Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) (33 page)

"He likes it just fine, Miss Victoria."

"How do you like living at Rio del Lobo, Ned?"

He beamed at her. "I like it just fine, too, Miss Victoria."

She only stayed a short time and returned to the house. Juanita met her at the door all excited.

"Senora,
you will not believe the pretty things that have come for you today. Come to your bedroom," she told Victoria excitedly.

Victoria followed Juanita up the stairs and into
her bedroom. Her bed was heaped with boxes of all
sizes.

"Hurry and open them,
Senora!"
Juanita urged her.

"Where did they come from?"

"They came from San Antonio.
Senor
Eduardo had them made for you."

Victoria caught some of Juanita's enthusiasm.
She opened the boxes. Each gown seemed to be more
beautiful than the last.

There were delicate undergarments, nightgowns, robes, shoes, bonnets. She could hardly believe her eyes. Expensive silks, velvets, satins, dresses for morning wear and evening, and a lovely wine-colored riding habit.

"I do not understand, Juanita. How could he know my size?"

"Consuelo told him,
Senora
Victoria," Juanita said, smiling.

Victoria left her room and went downstairs and out into the garden. She could see that Edward
intended to lavish her with luxuries. If he only knew
how little it all meant to her. All she really wanted from him was a simple thing: his heart.

As the coach drove away from Rio del Lobo, the
sky was overcast and a chilling wind was blowing out
of the north. Victoria looked out the window. She
watched as the trees bowed their branches under the
onslaught; dry leaves were blowing across the road.

There was no joy in Victoria's heart at the forthcoming trip. Edward had been cold and withdrawn ever since the night they had quarreled. Although he had continued to dine with her at the
evening meal, and he had given her Spanish lessons as he had promised, Victoria would have welcomed
an argument, anything but this brooding silence.
She looked at him. He sat beside her, his handsome
face giving her no hint of his mood. She had half-expected him to cancel their honeymoon trip to Jamaica; she had hoped he would.

Estancio was to drive them to Galveston where Edward had booked passage on a ship that would take them to Jamaica. As the coach went through Cedarville, Victoria saw the skeleton of the new schoolhouse that was under construction. Her mind
wandered back to the box supper. Victoria remem
bered how much she had enjoyed being with Edward
that day. Of course, that was before she knew she loved him.

Victoria felt Edward shift his weight beside her. She had not slept well the night before, and the rocking of the coach and the rhythm of the horses hoofs soon made her feel drowsy. She leaned her head against the leather seat and fell asleep. She awoke suddenly as she felt Edward draw her to him. He pulled her across his lap and nestled her head against his chest. She could hear the beating of his heart, and a feeling of contentment came to her. Victoria closed her eyes and slept.

When she awoke sometime later, she saw that Edward also slept. His legs were propped on the seat opposite them. His head rested against the leather cushion. He still held her in his arms. Victoria felt the moment belonged to her. She could observe him without his being aware of it. His face was so handsome. He somehow looked very young* and vulnerable. Victoria looked at his long silky lashes, his strong, sensitive mouth. She wished she dared to kiss his lips. Oh, my darling, I love you so very much, she thought.

She saw Edward's eyes open slowly. The brown depths held her prisoner. His arms tightened about her. How long she lay there looking into his eyes, she did not know. Suddenly the coach stopped and Estancio opened the door.

"This is where you said you wanted to have lunch,
Patron."
The spell was broken. Victoria sat up and allowed Estancio to help her alight.

Later they continued their journey. Edward told her they would spend the night in San Antonio. She was looking forward to seeing the town held in such reverence by so many Texans.

"Tell me about San Antonio,' Victoria said, pulling her cloak about her for more warmth.

"Never ask a Texan about San Antonio unless you want to hear a long testimonial, Victoria."

"You are speaking of the Alamo, are you not?"

"You know about the Alamo?"

"No, not really. Bodine told me there was a battle there which the Texans lost. Why should a defeat be something to take pride in Edward?"

He smiled at her "Yes, they lost the battle, but won the war." As he talked, she could hear the pride in his voice. "One hundred and eighty men held the small mission against Santa Anna's army of thousands for thirteen days."

"Santa Anna was the Mexican general?"

"Yes, and he was president of Mexico, also. Anyway," Edward continued, "Travis, who was the commander of the Texans, gave all the one hundred eighty men the choice to leave the mission or stay and fight. All the defenders chose to stay, knowing they faced certain death. They held up the Mexican forces for thirteen days—long enough for Sam Houston to group his forces and defeat Santa Anna at San Jacinto."

"What happened to the defenders of the Alamo?"

"They were all killed."

"Surely not all of them?" she said, her eyes wide in horror.

"To a man."

"How very sad. I do not think I like your Alamo. I hate war." Her eyes became misty.

"I did not tell you to make you sad. Maybe you have to be born a Texan to feel pride for the brave men who died so that Texas could be free."

"A lot of brave men die in war," Victoria said hotly. "My father, for example. I do not feel pride that he died a hero, only a great loss and frustration. Had I been his son instead of his daughter, I would have taken up arms and avenged his death."

Edward raised his eyebrow. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, Victoria?"

"Exactly!"

"Then maybe you did have your revenge."

"No, the Yankee I shot at Farraday was to avenge Bess and to protect myself." Victoria smiled and looked at Edward defiantly. "Would you care for me to extract my revenge from you, Yankee?"

"Maybe you already have, Victoria, in a much more painful way than if you had shot me."

What did he mean? she wondered, confused. "Everything bad that has happened to me lately has been because of a Yankee in one way or another, Edward."

He looked at her, his face a blank, but the muscle that twitched in his jaw told her she had made him angry again. She sighed and looked out the window. The first day of their trip had not gone well at all, and it was not over yet.

After a long silence, Edward spoke:

"As I have told you before, Victoria, you are very intelligent for a woman."

She turned to him. "What do you mean for a woman?"

"It has not been my experience to find brains an attribute with the women in my past."

"Pity. You must have had some very dull times." "Intelligence was not a requirement I looked for in female companionship. If I had wanted stimulating conversation, I could

always have talked to Dan."

"Do you require intelligence in a wife, Edward?
You are so meticulous, perhaps you could write me a
note each morning stating if you would like me to be
intelligent or complacent."

Edward laughed. "You, my dear wife, do not
know the meaning of complacency; would that you
did."

She gave him a scalding look. "Would you like me
if I were a simpering female who pined of love for

He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her against him roughly. "I did not say I did not like you. I married you, didn't I?"

"Yes," she whispered, "and I still do not know why."

Edward's face was very near hers. "Suppose I told
you, Victoria, that I burned with love for you and that I can think of nothing but you soft and yielding in my arms."

"Please let me go," she pleaded. "Do not mock me."

Edward released her. They remained silent until the coach reached San Antonio.

The suite they occupied was two bedrooms divided by a sitting room. There was a bouquet of carnations and a bowl of fruit with a card from the
management. The hotel had rolled out the red carpet
for them. The manager tended to all their wants personally. It was apparent he was impressed with the owner of Rio del Lobo.

Victoria dressed in one of the new gowns Edward
had purchased for her. It was blue velvet. The neckline was cut lower than anything she had ever worn before. She pulled her hair on top of her head and secured it with ivory combs. How different she looked in the elegant gown. The gowns Consuelo had made for her were for a young girl. This was a gown for a woman.

The diamond pendant Edward had given her glittered in the light. Victoria felt nervous. Would he think her beautiful?

She walked into the sitting room. Edward was attractively dressed in a black suit and white shirt.
His handsome head was bent over the newspaper he
was reading.

"I hope I did not keep you waiting," Victoria said.

Edward looked up. His gaze traveled over her. He
laid the newspaper aside and rose slowly to his feet, his eyes taking in every detail of Victoria's appearance.

The blue velvet gown hugged her shapely body. The color made her eyes seem almost violet. He
noticed her creamy breasts that were revealed by the
low-cut neckline. There was no evidence of the young girl; instead, a cool, sophisticated breathtakingly beautiful woman stood before him.

"No," Edward said, "you did not keep me waiting,
and if you had, it would be worth the wait. You are lovely, Victoria."

"Thank you," she said, trying not to show how pleased she was with his compliment.

"I remember a time when you would not accept a
compliment from me, Victoria."

She smiled. "You are the right person, and I believe you are sincere."

"Oh, yes, darling, I am very sincere." He took her
hand. "Come. As badly as I hate to, I must share you
for the moment. Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I am starved."

"So am I," he said under his breath.

As they came down the stairs and into the dining room, it seemed every eye turned in admiration of the striking couple. Victoria was aware of the sensation they were causing, and felt proud of her tall, handsome husband. The waiter flashed them a smile and led them to the best table.

Victoria did not taste the food she ate; she was too
conscious of Edward's eyes watching her.

"I am pleased you are wearing one of the gowns I
gave you."

Victoria smiled. "It was remiss of me not to thank you; it is just that I wish you would not feel you had
to buy me so many expensive things."

"Would you deny me the pleasure of seeing you
as you are now? Look about you, Victoria. There is
not a man in this room who would not like to change
places with me."

She blushed and dropped her head. "Please, you are embarrassing me."

Neither of them noticed the woman who had come up to their table.

"Edward, darling, you are a naughty boy. Why didn't you let me know you were in town?"

Victoria looked up and saw Monica Webber. She wore a yellow satin dress. Her red hair hung down her shoulders, and her blue eyes smiled at Edward.

"Monica," he said, rising to his feet.

She slipped her arm about his waist. "It is perfect running into you. Cissy Norris is having a party. I know she would love to see you. Please say you will come." She was looking at Edward seductively. "We have a lot to catch up on."

"Monica, I—"

She leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

"Monica," Edward said, feeling uncomfortable. "You remember Victoria. She and I are married."

Victoria watched as Monica's face turned pale. She turned to Victoria. Her arm fell away from Edward's waist. "Victoria, I thought you were engaged to Mr. O'Brian. I do not understand any of this."

Edward's eyes pleaded with Victoria for understanding.

The beautiful redhead tried to smile. "I had not heard of your marriage." She turned to Edward. "I hope you will be very happy." Then Monica turned to Victoria. "You are very lucky." There were tears in her blue eyes. Victoria felt pity for the red-headed woman, and knew what she was feeling. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must rush. As I told you, I am attending a party this evening."