"Do not be frightened, Honor. It is Adam O'Roarke. I am going to remove my hand from your mouth now. Do not scream, I mean you no harm." He removed his hand slowly. "Did I frighten you, Honor?"
She strained her eyes to see his face. "What are you doing here, major?" she said in a shaky voice.
"I apologize for coming into your bedroom like this, but I did not know any other way to see you."
He sat down on the bed beside her. "There is a Confederate cavalry on my trail, Honor. They may have tracked me here. I cannot stay long, I do not wish to cause you any trouble."
"Why are you here?" she asked, reaching out her hand to him, needing to touch him and know she was not dreaming.
"I have been wounded, Honor," he said weakly.
She jumped from her bed and hurriedly lit a lamp. She placed the lamp on her bedside table and turned to Adam. He tried to rise, but fell back on her bed. Honor heard his teeth chattering and felt his forehead.
"You are burning up with fever. Where were you wounded?"
He shook his head weakly. "I am sorry, Honor, I did not mean to involve you in this."
"Hush, major. Do not talk; save your strength."
"I must go. They must not find me here."
She began removing his jacket. "You are not going anywhere until I have tended your wounds."
He bit his lip in pain as she slipped the sleeve of his jacket over his arm. She could see where the bullet had entered his shoulder. His shirt was covered with blood.
"You must get out of these wet clothes, major."
Trying to sit up once more, he gritted his teeth in pain. "I should not be here. I do not want any harm to come to you."
She unbuttoned his bloodstained white shirt and carefully removed it from his good arm. She then ripped the sleeve on the side he had been wounded on, not wanting to cause him undue pain.
"Major, I am going to go downstairs to heat some water and to get my medicine kit. Do you think you can manage to remove your wet clothing while I am gone?"
Honor made her way down the stairs quietly, hoping she would encounter no one who would ask questions.
Adam managed to remove his britches and lie down on the bed. He felt his head swimming and closed his eyes. He had ridden a long way to see Honor. The rebel patrol had spotted him several hours earlier. He had ridden hard and thought he had evaded them until he felt the bullet enter his shoulder. The force of it had almost unseated him from his horse, but he had gripped the reins tightly and somehow managed to stay in the saddle. At times he had felt the enemy closing in on him. He had known his horse was tiring and that they would soon overtake him. His only thought had been that he had to see Honor before he died. That alone had given him the strength to go on. When he had been about ten miles from Landau Plantation, he knew his horse could not go much farther. Seeing a creek just ahead, he had jumped from his horse and swum to the opposite shore. The water had been cold, but that had not mattered. Nothing mattered but that he reach Honor.
He had watched the Confederates pass within inches of where he was hiding. When they were out of sight, he had risen to his feet and stumbled forward. Many times he had fallen to the ground, only to gain his feet and move on once more. The wind had been icy and his uniform was wet. It had been sleeting, and he was losing too much blood, but nothing could have stopped him in his determination to reach Honor.
For two years he had been unable to get her out of his mind. He had been called to Washington for one of those years, and, among the many parties and the beautiful women he had met there, he had been unable to forget her. When he had returned to Virginia, he had known he must try to see her. His mistake had been in being too impatient. He had known that the enemy occupied the territory around Landau Plantation, but even that had not stopped him. When he had at last reached Honor's home, he had gained entrance to the house through an unlocked window in the study.
Honor returned and found Adam lying down. He had removed his trousers and they lay in a heap on the floor beside his jacket. Adam had pulled a quilt over the lower half of his body, but his chest was bare, and Honor felt a tightening in her throat as she saw the dark curly hair on his chest that grew in a “V” shape down his stomach to disappear beneath the quilt.
Opening his eyes, Adam watched her. She had changed but little since he had last seen her, except to grow more beautiful.
She set the pan of water down on the table beside her bed and bent over him. He could smell the sweet fragrance that he always associated with her.
"The bullet is still in your shoulder, major. I am going to have to remove it."
"I am at your mercy, beautiful lady." He tried to smile, but instead grimaced in pain.
"I have nothing stronger than wine, major, but if you drink enough of it, it should dull the pain." She held the bottle to his mouth and he drank deeply.
"This is going to hurt."
"It is worth all the pain."
She cleansed the wound and then examined it, feeling relief that the bullet was not too deep.
"What is worth the pain, major?"
"You are."
She saw him grit his teeth as she probed the wound and slowly extracted the bullet. Her hands were steady, but she was shaking on the inside. She tried not to think of the pain she was causing him, and she was flooded with relief when the offending bullet was removed. After cleansing the wound once more, she applied a clean bandage.
Adam watched her through half-closed eyelids. She was cool and efficient. He felt a weakness wash over his body, and feared he would lose consciousness. Then he felt her cool hand on his forehead.
"I think your wound will heal nicely, major, but I am concerned about your fever. How long were you in wet clothing?"
"Only since I swam a creek."
"I cannot understand how you came to be here. Did you not know that this territory is controlled by our forces?"
He looked into her eyes. "Did you know that your hair is beautiful? I have never seen hair the color of yours. In the soft light it looks like water that cascades from a waterfall."
"I think you are delirious, major."
"Yes, I have been ever since I met you."
They both heard the riders coming down the driveway.
Honor looked at him fearfully. "It must be the men who are searching for you. I can think of no one else who would come here this time of night. What shall we do?"
Adam tried to sit up. "I must leave. It would not go well with you if they found me here."
Honor heard the pounding on the door. She could not let them take Adam. She set her chin stubbornly as she made her decision. Quickly pushing his discarded clothing under the bed, she gathered up the pan of water and the instruments and placed them in the bottom of her wardrobe and closed the door, looking about her to see if she had overlooked anything.
Adam watched as she removed her robe and slipped under the covers beside him.
"Honor, what are you thinking? I will not have you endangered because of me," he said weakly, knowing he was too weak even to stand up. He cursed his stupidity in coming to her if it was going to cause her trouble.
"Hush, major. You will pose as my husband, Jordan. Let us hope that none of the soldiers know Jordan personally."
Adam smiled at her weakly. "What rank is your husband?"
"He is a major like yourself."
He laughed. "At least I do not have to give myself a demotion."
"Hush, major, they are coming."
She felt his arm go about her waist as he pulled her against him. She was too stunned to react. She was very aware that he had nothing on. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she lay stiff beside him.
"Major, do you think it is neces . . ."
She felt his breath on her cheek. "Call me Jordan, Honor."
Just then the door was pushed open and two Confederate soldiers stood on the threshold.
"What is the meaning of this, corporal?" Adam's voice snapped.
"Who are you?" the you
ng man asked, raising his rifle and aiming it at Adam.
"I am Major Jordan Daniels, and you, corporal, are intruding in my wife's bedroom. You had better have a very sound reason for the intrusion, or I will have your stripes."
The young corporal snapped to attention, as did the young private who accompanied him.
"I am Corporal Juda, sir, and I beg pardon for the intrusion. We are in pursuit of a Yankee officer who has penetrated our lines. He is wounded, major, and may be dangerous."
"Well, he is not in my bedroom, corporal, and I do not appreciate your frightening my wife."
"I apologize, ma'am," the young man said, his face blushing red. "I feel very foolish."
"What outfit are you with, and who is your commanding officer, corporal?"
Adam saw the young man's eyes widen in fear. "Never mind, soldier. I suppose you are only doing your duty. I will overlook it this time, but in the future, you should knock before coming into someone's bedroom. And never come to my home in such a manner again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir, and may I say I have heard of the major and about your bravery, sir. I once tried to receive a transfer to your unit, but was turned down. Is it true, sir, that one night you raided General Sheridan's camp and dined on the meal that had been prepared for him while it was still warm, and drank his brandy?"
Adam smiled slightly. "I have often enjoyed General Sheridan's liquor, corporal. You may go now, and I hope you will not go riding about the countryside waking people from a sound sleep. My smother and father live at Green River. I would not take kindly to it if you were to bother them. If you wounded this man, as you say, it is likely he is dead by now. It is bitter cold outside tonight."
"Is it your order that I call off the search, sir?"
"Yes. Now leave us, soldier, and count yourself lucky that I do not put you on report."
The young corporal saluted. "Good-bye then, sir, ma'am."
Adam and Honor stared at the door after the two men left. Honor relaxed and buried her face in the pillow. Adam felt her tremble, and turned her to face him.
"Are you all right?"
"I was frightened they would find out who you are, major."
He smiled down at her. "Now that we have shared a bed, do you not think you could call me Adam?" he said in amusement. Honor tried to pull away from him, but felt him pull her tighter against him. "Please stay with me, Honor," he said in a deep voice.
She felt his hand move over her hips, and a warm feeling spread through her body. His lips gently touched her cheek. "I have dreamed of you so often," he whispered.
”Please do not do this, major. I am a married woman."
"Oh, God, do you not think I am tortured by that fact?" He forced her face up to his, and his blue eyes moved over her face. "I love and need you, Honor."
She was unable to move. He was telling her that he loved her, and she knew she loved him. She watched, hypnotized, as his lips descended. Her lips parted under his. She could feel the hard outline of his body pressed against her soft curves. His hands were pressing her even closer. Her own hands had started a search of their own. They moved over his muscled back, loving him and communicating her need to him.
He raised his head. "You cannot know how long I have wanted this, darling. I love you so much." His eyes were burning with desire.
Remembering her wedding night, and the pain she had gone through, Honor pulled away from him. Did he want the same thing that Jordan had wanted that night?
"Do not touch me!" she said, panic lacing her words.
"I want you, Honor, and I believe you want me also."
"No! I am frightened of you. I do not want to be hurt again."
Adam frowned. "I would never hurt you, Honor."
Honor's fear made her speak rashly. "You want to hurt me as Jordan did on our wedding night."
Adam's frown deepened. "He hurt you?" he said in a deadly calm voice.
Tears sparkled in Honor's eyes. "I will never allow a man to touch me again. I do not like it in the least."
Adam crushed her to him. "Oh, darling, I never realized how badly you had been hurt. You are still so young. I could kill the man who used you so badly."
She sobbed in his arms, and he spoke soothingly to her. "I would never cause you pain, darling. I can see that you are frightened and should be handled very gently. Do you think I could ever hurt you?"
"All men must be the same," she cried.
"No, darling, that is not true. If you were taken with love, you would know the difference."
He felt her body tremble as she sobbed. "Jordan did not love me, he loves Meagan. He called me by her name."
"Oh, God," Adam said. "I cannot bear to think of how you have been hurt."
Honor's eyes opened. What was she doing, pouring out her troubles to Adam? She must be out of her mind. Jordan was her husband, no matter what he had done, and it was wrong of her to discuss it with Adam. She jerked herself free of him and sat up.
Drying her eyes, she looked up at the ceiling. "What must you think of me, major? I myself am appalled by my actions." She got out of bed and slipped into her robe. "I am so embarrassed I doubt I will ever be able to face you again."
"Honor, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I have sensed for a long time that there was something wrong between you and your husband. I just did not realize how badly he had treated you."
She turned to face him. "Please forget what I said. No matter what happened between Jordan and me, he is my husband and Aaron's father."
"Does he know about his son yet?"
She closed her eyes. "No, he does not know. In case you are not aware of it, there is a war going on, major. He is unable to come home or to write."
"In spite of the war, I found a way to see you, Honor."
She looked at him in surprise. "Why are you here?"
"I told you before, I came to see you."
"I do not understand," she said, as her heart missed a beat.
"You understand, Honor. I love you."
She wanted to run to him and pour out her love for him. He had risked death to come to her. Maybe he did truly love her. But she was not free to accept his love.
"Adam, you must not say these things to me."
"Come here, Honor." His voice was commanding. He used the same tone on her that he had used on the young corporal earlier.
She shook her head and backed away.
"I said, come here, Honor."
She walked toward him hesitantly and reluctantly took the hand he held out to her. He drew her down beside him.
"What are you feelings for your husband, Honor?"
"I will say no more to you about Jordan, major."
"All right, then what are your feelings for me? Just a short time ago I held a woman in my arms who was warm and loving. You need someone to show you how good love can be between two people."
She looked into his eyes. "I do not want to think of your being like Jordan," she said softly.
"I am a man, Honor, and I want you. You need not worry that I will ask anything of you, however. But I do want to prove one thing to you."
He pulled her into his arms and his lips settled on hers, gently arousing a response deep inside her. His lips moved over her face and down her neck. She closed her eyes as his mouth recaptured hers in a devastating kiss. Her body responded strongly as she writhed in agony for fulfillment. She laced her hands in his dark hair while his hands were touching, feeling, arousing her almost beyond endurance. She felt the last of her resistance fall away as his hands wandered over her breasts gently and settled lightly on her stomach. She moaned, thinking how she loved this man who should be her enemy.
Suddenly he broke off the kiss and shoved her away from him roughly. She stared at him, wanting to feel his hands on her body once more.
"Do not look at me like that, Honor. I am not going to take what you are so ready to give; you would only despise me afterward. I merely wanted to show you how it could be between us. As
badly as I want you, I know it would be wrong for you at this time. You still feel bound to your husband, and you would grow to hate me if I took advantage of you. But the time will come, Honor, when I will ask more of you. When this war is over, I will return, and heaven help you if you do not give yourself to me then."
"I do not know what to do about you, Adam, and I am not sure what you want from me."
"One day, darling, I shall tell you what I want from you. As for what to do about me, I could think of many things I would like." His eyes twinkled, and she recognized the mischief in the blue depths.
She felt the need to put some distance between herself and Adam. Getting off the bed, she wet a cloth with water from a pitcher and placed it on his forehead.
"In the morning I shall change the dressing on your arm, but right now, you should try to get some sleep."
"Will you lie beside me if I promise to behave?"
She smiled at him. "I do not think that would be a good idea. I will sleep in Aaron's room."
"I will not object if you stay with me, that is if you promise not to jeopardize my virtue, Honor. I am too weak at the moment to jeopardize yours."
She loved him when he teased her. She had no doubt that if she lay beside him he would not touch her again, but she did not trust her own wayward heart.
"I think it would be safer all around if I slept in Aaron's room." Her face creased into a frown. "I do not know how I shall keep your presence a secret. Darcy is not easy to fool."
She removed his sodden uniform from under her bed and hung it before the fire to dry. She then put more logs on the fire.
He watched her as she moved about the room gracefully. The robe she wore emphasized her soft curves. Her hair shimmered in the soft firelight. She dampened the cloth once more and applied it to his forehead.
He took her hand. "Honor, why did you help me tonight?"
She pulled her hand away and blew out the lamp. "You once helped me, remember, the night Aaron was born."
Adam reached for her hand and pulled her down beside him once more.
"Is that the only reason you helped me, Honor?"
"Does your wound hurt much?" she asked.
"Why do you change the subject every time I ask how you feel about me?"
Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance) Page 13
