Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Do you always stay in the cottage when you visit Cullem and Dorothea?" Victoria asked as she joined Edward in the tiny sitting room.

  "No, this is the first time. I always stay at the main house. This was the original house Dorothea and Cullem lived in when they were married," Edward told her. "The plantation began to prosper and Cullem had the big house built for Dorothea, though Dorothea still says she prefers the cottage to the big house."

  "I can understand that."

  "Can you?"

  "Yes, a castle does not a home make."

  "How the hell would you know? You have not given me a chance to . . ." His mouth closed tightly. Edward paced about the room; then he turned to Victoria. "I have always thought of you as a kind person, but you are not kind to me, Victoria. You turn your charm on and men fall like casualties in a battle, but to me you are barely civil."

  "I am not like that, Edward," she denied. "I do not set out to charm anyone. I try to be truthful—"

  "Yes," he cut in, "I will give you that. You are always truthful."

  "Do not say always, Edward. There are times when I am not truthful with myself."

  "Would you like to clarify that, Victoria?"

  "I think not, Edward."

  He stood over her; his anger seemed to fade. His eyes lost their fiery look. "Shall we have your Spanish lesson now?"

  Victoria nodded, grateful for anything that would distract Edward from his anger. They spent an hour going over new vocabulary. "How am I doing, Edward?"

  "You are a very apt pupil, but I think I should point out to you that you are speaking Spanish with a French accent."

  She sighed. "I was afraid of that."

  "Parlez-vous francais, Madame?" Edward asked.

  "Oui, je parle francais, Monsieur."

  "Is there anything you cannot do, Victoria?"

  "Yes. I cannot hold my liquor," she reminded him.

  He laughed. "Victoria, I can see now why Bodine calls you Imp. You are incorrigible."

  "No, I am not."

  He smiled. "Would you like to ride tomorrow?"

  "Yes, very much," she said, warming to his lighter mood.

  "Good. It will give me a chance to show you some of the island."

  "Must I ride a docile horse?"

  "I think we can find one that will be equal to your ability."

  That night as Victoria lay in bed, she felt she and Edward were closer than they had been since that first night at sea.

  Edward lay in his bed wondering how much longer he would have to wait for Victoria. Maybe tomorrow night?

  23

  The next morning Victoria awoke early. How good it was not to feel the rolling deck of the Blue Dolphin beneath her feet. She quickly washed her face and hands, brushed her hair, and donned a light-blue cotton gown. She made her bed and straightened the tiny bedroom. Being with her grandmother had taught her to do many of the chores that others had performed for her long ago in Georgia.

  The smell of brewing coffee drew her from her bedroom. In the tiny kitchen she found Lucy, the woman Dorothea had sent to look after the cottage. The black woman was slicing fruit into a large bowl. She smiled at Victoria.

  "Good morning, ma'am." .

  Victoria returned the woman's smile. "That fruit looks delicious, Lucy. Is my husband up yet?"

  Lucy looked puzzled. "I haven't seen Mr. Edward this morning, ma'am."

  Victoria's face turned red. She realized Lucy would not have known she and Edward slept in separate bedrooms; but if the servants here were anything like the ones at Farraday Plantation, the word would soon spread that she and Edward slept apart. She wondered what Cullem and Dorothea would think when they found out. Victoria sighed. Oh, well, she thought, there was no help for it now.

  "Good morning," came a deep voice from the doorway.

  Victoria turned. Edward's eyes swept over her lightly; then he looked beyond her to Lucy. "Well, Lucy, is that coffee I smell?"

  "It sure is, Mr. Edward. You just sit at the table and I'll have your breakfast ready in a moment. I know what you like."

  "I hope you have made some of your fabulous biscuits, Lucy."

  The black woman beamed. "Yes, sir, I sure did."

  "I will just have a cup of coffee and a bowl of fruit, Lucy," Victoria said, walking toward the doorway.

  Edward blocked her path. "Did you sleep well, Victoria?"

  "Yes, thank you." He stepped aside to let her pass. Victoria made her way to Edward's bedroom. She hesitated at the door, squared her shoulders, and entered. She picked up Edward's discarded shirt and ran her hands lovingly over the material, then folded it neatly and placed it on a chair. Then she went to the bed and began smoothing the covers. She drew up the spread and tucked it beneath the pillows.

  "What do you think you are doing?"

  Victoria jumped guiltily. "I am straightening your room. What does it look like?"

  He grabbed her hands and swung her around to face him. "My wife does not labor like a common servant," he said angrily.

  Victoria tried to struggle out of his grip. "I do not feel that good honest work is beneath me, Edward," she said, angry now herself.

  "My wife does not do housework," he repeated.

  She stopped struggling, knowing she was no match for his superior strength. "Thus speaks the mighty patron," she said hotly. "Am I supposed to tremble before you and grant your every wish?"

  "That would be a pleasant change." He released her hands.

  Victoria doubled up her fists, and glared at him. "It may be beneath a Hanover to do manual labor, but I assure you a Farraday finds no shame in it."

  "You are a Hanover, and as such, you will behave accordingly." Then his voice became gentle as his eyes scanned her face. "I ask so little of you, Victoria."

  "I give you this battle, Edward, but I shall claim the war."

  "How about a truce?" he said, feeling magnanimous.

  "Edward, there was a reason I straightened the bedrooms this morning."

  "Guilty conscience, Victoria?"

  "No! I just wanted to spare you any embarrassment."

  Edward walked to the door. "You are speaking of the embarrassment a man would feel if others knew he could not bed his wife on their honeymoon?"

  She avoided his eyes. "Yes, that is my reasoning."

  "Would it be embarrassing for you if Cullem and Dorothea were privy to our little secret, Victoria?"

  "No . . . Yes, but only on your behalf, Edward."

  He arched an eyebrow. "The solution seems perfectly clear to me."

  "It always comes back to the same thing with you. Lord, your appetite must be insatiable."

  He grinned. "I seem to be fasting lately. Shall we have breakfast, Victoria?"

  Over the small table Edward's eyes seemed to mock her. Victoria ate a generous amount of the fruit and had a second cup of coffee. Finally, she pushed her cup aside and rose to her feet. "You promised to take me riding this morning."

  "So I did," he said, pushing his chair away from the table. "If you will change into your riding habit, I will meet you in front in fifteen minutes."

  As Victoria dressed, she longed for the britches and shirt she had abandoned when she married Edward. She knew he would never allow her to wear them again. Being Victoria Hanover could be a real trial sometimes. She pushed her feet into her riding boots and hurried to join her husband.

  They walked the short distance to the big house. Dorothea welcomed them, smiling. "I was hoping you would come to see me today. Can you stay for lunch?"

  "Not today, I am afraid. We come begging horses," Edward told her. "I am going to show Victoria around the island."

  "You must show her the waterfall, Edward. Remember, the one you went over when you were a boy?"

  "How could I forget?" He laughed. "I was black and blue for a month."

  "Served you right for scaring your mother and I. Victoria," Dorothea said, turning to her, "this husband of yours was a very adventuresome boy. He was always gettin
g into some sort of trouble."

  Edward laughed. "I think I will get my wife out of here before you tell her some of the trouble I got into."

  "Will you dine with us tonight?" Dorothea asked.

  Edward looked at Victoria.

  "I would like that," she said.

  "Good. It is settled then. Run along and have fun. Edward, do not keep her in the sun too long."

  They went to the stables and found two suitable mounts, and were soon on their way. For a while they rode along the beach. Then Edward led the way across country, through the coffee fields and into a heavily wooded area.

  Edward halted his horse. "That looks like a good place to eat our lunch," he said, indicating a hillside overlooking a small river.

  Victoria dismounted, thinking of the similarity of this spot to the one where they had shared the box supper. She wondered if Edward was also remembering.

  After they had eaten, Edward stretched out his long length on the cool grass and closed his eyes. Victoria leaned against the tree trunk and observed him. Edward raised his head and smiled at her. "How about if I use your lap as a pillow. Would you mind?"

  She shook her head, feeling a lump in her throat. He moved closer, nestling his head on her lap. "Um, that feels better," and he immediately closed his eyes.

  Victoria tried to keep her eyes from straying to the dark head resting against her. She watched the river as its current pushed the foamy water toward the sea. She tried to take in the beauty of the green countryside, but her eyes kept returning to the man beside her. She resisted the urge to brush the dark lock of hair from his forehead. Victoria tried to relax, and closed her eyes.

  It was so peaceful there. Unconsciously her hand strayed to Edward's hair. She felt the silkiness of it as her fingers caressed the dark strands. I love you, I love you, she thought. Her hand slid across his forehead and down to his smooth chin. Her eyes snapped open. What had she been doing?

  She withdrew her hand and looked at Edward. Relief washed over her. He seemed to be sleeping.

  "Don't stop now." His deep voice startled her. "I was just beginning to enjoy it." He sat up quickly and placed his hands on either side of her face, trapping her between him and the tree. Then he let one hand move over her hair. "Let me see, you did this." His hand trailed down her cheek. "And this." His hand caressed her chin.

  Her eyes flickered. "Edward, let me go, please!"

  "I am not holding you prisoner, Victoria." His eyes went to her lips. "You are free to go ... if you want."

  Victoria knew she was trembling. "Shouldn't we be getting back?"

  His lips came down nearer to hers. She closed her eyes. His breath was teasing her lips. She felt the touch of his lips ever so gently. "Do you want to leave, Victoria?"

  "Yes," she' said weakly, afraid his kiss would make her mindless to the danger of revealing her feelings to Edward. "Please, Edward, release me."

  In one quick motion he was on his feet and she was free. He turned his back to her. "One day, Victoria, you will push me too far. One day . . ." It sounded like a threat.

  She made herself busy, gathering up the picnic basket. He took the basket from her and smiled down at her. It was a smile that held no humor. "You know, Victoria, life with you is just one damned picnic after another."

  He turned from her quickly. Victoria felt anger at his cold words. "You . . . you big bully. Just because you are stronger than me, you think you can treat me like a . . . like a—"

  He paused and turned back to her. "Like a wife?" he finished.

  Her face burned red. She followed him to where the horses were tied, and watched as he secured the picnic basket to the back of her horse.

  "Edward."

  "Yes?"

  "It is not easy living with you. You are so overbearing, so demanding…"

  He let his hands fall away from the cinch he had been tightening, and turned to face her. "If I were demanding, as you say, you would now be a proper wife, Victoria. Not many men would tolerate a wife who is as elusive as you are." His eyes grew dark. "I have tried to be patient, considering the circumstances of our marriage, but I warn you, you have just about exhausted my patience."

  "They say patience is a virtue, Edward."

  He reached for her and lifted her into the air, then seated her on her horse. He mounted his horse and looked past her. His eyes narrowed. "You have enough virtue for the both of us, Victoria." He nudged his horse and rode off.

  Victoria had to ride hard to catch up with him. Suddenly Edward halted his horse, allowing her to pull alongside him. Victoria caught her breath as she stared at the beauty of the valley below them.

  "It is magnificent, Edward. This valley must be made up of every shade of green known to man. I wish Paul could see this. He would love Jamaica." Victoria had spoken without thinking. She saw Edward's stormy face and knew she had made a grave mistake. She watched in horror as Edward dismounted and walked over to her. He held his arms up to her. Victoria shook her head. She was frightened by the look on his face. She felt his strong hands about her waist as he lifted her from the saddle.

  He did not set her on her feet, but held her against his body instead. Victoria looked into his eyes. The wind was blowing his hair softly. His brown eyes gleamed dangerously.

  "Please put me down, Edward," she whispered, feeling weak from the pressure of his body.

  "You went too far this time, Victoria. I warned you."

  "Please, Edward, release me," she cried, her voice full of fear.

  "No, Victoria, I do not think I will. No man alive could live as you have forced me to. I am sick to death of hearing Paul O'Brian's name." He brought his lips down on hers cruelly, wanting to punish her for the torment she had put him through. She struggled with all her might, but he held her to him. He swung her up in his arms and carried her under the shade of a huge tree. He laid her on the grass none too gently.

  Edward pinned her body to the ground with his own. "Behold your day of reckoning, Victoria," he told her with a cruel smile. "What you treasure so highly is about to be taken from you."

  His lips came down roughly on hers. Victoria was crying. She knew she was powerless to stop him. She felt weak and shaken. The weight of his body on hers left her breathless. She pushed against him with all her might.

  "No, no, Edward, do not do this." She struck at him with her hands. "Do not touch me!" Victoria knew she was becoming hysterical.

  Edward tasted the salt of her tears and raised his head. He stared into her eyes, eyes that were full of panic. He could feel her trembling beneath him. "Damn you, Victoria," he whispered. With superhuman strength, he rose to his feet and walked slowly back to the horses, leaving Victoria to compose herself. They rode home in silence.

  Edward looked sideways at Victoria. She had the look of a young girl who had been badly frightened. Sometimes he forgot how young and inexperienced she was. He cursed himself. What would have happened if he had lost control? God in heaven, was there no end to this torment? He was a man, a man in love. It went against nature not to be able to find an outlet for that love. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would take what Victoria was so unwilling to give.

  Victoria was glad when they reached the stables. She dismounted without Edward's help, and walked to the cottage. She felt alone and helpless. She longed for Bodine's broad shoulder to cry on. Bodine would know how to advise her. Bodine, I need you, she cried.

  After dinner that night Victoria and Dorothea went into the sitting room, while Edward and Cullem shut themselves in the study.

  Cullem handed Edward a brandy and took a drink of his before he spoke.

  "Anything you want to talk to me about, Son? You seem troubled about something."

  "Does it show, Cullem?"

  "I can tell something is wrong between you and Victoria."

  Edward paced the room as he told Cullem about Victoria's flight from Georgia and the incident that led up to it. Cullem listened quietly, wondering how such a thing could happe
n to a lovely girl like Victoria.

  "You are sure you can clear her of the charges, Edward?"

  "No; that is one reason I brought her here, Cullem. If I fail, I will simply not take her back to the United States."

  "You must love her very much, Son."

  Cullem saw pain in Edward's eyes.

  "Yes, very much," Edward said quietly. He did not want to confide in Cullem about the way he had tricked Victoria into marriage, or her love for Paul O'Brian.

  After Edward and Victoria left that night, Cullem discussed with Dorothea what Edward had told him.

  "That could explain why I have had this feeling that something is amiss between the two of them," Dorothea said.

  "You have sensed it, too?" Cullem asked.

  "Yes. I cannot yet pinpoint it, but there is more to it than what Edward told you tonight. I am sure of it."

  "I think so, too, Dorothea. There is definitely something else troubling the two of them. It's like they are afraid to let their feelings show."

  Dorothea nodded. "Yes. Well, there is nothing we can do unless one of them comes to us and asks for our help," she told Cullem.

  It was hard to believe they had been in Jamaica for six weeks. Victoria and Dorothea had become close friends. They felt easy in each other's company, and were content to sit and chat, or take quiet walks in the garden.

  Edward had begun to spend less and less time with his bride and this puzzled Dorothea. She could see that the two of them were very much in love. In her motherly fashion, she wanted to help, but could see no way to approach the subject.

  Victoria had been alone in the cottage all morning. Edward was spending most of his time with Cullem. She missed him terribly. Her love just seemed to grow each day. She noticed everything he did: the way he walked, the way he smiled, the sound of his voice, and she missed him desperately when he was away.

  She felt feverish and restless. She tossed in her bed at night, unable to get him out of her mind. She remembered the feel of his hands, the touch of his lips. She did not know if she could continue much longer. Surely she had almost reached the breaking point. His cool politeness was like daggers in her heart. Well, she had only herself to blame. He had tried on several occasions to reach out to her, and she had made him angry. She knew the next time he tried to make love to her, she would not fight him. She no longer wanted to. Even if it meant betraying her feelings, wouldn't it be better to have him near her, no matter the cost to her pride?