Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Which one of you is Dr. Owens?"

  Edward and Dan exchanged glances. They knew without being told who the stranger was.

  "I am Dr. Owens," Dan spoke up. "How can I help you?"

  "I was told at the hotel that you could direct me to Mrs. Alice Anderson's ranch. My name is Paul O'Brian," he said, extending his hand.

  Dan looked at Edward quickly, a smile playing on his lips; then he shook Paul's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. O'Brian. This is Edward Hanover," he added.

  Edward and Paul shook hands. The blond man smiled politely; the black-headed man's eyes were hostile and brooding. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hanover," Paul said.

  Edward said nothing.

  "I know all about you from Victoria," Dan told Paul. "She has spoken of you often."

  "Then she is here, and she is safe?"

  "Indeed she is, Mr. O'Brian."

  There was relief on the handsome face. "Dr. Owens, you do not know how glad I am to hear you say that. I have been out of my mind with worry over Tory's safety."

  "Tory?" Dan asked, puzzled.

  "That is what I have called her since she was very small." Paul smiled. "If you will direct me to the Anderson ranch, I will be on my way. I have come a long way, and am very anxious to see Tory."

  "She does not know you are coming?" Dan asked.

  "Oh, she knew I would come, Doctor; she just did not know when," Paul told him earnestly.

  Dan looked at Edward, whose features were stormy. Edward had said nothing, but had stood silently appraising Paul O'Brian.

  "If I did not have a patient to attend to, I would take you myself, Mr. O'Brian. Maybe Edward can help you. He is a neighbor of Mrs. Anderson's."

  "Sure, I will ride along with you. It is not out of my way," Edward said quietly.

  "I appreciate that, Mr. Hanover," Paul told him. "I have acquired a mount from the livery stable. Could we leave right away?"

  "If you like, Mr. O'Brian," Edward told him coldly.

  "Dr. Owens, maybe I will see you again. I plan on being around here for some time." Dan and Paul shook hands.

  "I will look forward to it," Dan told him, "and Edward, can we have our steak dinner at a later date? Perhaps we could discuss your redecorating. You may want to change the color scheme." Dan could not resist directing the barb at Edward.

  "One day, Dan, you will go too far." Dan saw Edward's eyes narrow to pinpoints. "Shall we go, Mr. O'Brian?" Edward said hotly.

  Dan watched the two men ride away. He grinned to himself. You did not count on this kind of competition, did you, my friend. For once in your life there is someone you cannot have just because you want her.

  He picked up his black bag and walked out the door, his mind already on the sick child who needed his skills.

  The two men rode side by side. Edward was in a dark mood. Paul did not seem to notice, however. He was appraising the countryside. Soon they slowed their pace, and Paul spoke:

  "Is it always this brown, your Texas, Mr. Hanover?"

  "No," Edward said rudely. "Sometimes it is worse."

  Edward silently observed his rival. He supposed the ladies might call Paul handsome. He was certainly every inch the Southern gentleman. He was so polite. His manners so concise. Edward felt he would like to smash that handsome face with his bare fist.

  "Do you know Tory?" Paul asked.

  "Yes. We have met on occasion."

  "It has been two years since I last saw her. There was not a day in all that time when I did not think of her. Now that she is so near, I find it hard to curb my impatience. Gould we not ride faster, Mr. Hanover?"

  Edward looked at him coldly. His face did not show the rage he was feeling. He dug his heels into his horse's flanks, causing it to race forward. Paul O'Brian had trouble keeping pace on the mount he had acquired from the livery stable.

  This man was not to be taken lightly, Edward's instincts told him. For the first time he faced the possibility that Victoria might be out of reach for him. His love for her cried out in protest. He had the same helpless feeling he had felt the night of her accident, and when he thought of her in this man's arms, he felt enraged.

  They arrived at the Anderson ranch and dismounted. Edward went up the steps and rapped on the door. Mammaw opened the door, and her blue eyes sparkled when she saw Edward. "About time you came to see me," she quipped. Then seeing the stranger, she looked questioningly at Edward.

  "This is Paul O'Brian," he introduced them. "This is Victoria's grandmother, Mrs. Anderson."

  Her eyes lit up. "Mr. O'Brian, it is a pleasure to meet you at last."

  Paul bowed to her gallantly. "I assure you the pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Anderson. Any grandmother of Tory's is a friend of mine." He flashed her a smile.

  Edward sneered at Mammaw over Paul's shoulder.

  "Come in gentlemen." She smiled and opened the door wide. Mammaw led the way to the parlor. "Make yourselves comfortable. I will go upstairs to get Victoria."

  Neither man took a seat. Paul looked about the small room, and Edward watched him. "I am a bit nervous now that I am actually here," Paul told him. Edward said nothing. "I wonder if Tory has changed much."

  Mammaw returned. "She will be down shortly. I did not tell her you were here, Mr. O'Brian. Let it be a surprise for her."

  "Please call me Paul, Mrs. Anderson."

  "All right, Paul. I do feel as if I know you already. My granddaughter has talked of you so often."

  Paul's eyes kept going to the door through which Victoria would come. "Edward, come and sit beside me," Mammaw commanded. Edward walked over to her leisurely and seated himself. "How did you two get together?" Mammaw wanted to know.

  "I met Mr. O'Brian in town," Edward answered. "I offered to show him the way to your ranch."

  "Did you bring your luggage, Paul?" Mammaw asked.

  "No, ma'am, I left it at the hotel," Paul told her, his eyes returning to the doorway.

  "I will send someone for it," Mammaw said. "You will, of course, stay with us."

  Paul smiled at her. "I am glad to accept your kind invitation, Mrs. Anderson."

  They heard light footsteps on the stairway and Victoria stood in the doorway. She wore a white dress with tiny blue flowers. A blue sash was tied about her waist. Her golden hair spilled down below her shoulders. She saw Paul. Joy spread over her beautiful face, and tears sparkled in her blue eyes. "Paul," she whispered, "oh, Paul." She raced across the room into his open arms. He swung her around and then held her to him.

  "Tory," he said in a broken voice, "Tory my love." He kissed her softly. Then he cupped her face in his hands and stared down at her. He brushed a curl from her cheek. "I came as fast as I could, honey. It was hell not knowing if you were safe."

  "Paul, I have been so worried about you."

  He flashed her a big smile. "We must see that we are never separated again." He drew her to him once more, and rested his chin on the top of her head.

  "When I returned home and found out what had happened to you, I almost went out of my mind."

  Victoria saw Edward over Paul's shoulder. His eyes were cold as they looked into hers. She looked back to Paul. He held her at arm's length. "Let me look at you," he said, turning her around slowly. "When I went away, you were a lovely young girl. Now you are a beautiful woman."

  Edward rose to his feet. "If you will excuse me, I must be getting home."

  Victoria looked at Edward. Even in her joy at seeing Paul, she had been aware of Edward's presence and was bothered by it.

  Alice Anderson had been watching the three young people in the room, her wise old eyes seeing below the surface. It was as though she were watching actors in a play. No, she thought, Edward must not leave yet. She must see if what she suspected was true. "You must certainly not leave," Mammaw told Edward. "You will stay to dinner. You were kind enough to bring Paul to us, the least I can do is offer you dinner, is that not right, Victoria?"

  Victoria looked into Edward's dark accusing eyes. She felt she
was betraying him in some way, and scolded herself mentally for feeling that way. "Of course you must stay," Victoria told Edward.

  "Very well, if you insist." Edward's dark eyes never left Victoria's blue ones.

  "That is settled then," Mammaw said. "Would you gentlemen like a drink? It is still a good hour until dinner."

  "I would like a brandy," Edward said.

  Paul beamed down at Victoria. "I have all I need at the moment, thank you, Mrs. Anderson." He led Victoria to a chair. She sat down. Paul pulled a footrest beside her and seated himself. Mammaw poured Edward a drink, handed it to him, and then sat down to watch with interest as the play continued.

  "Paul, did you come by the gulf?" Mammaw asked.

  "Yes, ma'am. I had no trouble finding a ship to book passage on, now that the gulf is no longer blockaded." He looked at Victoria. "It must have been terrible for you, honey, coming overland as you did."

  Victoria looked into his shiny blue eyes, eyes that spoke of his love for her. "Not so bad; Bodine took care of me," she told him.

  "How is Bodine?"

  "He is fine. He has been in the western part of the state for some time. We expect him home any day."

  "How is Rebel?"

  Victoria's eyes lit up. "He is still as unpredictable as ever, not allowing most people to come near him."

  Paul smiled. "I told him before I gave him to you, that he must keep all other men away from you," he teased.

  Victoria's laughter rang out. "He has obeyed your orders." Then she became serious. "How are your mother and father, Paul?"

  "They are well. They send you their love."

  "Have you seen Farraday Plantation?"

  Paul's hand found Victoria's and he clasped it tightly. "I cannot tell you how grieved I was when I saw your beautiful home in ashes. Do not worry, Tory, you have my promise that I will rebuild it for you one day."

  His eyes were so honest. This was her Paul, the man she was to marry—safe, gentle Paul. Victoria wanted to hear him assure her that things would be as they once were between the two of them before Edward Hanover had come into her life and changed her forever.

  "I do not know, Paul; perhaps it will be as you say. I hope so."

  Edward finished his drink, and Mammaw poured him another. He was silently brooding. He wanted to leave, but he could not.

  "I have so many messages for you, Tory. Moss moved back to Farraday Plantation. He is staying in one of the cabins. He keeps the lawn clipped and the hedges trimmed. He even planted a garden. His message to you is, Tell Miss Victoria I's gonna keep things running 'til she come home.'"

  "I can see him doing just that. How is Becky?"

  "She is with Moss. She swears she will take on the whole Yankee Army if her baby is not returned to her unharmed." At the word Yankee, Victoria looked at Edward. He glared at her, and she looked quickly back to Paul.

  "How are they eating, Paul?" Victoria asked.

  "You need not concern yourself about their welfare, honey. After much persuading, my father convinced Moss to slaughter one of the hogs Bodine had penned in the swamps. They have the garden, milk from the cow, and Becky told me that Moss fishes in the river."

  Victoria sighed in relief. "I am so glad. I have been so worried about them, but was helpless to do anything. I might have known that your father would help them. He was always such a caring man."

  "You are going to be his daughter soon, honey. It is only natural that he would look out for your interests. Everyone is curious as to what became of you, Tory," Paul said, turning the conversation. "All the men are especially interested."

  "You have told no one?"

  "Of course not, Tory. Especially not the men," Paul teased.

  Victoria laughed delightedly.

  Paul, being a gentleman, realized that he had been very rude to Victoria's grandmother and Mr. Hanover by not including them in his conversation. All he really wanted to do was to be alone with Tory. She was so lovely, and he had waited so long for her. "Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Hanover, I hope you will both forgive my bad manners," Paul said. "It is just that seeing Tory again has wiped every other thought out of my mind. You must think me very rude."

  "Not at all, Paul," Mammaw told him. "I know how hard the separation has been, for you as well as Victoria."

  "Yes, ma'am, it sure has." Paul raised Victoria's hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly.

  Victoria smiled at him, feeling uncomfortable under Edward's scrutiny. Why did he keep staring at her?

  Edward's eyes were burning. He felt as though a part of himself were dying—and he was helpless to prevent it.

  Mammaw watched; her shrewd eyes missed nothing.

  Dinner went better than Mammaw expected, knowing the undercurrents felt by two of the young people. Edward did not join in the conversation, but sat watching, listening; he hardly touched his food. When dinner was over, they returned to the parlor, and made polite conversation for a while.

  Paul clasped Victoria's hand in his. She smiled at him. Edward and Mammaw were sitting on the couch. Paul turned to Edward, feeling he should include him in the conversation. "Mr. Hanover, you have a ranch nearby?" Paul asked.

  "That is correct, Mr. O'Brian."

  "I confess I know very little about ranching, Mr. Hanover. You raise cows, do you not?"

  Edward scowled at him. "Cattle, Mr. O'Brian," he corrected rudely.

  "Mr. Hanover also raises horses, Paul," Victoria told him, trying to cover up Edward's rudeness. "I have been told," and she smiled at Edward, "that you have some very fine thoroughbreds."

  Edward looked at her coldly. "Nothing that would compare with your Rebel," he said.

  "Paul," Mammaw asked, "do you find my granddaughter much changed since you saw her last?"

  Paul smiled at Victoria. "She is more beautiful, Mrs. Anderson, if that is possible."

  "Thank you, Paul," Victoria said, her eyes shining.

  Edward spoke before he had time to think: "I thought you did not like compliments, Miss Farraday."

  Victoria looked at him haughtily. "I believe I told you, Mr. Hanover, that I did not mind if they were sincere and from the right person."

  Edward scowled; Paul looked puzzled; Mammaw smiled.

  Paul looked at Victoria. "Will you do me a favor, Tory?"

  "You know I will, Paul. What would you like?" she asked.

  His hand closed over hers. "Please play and sing for me, Tory. The thought of you playing the piano and singing got me through some pretty tough times. I remember one night outside of Vicksburg. There had been fighting all day. The sight of the wounded and the dead was all about me. I lay down on my blanket and tried to shut it all out. There was a lilac bush growing nearby. I thought of you, sitting at the piano, singing for me, and was able to get through that awful night."

  "I will play for you, Paul," Victoria said, misty-eyed. She looked at Edward. "You do not mind, Mr. Hanover?"

  He frowned at her. "I would be enchanted. It seems there is no end to your accomplishments," he said sarcastically.

  Paul took Victoria by the hand and led her to the piano. She seated herself on the bench and ran her fingers over the keys. Paul leaned on the piano and smiled down at her.

  "You know what I want to hear, Tory."

  She started singing in a beautiful soprano voice and was joined by Paul's deep baritone. Their voices blended sweetly:

  Blue grow the lilacs around my front door, Music and laughter are with me once more; My love is returning, he'll leave me no more. Blue grow the lilacs around my front door.

  The war called my true love;

  He left me alone.

  He has now done his duty;

  He's coming back home.

  I hear his footsteps;

  I call out his name.

  He holds me closely,

  And nothing has changed.

  Edward rose to his feet. "I find that I cannot stay any longer," he said to Mammaw. "You will tell them I said good night?"

  Mammaw walked
him to the door. Maybe she had been unwise after all. She saw the naked pain in Edward's brown eyes. He kissed her on the cheek and left without a word. As Edward rode into the night, he could hear the voices singing:

  Blue grow the lilacs around my front door, Music and laughter are with me once more; My love is returning, he'll leave me no more. Blue grow the lilacs around my front door.

  Edward rode toward town, digging his heels into his horse's flanks. He would get drunk, he thought. The new singer at the saloon was pretty enough, and after all, underneath, one woman was much the same as another.

  Bodine was tired. He looked forward to sleeping in his own bed tonight. He would just stop by the saloon for a quick drink, he thought, before he rode home. The room was smoke-filled, and the music was too loud. Bodine stepped up to the bar and ordered a drink. He looked about him, swallowed his drink, and paid the bartender. He was about to leave, when he spotted Edward Hanover. He strolled across the room, and stood beside Edward's table.

  "Mind if I join you, Edward?"

  Edward looked up at him. "Sure, it is a free country," he said, slurring his words.

  "They say it is not good for a man to drink alone. You can get drunk that way."

  "I will be a hell of a lot drunker before I am through."

  Bodine smiled. "And have a hell of a hangover in the morning."

  "What's it to you, Bodine?"

  "It is nothing to me," Bodine answered, turning the chair backward and straddling it. "Maybe you would like me to take you home?"

  "What I would like is another drink," Edward said.

  A pretty saloon girl came up beside him. She smiled seductively. "Edward, honey, how about you and me having a nice time?"

  Edward fumbled in his pocket, and slammed a wad of bills on the table. "I told you no before. Here," he said, shoving the money toward her, "buy yourself a drink and leave me alone."

  "Edward," she soothed, "come with me and I will put you to bed."