell you not to best a man at his own game?"

"I shall never beat you at poker again," Victoria told him. "From this day forward I shall let you win.

Edward laughed as he held her to him. "I shall never play poker with you again, for if I won I could never be sure if it was my own doing, or if you allowed me to win."

"You are my love," she told him. "I will always want you to come out winner in all things; for when you win, I cannot lose."

"How did you get so wise in only eighteen years?" he asked, nibbling on her ear. He smiled to himself. He would not tell her he had let her win.

That night they walked on deck. They stood at the railing, watching the moonlight shimmer on the water. Victoria reached for Edward's hand and held it to her face. Then she turned it over and kissed the scar on his palm.

"You will always have that scar, my love. It pains me to think you got it because of me."

He drew her into his arms. "I do not like to think of your accident, Victoria. It scares me to think what might have happened."

"Not with you looking after me, my love." She raised her face to him. "I feel so safe when I am with you.

"What else do you feel?"

"Loved."

"Is that all?"

"No, I am jealous of all the years you existed that weren't spent with me. I hate the thought that we will ever be separated for even one day. I want to be the kind of wife you deserve. You are gentle and kind, with such a capacity for loving and giving. I am proud to be the woman you chose to marry."

He held her to him, resting his face on the top of her head. Edward was so overcome with emotion, he could not speak. At last he said softly: "If I am the way you see me, Victoria, it is because you have brought out these qualities in me. No one before you would have ever said I was kind or gentle."

"My grandmother saw these qualities in you, Edward. She adores you."

"Right now my mind is on her granddaughter. Are you ready to go to our cabin?"

Victoria raised her head. Seeing the softness in his eyes, she took his hand. "Oh, Edward, I love you so much."

To her surprise he scooped her into his arms and carried her to their cabin. He placed her on the bed and lay down beside her, holding her tightly to him. He did not kiss her, nor did he speak. Victoria sensed his mood and did not speak either. They held each other, not in desire, but in love. It was a moment neither of them would ever forget.

When the ship reached Galveston, there was a cold wind blowing. Victoria pulled her fur-lined cape tightly about her for warmth. It was midmorning when the coach Edward hired moved away from Galveston toward home. The trip to San Antonio took two days, and when they arrived, Edward decided they would remain there until Estancio came for them.

They occupied the same suite they had previously stayed in. Edward knew Victoria was tired, so he ordered dinner to be served in their sitting room. After they had eaten, Edward read the local newspaper, while Victoria wrote a letter to Cullem and Dorothea. She looked up from her writing to watch Edward. His long legs were crossed, his face intent on what he was reading.

Victoria knew when they returned to Rio del Lobo she would no longer have him all to herself. There were many demands on the man who ran the Hanover Empire.

She wondered if she would be expected to occupy the lovely bedroom he had prepared for her. Victoria loved waking up in the morning beside him, or snuggling in his arms at night to fall asleep.

Edward looked up at her and smiled. He laid his paper aside and held his arms out to her. She went quickly to him. He sat her on his lap and tilted her face up to his.

"What has caused the frown I see on your pretty face, Victoria? Is there some monumental problem I can solve for you?"

"I was just wondering, when we return to Rio del Lobo, will you want me to sleep in the room I occupied before we left?"

Edward smiled, unable to resist teasing her. "You do not like the room? Maybe you want it redecorated?"

"No, it is not that."

"I know, you would like a room with a view of the front of the house."

"No, I do not want that," she said in exasperation.

"What is it you do want, Victoria?"

She placed her head on his shoulder. "I want to stay with you."

He swung her around and laid her on the couch, then lay down beside her. "You do not think I would ever let you sleep where I cannot reach out and touch you, do you?"

Joy spread over her face. "I am so glad you feel that way. I was afraid you would want us to sleep in separate bedrooms."

Edward became serious. "I have slept alone most of my life, Victoria, but now that I have shared my bed with you, I do not think I could sleep if you were not beside me."

Her mouth puckered into a frown. "What do you mean when you say you 'slept alone most of your life,' Edward?"

"Did I say that?"

"Yes, you did. I know you have had other women before me. I just do not like to be reminded of it."

"Victoria," he said, choosing his words carefully, "I was not a monk before I met you, but I never brought one of them to my home."

Her eyes clouded. "Perhaps I will not be enough for you, Edward. Maybe you will tire of me."

He kissed her cheek and held her close. "My poor, misguided love. I can never want anyone but you. Other women ceased to exist for me after I met you. I have a hunger that only you can satisfy." He kissed her until she became soft and yielding in his arms.

There was a knock on the door and Edward ignored it.

"You had better see who it is," Victoria told him, trying to rise.

He pushed her back down. "Let them go away. I need you."

"But it might be important," she protested.

Edward rose to his feet and smiled down at her. "Later, then, Victoria."

She went into the bedroom to straighten her hair, while he answered the door. When she returned, Ray Courtney was sitting in a chair in deep conversation with Edward.

Ray rose to his feet quickly as she entered. She welcomed him with a smile.

"Major, how nice it is to see you again."

He felt warmed by her friendliness. "You are looking lovely, Charley. Your vacation seems to have agreed with you."

Victoria smiled at Edward. "Indeed it did, Major. Why do you not call me Victoria?"

"I would be honored to, Victoria," Ray told her, sitting down once more. "But I will always think of you as Charley." Ray saw Edward frown and changed the subject. "Will you do any sightseeing while you are in San Antonio, Victoria?"

She thought for a moment. "I would like to see the Alamo."

"I am afraid you would be disappointed," Ray said. "The army has turned it into a stable. It is certainly no place for a lady, but if you would like to see it, I will arrange it for you."

Victoria turned to Edward. "Did you know the Alamo was being used as a stable?"

"Yes, I did," Edward said curtly.

"How sad," Victoria said. "I do not believe I will want to see it, Major."

"Victoria, I really came by to tell you how
delighted I am that the charges in Georgia have been
dropped."

Victoria smiled at him beguilingly. "Edward told
me of the part you played in my behalf. I am so grateful, Major, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"I assure you, Victoria, it was my pleasure."

Edward watched the exchange between his wife and Ray Courtney. He could see Ray was being drawn under her spell. He remembered Ray telling
him he had kissed Victoria in Georgia, and felt anger
burn inside him. His anger leaped into his eyes. The muscle in his jaw twitched.

"Major, you must visit us at Rio del Lobo, mustn't he, Edward?"

"By all means, Ray," Edward told him. "Just let
me know ahead of time so I can manage to be home
when you come."

Ray could not fail to recognize the threat in Edward's voice as he saw the brown eyes staring coldly at him. "Well," Ray said, standing up, "I
must go. I only stopped by to welcome you back to
Texas."

"Don't forget, Major," Victoria said, unaware of her husband's anger, "you are to visit us soon."

"I will do that, Victoria. By the way, would you
call me Ray?" he said, throwing caution to the wind.

"All right, Ray. Good-by until we meet again."

Ray gave her a gallant bow. "Good night, Charley." His eyes lingered on her face.

Edward was holding the door for him. Ray smiled
and said quietly, where only Edward could hear, "I would feel much the same as you, if she belonged to me.

"She does not belong to you, Ray."

"No, my friend, she does not. To the victor go the spoils." Ray laughed and called over his shoulder, "Good night, Victoria."

Edward shut the door softly, walked over to Victoria, and jerked her to her feet.

"What did you mean by that little display?" he demanded.

"I do not know what you mean, Edward." Her eyes were wide with apprehension. She did not know what had caused his anger.

"I mean the way you behaved with Ray just now."

"He is your friend, Edward. I thought you wanted me to be nice to him."

"Is that what you call it? I saw the way he was looking at you, Victoria. Just what went on between you and him at that camp, anyway?"

"What are you saying to me?" Victoria said, her anger rising to meet his. "How dare you say such things to me? You should know better than anyone that nothing happened, Edward."

Edward grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, causing the ribbon, which held her hair in place to come loose. Her hair spilled down her shoulders.

"You are mine, Victoria. I cannot stand the thought of another man wanting you."

"Take your hands off me," she said coldly. Her eyes were like blue ice.

He pulled her to him. "I will not have my friends looking at my wife as Ray looked at you tonight."

"You should choose your friends more carefully then," Victoria said hotly. Edward watched her as she raged at him. Never had he seen her so angry. She was beautiful as she stood her ground and defied him.

Then, suddenly the anger left her face. "Oh, Edward, we are quarreling. I do not want to fight with you. It is you I love; don't you know that by now?”

He looked at her for a long moment. "I believe what I have been feeling is jealousy, Victoria. I felt it when I saw you with Paul, and with Ray; even to a small degree with Dan. It is a new emotion for me. If you will bear with me, I will try to overcome it."

She went to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Oh, my love, you need never be jealous of me. I shall never want anyone but you."

"Victoria," Edward said, his arms encircling her, "you have complicated my life. It was so simple before I met you."

"Maybe you would like to go back to the life you had before we met."

"I cannot do that, Victoria. You are my life."

"And you are mine," she said softly, brushing the lock of black hair from his forehead.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. "Come to bed with me, Victoria, and show me you forgive me."

26

As the carriage pulled through the gates of Rio del Lobo, Victoria felt Edward squeeze her hand. She shared his excitement at being home.

When Estancio pulled the carriage to a halt in front of the huge hacienda, Victoria saw her grandmother standing on the top steps, waiting to welcome them home. Estancio helped Victoria from the carriage. She raced up the steps into her grandmother's arms.

"Welcome home, child. I have missed you."

Victoria hugged her grandmother tightly. "I have missed you, too. It is so good to be home."

"How about me?" Edward said, slipping his arm around Mammaw and kissing her on the cheek. "Did you miss me also?"

"Of course, you scoundrel, me and every other female for miles around."

"Ah, but as you can see, it was you I rushed home to.

"Do you call four months rushing?"

Edward smiled. "Your granddaughter has a way of making a man lose all track of time."

"How easily you cast me aside for my granddaughter," Alice quipped.

Edward flashed her his most charming smile. "I found you in your granddaughter."

Juanita joined them, a broad smile of welcome on her face, and soon they were surrounded by happy
vaqueros;
later, Old Ned joined the happy group to welcome them home.

Victoria looked about her for the one person she wanted most to see. "Where is Bodine, Grandmother?"

"I think he went to the stable to check on Rebel. Here he comes now."

Victoria saw Bodine walking up the driveway. She flew down the steps and into his waiting arms. "Oh, Bodine, I have missed you so much."

His arms tightened around her as he hugged her to him. "I have been much too busy to miss you, Imp."

She pulled away from him. "That is not true, Bodine. I know you are only teasing me."

"You are right; I was teasing." He studied her face. "You look well. Are you happy?"

She smiled through her tears. "I never knew it was possible to be so happy."

He nodded. "Welcome home, honey."

She slipped her arm about his waist and they joined the others at the top of the steps.

Edward and Bodine shook hands while Victoria and her grandmother went into the house. Bodine folded his arms across his chest and looked out toward the horizon. "Victoria is happy, Edward. It's clear to me that you are good for her."

"You once said you would tell me why you gave me your support in getting Victoria to marry me, Bodine."

Bodine's cool gray eyes rested on Edward. "You already know."

"It would have been a hell of a lot easier if you had
told me Victoria loved me. You have no idea how long it took us to admit we loved each other."

"Perhaps I wanted you to find out the greatest gift
in life is not easy to come by, and once acquired it should be treasured for all time."

Edward smiled. "You are a damned sight more calculating than I gave you credit for, Bodine."

Bodine laughed. "I had to help you. You damned sure weren't getting anywhere with Victoria on your
own.

Edward nodded. "You are right there. Come on; I
am starved, and unless I miss my guess, Juanita has prepared a feast."

After dinner, Bodine and Mammaw brought Edward and Victoria up to date on all that had
happened while they were away; and as night began
to fall, Bodine and Mammaw left for home.

Edward and Victoria walked to the stables. When
they reached the door, Victoria rushed to the stall where Rebel was kept. "Rebel," she called softly.

The giant black stallion perked up his ears.
Victoria patted his long sleek neck. Rebel tossed his
head and nuzzled her hand.

"How is my big boy?" She laid her face against his
silky mane and talked to him soothingly.

"I think he is glad to see you, Victoria," Edward said, reaching out his hand to touch the black stallion.

Rebel pulled away and laid his ears back. "I think he is jealous, Edward."

"Maybe so; but one day I will ride that horse, and that is a promise. He has issued me a challenge which I cannot ignore."

Victoria gave Rebel a final pat and she and Edward returned to the house. "There is someone I want you to meet," Edward said, leading Victoria to his study. He opened the door and waited for her to enter.

A gray-headed man sat at the desk. He looked up at them over his wire-rimmed glasses, then he rose to his feet, smiling.

"Price, I would like you to meet my wife, Victoria. Victoria, Price Williams."

Price came around the side of the desk and took the hand Victoria offered him. "I feel as if I know you already, Mrs. Hanover."

Victoria held his hand in both of hers. "Mr. Williams, my husband told me all you did for me in Georgia. Words cannot express my gratitude."

"Mrs. Hanover—"

"Call me Victoria."

He nodded. "Victoria, I am always at your service. If there is ever anything I can do for you in the future, you have only to ask."

"Oh, I may very well take you up on your offer, Mr. Williams."

"Please do," he said in all sincerity.

Edward heard the knock on the front door. He slipped on his boots and hurried down the stairs just as Juanita opened the door to Dan and Clarissa.

"Hello, you are right on time," Edward welcomed them. He showed them into the sitting room. "Victoria asked me to apologize for her tardiness and entertain you until she joins us. She just got home from her grandmother's, so she is running a bit late. Can I offer you a drink, Clarissa?"

"Yes, I would like a sherry, Edward."

"How about you, Dan, would you like a brandy?"

"If you will join me, Edward."

"Of course." He poured sherry into a crystal glass and handed it to Clarissa. "I am glad the two of you could come to dinner. We do not get to see enough of you.”

"Hello," Victoria said, coming into the room. She wore a blue satin dress, and her hair was arranged on the top of her head. Edward's eyes told her he thought she was beautiful. She hugged Clarissa, and kissed Dan on the cheek. "It is wonderful to see you both."

"How about me?" Edward said, slipping his arm about her waist and smiling down at her. "You have not seen me for at least an hour."

Victoria looked lovingly into his eyes. "Has it been that long?"

"It has been an eternity," he whispered.

Victoria turned quickly to Clarissa. "Sit with me on the couch. I want to hear all about what you have been doing."

Clarissa laughed. "I have been so busy helping Dan, I am afraid you would be bored with my account. I can tell you how many babies have been born in the last month, or how many broken bones Dan has set." Clarissa leaned close to Victoria and whispered in her ear, "I get to see more of Dan since I work in his office."

Victoria squeezed her hand. "That is wonderful."

Edward came up beside Victoria and handed her a glass of sherry. "What is wonderful?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

"You are," Victoria told him, laughing.

"In other words, it's women's talk, and you are telling me to mind my own business."

"Of course not, Edward. I would never say such a thing to you."

He laughed deeply. "Oh, you would, my love, you would."

They sat around and talked for a while. Suddenly Edward rose to his feet. "I wonder if the three of you would accompany me to the garden. It is almost dark, and I have a surprise for Victoria. It was only completed this afternoon, and I am anxious to show it to her."

"What is it, Edward? What is the surprise?" Victoria asked.

"You must wait and see, my love. If I told you, it would not be a surprise, would it?"

Clarissa smiled at Dan. "Do you know what it is?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I am as much in the dark as you are."

"Follow me," Edward told them, opening the double doors and allowing Victoria and Clarissa to pass through in front of him. Then he led them down a garden path. Victoria noticed some of the big trees had been removed, and wondered how that could have been accomplished without her knowledge. After they passed through the rose garden, Edward drew Dan and Clarissa aside. As Victoria discovered her surprise, her eyes filled with tears. She stood at the edge of a goldfish pond. It was constructed of black marble, and was equipped with lily pads and goldfish. A small fountain circulated the water.

She turned slowly to face Edward. "You remembered," she said softly.

"I remember every word you have ever spoken to me.

Victoria ran into Edward's outstretched arms. "Have I told you you are the kindest, most wonderful man in the whole world?"

"Yes, but I never tire of hearing it. Do you like it?"

"Oh, Edward, with the exception of a plain blue cotton dress I once received from Bodine, it is the best surprise I have ever had."

Dan and Clarissa watched; the questions that had been on both of their minds had been answered. Edward and Victoria were very much in love, and that knowledge was bittersweet for them both. Dan reached for Clarissa's hand, and in that moment each felt comforted by the other.

They looked at Edward and Victoria, who were locked in each other's arms. "A goldfish pond. It seems a bit strange, does it not, Dan?"

"It seems to mean a great deal to Edward and Victoria. A goldfish pond; yes, it is strange."

Spring roundup was under way at Rio del Lobo. There was an excitement in the air.
Vaqueros
from the four corners of the huge Hanover empire had begun driving the cattle to a designated spot where the massive branding would take place. This same event was taking place all across the length and breadth of Texas.

Edward rode out with Estancio to join the drive in progress. It was the first time he and Victoria had been separated since their return to Texas.

Edward had been away for five days now, and he had told Victoria not to expect him for at least another week. She had tried to keep busy to pass the time, and there was plenty to keep her occupied during the daylight hours, but when nighttime came, Victoria missed Edward unbearably. She would curl up in his big bed, and try to sleep without him beside her.

Victoria had half-decided to visit her grandmother when Juanita announced that Clarissa and Charlotte Baxter had come to see her. Juanita served them tea and tiny tea cakes in the blue-and-green sitting room.

Charlotte smiled at Victoria over her teacup. "I am so excited; I could not wait to tell you the news. Bob has asked me to marry him."

Victoria hugged Charlotte. "That is wonderful. I know the two of you will be very happy."

Clarissa laughed. "Oh, Charlotte will certainly be happy. She and Bob have known they would marry since they were children."

"When will the ceremony take place, Charlotte?" Victoria asked, refilling Clarissa's cup with tea from the silver server.

"In June; though if Bob had his way, we would be married tomorrow," Charlotte said, blushing.

Clarissa laughed. "Bob always was the impatient one. Charlotte's face clouded over. She turned her gaze to Victoria. "I am a bit apprehensive about so many things. Maybe you can help me, Victoria."

Victoria took Charlotte's hand in hers and spoke softly. "How can I help you? We are friends; you know you can ask me anything."

Clarissa leaned forward. "Charlotte, you have always been a silly goose," she said in exasperation. "You would worry about whether milk was white."

Victoria silenced Clarissa with a glance. "Suppose you tell me what is bothering you, Charlotte."

Charlotte raised her head and looked at Victoria. "I have been upset about the physical side of marriage," she blurted out, turning red once more.

Victoria smiled at her kindly. "What are you asking me?"

Charlotte paused. "My mother told me that part of marriage was degrading and disgusting."

Victoria frowned, not wanting to discuss anything so personal with Charlotte, but feeling pity for her friend, who was obviously upset by what her mother had said.

Clarissa intervened: "Mamma says a wife must perform her duty to her husband."

Charlotte nodded. "That is what my mother told me also."

Both of them looked to Victoria for confirmation.

Victoria chose her words carefully. "I do not consider it a duty, but more as something shared by two people who love each other."

"My mother said it was wrong and sinful for a wife to enjoy her husband's attentions," Charlotte told her in an uncertain voice.

"That is what Mamma says also," Clarissa volunteered. "She said a husband would be embarrassed and disgusted by a wife who acted like a woman from a saloon."

Victoria tried to cover up her confusion. She had never had the advantage of a mother advising her on the role a wife should fulfill with her husband. Doubt nagged at her. If both Clarissa's and Charlotte's mothers told them how a wife should act with her husband, then they must be correct. And if that was true, then she herself had been little better than a woman from a saloon. No, they could not be right. Edward surely would have told her. Victoria shook her head. What if he thought her shameless? She was lost in thought for so long, she looked up and found both pairs of eyes staring at her.