Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "That, Honor was love. Tell me that you felt as I did." His hand moved possessively over her stomach. "Did I cause you pain?"

  She traced the outline of his mouth with her finger. "Oh, no, my love, there was no pain, only love and gentleness. I thought I knew how much I loved you before, but I was wrong. My love for you is so great I can hardly speak of it."

  "Honor, love is such a simple word, there must be something beyond that which one can say. I adore you, I worship you, I only live so I can love you."

  Honor nodded and snuggled up in his arms. They were both quiet for a long time. There was no need to talk. Adam's hands caressed her as his lips kissed her softly. After a moment he spoke. "It was so good, Honor, just like the other time. I knew it would be this way between us, the problem was in convincing you."

  Honor laced her fingers through his ebony hair and smiled provocatively. "Had I come to you after Aaron was born as I wanted to, you would have tossed me out of your bed."

  He laughed deeply. "I would never have tossed you out, rather I would have chained you to a bedpost so you could never escape me."

  Rolling over on her stomach, she teased his lips with soft kisses, until she saw the flame return to his blue eyes.

  "I always knew you had the power to entice any man. Now that you are finding out how much power you have over me, God pity me, I will ever be at your mercy."

  "No, it is I who shall come begging to you. I am totally your willing slave, my love."

  His mouth covered hers in a drugging kiss as their bodies came together once more to recapture the rapture of the body as well as the soul. Throughout the night they lay in each other's arms, neither wanting to sleep. Honor lost sight of time and place, she was only aware of loving and feeling in the arms of her husband. Finally, wrapped in each other's arms, they both fell into an exhausted sleep, their bodies relaxed and fulfilled for the moment.

  * * *

  The sun was up when Honor awoke. She was lying on Adam's shoulder, and she moved her head so she could see his face more clearly. Reaching out her hand, she touched his mouth softly. Never had she known such happiness, such fulfillment as a woman. Moving closer to him, she sighed contentedly. It had been a long time since she had first met this handsome Yankee. The day he had ridden into her life, he had changed her forever.

  She shuddered to think what her life would have been like had Adam not come along. He was the kind of man who was strong enough to know gentleness was not a weakness but a strength. He had loved her, and seeing she was in trouble and tried to help her, not knowing if she would ever belong to him. The road that had finally brought them together had been a long, hard one, but all the pain had been worth it, for now they were inseparable. Nothing could hurt them now; they had each other.

  There would always be an emptiness in her heart for little Aaron that no one could fill, and there would be many times she would cry in private over his death. But death was a part of living, and one day soon perhaps she would be blessed with Adam's child. She sighed when she thought of a miniature of Adam. Oh, how she wanted to have his children. He would be a wonderful father, he would be patient and loving, and he would allow her to be a loving mother, as well.

  There was no longer any bitterness inside her toward Jordan, for she had come to terms with her failures. She was as much to blame for their troubled relationship as he had been, and she wished him happiness such as she herself had found. Her life was here now, and she had no desire ever to return to Virginia. She would ask Adam to sell Landau. It no longer meant anything to her. It was a part of her past life, and that was where it belonged, in the past.

  Honor felt Adam's hand tighten around her waist, and she looked into his blue eyes. "Why were you so thoughtful just now? You seemed a long way away from me."

  Turning her face up to him, she smiled. "I was not so far as you might suppose. I have been thinking of our children."

  "Oh, and what were you thinking?"

  "I was wishing for a little boy who would look like you.

  "Hmm, that sounds interesting. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can have this son?" he said, grinning at her wickedly.

  She slipped her arms around his neck. "If you are interested, I could show you," she said provocatively.

  "You little witch," he murmured against her lips. "Give me strength. I think you are going to be almost more than I can handle."

  She smiled. "I will try not to overtax your strength."

  He laughed deeply. "You could try. It might be interesting."

  * * *

  It was midmorning when Fitz paused outside the master suite with the breakfast tray for the master and his lady. She heard laughter through the big double door, and smiled to herself. Maybe they would not be wanting their breakfast after all, she thought. How good it was to hear Master Adam's laughter once more. He had been moody and unhappy for such a long time.

  The upstairs maid, Mary, came toward her, her arms laden with linens to change the bed in the master suite.

  Fitz forestalled her. "That will not be necessary, Mary. From now on you will not clean the master suite until Mr. and Mrs. O'Roarke have gone downstairs."

  Mary blushed and lowered her head as she heard Mr. O'Roarke's deep laughter, followed by what she was sure was a sigh from the new mistress.

  "Don't dawdle, girl," Fitz scolded, "the stairway needs waxing, and you can clean the windows at the other end of the hall." The half smile she tried to cover up removed the harshness from her orders.

  * * *

  The days passed without Honor's being aware that fall was slowly giving way to winter. The brightly colored leaves fell from the trees only to be caught up in the icy winds that blew out of the North.

  Honor was finding the true meaning of happiness for the first time in her life. She loved to ride across Penrose with Adam as he told her his plans for the farm and showed her the procedures of operating Penrose. At first she was amazed at the amount of land Adam owned. Penrose was larger than Landau and Green Rivers combined. The crops that were raised on Penrose ranged from vineyards of grapes, corn, tomatoes, hay, and tobacco. There was an apple orchard, peach and cherry trees. Besides the food crops, Adam also raised thoroughbred horses and dairy cattle.

  When Honor and Adam were not out riding they would sometimes sit in the library quietly reading or discussing the books they had enjoyed. It was a time of getting to know each other in all ways.

  Honor awoke and stretched her arms over her head. As she sat up she saw that Adam was not in bed beside her. She tumbled out of bed and slipped into her warm robe, then sat down at the vanity and began brushing the tangles from her hair.

  Adam came into the room and flashed her a smile. Standing up quickly Honor flew into his arms while he grinned down at her. He then picked her up in his arms and tossed her onto the bed, where he pinned her beneath him.

  She laughed up at him and tried to avoid his kiss. "Where have you been?"

  "Nosy wife."

  "You are dressed. Have you been out?"

  "You are just full of questions," he told her, trapping her head and kissing her. When he raised his head she pulled him back to her and cradled his head against her breast.

  "You are acting strange this morning, Adam."

  "You think you know my moods so well, do you?"

  "Urn huh."

  He rubbed his cheek against hers. "As it happens I was awakened by Fritz early this morning. You did not even hear her knocking on the door, you were sleeping so soundly."

  She smiled. "I need my rest so I can try and keep up with your sharp wit."

  "So you think me witty, do you?"

  "I find you extremely witty and intelligent. You are a man with wide interests. It seems that you know something about almost any given subject. You have a way of swaying a person to believe as you do. I pity your opponent in the courtroom. I find myself wondering if any one could come up against you and win.

  "Must I remind you that it took me years to sway
you to my way of thinking?"

  She brushed a dark lock of hair from his forehead. "But you did finally convince me, or I would not now be here."

  "Honor, you have made me a very happy man. I am completely enchanted by you. I have watched you bloom as you learn to trust me. You are irresistible when you flirt with me. You are that rare combination of innocence and enchantress. I am tied to you not only because of your lovely body, but by your loving nature as well."

  Honor frowned. "Do you think I flirt with you, Adam?"

  He laughed out loud. "Oh yes, I am in your power when your green eyes blaze and you tempt me with your soft body."

  Her green eyes flashed now and Adam drew in his breath. "I love you, Adam."

  Adam felt his body react to her softly spoken words, and he felt his heart contract. He wanted to make love to her, but that would have to wait until tonight. He sat up on the edge of the bed, trying to put the thought of her soft body out of his mind.

  "Honor, do you ever think of the past? Do you miss your friends?"

  She looked at him curiously. Seeing he was serious, she wanted to be honest with him. "When I think of the past, I think of how fortunate I am to be your wife. Because of your love. I have begun to put the past and all of its unhappiness behind me. I will admit that I sometimes miss Jordan's mother. I loved her a great deal, but most of all, I suppose, I miss Darcy."

  "Do you ever miss Landau?"

  "No, not in the least. This is my home. This is where I want to be." Why was Adam asking all these questions, she wondered. She watched him with a frown on her face as he stood and walked over to the door and opened it.

  "I would like to see you in my study as soon as you are dressed." he said as he left the bedroom.

  Honor dressed hurriedly. Why was Adam acting so strangely, she wondered. She rushed downstairs and knocked on the study door. When there was no answer she opened the door and peered inside. She gasped as she saw a beloved black face across the room from her. Honor raced into Darcy's open arms, crying tears of happiness.

  "Darcy, you are here! Oh I am so happy to see you!" she cried.

  "Master Adam wanted to surprise you. I have missed my baby," Darcy said tearfully.

  "I had no idea you were coming. When did you get here?"

  "Just this morning. I has been treated like a queen. I sailed here on Master Adam's own ship, and the captain told me it was Master Adam's orders that I have the best of care. He told me that Master Adam said I was family."

  Tears glistened in Honor's eyes. "You are family, Darcy, and it is so good to have you here with me."

  Darcy held Honor at arm's length and studied her face.

  "You is happy. I can see it in your eyes."

  "Oh yes, Darcy I am extremely happy, and now that you are here, I have everything I could ever want."

  Honor closed her eyes as Darcy hugged her tightly. She loved Adam for his thoughtfulness.

  Once Darcy was settled into her new home, Honor went in search of Adam, but could not find him in the house. When she inquired about his whereabouts Fritz told her she had seen him walking in the direction of the apple orchard. Honor quickly threw on the warm fur-lined cape that Adam had given her and rushed outside to find him.

  She saw him standing underneath the branches of a tall apple tree. He seemed deep in thought and did not hear her as she approached. He looked down at her when she placed her hand on his arm.

  "Thank you, my love, for bringing Darcy to me. It is so good to have her here."

  "My goal in life is to make you happy."

  "You have already done that."

  Honor watched as he gazed off into the distance with a frown on his face. He was plainly disturbed by something, she thought.

  "It is getting colder, Adam."

  "Yes," he said absent-mindedly. "We will soon have to move into Boston."

  "Because of your law practice?"

  "Yes, the roads will be impassable when the first snows come. Will you mind moving to the townhouse for awhile?"

  "I could live anywhere as long as you are with me," she told him, wondering why he was acting so distant. "Adam, what is troubling you."

  "Does it show?"

  "It does to me."

  "Darcy brought me a letter from Jordan, and I want you to read it."

  "NO! I do not want to read it, Adam," she told him, fearing that Jordan's letter would somehow overshadow her happiness.

  "I wish you would read it, Honor. . . . You must let him go. And perhaps when you read his letter you will be able to do that."

  "But, Adam, I have let him go. When I think of Jordan I feel nothing but guilt."

  "Precisely my point. Every time I take you in my arms to make love to you he is there between us like a double-edged sword.

  "No, Adam, you are wrong. I love you. I never loved Jordan."

  "Yes, but when you give yourself to me, you still feel as if you are betraying him in some way."

  Honor was quiet for a moment. "I suppose that I do feel that if I had not been in love with you I would have been a proper wife to him."

  "But you were never his wife, Honor."

  "Oh, Adam, I wronged Jordan in so many ways."

  "By making love to me in the apple orchard that night?"

  "Yes."

  "Do you not see, darling, what you are doing? You have forgiven Jordan. You have forgiven your sister. Why not forgive me."

  "No, Adam, no! I do not blame you for anything. It is I who am at fault."

  "Forgive yourself then, Honor. If you continue as you are now, your guilt will begin to cast a shadow on our love."

  "I will read the letter, Adam. I do not want anything to come between us."

  He reached into his breast pocket and withdrew Jordan's letter and handed it to her. He noticed how her hands trembled as she removed the letter from the envelope and began to read.

  Dear Adam:

  I am sending you this letter by Darcy. Having heard of your marriage to Honor, I wish to extend you my congratulations. I know that she loves you and you will make her happy. I now know even if you had not come into her life, Honor would never have been happy with me. I am finding it does one no good to look back on past mistakes. I am sending the remainder of the moneys that I owed Honor for what she spent on Green Rivers. I myself will be married by the time you receive this letter. Tell Honor for me that I am happy, and I wish her to be happy. I suppose there will always be a part of me that loves her, but being a man, you can understand this. I have an offer for you that I hope you will consider and get back to me about. My bride-to-be, Lori Hanks, fancies she would like to own Landau, and her mother, being a woman of means, has offered to buy it for her. Consider whether you would like to sell it and let me know. If I do not hear from you, I will know you do not wish to part with Landau.

  Best Regards Jordan Daniels

  Honor raised her head and looked at Adam. Her eyes were bright and shiny and a smile played on her lips.

  "This is wonderful news, Adam. I know Lori Hanks. She is a sweet girl, and I think she will make Jordan a good wife."

  "No regrets, Honor."

  "Oh no, my love, no regrets."

  Adam crushed her in his arms. "I have been going through hell wondering whether to show you this letter. I was not sure how you would take it."

  "Adam, I no longer feel guilty. It is as if a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders."

  "Darling, that is how I hoped you would feel. Have you let him go?"

  She laughed up into his face. "Yes my dearest, dearest Adam, he is gone. Do you want to sell Landau to him?"

  "I leave that decision to you. Do you want to sell it?"

  "Yes," she said, with authority. "Let's sell it to him, Adam."

  "Are you quite sure? Will you never want to return for a visit?"

  "Never, as I told you earlier, this is my home now." The winds blew through the branches of the apple tree, and dark clouds drifted across the sun, shadowing the land with a promise of sn
ow. But the two lovers did not notice. They were locked in each other's arms, oblivious to everything but their love for one another.

  * * *

  The O'Roarkes had been in residence at the townhouse for two months. Adam spent his days at his office and Honor found herself attending luncheons and teas with Suzanne who insisted on showing off Adam's new bride. Honor was surprised at how easily Adam's friends accepted her, and she was pleased for his sake, for she wanted desperately to be a wife he could be proud of.

  Honor had not been feeling well for the last two weeks, and she suspected she might be with child, but she did not want to tell Adam until she was sure.

  She and Suzanne had a tea to attend in the afternoon. She had told her sister-in-law that she might be expecting a child, and Suzanne had insisted on picking her up early so she could see the family doctor.

  When Honor rejoined Suzanne in the carriage after seeing the doctor, her face was bright and she was smiling to herself.

  "Well, tell me. I cannot stand the suspense. Are you going to make my brother a father?" Suzanne asked anxiously.

  "Suzanne, I could not tell you before I tell Adam."

  "Do not leave me on tenterhooks—tell me." Suzanne demanded.

  Honor smiled. "How would you like to be an aunt, Suzanne?"

  Tears sparkled in Suzanne's eyes. "Oh, Honor, I would love it above all else. Adam will be so happy."

  "You must not tell another living soul, Suzanne."

  "Not even Brad?"

  "No. Would you deny Adam the pleasure of telling Brad?"

  Suzanne smiled. "I suppose not, but I am bursting with happiness."

  "If we did not have this tea to attend I would go to Adam's office and tell him right away."

  Suzanne's hand covered Honor's. "Save it for tonight when you are alone. If I know my brother, he will want to shout it to the whole world."

  The tea was no different from the many other such functions Honor had attended. There was laughter and gossip, but she was enjoying herself now, since she had made so many new friends.

  She and Suzanne had been talking to the hostess when Honor felt someone staring at her. She looked across the room and noticed a beautiful woman glaring at her. She frowned. It was obvious from the look on the woman's face that she did not like her, and Honor was distressed, not knowing why.