Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Our coming together will be all the sweeter the next time because we have waited so long for it," he said in a trembling voice. He knew he had to get her back to the hotel before he lost what little control he had left.

  Adam handed her into the waiting carriage, and when the driver smiled at them, Adam beamed at the man. "She said yes," Adam informed him.

  "Congratulations," the man said. "Was there ever any doubt?"

  Adam laughed and looked at Honor, then winked. "You have no idea."

  22

  Adam walked Honor to her door. It was after eleven o'clock, but there were still people in the corridor, so he dared not touch her.

  Honor handed her key to him and he inserted it in the lock. "I would like to invite you in, Adam, but I fear Meagan has gone to bed."

  He smiled down at her. "I would like to kiss you good night, but we are a bit conspicuous standing in the hallway."

  Honor had to look away from the glow in his eyes.

  A man and a woman passing by looked at them disapprovingly, and Adam laughed at Honor's discomfort.

  "I will see you tomorrow morning. We need to talk about our wedding."

  "What time will you call?"

  "Is nine too early?"

  "No, nine will be fine."

  Adam's eyes were on Honor's parted lips. "Until tomorrow, then."

  Honor felt a thrill go through her body. "I shall wait for you."

  Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly. "I shall not be able to close my eyes all night."

  Honor opened the door and went inside; her heart was beating wildly. Leaning against the door for support, she allowed her happiness to wash over her.

  Meagan, hearing the door shut, came out of her bedroom wearing a robe. "I thought you would never get here. What happened?"

  Honor forced herself to look stern. "How is your headache, Meagan?"

  "What? Oh, that, it is all but gone. If you do not tell me what has occurred, I will burst with curiosity."

  Honor ran across the room and threw her arms around her sister. "Adam has asked me to become his wife and I have said yes," Honor cried, tears of happiness falling down her face.

  "Oh, my dear, dear, sister, it is what I wanted for you both. I was so afraid something would keep you from accepting Adam's offer."

  Both sisters cried tears of happiness. Honor sat on the settee with her feet tucked under her, and Meagan sat beside her.

  "When will the wedding take place?"

  "I do not know. Adam is coming in the morning at nine to discuss our plans. Oh, Meagan, I am so happy. I cannot believe Adam still wants me after all that has occurred."

  Meagan laughed. "He would want you if you had two heads. If ever I saw a man in love, it is your Adam O'Roarke."

  Honor frowned and looked at her sister suspiciously. "I am wondering how Adam knew where to find me. New York is a big city. I have heard of coincidences, but this is too farfetched."

  Meagan looked at her innocently. "Perhaps you and Adam have a guardian angel who wants your happiness."

  "Yes, I believe that to be true, and I believe her to be none other than my very own sister. Meagan, I really do love you. You have been my strength these past months. I am loath to see you go to France."

  Meagan hugged her tightly. "Do not worry, we shall visit often."

  Honor smiled through her tears. "Will you not be too grand to associate with a farmer's wife?"

  Meagan returned her smile impishly. "Most probably, but I will try not to show it. Now, off to bed with you. Tomorrow will be a busy day. We have to shop for a trousseau and oh, I do hope Adam will want to be married right away. I refuse to sail until I have seen you safely married."

  * * *

  Adam lay in his darkened room. The agony and unhappiness he had gone through belonged in the past. Soon he would have all he desired. He considered a moment. He was almost sure he could overcome Honor's fear, remembering how it had been between them the night she had lain in his arms and matched his passion. That night she had given him all he had asked for without fear. Adam also remembered the nights he had suffered thinking of Honor lying in Jordan Daniels' arms.

  In many ways Honor still seemed untouched, innocent. No, it did not matter about Jordan. He had used Honor brutally, and what he had done to her had been little better than rape. The act between

  Honor and Jordan had left a deep scar on her, but he would heal her scars, he would be loving and patient.

  Adam was well aware of the power he had over women. Honor would know the full impact of that power. He smiled. Yes, he had the power to render a woman helpless, but no woman had ever had that power over him, no woman until Honor. With one glance from those fiery green eyes, with a touch of her delicate hand, with a word spoken from those soft lips, he became her slave forever.

  She was lovely enough to make a man lose his heart, but with Honor it was so much more than beauty. She was that rare combination of an innocent and a seductress. She was not yet aware of her power over the men she came in contact with, but when she learned to use her feminine wiles no man would be able to withstand her. But he would be her husband, and he and he alone would teach her about love.

  * * *

  Honor had a hard time falling asleep. She touched her lips where Adam had kissed her, then she sat up in bed. She had no fear of Adam. She did not dread their wedding night, but looked forward to it with great anticipation. Her body trembled at the thought of Adam's lying beside her and his hands caressing her body. She let her mind wander back to the night Adam had made love to her, and her body reacted so strongly to the memory that there was no fear in her—only love and a deep longing.

  Jordan Daniels was in the sitting room feeling bored. It was a Sunday afternoon, and the house was quiet. His mother was upstairs in her room with a sick headache.

  Chauncey entered the room and announced the arrival of Mrs. Hanks and her daughter. Jordan had not seen the Hanks family for several years. They owned Causeway Plantation and were very wealthy. When the war had broken out Mr. and Mrs. Hanks and their only child, a daughter, had gone to England.

  Mrs. Emma Hanks swept into the room followed by her daughter. "Jordan, my boy, I am delighted to see you. I have just returned from Europe, and I heard of the terrible thing that happened between you and that Landau girl. Honor, I believe her name was. I cannot tell you how grieved I am for you."

  Jordan's first reaction was anger, and he was about to ask her to leave when his eyes fell on her daughter, Lori. She was no longer a child, but had become a lovely young lady. Her hair was light brown, and her eyes were a soft blue. When her mother pushed her forward, she blushed and lowered her head.

  "You remember my daughter, Lori. Poor little thing, she has been so unhappy in England. My husband died while we were there, you know. Lori and I are all alone now, without benefit of a man's counsel."

  Jordan took the young girl's hand in his, and she raised her head, looking at him adoringly.

  "Well, you have grown into a beautiful young lady. When last I saw you, you were but a child."

  Emma Hanks sat down on the settee and removed her gloves. "It is so good to be home again, although all the young men seem to be either dead or gone. So many of our friends are no longer here."

  "Yes," Jordan said, still holding Lori's hand.

  Mrs. Hanks saw that Jordan Daniels was taken with her daughter and smiled to herself. She had always liked Jordan, and he would be perfect for little Lori. Her daughter was so shy and unassuming, and she needed a strong man to look after her.

  Jordan led Lori to the settee and she sat down beside her mother.

  "I stand ready to help you in any way I can, Mrs. Hanks. After all, what are neighbors for?"

  "I see that Green River is thriving. It hardly seems touched by the war. It must be due to good management," Mrs. Hanks said.

  Silver hair and green eyes flashed through Jordan's mind. Then he pushed the image aside and turned to Lori Hanks. "Tell me, Miss Hank
s, are there any young men in your life at the moment?"

  She blushed and lowered her head. "No, there is no one.

  "Ah, then may I dare hope that I can call on you sometime?"

  The young girl raised her head. "I would love it above all else," she said shyly, for in truth Lori Hanks had adored Jordan Daniels for a very long time. He was so strong and handsome, and the way he was looking at her was enough to cause a young girl to lose her heart.

  Jordan smiled. She was shy, and it brought out a protectiveness in him. She would never demand from a man more than he could give, he thought, his mind racing ahead to how he would woo and win Lori Hanks.

  * * *

  Honor looked in the mirror for the seventh time. Should she wear her hair up or let it hang down?

  Meagan came into her room and took her by the arm. "He will be here any moment. You look fine."

  Just then there was a knock on the door and both sisters walked into the sitting room.

  Meagan gave Honor a reassuring smile as she opened the door to admit Adam. "The clock says nine o'clock, you are very punctual."

  "It is one of my virtues to always be on time." His eyes went past Meagan to Honor. "Did you sleep well?" he said meaningfully.

  She walked across the room and offered him her hand. "I scarcely closed my eyes all night."

  He took her hand in his and squeezed it. "One would never guess it to look at you. You look as fresh and lovely as always."

  Meagan tapped her foot in mock impatience. "If the two of you can tear yourselves away from each other, we have a wedding to plan."

  Adam laughed and enfolded Meagan in his arms. "My, how shrewish you sound, my soon-to-be-sister. I think you missed your calling; you should have been a matchmaker."

  Meagan gave him a half smile. "If the need ever arises, say if a man loves a particular woman and he does not know how to win her, I could be persuaded to interfere."

  Adam planted a kiss on her cheek. "I thank you for your interference."

  Honor felt the warm glow that surrounded the three of them as Adam hugged both sisters in his arms.

  "Honor tells me that you are off to Paris to marry a count. Lord help Paris when you get there."

  "You are most probably right. Suppose you had not come to New York and I had been forced to take my sister with me? She would have had all the men in France begging at her dainty feet."

  "There was never any danger of that because when I received your letter there was no stopping me."

  The three of them sat down and Meagan poured them all cups of coffee, then placed a sweet roll on a plate and handed it to Adam.

  "Honor, are you going to want a big wedding?" Adam asked as he bit into the sweet roll.

  "Heaven forbid. Who would I invite? I would like it to be very small and informal."

  "Good. Now, as for the date, how about today?" Adam asked, smiling.

  "How is it possible? We have made no arrangements," Honor said.

  "I have been closeted with Lisa Maxwell's husband all morning. He just happens to be a very prominent judge here in New York, and he assured me that he will arrange everything for me."

  "Would you wish to be married by a judge, and will you not want Suzanne to be at our wedding?" Honor asked.

  "We shall most certainly not be married by a judge. I insist that a man of the cloth tie you to me so there will never be a time you will not feel married to me. As for my sister, I would like her to be here, of course, but she will understand the need for haste."

  "I, for one, am delighted it is to be today. I have a ship to board tomorrow, have you forgotten?" Meagan said.

  "What do you say, Honor, will you have me as your husband before the sun sets on this day?"

  Honor laid her head on his shoulder. "I will have you for my husband before the sun sets this day," she answered, waiting for the fear and anxieties to descend upon her. But she felt only joy and excitement.

  Adam's arms tightened around her. "I wish it was spring, so you could have apple blossoms in your hair. I always associate you with springtime and apple blossoms."

  Honor raised her face to him. They were unaware that Meagan had left the room and closed the door behind her softly. Meagan's eyes had been misty as she had watched the two people she loved most in the world plan their future together. She thought of her own forthcoming marriage and wished for the kind of love Adam and Honor shared.

  * * *

  Honor and Adam exchanged their vows in a small church not far from the hotel. The only guests were Meagan, Lisa Maxwell, and her husband. Honor wore her gray gown with the black trim, and a gray lace scarf covered her hair. Adam stood beside her looking deeply into her eyes as the minister spoke the words that would make them one. When he pronounced them man and wife, tears of happiness sparkled in Honor's eyes.

  Adam cupped her face in his hands. "You are now my wife," he said softly, and his lips covered hers in a kiss that was so sweet it was almost reverent.

  After the ceremony they said good-bye to the Maxwell's, and Adam helped Honor and Meagan into the carriage that would take them back to the hotel.

  Meagan had planned a feast to be served in their suite. There was food of every description accompanied by champagne, and three waiters served them. Honor felt her happiness bubble up inside her. There was no memory of the ceremony she had gone through with Jordan so long ago. There were no thoughts of regret over past mistakes, only happiness and excitement over the way Adam looked at her with the promise of things to come.

  The sun was setting on Honor's wedding day when she kissed Meagan good night, and Adam told her he and Honor would accompany her to the ship the next day.

  Adam led Honor to his suite of rooms on the fifth floor. When he opened the door, the aroma of flowers filled the air. There were flowers occupying every available space. Adam lifted her in his arms and carried her into the room. He kicked the door shut with his foot and smiled down at her.

  "Alone at last," he said as his lips covered hers in a searing kiss that left Honor weak and trembling in his arms.

  Adam crossed the room and sat down on a couch with her in his arms. "Mr. and Mrs. Adam O'Roarke. Mrs. Honor O'Roarke," Adam said, trying out Honor's new name. "Nothing and no one can stand in our way now, Honor. You belong to me," he said in a passionate voice.

  "I am going to like belonging to you," she whispered.

  "You had better, because you are mine forever now. Are you tired? You have had a very full day."

  "Yes, a little, and you?"

  "No, but I confess I would like to go to bed with you."

  Honor looked away from him, hoping she would not react to him as she had to Jordan. Would panic take over her reasoning? Would she flee from Adam? Would she destroy him as she had Jordan?

  "I will give you time to dress for bed before I come in. You will find all of your belongings have been unpacked by the maid."

  He stood up and placed her on her feet, knowing what she was feeling.

  When Adam entered the bedroom a short time later, Honor was standing in the middle of the room hesitantly, as though undecided what to do. Her long white cotton nightgown fit snugly about her throat and hung down to the floor, concealing her body in its generous folds. When Adam approached her she took an involuntary step backwards, her eyes were wide with fear.

  "Honor, I am your husband, and as such I intend to sleep beside you, but nothing will happen between us unless you want it to. I told you that, and you said you trusted me."

  She nodded. "I do trust you, Adam, but I am not sure I want to sleep beside you."

  "Nevertheless, you will sleep with me, Honor," he said, lifting her into his arms and placing her down on the bed.

  The covers had been pulled aside earlier by a maid. Adam blew out the lamp and the room was bathed in darkness. Honor felt the bed shift as he lay down beside her. Adam took care not to touch her for the moment.

  "Honor, will you mind if we sail for Boston tomorrow after we see Meagan off?" he said
, deliberately making light conversation.

  "No, not if that is what you want," she said, beginning to relax just a little.

  "I am anxious to show you your new home and to introduce you to all my friends."

  "Will they like me, do you think?"

  "They will love you, and who could help loving you? Surely not I."

  "How will Suzanne feel about our marriage, Adam?" Honor asked, remembering how Suzanne had convinced her to return to Jordan.

  "Honor, I know all about what Suzanne said to you at Landau. She confessed to me just before I came here. She was very sorry and told me she hoped I could convince you to become my wife. She is very fond of you, and once she saw that I would not be happy without you, she gave me her wholehearted support."

  "Adam, we have known each other for a very long time, and yet I do not know very much about your private life. You only told me you are a lawyer and you have a farm outside Boston."

  "Yes, that is correct. I also have a house in town, which is most convenient when I have a difficult case that I am working on. I have two young associates whom I am training to take most of the cases that come to my firm, thus leaving me more time to spend at Penrose." His arm went around her and he pulled her to him slowly so her head was resting on his shoulder.

  "You are not actually a farmer, but more a lawyer?" she said, thinking how strange it was to know so little about the man she loved and had just married.

  "Yes," he told her as his hand drifted over her arm caressingly. "I am a lawyer by profession, and a farmer by choice."

  "Where will we live, Adam, in the country or in Boston?"

  She felt his hand move over her hair as he wound a strand of silver around his finger. "You would prefer living in the country, so that is where we will spend most of our time, but sometimes you will have to suffer the city, for when I stay in Boston, I will insist that you be with me."