Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  He went through the house, calling her name. Juanita came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her white apron.

  "So you have returned, Senor Eduardo. Shame on you for leaving your little bride alone," she scolded.

  "Where is she, Juanita?"

  "In the garden. It would serve you right if she had not been here when you returned."

  Edward ignored Juanita and hurried through the back of the house and out into the garden. He looked about him, unable to locate her. He crossed the bridge and made his way to the fountain. There he saw her under the shade of a tree, curled up on a lounge, fast asleep. The book she had been reading had fallen to the ground.

  He stood over her, letting his eyes take in her loveliness. Her golden hair was spread about her. Her face was resting on her hand. He knelt down beside her. The familiar scent of lilac engulfed him. Edward bent his head and kissed her satiny cheek. She awoke slowly. Was it joy he saw in her eyes?

  Victoria sat up. "I did not expect you today since it is getting so late."

  He rose to his feet. "I apologize for being away so long, but it was unavoidable."

  "Have you eaten?" she asked, picking up the book that had fallen to the ground, and rising to her feet.

  "No, I could not wait to return to my bride." His eyes were mocking. "See how I rushed to your side. I did not even stop to wash the trail dust away."

  "I will see to your dinner while you bathe, Edward."

  "Mrs. Hanover, we have hardly been married a week and already you order me about," he teased. "Will you sit with me while I dine?"

  "Yes, of course, if you like."

  They had reached the house. "I will not be long," he told her, going quickly up the stairs.

  Victoria sat beside Edward while he ate. "Tell me how you have filled your time while I have been away."

  "I read mostly, but I became very bored, Edward. I am not a person who can sit by doing nothing. I have to keep busy. I was mistress of Farraday for many years. I do not like being idle."

  "It is only natural you should chafe at inactivity, Victoria, but do not forget you have been injured. When we return from Jamaica, you will have your hands full taking care of this house and keeping me in line."

  She wrinkled her nose and gave him an impish smile. "I wonder if anyone could keep you in line, Edward."

  He laughed. "Something tells me you will be able to, Victoria. You have already proved it on numerous occasions."

  Later that evening, Victoria and Edward sat in his study. He was working at his desk and she sat on the leather couch, sewing on a piece of needlepoint her grandmother had given her.

  Edward looked up at her and smiled. Her face was drawn up in a frown as she concentrated on what she was doing. He leaned back in his chair and watched her. How different his house was now that she had come. It was as if her presence changed the whole atmosphere.

  Victoria felt his eyes on her and looked up at him. She sighed and gathered up her sewing.

  "Why do you stop? I like to see you doing little domestic things," he told her.

  "I am afraid I am a lost cause when it comes to needlework."

  "Perhaps your talents lie in another direction, Victoria."

  "Maybe."

  "You could always sketch."

  "Yes, I do enjoy that, but I have misplaced my sketching pad somewhere."

  Edward smiled, opened a drawer in his desk, and removed her sketching pad. "Could this be it, Victoria?"

  "Yes. Where did you find it?"

  "You dropped it by the river that day when you were so angry with me."

  "Why did you not return it?"

  "Let us say it was another memento."

  Edward closed his desk drawer, walked over, and sat down beside her. He flipped to the page that held his own likeness.

  "You are quite good, Victoria."

  She stared down in horror at the sketch she had done of Edward. She had forgotten all about drawing him. "I like to sketch interesting faces."

  "Do you think mine is interesting?" Edward asked, studying her face.

  Victoria looked at him. "You are probably the most handsome man I have ever met." She had not meant to say it; the words had just slipped out.

  Edward drew in his breath. "Then we have something in common, Victoria. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Our children should be exceptional, don't you think? Did Dan come by while I was away?"

  Victoria nodded, not liking where the conversation was heading.

  "Did he remove the bandages?"

  She nodded.

  "Did he say you were healed?"

  "Yes, he did. Edward, I have been thinking; I want to continue with my Spanish lessons," she said, changing the subject.

  He smiled. "I am pleased. How would you like it if I became your tutor?"

  "Would you do that, Edward?"

  "It would be my pleasure. There are many things I would like to teach you, Victoria," he said meaningfully.

  "When can we start?"

  "Start what?" He grinned.

  "The Spanish lessons," she said indignantly.

  He threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, Victoria, you are truly amazing. Being married to you will be anything but boring. We will start tomorrow. We will set aside one hour every day. Before long you will be speaking like a native. Would you like to retire now, Victoria?" he said, looking deeply into her eyes and pushing a stray curl from her face.

  "Yes," she told him, gathering up her sewing. "I am rather tired."

  Edward rose and slipped his arm about her waist. "Perhaps you misread my meaning." He drew her to him, and laid his face to hers. "I have waited a long time for tonight, Victoria."

  Victoria felt trapped. She had been dreading this night. She searched her mind for a way to save herself. She felt his lips on her throat.

  "I do not think I could have gone one more day," he whispered. Edward laced his fingers through her hair. "Relax, darling, I promise you a night of pleasure." His lips traveled up her throat to seek her mouth. "You are so sweet in your innocence, Victoria."

  She struggled in his arms.

  "Do not worry. Juanita has gone to bed. We are quite alone." He pulled her tightly against him. Victoria felt his hands slide down to her waist as he molded her body to his.

  She pulled away from him. "Please let me go," she pleaded. "Surely you do not intend to . . . for me to—

  Edward smiled. "We are married, you know. I believe it is the usual procedure."

  Victoria's eyes were frightened. He reached out and caressed her cheek.

  "Do not be frightened of me, Victoria. I promise I will be very tender with you."

  "No!" she said backing away from him. "Please, I beg you, do not do this. I do not want you to touch me."

  Edward's face clouded. "I never had a woman beg me not to make love to her before."

  Victoria bristled. "I am sure you have not. I am not one of your women who long for your embrace."

  "Is it so distasteful, the thought of my making love to you?"

  "That was not part of the bargain we made. If you remember, I told you I would be mistress of Rio del Lobo, Edward. I do not intend to share your bed. I have not forgotten how you persuaded me to marry you."

  He looked at her angrily. "No matter, Victoria. What you prize so highly, I can easily get somewhere else."

  She shook her head in disbelief. "How can you say such things to me?"

  "Go to bed, Victoria. I am weary of this conversation."

  She moved across the room, her heart beating so loudly she wondered if he could hear it.

  Later Victoria lay in her bed. She had not wanted to quarrel with Edward. She knew she had provoked him. Why was she so frightened of her feelings for him? Her body ached for his touch. She wanted more than anything to feel his lips on hers, and yet, she knew if she gave herself to him she would be lost forever.

  "Oh, Edward, I love you so deeply," she cried. Each day her love for him grew, and each night her fear
of him increased.

  The next morning she rose early to find Edward had already ridden out, leaving instructions he would not return until dinner. Juanita was angry with Edward for treating the little senora in such a manner.

  Victoria walked down to visit with Consuelo after lunch. She played with little Roberto, and held the baby, Vickie—which is what the Delgados had decided to call their infant daughter.

  Afterward Victoria went to the stables to see Rebel. She found Old Ned brushing Rebel's shiny coat.

  "Glad you came to see Rebel. He has missed you. He don't know you have been sick."

  She rubbed the black stallion's coat. "How is he taking to his new home, Ned?"

  "He likes it just fine, Miss Victoria."

  "How do you like living at Rio del Lobo, Ned?"

  He beamed at her. "I like it just fine, too, Miss Victoria."

  She only stayed a short time and returned to the house. Juanita met her at the door all excited.

  "Senora, you will not believe the pretty things that have come for you today. Come to your bedroom," she told Victoria excitedly.

  Victoria followed Juanita up the stairs and into her bedroom. Her bed was heaped with boxes of all sizes.

  "Hurry and open them, Senora!" Juanita urged her.

  "Where did they come from?"

  "They came from San Antonio. Senor Eduardo had them made for you."

  Victoria caught some of Juanita's enthusiasm. She opened the boxes. Each gown seemed to be more beautiful than the last.

  There were delicate undergarments, nightgowns, robes, shoes, bonnets. She could hardly believe her eyes. Expensive silks, velvets, satins, dresses for morning wear and evening, and a lovely wine-colored riding habit.

  "I do not understand, Juanita. How could he know my size?"

  "Consuelo told him, Senora Victoria," Juanita said, smiling.

  Victoria left her room and went downstairs and out into the garden. She could see that Edward intended to lavish her with luxuries. If he only knew how little it all meant to her. All she really wanted from him was a simple thing: his heart.

  As the coach drove away from Rio del Lobo, the sky was overcast and a chilling wind was blowing out of the north. Victoria looked out the window. She watched as the trees bowed their branches under the onslaught; dry leaves were blowing across the road.

  There was no joy in Victoria's heart at the forthcoming trip. Edward had been cold and withdrawn ever since the night they had quarreled. Although he had continued to dine with her at the evening meal, and he had given her Spanish lessons as he had promised, Victoria would have welcomed an argument, anything but this brooding silence. She looked at him. He sat beside her, his handsome face giving her no hint of his mood. She had half-expected him to cancel their honeymoon trip to Jamaica; she had hoped he would.

  Estancio was to drive them to Galveston where Edward had booked passage on a ship that would take them to Jamaica. As the coach went through Cedarville, Victoria saw the skeleton of the new schoolhouse that was under construction. Her mind wandered back to the box supper. Victoria remembered how much she had enjoyed being with Edward that day. Of course, that was before she knew she loved him.

  Victoria felt Edward shift his weight beside her. She had not slept well the night before, and the rocking of the coach and the rhythm of the horses hoofs soon made her feel drowsy. She leaned her head against the leather seat and fell asleep. She awoke suddenly as she felt Edward draw her to him. He pulled her across his lap and nestled her head against his chest. She could hear the beating of his heart, and a feeling of contentment came to her. Victoria closed her eyes and slept.

  When she awoke sometime later, she saw that Edward also slept. His legs were propped on the seat opposite them. His head rested against the leather cushion. He still held her in his arms. Victoria felt the moment belonged to her. She could observe him without his being aware of it. His face was so handsome. He somehow looked very young* and vulnerable. Victoria looked at his long silky lashes, his strong, sensitive mouth. She wished she dared to kiss his lips. Oh, my darling, I love you so very much, she thought.

  She saw Edward's eyes open slowly. The brown depths held her prisoner. His arms tightened about her. How long she lay there looking into his eyes, she did not know. Suddenly the coach stopped and Estancio opened the door.

  "This is where you said you wanted to have lunch, Patron." The spell was broken. Victoria sat up and allowed Estancio to help her alight.

  Later they continued their journey. Edward told her they would spend the night in San Antonio. She was looking forward to seeing the town held in such reverence by so many Texans.

  "Tell me about San Antonio,' Victoria said, pulling her cloak about her for more warmth.

  "Never ask a Texan about San Antonio unless you want to hear a long testimonial, Victoria."

  "You are speaking of the Alamo, are you not?"

  "You know about the Alamo?"

  "No, not really. Bodine told me there was a battle there which the Texans lost. Why should a defeat be something to take pride in Edward?"

  He smiled at her "Yes, they lost the battle, but won the war." As he talked, she could hear the pride in his voice. "One hundred and eighty men held the small mission against Santa Anna's army of thousands for thirteen days."

  "Santa Anna was the Mexican general?"

  "Yes, and he was president of Mexico, also. Anyway," Edward continued, "Travis, who was the commander of the Texans, gave all the one hundred eighty men the choice to leave the mission or stay and fight. All the defenders chose to stay, knowing they faced certain death. They held up the Mexican forces for thirteen days—long enough for Sam Houston to group his forces and defeat Santa Anna at San Jacinto."

  "What happened to the defenders of the Alamo?"

  "They were all killed."

  "Surely not all of them?" she said, her eyes wide in horror.

  "To a man."

  "How very sad. I do not think I like your Alamo. I hate war." Her eyes became misty.

  "I did not tell you to make you sad. Maybe you have to be born a Texan to feel pride for the brave men who died so that Texas could be free."

  "A lot of brave men die in war," Victoria said hotly. "My father, for example. I do not feel pride that he died a hero, only a great loss and frustration. Had I been his son instead of his daughter, I would have taken up arms and avenged his death."

  Edward raised his eyebrow. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, Victoria?"

  "Exactly!"

  "Then maybe you did have your revenge."

  "No, the Yankee I shot at Farraday was to avenge Bess and to protect myself." Victoria smiled and looked at Edward defiantly. "Would you care for me to extract my revenge from you, Yankee?"

  "Maybe you already have, Victoria, in a much more painful way than if you had shot me."

  What did he mean? she wondered, confused. "Everything bad that has happened to me lately has been because of a Yankee in one way or another, Edward."

  He looked at her, his face a blank, but the muscle that twitched in his jaw told her she had made him angry again. She sighed and looked out the window. The first day of their trip had not gone well at all, and it was not over yet.

  After a long silence, Edward spoke:

  "As I have told you before, Victoria, you are very intelligent for a woman."

  She turned to him. "What do you mean for a woman?"

  "It has not been my experience to find brains an attribute with the women in my past."

  "Pity. You must have had some very dull times." "Intelligence was not a requirement I looked for in female companionship. If I had wanted stimulating conversation, I could

  always have talked to Dan."

  "Do you require intelligence in a wife, Edward? You are so meticulous, perhaps you could write me a note each morning stating if you would like me to be intelligent or complacent."

  Edward laughed. "You, my dear wife, do not know the meaning of complacency; would that you di
d."

  She gave him a scalding look. "Would you like me if I were a simpering female who pined of love for

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her against him roughly. "I did not say I did not like you. I married you, didn't I?"

  "Yes," she whispered, "and I still do not know why."

  Edward's face was very near hers. "Suppose I told you, Victoria, that I burned with love for you and that I can think of nothing but you soft and yielding in my arms."

  "Please let me go," she pleaded. "Do not mock me."

  Edward released her. They remained silent until the coach reached San Antonio.

  The suite they occupied was two bedrooms divided by a sitting room. There was a bouquet of carnations and a bowl of fruit with a card from the management. The hotel had rolled out the red carpet for them. The manager tended to all their wants personally. It was apparent he was impressed with the owner of Rio del Lobo.

  Victoria dressed in one of the new gowns Edward had purchased for her. It was blue velvet. The neckline was cut lower than anything she had ever worn before. She pulled her hair on top of her head and secured it with ivory combs. How different she looked in the elegant gown. The gowns Consuelo had made for her were for a young girl. This was a gown for a woman.

  The diamond pendant Edward had given her glittered in the light. Victoria felt nervous. Would he think her beautiful?

  She walked into the sitting room. Edward was attractively dressed in a black suit and white shirt. His handsome head was bent over the newspaper he was reading.

  "I hope I did not keep you waiting," Victoria said.

  Edward looked up. His gaze traveled over her. He laid the newspaper aside and rose slowly to his feet, his eyes taking in every detail of Victoria's appearance.

  The blue velvet gown hugged her shapely body. The color made her eyes seem almost violet. He noticed her creamy breasts that were revealed by the low-cut neckline. There was no evidence of the young girl; instead, a cool, sophisticated breathtakingly beautiful woman stood before him.

  "No," Edward said, "you did not keep me waiting, and if you had, it would be worth the wait. You are lovely, Victoria."