Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Yes, he is quite a boy," Dan told her, feeling admiration for the beautiful girl beside him. Never had he met anyone like her. Not only was she beautiful, but compassionate as well.

  Victoria smiled at Dan. "I am afraid I have been talking too much. It is just that they have been so much on my mind lately."

  "I love the sound of your voice," he told her earnestly. Then, feeling embarrassed, he turned to Edward. "You are quiet," Dan said, looking at his friend.

  "Just listening," Edward said, his eyes lingering on Victoria's face. "One learns a lot that way."

  "Edward," Clarissa said, bringing his attention back to herself, "when am I going to get an invitation to Rio del Lobo? It has been a long time since I have been there."

  "You need no invitation, Clarissa. My door is always open to you."

  She smiled. "Of course, Mama would have to come along, too."

  "Of course," Edward agreed.

  Victoria sat watching Edward. Her eyes started at his black shiny boots and traveled up his long lean legs to his white silk shirt, opened at the neck, revealing the black curly hair on his chest. She raised her eyes to his sensitive mouth, and wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by him. Then she raised her eyes to his, to find he was watching her. He gave her a knowing smile.

  Her face turned red, and she looked away quickly. She did not know what had come over her. She could not seem to keep her eyes from straying to the dark, magnetic Edward Hanover whom she had met only a short time ago. She thought of Paul and felt guilty, as though she had betrayed him in some way.

  "Edward," Clarissa said, "I have heard you got in some cattle from England. Are you planning to run them with your herd, or keep them separated?"

  "I will keep them separated, of course. I have run them on the eastern range. If they adjust to the Texas climate, I will have a good beef cattle."

  "What if they cannot make the adjustment?" Clarissa asked, glad to show her knowledge of ranching.

  "That remains to be seen," Edward said, "but if they do, I should have an excellent profit at market."

  Just then they were interrupted by a young girl who looked no more than ten or eleven. She held a handful of wild flowers in her hand. She went up shyly to Edward and handed the crumpled flowers to him. "Happy birthday, Mr. Hanover," she said, her eyes shining.

  Edward reached for the flowers, and looked to Dan for help.

  "This is Melissa Dennison," Dan told him.

  "Well, Melissa," Edward said, flashing her his famous smile. "I thank you very much for the flowers. They are almost as pretty as you are."

  She looked up at him adoringly. "I think you are the prettiest man I have ever seen."

  Edward took one of the flowers and placed it in her hair. "I am glad that you think so," he said and kissed her cheek. She turned and ran down the hill, holding her hand to her face, where he had kissed her.

  Dan grinned. "Another conquest, Edward? Looks like you are starting on a new generation."

  Edward grinned and handed Clarissa the crumpled flowers.

  Clarissa linked her arm through Edward's. "I see I have a rival."

  Edward's eyes went to Victoria.

  "Happy birthday, Mr. Hanover," Victoria told him.

  "It has been so far," he said. His eyes lingered on her face. Victoria blushed and looked away.

  Clarissa was beginning to see that Edward was attracted to Victoria. "I am wondering why you came to Texas, Victoria," Clarissa said, wanting to find out more about Mammaw's granddaughter. The two men listened intently for her answer, for they, too, had wondered what had occurred to cause Victoria to make such a long and dangerous trip.

  "My grandmother lives here," Victoria said simply.

  "Yes, but why now?" Clarissa pressed.

  "There was no reason to stay in Georgia any longer."

  "Why ever not?" Clarissa prodded, not to be satisfied until she had an answer.

  "My home was burned. My father was dead. There was no reason to stay any longer," Victoria said, closing her eyes, not wanting to reveal her ordeal to anyone just yet. It was still too painful to her.

  "Did the Yankees burn your home? We heard awful tales of what they did in Georgia," Clarissa continued.

  "It was because of the Yankees that it was burned," Victoria said, rising to her feet, turning her back and leaning against the tree trunk."

  "Where did you live?" Clarissa grilled.

  "On a plantation," Victoria whispered.

  "Did you leave someone behind, a lover perhaps?"

  Victoria was very close to tears. Talking about it had caused her to relive the whole horrible nightmare. She realized Clarissa was deliberately being unpleasant, and wondered at the reason for it. She turned to face her tormentor, too proud to let Clarissa know she had struck a nerve. "Yes, I left someone behind. His name is Paul O'Brian. We grew up together. He was away at war. I have not heard from him, and I do not know if he is dead or alive." Her voice was devoid of any feeling.

  "When he comes home and finds you gone, if he does return, will he come after you?" Clarissa asked.

  "Yes, he will come. Do you mind if we talk of something else? I really do not wish to discuss this with you. It is very painful," Victoria said pleadingly.

  Edward sat watching Victoria. He sensed there was more to the story than she was telling. She is like a wounded animal, he thought, and is hurting a lot. "No more, Clarissa," he warned. "She told you she did not wish to talk about it."

  "Just one more question," Clarissa said, ignoring Edward. "Was it really horrible? Did the Yankees come to your plantation while you were there?"

  Victoria felt her control slip away. Her emotions rushed to the surface. She looked at Clarissa with tears in her eyes. "Yes, it was awful, Clarissa, and yes, they came while I was home. They killed a slave woman, Bess, who had been like a mother to me all my life." She did not want to cry, but could not help herself. "I hate the Yankees for what they did, and I hate General Sherman most of all!"

  Dan was on his feet in an instant. He gave Clarissa a disgusted look. "Victoria," he said, drawing her to him, "please do not be upset; we will talk of something else."

  "Dan, I would like to see the river," Victoria said, trying desperately to regain her composure.

  "Come, I will show it to you," he said softly.

  Edward watched as they walked away. "You are ruthless, Clarissa," he said.

  "She is hiding something," Clarissa told him. "I can feel it."

  Edward had thought so, himself, and wondered what it was.

  "Let us not waste time talking of other people," Clarissa said, meaningfully. "I would rather talk about us."

  "Clarissa, there is no us," Edward told her quietly.

  She moved closer to him, a pout on her pretty face. "I would do anything for you, Edward."

  "Anything?" he asked, raising one of his eyebrows.

  "Yes," she said, her hand slipping under his shirt, caressing his bare chest.

  He grabbed her hand and withdrew it. "Do not play games with me, Clarissa."

  "I am not playing," she said, her eyes looking deep into his. "Don't you want me?"

  He rose to his feet, and looked down at her. "No, Clarissa, I do not think I do. I have watched your performance today. You tried to crucify Miss Farraday. Women never cease to amaze me. They can be far more ruthless and deadly than the male of the species."

  "Edward, I did not mean to be rude to Victoria. I only wanted to show her for what she was."

  "And what was that?" Edward asked.

  "She has something in her past, other than what she revealed to us today," Clarissa said, "and I do not think it will be to her credit. She pretends to be such a lady, but I can tell she is not."

  Edward gave her a look of contempt. "I thought she handled herself rather well, Clarissa."

  "Please, do not let us quarrel over something so unimportant," Clarissa said, rising to her feet. "Let us sneak away so we can be by ourselves." Her arms went around his w
aist.

  "Clarissa, when I want a woman, I do the pursuing." „

  She stepped away from him, tears in her eyes. "If I have been too forward, it is only because I love you.

  "Clarissa," he said, "do not waste your time on me. I have had many women, and I can assure you, you would not like to be just one of many."

  She looked at Edward in horror. "You are arrogant and insulting," she said, crying aloud. "I wish I had never laid eyes on you. Someday, I hope someone hurts you, the way you have hurt me today."

  "That will never happen, Clarissa. As I told you, I have no heart."

  He walked away from her, wishing the scene could have been avoided. Why did women always try to lure him into their traps? Not that he minded that so much; but just once, he would like to meet a woman who was not so easy to get. He thought of Victoria Farraday.

  Victoria and Dan walked beside the river. "I am sorry if Clarissa hurt you," he said, longing to comfort her.

  "I am sorry I made such a fool of myself. I can only ask you to forgive me. It was most unladylike of me."

  Dan took Victoria's hand in his and was relieved when she did not draw it away. "I hope you will allow me to be your friend," he told her.

  "I already consider that you are, Dan."

  "If Paul O'Brian comes for you, will you marry him?" Dan asked.

  "Yes," she said softly. He had known the answer before she gave it. At least he would have her friendship. It was enough for now.

  After their walk along the river, Dan returned Victoria to her grandmother, who was anxious to introduce her to her neighbors. Many of the older ones commented on how much she resembled Mary Elizabeth. Victoria warmed to the friendly Texans. They were honest and open, and they accepted her easily.

  The sun was going down and the music had started. Already couples were dancing in the dimly lit pavilion. The older couples were sitting around in conversation, willing to let the young people enjoy the dance. The small children were curled up on quilts, tired from the day's activities.

  Victoria found herself searching the crowd for Edward Hanover. With a sinking heart, she realized he must have left. Or perhaps he was with Clarissa somewhere, for she had not seen Clarissa either. She wanted to apologize to them both. She was embarrassed by her outburst of the afternoon.

  Dan came up to her. "Would you like to dance, Victoria?"

  "Yes, I would like to very much," she told him.

  He took her in his arms and danced her onto the floor. She felt young and lighthearted. The problems of Georgia, which Clarissa had caused her to remember, began to fade. She danced with many partners, but was always returned to Dan, who was feeling very proud to be the escort of the beautiful Victoria. They had just finished a dance, when a woman ran up to Dan all excited. "Tommy Nelson has fallen from a tree, Doctor. I think you had better come quickly."

  Dan excused himself and ran to the aid of the injured boy. Victoria was about to return to her grandmother, when she felt someone come up beside her. She did not need to look up to know it was Edward Hanover.

  "May I have this dance, Miss Farraday?" Edward asked.

  She turned and looked up into his face. "If you wish, Mr. Hanover." She felt his arm go around her waist. He took her hand in his. A waltz was playing. He whirled her onto the dance floor. They danced in such perfect harmony that their bodies seemed to be attuned to each other.

  Edward looked down at Victoria. His nearness was overpowering. Her legs felt weak. "You are so beautiful," Edward whispered. His eyes traveled to her lips, and she felt almost as if he had kissed her. She did not know what was happening to her, but it frightened her. She tried to think of Paul, but she could not. All she could think of was the pressure of Edward's hand about her waist, and the magnetic look in his eyes. The music stopped, and still he held her. "I need to talk to you," he said urgently, as he led her from the dance floor.

  "What is it you wish to say?" Victoria asked breathlessly.

  "Not here. Meet me on the hill where we were today. We should not be seen leaving together," Edward told her.

  "No. I will not do that," she said, her heart pounding.

  "Please, Victoria, it is very important." His eyes pleaded with her.

  Her defense against him was her anger. Anger that he would think she was the kind of woman who would sneak off into the night to meet a man. Her eyes grew stormy "I did not give you permission to call me by my name. You, must call me Miss Farraday."

  He smiled down at her. "It was a slip of the tongue. I apologize." He was certain she had felt as he had. Ever since they had met, he had wanted to take her in his arms and kiss the lips that were so inviting. He was so used to women who gave in to his slightest whim, it never occurred to him that she would be any different. "Perhaps I spoke out of turn. You are so lovely,"—his voice was caressing, his eyes burned into hers—"you caused me to forget my manners."

  "Please do not continue, Mr. Hanover. I do not even know you."

  "That is a situation I would like to remedy," Edward told her.

  "If you will excuse me, Mr. Hanover, I want to find my grandmother," Victoria said scorchingly.

  Just then, a young boy, in his early teens, came up to them. "Mr. Hanover, Mammaw asked if you would see her granddaughter gets home all right. She has gone with Dr. Dan to take Tommy Nelson home. The doctor asked if you would drive his buggy. He said he would pick it up later."

  "How is the boy?" Victoria asked.

  He shrugged his shoulders. "They carried him off on a litter, ma'am."

  Victoria turned to Edward, feeling helpless. "I am sorry to impose on you, but it seems I have no choice."

  "I assure you it is no imposition." He smiled. "It seems we can have our talk after all. Are you ready to leave now?"

  She nodded, feeling very uneasy. He took her arm and led her to Dan's buggy. Victoria felt nervous at being alone with Edward Hanover, but since her grandmother held him in such high regard, she supposed it would be all right.

  They drove away from the picnic area, with Edward's horse tied behind the buggy. Victoria heard the sound of music and laughter fading into the distance. She sat with her back rigid, her eyes staring straight ahead. There was a full moon overhead, lighting up the countryside. She could still feel the touch of Edward's strong hands as he had lifted her into the buggy.

  Edward was the first to speak. "Have you forgiven me for being forward with you, Miss Farraday?" he asked, looking down at her.

  "I cannot think why you would expect that I would do anything so outrageous as to meet you alone."

  "I can only offer you my apologies." He grinned at her. "Let us just say it was poor judgment on my part.

  Victoria nodded. "I would also like to apologize to you," she said hesitantly.

  "What have you done to apologize for?" He smiled down at her.

  "I am embarrassed by my bad conduct of this afternoon."

  Edward looked at her and waited for her to continue. "I have already apologized to Dan, and I will do so to Clarissa when I see her again."

  "It was not your fault. Clarissa provoked it."

  "I should have handled it differently. There was no excuse for my outburst. Bess would have been scandalized if she had witnessed my performance."

  "Was that the woman you spoke of earlier?" he asked.

  Victoria nodded.

  "Miss Farraday," Edward said, "it is plain that you suffered a great deal. I do not know what happened to you in Georgia, but you should try to put it behind you."

  She clasped her hands together. "If only I could," she said softly.

  Edward pulled the buggy off to the side of the road. He leaned back against the seat and looked at Victoria. "Would you like to talk about it?"

  She shook her head. "No, I cannot. Please do not ask me any questions. Could we drive on, Mr. Hanover?"

  "In a moment, Miss Farraday." He had an overwhelming urge to comfort her. "We will not speak of it if that is your wish."

  She looked at him and
wished she could pour her heart out to him. What was it about this man whom she had only met today that made her behave in such a strange way? She looked at his hands. His fingers were long and lean. She had felt the strength of them earlier.

  "I have never met anyone like you, Miss Farraday. You are a puzzle to me." Edward reached out his hand and picked up a lock of her hair. She shivered as she felt the contact of his hand as it brushed her cheek. She knew she should insist that he drive her home, but she did not. His arm went around her shoulders slowly, and he pulled her against him. He tilted her chin up, and looked down into her face. "I have waited a long time for you," he whispered.

  It was impossible for her to look away. "We only met today, Mr. Hanover."

  "How can that be?" he whispered, "when I feel every day of my life has been leading me to this very moment."

  Paul's face flashed through her mind, and she struggled against Edward. "Please let me go," she said weakly.

  He held her firm. "You cannot tell me you did not feel something out of the ordinary when we met today," he whispered.

  "You frighten me," Victoria replied.

  Edward lay his cheek against hers and felt the silkiness of her skin. The scent of lilacs flooded his senses. "Oh, Victoria, there is nothing for you to fear from me." She closed her eyes and relaxed against him. She felt as though nothing could harm her as long as Edward Hanover had his arms about her. He slowly raised his face and stared down into her eyes. "I think I am a little afraid of you," he said, lowering his lips slowly to hers.

  She knew he was going to kiss her, but was helpless to prevent it. A shock went through her body as she felt the touch of his lips on hers. It was a moment so beautiful they were both lost in the wonder of it. It was a gentle kiss that demanded nothing; yet neither seemed to be able to end it. Finally, Edward released her slowly. They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment.

  "I think you should take me home," Victoria said breathlessly.

  "I think that would be a good idea," he agreed abruptly.

  She moved out of the circle of Edward's arms. He picked up the reins and guided the buggy back onto the road. Her thoughts were in a turmoil. She knew she would remember the touch of his lips for the rest of her life.