Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Her anger drove every other thought from her mind. Her voice was cold. "How dare you speak in such a way to me? Paul would never touch me unless we were married." Tears were running down her cheeks. "I do not know what goes on between a husband and wife, Edward, but I imagined it much differently, with tenderness and love, not with hateful accusing words. Is this what you want from me, Edward? Go ahead and take what you will, I will not resist. I am your wife, but there is a part of me you will never have."

  His hands fell away from her. He rose from the bed, retrieved her robe and handed it to her. "Have no fear, Victoria, I will not trouble you again tonight," he said wearily. "Did I hurt you?"

  "You did not hurt my injury, if that is what you are asking, but you did hurt me deeply, Edward."

  He turned his back to her. "Then you have my apology."

  She slipped on her robe and left quietly. He heard her light footsteps as she walked away from him, and heard the door close softly.

  Edward stood by the window looking down on the garden below. The sound of music and laughter drifted up to him. He leaned his head against the cool window frame. His hands were unsteady; he was breathing hard. Oh, Victoria, what have I done? he thought.

  He had been out of his mind with jealousy. He knew the hateful things he had said to her were not true. He cursed himself for a fool. He had intended to win her over slowly with patience and kindness. He wondered how much damage he had done by his behavior tonight.

  Edward knew he had treated Victoria badly. Many of the things Dan had said about him were true. He wanted her and he had stopped at nothing to get her. He had never felt so lonely in all his life. The woman he loved was in the next room, and she was his wife, but she loved another man.

  He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. "Victoria, you also hurt me deeply."

  21

  Victoria awoke with a pounding headache. For a moment she did not realize where she was. The sunlight was filtering in through the open doorway that led to the balcony. It all came back to her; she remembered the scene that had taken place between Edward and herself last night. She had been miserable and cried herself to sleep. Now her mouth was dry and her stomach felt uneasy as a result of too much wine.

  She rose from the bed slowly, supporting her weight on the bedpost. Maybe with a bath, she would feel like facing the day, she thought. She pulled the white cord and shortly Juanita answered her summons. Victoria told her she would like a bath. A cheerful Juanita left her to attend to her wishes.

  Soon there was a tub filled with hot water, and Victoria lowered her aching body into the soothing bath, taking care not to get her bandages wet. Drying herself on a large towel, she remembered Edward's hateful accusing words. They tore at her heart. What had caused him to act in such a brutal manner? Victoria wondered how she would be able to face him today.

  Juanita placed a gray cotton morning dress at the foot of Victoria's bed. "Senor Eduardo awaits you in his study, Senora Victoria. When you are ready, ring for me and I shall assist you down the stairs."

  Victoria dressed, wishing she could return to the comfort of her bed. She vowed she would never drink wine again.

  Later, Juanita helped Victoria down the stairs, led her to the door of Edward's study, and left her. Victoria called on all her courage and tapped lightly on the door.

  "Come in," she heard Edward call.

  She entered the study. He was sitting at his desk and rose, smiling. "You slept well last night?" he asked.

  Victoria lowered her head, not wanting to meet his eyes. "Yes," she whispered.

  He came to her, took her hand, and led her to a chair. "You look a bit pale. Are you not feeling well?"

  "I will never drink again as long as I live," Victoria told him, placing her fingers to her temples, trying to stop the throbbing.

  Edward laughed. "You should practice moderation, Mrs. Hanover."

  "You drank also. It did not seem to have any effect on you."

  He leaned against the desk and crossed his long legs. "If it will make you feel any better, I confess to having had too much to drink on occasion."

  "It does not make me feel one whit better," Victoria told him.

  Edward walked over to a silver server that had been placed on a small table. "What you need is a cup of coffee. Would you care for something to eat?" He raised the lid of a covered dish. "Let's see," he said, smiling, "we have scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, muffins, biscuits—"

  "Oh, please," Victoria begged, turning pale, "do not continue. Just coffee, please."

  "Sugar? Cream?"

  "No, just black."

  Edward poured her a steaming cup of coffee and handed it to her. Then he returned to his desk. "You will be feeling better by lunch. What would you like to do today?"

  "I interrupted you," Victoria told him. "Do not let me keep you from your work."

  He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "I was only killing time, waiting for you. I am completely at your disposal today." Edward's dark eyes looked into Victoria's blue ones. She blushed, remembering last night, and lowered her head. "Maybe you would like a tour of the house when you have finished your coffee," he said, noticing her discomfort.

  "Yes, I would like that very much," she said, recovering. She looked about her. "This room suits you, Edward. Strong, masculine, it has a lot of character. I have always thought the things one surrounds oneself with reflect one's personality."

  "Is that how you see me, Victoria? Strong and masculine?"

  "I suppose I do."

  "That is very enlightening."

  "Your masculinity has never been in question, Edward."

  He smiled at her. She looked at the bookshelves that ran the length of one wall. "Do you read much, Edward?"

  "I did when I was younger. There has not been much time for reading lately, however. How about you, Victoria? Do you enjoy reading?"

  "Yes, very much. Would you mind if I borrowed some of your books sometimes?"

  "They are your books now, Victoria. You are welcome to anything that I have."

  Victoria took one last drink of coffee; then she placed the cup on the table beside her. "I am feeling almost human now, Edward. If you are ready, I would like a tour of your home."

  "I hope you will come to think of Rio del Lobo as your home, Victoria."

  "At the moment I am overpowered by the vastness and grandeur of it,,; she said.

  "Please keep in mind as I show you through the rooms, that if there are any changes you would like to make, or any redecorating you would like to do, you have only to say the word."

  "I would never do that, Edward. Do you think I would move into your home and change the decor?"

  "Maybe if you were to redecorate, with your own taste in mind, it would seem more like your home. You told me the things one surrounds oneself with reflect one's personality. I want our home to reflect you, Victoria." He spoke with such sincerity, Victoria was convinced he spoke the truth.

  Edward was so different from the man of last night. He was patient and eager to answer all her questions as he showed her through the house and told her the history of Rio del Lobo.

  They were in the huge room which was used for entertaining. The carpet was a deep-red color, with dark paneling on the walls. The fireplace was so large Victoria thought surely one could burn a whole tree in it. She noticed a portrait, hanging on the wall above the fireplace. It was the painting of a beautiful young woman with dark eyes and dark hair. Her face was so lovely Victoria thought surely the artist had made a mistake. No one could be that beautiful.

  "My mother," Edward told her.

  "It is easy to see you get your dark coloring from her."

  "My father had an artist come from England to paint her the first year of their marriage. I will have to see about having your portrait done," he said lightly.

  "Tell me about your mother and father," Victoria said.

  Edward smiled. "My father was the third son of an English earl. He quarreled with hi
s father—I never knew what the quarrel was about—anyway, my father came to Texas and loved the wild untamed land. He met my mother, the daughter of a Spanish don, at a party. She was betrothed at an early age to someone her father had chosen for her, but she fell in love with my father. They ran away and were married. Her father became enraged, and cut her out of his life. In spite of that, they were very happy. My father built Rio del Lobo for her."

  "How romantic," Victoria said, looking at the portrait. "Please tell me more about them. What were their names?"

  "Father's name was Michael, my mother was called Mariana," Edward said, looking down at her. "I see I have caught your interest, Victoria."

  "Please continue," she said.

  "You will hear many stories about my father, about his ambition and his ruthlessness. Many of the things said about him may be true. His drive in life was to acquire more land, raise more cattle, and make more money. He built the Hanover Empire, and allowed nothing and no one to stand in his way.

  "Am I boring you?" Edward asked.

  "No, please go on."

  "At the time, Texas was a part of Mexico. To own land, one had to be of Catholic faith. My father, being of English nobility, was of course a Protestant. He embraced the Catholic faith, simply to be able to live and own land in Texas."

  "You are not a Catholic, are you?" Victoria asked, since she and Edward had been married in a Protestant ceremony.

  "No, my father insisted I be raised as a Protestant." Edward let his eyes linger on her face for a moment; then he continued. "I have only my boyhood memories of my father. When I was sixteen, I was sent away to school in England. When I returned at nineteen, he was dead."

  "How very sad," Victoria told him. "Were you lonely while you were in England, Edward?"

  "Yes. I never wanted to be away from Texas or Rio del Lobo."

  "Please go on with your story."

  "The rest is what you might expect. My father had taught me well, so that I could one day take over the running of Rio del Lobo, as I shall teach our son, Victoria."

  His eyes burned into hers. Victoria looked away from him.

  "Tell me more about your mother," she said, changing the subject.

  "My mother was gentle and kind. She was a good influence on my father, who adored her and would do anything for her. She was very much like you in many ways, Victoria. She cared about others, and was very courageous."

  Victoria looked at him in surprise. Did he really feel she had those qualities?

  "Your mother died while you were away at war?"

  "That is correct," Edward said, raising his face to the portrait.

  "You have no family now?"

  Edward turned and looked down at her. "I have you, Victoria," he said simply.

  She had never seen this side of him. There was a sadness about him. She longed to comfort him. His next words, however, made her realize she had been mistaken.

  Edward drew her to him and looked down into her eyes. "What Rio del Lobo needs, Victoria, is the sound of children's laughter."

  "It is always Rio del Lobo you think of, isn't it?" she said angrily.

  "We are one and the same. You accept one, you get the other. I hope that one day you will come to love Rio del Lobo as I do."

  "How can I love Rio del Lobo when my heart is in Georgia, Edward?"

  The soft look in his eyes turned to scorn. "To hell with Georgia! Paul O'Brian will never have you, Victoria. What is mine, I keep, and you are mine."

  Edward walked away from her. "Come, Victoria, the tour is over. Juanita will have lunch ready."

  They dined in a small informal dining room. Edward sat across the table from her, silent and brooding. Gone was the companionship of the morning. Victoria knew now what had made him angry today as well as last night. He thought she was in love with Paul. She wondered how he could be so blind. Maybe it would be good to let him continue to believe she loved Paul; then she could hide her love for him behind false pretenses. After last night she was more determined than ever that she must guard her feelings from Edward.

  Edward interrupted her thoughts. "What will you do with Farraday Plantation once you are cleared?"

  "You mean if I am cleared, don't you?"

  "No, you will be. I always accomplish what I set out to do."

  Victoria did not doubt him as she saw the determined look on his face.

  "I have not thought about it. The idea that I might be free to return to Georgia is still new to me."

  "You will never be free, Victoria. Observe your prison," he said, with a sweeping motion of his hand.

  She looked about her at the luxury that surrounded her. Rio del Lobo was her prison, and Edward was the keeper.

  "Maybe you would consider selling the plantation," Edward continued.

  She rose to her feet quickly. "Never! You cannot force me to sell Farraday!"

  He smiled. "Do not think I would not like to, so you can break all ties with Georgia, but we will drop the subject for the moment."

  Juanita had removed their plates and brought in dessert. Edward pushed his aside. "Have you thought more about my suggestion of going to Jamaica?"

  "If that is what you would like, I will go with you," Victoria told him. She toyed with the peach cobbler, and finally pushed it aside.

  "Good," Edward said. "Dan should be out at the end of this week. If he pronounces you fit, we will leave the next weekend."

  "I am surprised you can get away from Rio del Lobo."

  "Estancio can handle it while we are away. Now, if you will excuse me," Edward said, rising, "I will write to my friends so they will be expecting us. Maybe you should rest this afternoon, Victoria."

  Edward went to his study and wrote to Dorothea and Cullem Marshall. He felt he should get Victoria out of the country, just on the slim chance that Price could not clear her in Georgia. He would not turn her over to the authorities under any circumstances. If he had to sell Rio del Lobo and live abroad, he would not give her up.

  That evening after dinner, Edward and Victoria walked in the garden. Fall was in the air and the leaves had started to change.

  "How easy it would be to forget there is a world outside Rio del Lobo when one is in this lovely garden, Edward."

  "That is the way I feel sometimes," he told her. He led her to a marble bench and sat down beside her. "Tell me about your plantation, Victoria."

  Her eyes got a faraway look in them. "It was the only home I ever knew. I grew up there, thinking life would always be much the same. Safe, secure, happy. By Rio del Lobo's standards, it is small, five hundred and fifty acres. The house was a Georgian manor house. The back lawn sloped down to the Savannah River. It was peaceful, beautiful. Your house is three times bigger than my home was, but it was mine, and I loved it."

  "Yet you burned it, Victoria. Why?"

  "I could not allow the Yankees to burn it!"

  Her eyes flashed dangerously. He could almost see her standing with her father's pistol in her hand, defying the intruders. She was so small and very young, yet she was courageous, one who met life on her own terms. He felt pride for this half-girl, half-woman, who was his wife. It was the woman in her, however, who caused his pulse to race with a longing to possess her.

  "I wanted to tell you that I have to go away for a few days, Victoria. It is unavoidable, or I would never consider leaving you."

  She looked at him. "How long will you be away, Edward?"

  "Three or four days at the most." He slipped his arm about her shoulder. "Will you miss me, Victoria?"

  She knew she would miss him very much. The thought of being separated from him was so painful, she wanted to beg him to remain. Instead she said:

  "I will keep busy while you are away. There are many books in your library I would like to read."

  He lifted her chin up to his face. "Why could you not tell one small lie and say you would pine for me until I returned?"

  "I dislike deceit above all things," Victoria said, knowing she was being very
deceitful.

  "Will you not kiss your husband good-by then? I will be gone before sunup."

  Edward lowered his head and kissed her tenderly. She felt the familiar longing and returned his kiss, causing him to crush her to him. Her arms went around his neck. She could feel her heart beating loudly. Edward released her suddenly, and stared down at her in surprise, his eyes dark with passion. "Beware, Victoria, that you do not light a fire within me that I will be unable to control. Last night you were lucky. Next time you might not be so fortunate. I have to remind myself of your injury."

  She withdrew from him, her body trembling from his kiss. She loved him so deeply that it frightened her.

  Edward stood up and offered her his hand. "Come, I will see you to your room." He lifted her in his arms when they came to the staircase. He put her down gently at the top and walked her to her door. He traced the outline of her lips with his finger.

  "Good night, Victoria. I will see you in a few days."

  She watched him walk away from her, feeling helpless and very much alone.

  Edward did not return in three or four days, as he had told Victoria he would. Each day had seemed endless. Victoria had tried to keep busy so she would not miss him so badly. She had no visitors; everyone tactfully left the newly weds to themselves. She spent most of her time in the garden, taking a book with her, trying to pass the lonely hours. She began to feel apprehensive. What if Edward were injured somewhere, or worse? Why did he not return?

  Dan had come on Friday, removed her bandages, and pronounced her well enough to travel. He did not ask her about Edward, so she assumed Dan knew where he was. What had been so important that he had to attend to it himself? she wondered.

  Edward had received word from Ray Courtney to come at once; he had located the whereabouts of Corporal Fish. They had spent one day going over documents and deciding on the best course to take. Then Edward sealed a packet and rode to Galveston himself, placing the information on board a ship to insure that it would reach Price Williams as quickly as possible.

  Edward was weary as he rode home. He spurred his horse on to a greater pace. He had missed Victoria more than he had imagined he would. When he reached the gates of Rio del Lobo, he urged his horse even faster. He could not wait to see her. Rio del Lobo would not be lonely now. She would be waiting for him.