Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Victoria heard the front door open. Looking up, she saw Edward. You are home early, she thought. He walked toward her and sat down on the couch beside her. She laid aside the book that she had been trying to concentrate on.

  "We have mail from home, Victoria."

  She looked at him and saw that his eyes were shining.

  She held her breath. "Is it good news, Edward?"

  "Price wrote that the charges against you have been dropped."

  She sat very still, not able to understand it all at once. "What are you saying, Edward?"

  "You are free, Victoria."

  "Free ... I am free!" She repeated the words, trying to grasp their meaning. She threw her arms about his neck. She was laughing and crying at the same time. "Oh, Edward, I am so happy. It is as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I am free, I am free." She smiled through her tears. "I owe it all to you. Oh, thank you, Edward, thank you.

  "You owe me nothing, Victoria," he said, dislodging her arms from about his neck.

  "Oh, yes, I owe you so much. You have cleared Bodine as well as myself. Tell me how it happened."

  "I do not know all the particulars, Victoria. Price found Corporal Fish and he testified in your favor. It seems he was afraid to come forward with the truth in case it would incriminate him."

  "How did Mr. Williams convince him to testify for me?"

  Edward looked at her. "Greed, Victoria. Price offered him a substantial reward for telling the truth. Anyway, with his testimony and the letters Ray and I wrote in your behalf, the charges were dropped."

  "Edward, I am so happy. Do you see what this means? I can go home." Joy washed over her. "Home," she whispered. "Now I can return to Georgia."

  "Yes," Edward said quietly. "You can return to Georgia, Victoria. I almost forgot," he said, changing the subject. "You have a packet from your grandmother." He handed it to her and watched as she opened it eagerly.

  Victoria read aloud to him:

  "Dear Victoria and Edward,

  "How are things in your vacation paradise? Texas is just not the same without you. I have been keeping busy, but still miss the two of you.

  "Old Ned dropped in last week. He said to tell you Rebel is fine. Bodine sends his love to you, as I do. I am enclosing a letter you received from Paul O'Brian.

  Hurry home. We miss you both.

  "Love, "Grandmother"

  Victoria sat silent for a long time, turning Paul's letter over in her hand.

  "Would you like me to leave while you read your letter from Paul?" Edward asked.

  "No, of course not, Edward. I will read it to you." She opened the letter and began to read aloud:

  "My darling Tory . . ."Then her voice trailed off. "Edward, Paul did not know when he wrote this letter that I was your wife."

  "Apparently not," he said angrily. He rose and walked over to the window. "Read it to yourself, Victoria. I can assure you I have no interest in your precious love letter."

  "Edward, I will not read it if you do not want me to.

  "I don't give a damn what you do."

  Victoria felt a tightening in her throat. She picked up Paul's letter and began to read to herself.

  My darling Tory,

  I am so lonesome for you, I decided to chance writing. A friend of mine promised to post this letter from Augusta, so there will be no way the authorities can trace you through me.

  I rode over to Farraday last «week and just walked around for most of the morning. It made me feel closer to you somehow, remembering all the good times we shared there. Moss said to tell you to come home. Oh, my love, I wish you could. Please let me hear from you. I am enclosing the address of my cousin, Holly, in Charleston. If you will send the letter to her, she will forward it to me.

  There was a tax notice on Farraday and the townhouse, so I paid it for you. I could not stand to see your Farraday on the auction block. Please send me some word of you. I will be waiting. I love you, Tory.

  Yours forever, Paul

  Edward stood silently as she read the letter. He watched as different emotions played across her face. When she finished, she looked up at him.

  "Edward, Paul says there was a tax notice on Farraday Plantation. He ... he paid the taxes for me. Edward, if you will send him the money, I promise I will pay you back every cent. I know Paul can ill afford such a large amount of money."

  "Does he say how much the taxes were?"

  "No, but—"

  "No? It is of little importance. I shall send him sufficient funds. I do not wish to be indebted to Paul O'Brian."

  Victoria gathered up the letters. "I meant what I said, Edward. I will repay you for the taxes, as well as the money you spent on my defense in Georgia."

  He lifted his eyebrow, and said sarcastically. "I was not aware you had any money, Victoria."

  She rose to her feet and faced him defiantly. "You do not know everything about me, Edward."

  He looked at her wearily. "You are wrong, Victoria. I know you very well. You have become very predictable to me. We leave for home at the end of the week. When we reach Galveston, you are free to return to Georgia, if you wish." His voice was devoid of any feeling.

  "Are you sending me away, Edward?" she asked in a shaky voice, her anger forgotten. She could feel her whole world tumbling down about her.

  "I am saying you are free to choose, Victoria."

  He walked away from her, leaving her feeling more alone than she had ever felt in her life. He did not want her anymore, and she could not blame him. She had certainly not been an ideal wife. Victoria wondered how she would bear it if she could never see him again.

  That night they dined with the Marshalls. After dinner, Edward told Cullem and Dorothea of his plan to leave at the end of the week.

  "But you cannot leave. You cannot take Victoria away from us so soon," Dorothea protested. She put her arm about Victoria. "I have grown so fond of you. You have become the daughter I never had."

  Dorothea noticed Victoria was close to tears, and Edward was acting very strangely. There was something definitely wrong. Dorothea decided it was time for her to take a hand and try to help the two people she loved so dearly.

  "Victoria, you must spend tomorrow with me," Dorothea told her. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can before you leave."

  "Yes, I would like that, Dorothea."

  "Good. Come over early so we will have plenty of time to visit."

  When Edward and Victoria returned to the cottage, he excused himself. "I am going to get up early and ride into town with Cullem to book passage for our return trip," he told her coldly.

  "Edward, are you angry with me because of Paul's letter?"

  "No, Victoria. I have just been facing a few truths concerning us. It was a mistake for us to marry. You will have no trouble acquiring an annulment, as our marriage has been on paper only." He looked at her coldly. "I cannot fight you any longer, Victoria. You have won."

  Won! What did he mean she had won? Without him she would be lost forever. "Edward—"

  He held up his hand. "Save it, Victoria. I am going to bed, and you my love, can go to Georgia, or hell, for all I care."

  Victoria felt the tears behind her eyes. She wanted to run after him to beg him not to send her away. It was almost as if he hated the sight of her.

  That night she cried into her pillow^ feeling very lost and alone.

  Edward stood before the window in his bedroom, and looked out into the starlit night. He knew today he had been defeated. When Victoria had received Paul's letter, he knew for a certainty that his dreams had been destroyed. He remembered Victoria telling him that a Farraday loves only once in a lifetime. He would not try to prevent her from going to Paul. He must be getting soft. He smiled bitterly, thinking of the way he had been in the past, taking his pleasure when he wanted, never caring about the consequences, feeling no compassion for the women he used and tossed aside. He had been brought to his knees by Victoria. She had fought him at every turn
, made him humble, torn his heart out. He supposed it was justice.

  The old loneliness returned to haunt him. He wondered how he would be able to live without her. As hard as it was to have her near and not be able to make love to her, he knew his life would be pointless without her.

  He had not been with a woman since he had met Victoria. He had felt no desire for any woman but her. It was getting almost impossible to stay in the same house with her. He wanted to pour out his love. His body ached to hold her. His sleep was interrupted by visions of her lying in his arms, giving herself to him freely and with love.

  He wondered if he would ever have the courage to let her go. He had to. It was the only way.

  The next morning after breakfast, Victoria walked over to the main house. Edward had been gone when she awoke. Victoria tried to join in the conversation with Dorothea, but her heart was breaking and she could not seem to sit around making polite conversation while her world was falling apart.

  After a light lunch, Dorothea invited Victoria to walk in the garden. They walked about quietly for a while; then Dorothea led Victoria to a wooden bench and sat down beside her. She took Victoria's hand in hers and smiled at her.

  "Victoria, I have become very fond of you in the short time I have known you. It is because I care about you that I am going to do something I very seldom do. I am going to be nosy and ask you some questions. You do not have to answer if you do not want to. You can tell me to mind my own business."

  Victoria smiled sadly at her. "I care a great deal for you, Dorothea. What is it you want to ask me?"

  Dorothea looked her in the eye and said deliberately, "What is wrong between you and Edward?"

  Victoria sat quietly for a moment. Then she said, so softly that Dorothea could hardly hear her, "Edward and I are man and wife in name only. We have never . . . been together."

  "You mean the marriage has not been consummated?"

  Victoria nodded. "It is my fault, Dorothea. I love him so much, but he does not love me."

  "But, my dear, of course Edward loves you. How can you doubt it? Has he never told you?"

  Victoria smiled sadly. "You believe because you and Cullem are so much in love that everyone else feels the same way, but I can assure you it is untrue. Edward did not love me when he married me, and he does not love me now." She looked at Dorothea. "He wants to send me away."

  Dorothea grabbed her by the shoulders. "Victoria, listen to me. You are mistaken. I have seen the love in Edward's eyes when he looks at you. It is there for all the world to see. How could you doubt it?"

  "Oh, Dorothea, if it were only true, but I am afraid you see only what you want to see."

  Dorothea was quiet for a moment. "You wait right here, Victoria. I want to find something to show to you."

  Dorothea left her, moving quickly up the walkway and into the house. Victoria sat on the bench, feeling deflated. Saying the words out loud to Dorothea only made her more miserable. All the hurt and frustration she had been feeling rushed to the surface. She lowered her head and cried softly.

  Dorothea soon rejoined her and placed a letter into her hands. "Here, Victoria, I want you to read this. I think it will clear up any misunderstandings you have."

  Victoria stared at the letter. She recognized Edward's bold handwriting. Opening it, she began to read:

  Dear Cullem and Dorothea,

  I am sorry I have been so long in writing to you. I have been very busy, but my thoughts are often of you. I have some news that I think will please you. I have taken a bride and am the happiest man alive.

  Her name is Victoria Lee. She is beautiful and charming, and I love her as I never thought it possible to love any woman. Cullem, you are probably laughing by now to think I gave up single life at last, but when you meet Victoria, you will understand why. All other women pale in comparison to my love. She is kind and gentle, and so lovely.

  Dorothea, do you believe in love at first sight? I never did until I met Victoria. The moment I saw her I knew she was the one woman in the world for me. I could sing her praises all day, but you would not believe me, so I have decided to bring her to see you in person so you can judge for yourselves.

  I would appreciate it if you would allow us to use your cottage for our honeymoon. I do not know when the ship will dock in Jamaica, but you can check on your end for a date.

  Dorothea, you once told me I would one day find the perfect woman for me, and I am glad to say that you were right. Wait until you meet my love; you will be enchanted with her, as I am. Until I see you, I remain,

  Yours truly, Edward

  Victoria finished reading the letter and held it to her breast. Tears of joy ran down her cheeks. "Oh, Dorothea, he does love me."

  The older woman hugged Victoria to her. "Yes, Victoria, he loves you very much. I know about your trouble in Georgia; Cullem told me. Did you know Edward was prepared to stay in Jamaica with you if the hearing had gone against you? He even was prepared to give up Rio del Lobo. The reason he brought you to Jamaica in the first place is so you would be safely out of the country in case he could not clear you."

  Victoria's eyes were shining. "No, I did not know that. Dorothea, why did he not tell me why he brought me to Jamaica?"

  "He is a proud man, Victoria, and I suspect he did not want you to worry."

  "Why did he not tell me he loved me?"

  "Why didn't you tell him how you felt about him?"

  Victoria jumped to her feet. "Don't you see? This changes everything. He loves me and I love him."

  "I would say you and Edward have wasted a lot of time."

  "Dorothea, I have treated him very badly. I do not know why he put up with me. He is the most wonderful, gentle man. Oh, Dorothea, I love him so much." Victoria did not try to stop the flow of tears that washed her face.

  "You can make it up to him now, my dear."

  "Yes, I will do that. I must go and tell him." She kissed Dorothea on the cheek. "Thank you so much; you have given me my love."

  Dorothea smiled. "It was always there for you, you had only to reach out for it."

  24

  Victoria spent the rest of the day getting ready for Edward. She bathed and washed her hair. She went out to the garden to allow her hair to dry. Her heart was singing: he loves me, he loves me. She could hardly wait to see him. She smiled to herself. She had so much to make up to him. He had been so patient with her, while she had acted like a spoiled child.

  The day dragged out and dinnertime came—and still Edward had not returned. Victoria paced the floor. Why did he not come? She tried to sit on the couch and read one of the books that Dorothea had loaned her. She realized she had read the same sentence over and over, and laid the book aside.

  The ticking of the clock told her that time was passing, but still Edward did not come. Finally, when he arrived, it took her totally by surprise. The door opened and he came into the room. He stood tall and handsome. His usually neat hair was windblown and there was a weariness about him. His eyes seemed to look right through her.

  She was wearing a blue nightgown with a matching silk wrapper. Her hair shone with golden highlights as it fell across her shoulders. Her heart was pounding. "You are late, Edward," she said calmly, glad her voice did not reveal what she was feeling.

  "I apologize. Cullem and I dined in town. You did not wait dinner for me, did you?"

  "No. Would you like something to drink?"

  "Not at the moment. I want to bathe and then you can fix me a drink if you like. We will have your lesson if you are not too tired."

  "No, I am not too tired." She smiled.

  Victoria held her precious secret in her heart and waited for him to rejoin her. He sat on one end of the couch and she on the other as he coached her in Spanish.

  He could not keep his eyes from moving over her body. She could see the muscle twitch in his jaw. Finally, he rose to his feet.

  "That is enough of the lessons. It is all so futile. A hell of a lot of good your Spanish will d
o you in Georgia."

  "Edward, please sit dawn. There is something important I want to talk to you about."

  He frowned at her. The time he had been dreading had come. She wanted to ask him for her freedom.

  She moved across the room and sat down on her knees before him.

  "You can save your breath, Victoria. I already know what you want to say." His dark eyes penetrated her blue ones. She could see pain in their brown depths. Dorothea had been right; Edward's eyes reflected the love he felt for her. Victoria wondered why she had never seen it before. She wanted to reach out to him and erase the pain she knew he was feeling.

  "If you will excuse me, I am weary and am going to bed," Edward said abruptly, rising to his feet. He brushed past her and entered his bedroom.

  With a determination that came from her love for him, Victoria rose to her feet and followed him into his bedroom. "Please, Edward, will you not let me speak?"

  The only light in the room came from the open doorway.

  Edward sat down on the edge of his bed and began removing his boots without looking at her. Victoria stood before him, her hands clasped in front of her.

  Edward placed his boots on the floor and looked up at her at last. "I see you are determined to have your say, Victoria. Could it not wait until morning?

  "I have kept my feelings hidden for so long it is difficult to share them with you even now."

  Edward scowled at her. "You have not kept your feelings hidden, Victoria. I have known all along what your feelings are."

  "You know about my love?" Victoria said, her eyes wide with surprise.

  He removed his shirt and placed it deliberately over the back of a chair.

  "Edward, I . . ."

  He walked over to the window and stood with his back to her. He stared out into the darkness. It had started to rain. The raindrops peppered noisily against the windowpane. "I may be a bit misguided at times, Victoria, but I am not blind."