Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Victoria knew in that moment he spoke the truth. She wondered why she had ever doubted him. She felt tears sting her eyes. How he must have suffered! She had thought of herself as the injured party, but now she had to face the truth. She had not believed Edward when she had found Monica in his room; she had been wrong and cruel.

  Victoria was filled with self-loathing. She had been a coward, and had run away at the first sign of trouble in her marriage. She had left Edward at a time when they had needed each other. How could she ever make it up to him for all the pain he had endured? She knew what she must do.

  Victoria fought hard to hold on to her composure. Her heart was breaking for what she must do, but she did not waver before Edward. Later when she was alone she would cry. Her voice sounded calm as she spoke. "Very well, Edward, when you leave, Farraday will go with you."

  Edward had not expected her to give in so easily. He was suspicious. He thought she would fight him every step of the way. He did not trust her. "How do I know you will not sneak off in the middle of the night, and take my son with you? You have a way of running away when things become too difficult, Victoria."

  "You have my word I will not run away this time, Edward."

  He laughed. "Your word, Victoria?" His eyes burned into hers. "You have broken your word to me in the past. Remember you once promised to love me forever?"

  Victoria wanted to rush into his arms and tell him that she had not broken her promise, and would love him forever, but, as always, her pride intervened. "Perhaps you would like to lock me in my room."

  "That might not be a bad idea, but knowing you, you would find a way to escape."

  Victoria's heart cried out for the love she had destroyed. Edward felt only hatred and contempt for her now. "Edward, if I had stayed at Rio del Lobo, would you have made me give up my baby?"

  He stared at her for a long moment. "Yes, Victoria, I would have."

  She looked at the ceiling, tears running down her face. She was angry that she was crying. Wiping the tears with the back of her hand, she looked at him. "Then I did the right thing by running away. If I had stayed you would not have a son to take with you to Texas.”

  Edward looked at her angrily. "See that Farraday's things are packed, Victoria. I want to leave right away."

  Edward could hardly resist the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her until she begged him to stop. He wanted to make love to her. He had to get hold of himself before he gave in to that urge.

  She walked over to her desk and sat down. Though her heart was breaking, there was no sign of it. "It would not be practical for you to leave tonight."

  Edward sat on the edge of the desk and looked down at her.

  "You will have to find a wet nurse who is willing to travel to Texas with you. Farraday is not weaned yet."

  "He has a wet nurse; I saw her today. I will pay her well to come with me."

  "I doubt you could persuade Ruth to go with you. She has seven children of her own. Then, there is her husband, Josh." Victoria drew out a sheet of paper and began to write. "I will post a notice at the crossroads stating that you are in need of a wet nurse. There should be a quick response, and you can probably start interviewing the applicants tomorrow afternoon."

  Edward watched as she wrote out the notice. Her hand was steady. He wondered at her strength. He had some idea of what was going on inside of her.

  She looked up at him. Her eyes met his and never wavered. "I will have Moss post this in the morning. If you would like to stay at Farraday, you are welcome."

  "I thank you for your hospitality, and I accept, if it will not put you out."

  "Not at all, Edward," she said, as coolly as if she were talking to a stranger. "You left your baggage in Savannah?"

  "Yes, at the Wayfarer Hotel."

  "I will send Josh for it in the morning."

  "I am indebted to you, Victoria," he said coldly.

  "Now, if you will follow me, I will show you to your room."

  Victoria picked up a lamp and walked toward the door. Edward followed. He watched her hips move enticingly as she ascended the stairs in front of him. She led him down the hallway and opened the door to a bedroom that was directly across from his son's nursery.

  Victoria set the lamp down on a table and opened a window, letting in a cool breeze. "I will send Becky with water, so you can wash if you like. I know it is your habit to bathe every night, but the hour is late."

  "Just a pan of water will suffice," he told her.

  "If there is anything you require, please let Becky know." She walked across the room, paused at the door, and turned to face him. "Do not think because I give him up so easily that I love him any the less," Victoria said evenly. She stared at him a moment, and then left, closing the door softly.

  Edward sat down on the bed. He had his revenge. Why did it give him so little pleasure? He lay back and closed his eyes. Oh, God, why did he still want her so badly? He had to fight for control tonight. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how he had ached for her for so long. He wanted to feel her body next to his. Was he never to be free of her?

  That night he dreamed of a white sandy beach, and he and Victoria were building a sand castle. Then he was kissing her and holding her close to him. He could feel the silkiness of her skin against his body. He awoke in a cold sweat and tried to erase the image from his mind.

  He lay awake for a long time, unable to sleep. Finally Edward heard Farraday crying. He dressed quickly and went to the nursery. The crib was empty, but he saw an open door that led into another room. A soft light was coming from within what he suspected was Victoria's bedroom. Edward listened as he heard her talking to their son.

  "Oh, my little love, you are going to forget all about me. You will never know how much your mother loves you. Maybe someday, when you are older, someone will tell you about me. Your father is going to love you and make a good life for you."

  Edward stood in the darkened nursery and watched as Victoria rocked Farraday in her arms. He saw the tears glisten on her cheeks. He was speechless as he watched her nurse his son. The soft light glistened on her bare breasts. He had not considered that she would nurse Farraday herself.

  This was the final proof of his revenge. He had paid her back for all the torment she had put him through. Why, then, did he want to go to her, take her in his arms, and comfort her?

  She started singing softly to the baby. Her voice broke and she hugged the tiny body to her. He saw her smile and rise from where she was sitting. "You will sleep with me tonight. I want you near me for as long as possible."

  Edward could no longer see her. She had moved from his view. He returned to his room silently. Revenge was bitter, for it had turned back on him. He felt her heartbreak as if it were his own, but still, somewhere inside him there was the need to hurt her.

  32

  The sun was just coming up when Victoria awoke. Farraday was curled up beside her. Getting out of bed, she dressed herself and woke him. She nursed Farraday and dressed him for the day; then she carried him outside for a walk in the cool morning air. She took him to the stables and let him see the horses, as he loved to do; then she walked down the driveway and up the slope to the big willow tree.

  Edward watched from his bedroom window. The sun was breaking through the trees. The plantation was coming to life. A wagonload of field hands moved toward the cotton fields. Moss was busy with the never-ending yard work.

  Victoria sat down under the tree and held Farraday in her lap. She kissed his cheek and ruffled his hair. After a while she gathered him into her arms. "Let us go in. You must be hungry," she told him.

  Edward saw her walk toward the house. He started down the stairs and met her at the front door.

  "Good morning, Edward. Did you sleep well?"

  "Yes," he lied. "How about yourself?"

  "We slept fine, didn't we, Farraday?" She raised him over her head while he squealed in delight.

  Edward held out his arms and Victoria
handed Farraday to him. He smoothed the silken hair down and planted a kiss on the soft cheek. "You are such a wonderful little boy."

  Farraday patted Edward's cheek and nestled closer to him.

  Victoria watched, pain stabbing at her heart. Farraday looked so much like Edward. It was even more apparent seeing them together.

  Becky said as much as she came into the hallway. "You cannot deny Master Farraday is your son, Mr. Hanover. He looks just like you."

  "Do you really think so, Becky?" Edward said, feeling pleased at her observation.

  "Yes, sir, he surely does. Now if you will let me take this young man, I will feed him."

  Edward relinquished his son, and Farraday squealed in protest.

  "He is an exceptional little boy, Victoria," Edward said, turning to her.

  "Yes, he is." She swallowed hard. "Would you like breakfast now, Edward?"

  "Yes, if you are having yours."

  She led the way to the dining room. Knowing his preference, Victoria filled Edward's plate from the sideboard, and placed it before him. Then she filled his cup with coffee and sat down with a cup of coffee herself. Neither of them spoke. An awkward silence hung over the dining room. Victoria pushed her coffee cup aside, wishing she could flee from Edward's disturbing presence.

  "You are not eating, Victoria?"

  "No. I very rarely eat breakfast."

  "You are much too thin."

  She rose to her feet. "If you will excuse me, Edward—"

  "Sit down, Victoria. I would like to talk to you. Surely you can spare me a moment of your time."

  She sat down slowly, feeling at a loss as to how to deal with him.

  She looked into his face, the face that had haunted her for so long. There was no softness in the brown eyes that looked coldly back at her.

  "I am curious, Victoria. Tell me, how did you get the money to rebuild this house, and to put the crops in? I know you took very little money with you when you left Texas."

  "It is a long story, Edward, and I would not want to bore you with the details."

  His eyes narrowed. "Nothing about you has ever bored me."

  "You really do hate me, don't you, Edward?"

  He gave her a smile that held no amusement. "Hate is a very strong emotion, Victoria." He traced the rim of his cup with his finger. "Let us say rather that I am indifferent to you."

  She gripped the side of the table, praying she could get through the next few moments without breaking down completely. Never in all her life had she needed strength as she needed it now. She felt her control slipping.

  There was a knock on the front door and she was overwhelmed with relief when she heard Paul's voice. He entered the dining room, looking tall and handsome. He looked at Victoria and seemed to sense the turmoil that she was feeling. His presence gave her comfort; his look gave her courage. "Are you having breakfast? I ate hours ago."

  Victoria knew he was deliberately making small talk, giving her time to compose herself.

  Paul turned slowly to face Edward. Each man assessed the other. "I heard you were here," Paul said cautiously.

  "News travels fast, Mr. O'Brian." .

  Paul nodded. "It does between here and my place."

  Victoria found her voice. "Paul, would you like some coffee?"

  "Yes, thank you, but keep your seat. I will serve myself." Walking over to the sideboard, he poured himself a cup of coffee. »

  Edward sneered at Paul as he seated himself next to Victoria. He hated the way Paul seemed to make himself at home.

  "Tell me, Edward, are you staying very long?"

  Edward bit back an angry retort. "Not too long, only as long as it takes me to clear up some unfinished business."

  Edward knew in that moment that he and Paul would have a showdown. It was inevitable. The look Paul gave him plainly told him he knew it, too.

  Paul turned to Victoria. Doubt and fear gnawed at him. Would Victoria go back to Texas with Edward? He had to know. He wondered how to broach the subject. He took a drink of coffee, leaned back in his chair, and studied her face. "Bodine tells me you are planning on draining a part of the swamp to plant more cotton next year, Tory."

  "Yes, that is right. Bodine thinks it will cost more than it will pay, but I disagree with him."

  "I don't know, Tory," Paul said, leaning forward. "It will be awfully expensive, and you could use that land to plant rice. It grows very well there."

  "I know that, Paul, but I am thinking on a long-term basis. In a few years, it will more than pay for itself. There is a large demand for cotton now that the war is over, and I believe there will be a shortage of it, causing the price to go even higher."

  Paul had gotten the information he wanted. She was not going to return to Texas. He smiled. "You are probably right, Tory. You know you can count on me for any help you need."

  "Thank you, Paul, but you have already been more than generous with your time. Would you gentlemen excuse me?" she said, rising to her feet, glad for a chance to escape.

  Edward and Paul rose to their feet.

  "I am going to see about posting your notice and have Josh get your baggage from town," she told Edward. Both men watched as she left the room, her blue print dress swaying as she walked.

  Edward sat down; Paul reached for the coffee urn and walked over to him.

  "Coffee?"

  Edward nodded. Paul filled Edward's cup and then refilled his own. Edward watched Paul with a critical eye. He felt anger so strong it threatened to choke him. Could Victoria and Paul be lovers? He felt enraged, and fought hard for control.

  "So," Paul said taking a drink of coffee, "you found Tory."

  Edward's eyes blazed at him. "Yes, no thanks to you."

  Paul shrugged his shoulders. "I honored Tory's wishes. I did not like lying to your man, Price, but you will understand my first loyalty was to Tory."

  "Obviously!"

  "Why did you come? You have hurt Tory enough already. I do not know what happened between you and her, but I do know you have caused her a great deal of pain."

  Edward's eyes narrowed. If Paul had known him a little better, he could have recognized the danger signal.

  "It is none of your damned business," Edward said deliberately. Then he added, "I have come for my son. I am taking him to Texas."

  Paul was on his feet so quickly he upset the chair he had been sitting in. "Like hell, you are! I will not let you take Farraday from Tory; it would break her heart."

  Edward jumped to his feet, his anger unleashed. "You go too far, Paul. I told you it is none of your affair. I leave you the mother; that is, if you have not had her already."

  "You fool," Paul hissed as he leaped across the space that divided them. Paul grabbed Edward and slammed him against the wall. Edward recovered quickly and landed a powerful fist in Paul's stomach. Paul fell to his knees.

  "I knew when I first met you I might have to face you one day," Edward told him.

  Paul regained his feet and was circling around Edward. "Tory deserves better than you," Paul said through clenched teeth. He landed a fist to Edward's jaw that sent him reeling into the side table, causing the coffee server and cups to crash to the floor.

  Edward got up slowly. He shook his head. "I suppose you think you deserve her."

  Paul O'Brian had certainly proven himself a worthy adversary. Edward felt a new respect for him as he plowed into him with a force that took them both out into the entryway. Before Paul could recover, Edward hit him in the jaw.

  Paul was dazed. "If she would have me, I would certainly count myself lucky."

  "You mean you haven't had her yet? I find that hard to believe."

  Paul grabbed Edward by the shirtfront and threw him into the wall. "You take back what you said about Tory," Paul said. "She is fine and decent, and I will not have you blacken her reputation with your foul accusations."

  Edward dodged a blow and pinned Paul to the wall. "You are a bit mixed up, aren't you? Isn't it the husband who defends his w
ife's honor?" Edward twisted Paul's arm behind him.

  "You would think so, wouldn't you?" Paul replied in pain.

  Becky had heard the commotion and was looking at the two men wide-eyed. Both were covered with blood and the dining room was a shambles. She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. "What you mean breaking up Miss Victoria's house? You better stop this right now." '

  Edward released Paul's arm and walked out to the veranda. Paul followed, rubbing his arm. Edward leaned against the white pillar and tested his sore jaw.

  "Tory has been faithful to you, Edward. It isn't that I have not tried. You do not know her very well if you think I succeeded. I guess when you take Farraday away from her it will destroy her completely. Did you know Tory almost died giving birth to your son?" Paul's eyes turned a deep blue as he looked at Edward. "Do not take Farraday from her, Edward. Return to Texas and leave her in peace."

  "No!"

  "You damned Yankee!"

  "Shut up, Paul," Edward warned.

  "Take your son, then, Edward. Give up the greatest treasure. I will be here after you have gone. Maybe she will turn to me at last. I have waited a long time for her. You really are a fool."

  Edward glared at him. "That is the second time you have called me a fool," he warned, taking a step in Paul's direction.

  "Save your strength, Edward. I am leaving, but I will be back; for what you have thrown away today, I shall treasure the rest of my life."

  Edward watched as Paul went down the steps and mounted a black stallion that he knew was Rebel's twin. He swore under his breath and went into the house and up the stairs to bathe the blood from his face and soak his bruised knuckles. That is where Bodine found him. He opened the bedroom door without knocking, walked over to Edward, and watched him silently for a moment.

  "I saw the dining room. You and Paul must have had a few words."

  "More than a few," Edward told him.

  "I would like a shot at you myself," Bodine said quietly.

  Edward looked at him. "You will have to get in line, Bodine."

  "Victoria tells me you are taking Farraday."