Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Suzanne, who is that woman?"

  Her sister-in-law looked uncomfortable. "Her name is Vanessa Handson."

  "I do not think she likes me very well."

  Before Suzanne could answer, Vanessa made her way across the room and smiled brightly at her.

  "Suzanne, it has been simply ages since I have seen you."

  "How are you, Vanessa? It has been awhile."

  Vanessa looked pointedly at Honor, so Suzanne felt obliged to introduce them. "Vanessa, I would like you to meet Adam's wife, Honor. Honor, Vanessa Handson."

  Vanessa looked taken aback for a moment when she heard the name of Adam's wife. She had been in New York when she had heard of his marriage, but she had not known the woman's name.

  She smothered her anger for the moment. "I hope you will call me Vanessa and allow me to call you Honor. I am a very close friend of the family."

  Honor could not help noticing that the woman's smile did not reach her eyes, which stared back at her coldly.

  "Yes, please call me Honor."

  "Hmm, I can tell by the sound of your voice that you are from the South. Did you perhaps meet Adam during the war?" Vanessa asked without any warmth.

  "Yes," Honor said, feeling at a loss for words. She was startled when Vanessa suddenly reached for her hand saying, "Come. You and I have many things to discuss. I want to hear all about how you came to know Adam."

  Honor looked to Suzanne for guidance, but she only shrugged her shoulders.

  Vanessa led Honor into their hostess's sitting room. She sat down on the sofa and motioned for Honor to do the same. "Tell me, Honor how long have you known Adam?"

  "I have been acquainted with him for a number of years. Is your husband an attorney?"

  "Why should you think so?"

  "I suppose because most of my husband's friends are connected with the law in one form or another."

  "I am not married."

  "I am sorry, I just assumed . . ."

  "Well, you assumed wrong. I would have been married by now, but the man I loved was taken from me."

  "I am so sorry. Was he . . . killed in the war?"

  "No, he was stolen from me," Vanessa said angrily.

  Honor was beginning to have her suspicions. She rose slowly to her feet. "I think we should rejoin the others."

  "Sit down, Mrs. O'Roarke, I have not begun to tell you all I know about your husband," Vanessa said bitterly.

  "I do not think Adam would approve of this conversation."

  "You are a thief. You stole Adam from me."

  Honor backed away from the hatred she saw in Vanessa's eyes, as Vanessa said, "I will wager Adam has not told you about me."

  "No, he has never mentioned your name." Honor replied, sinking down on the sofa. This woman was very beautiful, and Honor wondered how Adam could keep from loving her.

  "I am not surprised Adam never told you of me. He could hardly tell you how close we had been at one time. Could he?"

  Honor stood up on shaky legs. "I think you should leave now. I do not want to hear any more that you have to say."

  Vanessa stood up and glared at Honor. "You will hear all that I have to say before I leave this house. Adam could not possibly love you. You are barely out of the schoolroom, from what I can tell. Why would Adam want to marry anyone who is so obviously lacking in sophistication? Adam only turned to you because he thought he could not have me."

  Honor shook her head. Vanessa was lying. Adam had told her he had never loved anyone but her, and she must not let this woman make her doubt Adam. "I do not believe you. Adam loves me."

  "You are such an innocent. What makes you think you could hold on to a man like Adam?"

  Suzanne paused outside the door of the sitting room, and, hearing Vanessa's cruel words, was on the verge of bursting into the room when Honor's voice stopped her.

  "I know my husband loves me, and nothing you can say will convince me otherwise, Miss Handson."

  "I cannot imagine why Adam married someone so young as you. Lord, he must be bored."

  Honor felt as if Vanessa had struck her and she closed her eyes for a moment. Then she said calmly, "I will not discuss my husband with you. Adam seems to prefer a younger woman to you. Perhaps you should find yourself a husband, Miss Handson, before you are too many years older." Honor aimed at her mark and drew blood.

  Outside the door, Suzanne smiled. It appeared that Honor did not need her help after all. Her presence in the room would only make matters worse, she concluded.

  "You little snip. How dare you say these things to me? I knew Adam while you were still toddling around."

  "Obviously," Honor said angrily.

  Vanessa's face was red and her hands itched to slap this young girl who was now taunting her. She had come here today with the express purpose of telling Adam's wife off, but she had lost control of the situation. She tried again. "I could tell you many things about Adam. For one thing, Adam likes to lie quietly after making love. Have you found that to be true?"

  Honor's face whitened, but she was determined that Vanessa would not have the last word. How dare this woman say Adam had made love to her? She answered coldly, "I have not found that to be true. Adam and I have never found it hard to communicate with each other, but I think I now know why Adam chose me over you." Honor rushed on, fearing she would lose her courage. "My husband would never have married someone who is hateful and spiteful. You see, I am aware that my husband was with many women before he met me; he is a strong and virile man. But when he was ready to settle down to just one woman he chose me, Miss Handson. Now, will you leave now, or do I tell my husband of your little visit here today?"

  "How dare you speak to me in such a rude way? I will not tolerate it!" Vanessa yelled angrily.

  "I am sorry for you, Vanessa, but I will no longer stay in this room and listen to your hateful words. If you thought to cause trouble between my husband and me, you have failed miserably. I love my husband and he loves me." Honor was surprised at how calm her voice sounded.

  Vanessa looked at her beautiful rival knowing why Adam loved her. She sailed out of the door red-faced and almost collided with Suzanne. Suzanne took her by the arm and led her into the deserted dining room.

  "Vanessa, I think it would be a good idea for you not to repeat today's performance. Adam will be very angry when he finds out what you tried to do today."

  Vanessa swung around angrily. "I suppose that milk-faced wife will not rest until she has told Adam everything."

  "I do not believe Honor will tell Adam anything about meeting you today. That is the kind of person she is, but / intend to tell him."

  "Suzanne, you and I were once good friends."

  "I never really liked you very much, but I love Honor and I am very angry with you."

  Vanessa gathered up the skirt of her gown and rushed from the room, dreading the thought that she might one day have to face Adam's anger over today's events.

  When Suzanne left the dining room she found that Honor was searching for her. "Suzanne could we go home? I have a terrible headache," Honor told her apologetically.

  When Suzanne had delivered Honor at home she had her driver take her straight to Adam's office. Suzanne's respect and love for her sweet young sister-in-law had increased, for Honor had not mentioned Vanessa to her.

  That night over dinner Adam noticed that Honor was unusually quiet and kept trying to avoid his eyes. He kept waiting for her to tell him about her encounter with Vanessa.

  He had been angry when Suzanne had told him what had occurred, and his anger toward Vanessa had not cooled now that he saw how upset Honor was.

  By the time they retired to the bedroom, Honor had still said nothing. She lay down beside him and he drew her into his arms.

  "Did you have a nice day, Honor?"

  "Yes, it was fine."

  "Did you enjoy the tea?"

  "Yes, for the most part."

  "Which part did you not enjoy?"

  "I . . . developed a h
eadache."

  "I thought perhaps, it was your little set-to with Vanessa."

  The room became deathly quiet and Honor could hear her heart beat. She raised her head and looked into Adam's eyes.

  "How did you know? Did Vanessa tell you?"

  "No, she would hardly be the one to tell me. Suzanne overheard your conversation. Were you not going to tell me?"

  "I do not think so."

  "Do you have any questions?"

  "She is very beautiful."

  Adam smiled. "Is she? I cannot see anyone's beauty since I have been blinded by yours." He hugged her tightly to him. He was constantly amazed by her loving nature and her deep understanding. She did not hurl accusations at him as most women would have, and he loved her all the more for it.

  "Darling there was a time when I might have married Vanessa, but after I met you I did not even want to be with her."

  "Adam, I would ask you one question and then we shall never talk of Vanessa again . . . Why do you like to talk to me after we have made love?"

  His body shook with silent laughter. He had expected anything but that. Suzanne had told him how Vanessa had flaunted the fact in Honor's face that he had made love to her.

  "Because, you beautiful, wonderful, sweet wife of mine, I love you and like to talk to you."

  "Oh."

  "Is that all you have to say?"

  Honor slipped her arms around his neck and smiled. "I can afford to be forgiving with old Vanessa, because I have you and she does not."

  "You think you have me just where you want me, do you not?"

  She laughed. "If I do not now, I will when I tell you a bit of news I learned today. When can we return to Penrose?"

  "In early spring, why?"

  She looked deeply into his blue eyes. "Because I want your baby to be born where his father was."

  Honor watched as joy spread over Adam's face. She watched as he tried to speak, and tears blinded her as she saw tears in his beautiful blue eyes. It was bliss as his arms tightened about her. "I am going to be a father!"

  "Dr. Brady told me to tell you that you would be a father in six months' time."

  His mouth covered hers with reverence and his hand stole down to her stomach. At his soft, intimate touch her body came to life. "I want to make love to you. Will it hurt the baby?"

  Honor melted against him, and she whispered against his lips. "The doctor says it will do no harm."

  He made love to her so tenderly that Honor cried softly. Afterwards they fell asleep in each other's arms.

  Epilogue

  Adam scowled at his brother-in-law. "You sit there as calmly as if you were at an afternoon tea. Dammit, Brad, how can you be so calm when Honor is at this very moment in pain? Maybe her very life is in danger, and you sit there humming to yourself."

  Brad Hollingsworth smiled at his brother-in-law indulgently. "You forget I have been twice a father. You might say I am an old hand at it now."

  Adam took a long drink of brandy. This is twice for me, too, he thought to himself, for once before he had waited for Honor to give birth, only this time it was his child he waited for.

  "Should it be taking so long, Brad?"

  "It has been less than six hours, Adam. Why do you not take a walk and try to relax?"

  They both heard the baby cry and Adam placed his empty brandy glass on the table. He hardly dared to breathe. He was a father now. Was Honor all right? he wondered.

  He spun around to Brad, who had stood up and was staring at the door. Both men watched as Suzanne walked through the door carrying a tiny bundle. She smiled at her brother. "I am an aunt now," she said proudly.

  "How is Honor?"

  "She is tired, but feeling great. You can see her as soon as the doctor finishes." She held out her arms. "Do you want to hold your daughter?"

  Adam looked startled as Suzanne placed the tiny infant in his arms, and he pulled aside the blanket so he could see his daughter.

  Black hair covered her tiny head. Adam touched the tiny hands that were so perfectly formed. "She is beautiful," he said in amazement. He held her against his face and felt the softness of her skin.

  Suzanne smiled at the soft look that came into her brother's eyes. "Adam, do you remember when Mother told us how Father found out that he was the father of twins?"

  He looked up and smiled broadly. "Yes, she said she had them bring you to him first and later sent me. She said Father almost collapsed from the shock of it."

  "Well, get a firm grip on yourself, my brother, because Darcy is bringing you another little surprise."

  Adam's eyes widened in surprise as Darcy handed him a second infant. "Your son, Master Adam," she told him proudly.

  Suzanne had to look away when she saw the tears of joy in her brother's eyes. He was crying openly and unashamedly as he handed his daughter to Brad and looked at his son, who was almost a replica of his sister.

  Adam, thinking Honor was sleeping, walked to her bedside quietly. She felt his presence and opened her eyes sleepily and smiled.

  "Well, Papa, what do you think of your offspring?" He knelt down beside her and picked up her hand. "I feel like the only man who has ever had children. Are you feeling all right?"

  "Yes, I am fine," she smiled.

  He kissed her cheek softly. "Thank you for a son and a daughter."

  "Most probably since they are twins it was owing more to you than me."

  He grinned wickedly. "I can assure you the pleasure was all mine."

  "And mine," she told him.

  "Honor, are you happy?"

  "I have not had anything except happiness since I became your wife."

  Adam bent his dark head and kissed her softly. Honor sighed contentedly.

  "You have a letter from your sister," he told her. "I brought it to you, knowing you would want to read it."

  Honor took the letter from him, broke the seal, and began to read aloud:

  "My dearest little sister: By the time you get this your baby should be born. How I wish I could be there with you, but I know you are in good hands. Pierre is wonderful, and I am glad to tell you that I am ecstatically happy, for I am in love. Now, before you draw the wrong conclusion, it is my husband I am in love with. Pierre is so good to me, and I am content to stay on his country estate, hardly ever going into Paris.

  "I am bursting with happiness and I want to share my good news with you. I myself am with child. Pierre is so excited, and you cannot guess how he fusses over me.

  "His mother, who is a fearful old woman and did not really approve of me as her son's wife at first, has finally decided she likes me well enough, since I am going to have her grandchild. I must be slipping if I can charm the cream of the rocking chair society who were always my worst critics. La, I must be getting boring.

  "Pierre has promised me after the birth of the baby he will take me to Boston. So, my dear sister, I can see you, because, I must confess, I miss you terribly. I wish you would write to me more often. Oh, dear, am I not sounding domestic? The next thing you will hear is that I am knitting sweaters.

  "Tell that handsome husband of yours that he had better take the proper care of you or he will have to answer to your big sister.

  "I must close now. Pierre's mother's eyesight is failing and she likes it if I read the classics to her. I have to confess privately that I am enjoying reading. Love to my two favorite people, La Comtesse de Moreau—sounds impressive, does it not?"

  Honor smiled as she folded the letter. "Meagan sounds happy. I am so glad. Perhaps now she will be content."

  Adam laughed. "Perhaps for a time."

  He lay down beside her and folded her into his arms. "Hurry up and recover from the birth of my son and daughter, for I have important plans for you."

  "What kind of plans?" she said, nestling her head on his shoulder.

  He grinned wickedly. "I always thought four children would be a nice size family."

  "Do you expect me to have them all two at a time?"

  "
It would speed things up a bit if you could manage it."

  Honor closed her eyes. Her life was now complete. She had everything a woman could want.

  "I love you, my beautiful Yankee," she whispered.