Victoria closed her eyes and turned her face to the wall. She was frightened at the thought of him being so near her. She heard him enter. He blew out the lamp and undressed slowly. She felt the bed shift under his weight as he sat down to remove his boots and set them on the floor. His nearness was almost more than Victoria could stand.
She felt the bed move as he stretched out beside her. The covers moved slightly as he drew them over his body. She bit her lip and tried to think of something, anything that would take her mind off him.
"Victoria, I told you, you have nothing to fear from me," Edward told her.
"I know; it is just that I have never slept with a man before."
"You do not know how relieved I am to hear you say that." He laughed, then his voice grew serious. "Before God and man we are husband and wife, Victoria. It is perfectly natural we should sleep together."
"You will stay on your side of the bed?"
"You have my word." He had heard the fear in her voice. "Good night, Victoria."
"Good night," she whispered.
She lay awake listening to his breathing. If she wanted to, she could reach out and touch him, and she wanted to very badly. The small cabin was filled with his presence. She felt the bed move as he turned to face her. She held her breath, wanting him to reach out to her, yet afraid he would.
Edward lay awake. The scent of lilacs dulled his senses. His desire for her was so strong he had to fight the urge to reach out and draw her to him. Maybe he had outsmarted himself. He had thought he had been so clever when he had manipulated the situation so that she would have to share her bed with him.
Think of something else, he told himself, unable to transfer his thoughts from her lying in a thin nightgown so nearby. He lay for a long time, staring at the ceiling. At last he heard her soft even breathing that told him she was asleep. Finally he fell asleep too, lulled by the gentle swaying of the ship.
Sometime during the night Edward was awakened from a sound sleep. He felt something soft against his body. Victoria had rolled over against him. He felt the silkiness of her nightgown against his legs. Her head was against his arm. He drew in his breath. The night was cold and she sought the warmth of his body. He felt the soft curves of her body against his. He lay rigid beside her. Her face was nestled on his arm. He felt the blood pounding in his head. He would never know if he would have broken his promise; Victoria awoke and stared into his face so near her own.
The light of the full moon lit the room with a soft glow. In her half-dreamlike state, Victoria did not know if she was asleep or awake. She only knew she was in the arms of the man she loved and he was looking at her, his eyes burning with desire.
She smiled, ever so slightly. Her lips moved to his. She only intended to give him a quick kiss, but when her lips touched his, it was as if the floodgates opened and she was overpowered by a tidal wave of feelings, feelings she had never felt before.
She felt his arms tighten about her and felt the bliss of being drawn tightly against his body. She melted against him. He was kissing her wildly, and she was responding. His hands caressed her body, causing new heights of emotions.
"Victoria," he whispered over and over, "you are driving me out of my mind. I have waited more patiently for you than any other woman." His lips came down on hers hungrily. "Please do not be frightened," he whispered. "I will be very gentle with you."
Her arms tightened about his neck. She could feel his powerful muscles under her fingers as she caressed his back. Her lips sought him once more. "Oh, Edward, Edward," she cried. Her body trembled under his touch. He was kissing her eyes, her lips, her neck.
"You smell of lilacs, Victoria," he whispered. "I can smell it even when you are across the room from me. Do you wear it because you know it drives me out of my mind?"
Edward felt her stiffen in his arms, and pull away. She closed her eyes. How easy it would be, she thought, to give herself to this man she loved. She wanted him to make love to her so badly, but once again, her pride came to her rescue. She knew she must save herself.
"Paul bought me a bottle of lilac eau de cologne for Christmas one year and asked me to always wear the scent for him." Her voice sounded like a stranger's, she thought; it showed none of what she was feeling.
Edward shoved her from him. "Damn you, Victoria! Damn you to hell! If you think I am going to make love to you so you can pretend it is Paul O'Brian, you are badly mistaken." He rose from the bed, dressed quickly, and left the cabin, slamming the door.
She lay on the bed, feeling emotionally drained. Tears she could not stop soaked into her pillow. "Oh, Edward, my love, why do you torture me so? Why do you play on my weakness for you?"
She had been on the verge of pouring her heart out to him. She wondered if it would have been so bad if she had. Her reasoning told her it would have been a disaster. She remembered Clarissa and Monica. She would not let him break her, she vowed. She lay there and watched the room grow bright from the sunlight.
She rose and dressed carefully, wondering where Edward was. She dreaded facing him. There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Victoria called softly.
One of the deck hands opened the door. He tipped his cap to Victoria.
"Ma'am, Mr. Hanover sent me to get his trunk. Says I'm to move it to the cabin down the hall."
Victoria showed him which trunk was Edward's and held herself in check until he left.
Married life was not what her girlhood dreams had led her to believe. Victoria was grateful that Edward had found a cabin after all. She could not stand another scene like the one that had taken place last night. Her body was no longer hers to control; it had betrayed her last night. Next time she knew she would not be able to save herself.
Neither Edward nor Victoria mentioned that first night on board the Blue Dolphin. They settled into a routine. Edward ate his meals with Victoria, and continued to give her Spanish lessons, but the rest of the time he spent on deck with the captain.
Sometimes Victoria would catch Edward watching her, but his expression was unreadable. He was cold and polite. Only once did she get him to talk to her with anything other than his usual politeness.
They were sitting in the small lounge which had been set up for the passengers' comfort. This was where Edward insisted on giving her the Spanish lessons each day.
"Tell me about your friends in Jamaica," Victoria had asked him.
"As I told you, their names are Cullem and Dorothea Marshall. They were friends of my father and mother. I suppose they are the closest thing I have to a family, Victoria. Cullem is big and jolly, and Dorothea is tiny and vivacious. They have the kind of marriage that many people envy. You can feel the love and affection they have for each other when you are around them. Their home is a very happy one."
"Have they any children?"
"Two boys. Michael, who was named for my father, and Terrence. They are away at school in England."
"They sound very nice. I am looking forward to meeting them."
"They will like you, Victoria," Edward said, taking her hand and staring down at the wedding ring he had given her. Then he excused himself and left her.
Victoria said good-by to the passengers and crew with little regret. It had not been a happy voyage for her, and she was glad it had come to an end. Edward helped her down the gangplank and steered her through the crowd of people. He searched the faces about him; finally his eyes lit up and he waved to someone in the crowd.
A large man came toward them. He had gray hair and shiny blue eyes. There were wrinkles about his eyes, showing that he smiled a lot.
"Welcome, welcome," he boomed to Edward.
The two men embraced. "Son, it is time you came to see us." He turned to Victoria. "Good lord, Edward, you did not tell me you married an angel." He enfolded her in a bear hug.
"Victoria," Edward said, laughing, "this big man who is crushing your bones is Cullem Marshall."
She smiled warmly, not attempting to dislodge herself from his grip.
"How do you do, Mr. Marshall?"
"None of that Mr. Marshall business; you are to call me Cullem." Victoria smiled, warming to the giant man who somehow reminded her of Bodine. "You are the prettiest thing I have seen in a long time. Let's get her out of this crowd," he told Edward. "I'll have Hamp see to your trunks." Cullem steered Victoria to a buggy and lifted her into it, leaving Edward to make his own way. "Dorothea cannot wait to meet you," he told Victoria. "She has the cottage turned inside out, getting it ready for your visit."
Cullem and Edward climbed into the buggy. Cullem seated himself beside Victoria, leaving Edward no choice but to sit across from them.
"You have had her for the whole trip," Cullem said matter-of-factly. "Now it is my turn."
Edward looked into Victoria's eyes. "You are right," he said dully. "I have had her the whole trip.
"Dorothea has had the cook prepare all your favorite dishes, Edward. She likes to mother him," he said to Victoria. "I was sorry to hear about your dear mother, Son. I know how hard it was for you."
"Yes, I miss her a lot, Cullem."
"We all do, Son, we all do."
They were soon on their way. The buggy moved swiftly through the city and out into open country. Edward and Cullem were busy getting caught up on all the news. Victoria was only half-listening to their conversation. She was studying the lush green countryside. Beautiful as it was it felt alien to her. What was she doing here? Why had she agreed to come here with Edward. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the upholstered seat. What lay ahead for her and Edward? Would they continue this silent war?
Unaware she was being observed by both men, Victoria gave a helpless sigh. Cullem cupped her chin in one big hand and frowned. "You are exhausted, aren't you?" he said kindly.
She smiled. "A little, I am afraid."
"No wonder. The sea voyage would be trying for the strongest of men, and you are a little slip of a girl. You must rest this afternoon."
Victoria looked at Edward. "Yes, I think perhaps you are right." Then, drawing the attention away from herself, she asked Cullem if he knew the names of the flowers that grew along the roadway. He smiled and began telling her the names of many of the flowers and pointing out things that he thought might interest her. "There are many waterfalls in Jamaica," he told her. "The beauty of them is not to be believed. Edward must show you some of them."
Victoria liked Cullem. He was friendly and affectionate. She could see the closeness between him and Edward.
"Tell me, Son, how did you manage to get this lovely angel to marry you?" Cullem asked.
Edward smiled at Victoria. "It was my irresistible charm," he said.
"I am glad you finally got married. Dorothea, who likes to see everyone happily married, gave up on you a long time ago. Victoria, we have not planned anything for you," Cullem said, turning his attention once more to her. "Dorothea thought as you were on your honeymoon, she would leave you to yourselves, though we both hope you are going to spend some of your time with us."
Victoria smiled at him, not knowing what to reply. "How far is your plantation?" she asked.
"It is about twelve miles from town. If you will look to your right, you will see banana trees growing."
"Is that what you raise on your plantation, Cullem?"
"Yes, that and coffee," he told her.
"It will be interesting to see coffee growing," Victoria said.
"Victoria was raised on a plantation," Edward told Cullem.
"I am afraid our crops were not nearly as exciting as yours. We raised cotton and tobacco."
"Well, Victoria," Cullem told her, "we have a lot in common. Maybe you would like to visit the fields one day."
Her face brightened. "I would like that very much, Cullem, if you could find the time."
He gave a hearty laugh. "I can assure you it would be my pleasure to show you around. Do you ride?
We have some very gentle mares that are suitable for a lady's mount."
Victoria grinned mischievously. "I will try not to embarrass my husband by being unseated by a gentle mount."
Edward smiled as he watched Victoria work her magic on Cullem. Was anyone immune to her charm? he wondered.
A short time later they pulled off the main thoroughfare and onto a private road that led to the plantation house. The house was not unlike Farraday; it was built in the Greek style, only the Marshall home was much larger than Farraday had been.
Victoria noticed a woman standing on the steps. Edward leaped out of the buggy and up the steps before the horses had halted. He grabbed the woman and swung her around; then embraced her and kissed her on the cheek.
Cullem helped Victoria to alight and led her up the steps to his wife. The woman took Victoria's hand and looked into her face. "So, you are Victoria." Her once-red hair was laced with gray; her hazel eyes were shining with tears. "Oh, my dear, I am so happy to meet you."
She hugged Victoria to her. Victoria felt herself warm to the tiny woman who was inches shorter than herself.
"You have got to love us, Victoria," Dorothea told her, "because we are going to love you; I can tell." She put her arm about Victoria's waist, and led her up the stairs. "My, that is a pretty dress you are wearing. Tell me all about Texas, it has been years since I have visited there." She chatted on and on, hardly giving Victoria time to answer.
Victoria had never met anyone who made her feel so at home. Cullem and Dorothea seemed determined to make her feel a part of their family.
They lunched on the veranda. Victoria enjoyed the chilled melon, and fish that was baked in a lemon-and-almond sauce. Later, over coffee, Dorothea asked Victoria about her family.
"I have no family except my grandmother and Bodine."
Dorothea smiled. "I see why you and Edward were drawn to each other. You are both without family."
Cullem laughed. "Dorothea, after twenty-five years of marriage you still surprise me. Family must have been the last thing on Edward's mind when he proposed to Victoria, unless he was thinking of starting a family of his own."
Victoria blushed and avoided Edward's gaze.
"Enough, Cullem!" Dorothea scolded. "You have embarrassed Victoria. Pay him no mind, my dear. Tell me, Edward, where did you meet Victoria? You did not say in your letter."
Edward's eyes rested on Victoria. "I met her at a picnic, and was lost from the first moment I looked into her eyes."
Victoria's eyes flashed dangerously. How dare he make a joke at her expense.
"And did you immediately fall for Edward?" Dorothea asked.
Victoria smiled sweetly at Edward. "I understand none of the ladies are immune to his charms. Why should I be any different?"
"Why, indeed?" Edward said dryly. "You look tired, Victoria. Maybe you should take Cullem's earlier suggestion and rest this afternoon."
She nodded in agreement and thanked Dorothea and Cullem for lunch.
Edward walked Victoria to the cottage that was about one hundred yards from the main house. It was nestled among a grove of trees. It was white with green shutters. A white picket fence surrounded the front yard, reminding Victoria of an enchanted cottage out of a children's fairy tale.
Edward opened the door and waited for her to enter. She looked about the small sitting room. It was as lovely as a dollhouse. White organdy curtains hung at the windows. The room was decorated in bright blues and soft cream colors. There were two bedrooms and a kitchen and a small dining area.
Dorothea had told Victoria she need not worry about meals as she was sending her one of her maids to do the cooking and cleaning. "Come over often," Dorothea had said. "I know you and Edward are on your honeymoon, but you will have the rest of your lives together, and I want to get to know you."
Victoria walked out the back door into the garden. There was a six-foot wall enclosing that area, which was filled with flowers of many different varieties and colors. Their sweet smell was almost overwhelming. Victoria caressed the petals of a yellow rose. She would be so happy her
e, if only Edward loved her.
She walked down the pathway, unaware that Edward followed a few paces behind her, until she discovered a goldfish pond and sat down to watch the fish as they swam through the lily pads. Edward sat down beside her.
"Do you like the cottage, Victoria?" The question was unnecessary, he knew. He could tell from her expression that she did.
"It is lovely, and Dorothea and Cullem are all you said they would be, Edward." She let her hand trail in the water and watched as the water rippled to the side of the pond. She smiled up at Edward. "I wanted a goldfish pond when I was younger. One of my friends had one. I used to sit watching the fish swim in and out through the lily pads for hours."
"I will have one built for you at Rio del Lobo, if you like."
"No, I do not think so, Edward. That was a childhood fantasy which I outgrew along with many other dreams."
Edward frowned. "Would you like to rest now, Victoria?"
"Yes, if you do not mind. You can return to your friends, if you like, Edward."
"No, they would not expect me to return today. We are on our honeymoon, remember?"
"I suppose we must always do what is expected of us.
"Not always, Victoria." Edward rose and extended his hand to help her to her feet. "I am going to walk along the beach. You can decide which of the bedrooms you wish to occupy."
"Is the beach nearby?"
"Yes, it is only a short walk. I will try not to disturb you when I return."
Victoria wished he would invite her to go with him, but he did not. She watched sadly as he walked away.
That evening they dined in the small dining room. Their situation was becoming unbearable. One could almost feel the tension in the air when they were together. Victoria's eyes followed him when she was sure he could not see.
She was no longer a young girl, but a woman who burned with unfulfilled desire for the man she loved. She longed for the touch of his hands, the feel of his lips on hers. The two sides of her battled against each other; the one that wanted Edward to hold her and to love her, and the other side, which was terrified at the prospect.
Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) Page 30