Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) (23 page)

"Edward, Victoria wanted me to urge you to attend since Mammaw is so fond of you. Will you go?

"Of course. How is Victoria?"

Dan shrugged. "Happy, I suppose. I had a long talk with Paul today while we were hanging the decorations. I didn't expect to like him, but I find
that I do. He is so open and honest, and he obviously
loves Victoria a great deal."

"I did not ask you for an assessment of Paul O'Brian's character. I don't give a damn about him."

"Let her go, as I have, Edward. Victoria is not for
you or me."

Edward set his jaw stubbornly. "I will not let her go, Dan. She is not married to Paul O'Brian yet!"

The house at the Anderson ranch was full to overflowing, and still Alice Anderson's friends came. The table in the dining room was full of food; music and laughter filtered through the house.

Edward helped Monica Webber from his buggy. Her arms went around his neck. "Maybe we could leave early, Edward."

He lowered his lips to hers in a long and lingering kiss—a kiss that was dissatisfying to him. It made him angry that he should react to Monica in such a way. He wondered now why he had asked her to attend Mammaw's birthday party with him.

Monica had just returned from a six-month stay in New Orleans. It had been over four years since he had last seen her. Edward had spent many enjoyable hours with Monica before he had gone to war.

"Mammaw is my favorite girl, Monica. I could not leave her party early."

"I would like to be your favorite girl, Edward." She tossed her shoulder-length red hair and gave him a look that promised much.

"You rank high enough, Monica, as do all beautiful and desirable women."

"You never commit yourself, do you, Edward?"

"What would you have me say, Monica?"

"If I have to tell you, Edward, it would not be worth hearing."

"Don't have any illusions about me, Monica."

"I am aware of your reputation with women, Edward. You make them fall in love with you, then you drop them flat."

"I don't like clinging females, Monica, and if I have a reputation, as you say, it is undeserved. I go into a relationship with total honesty, and when it is finished, I walk away."

"Has no woman ever reached your heart, Edward?"

He kissed her roughly, more to silence her than from any need he had for her.

Dan and Clarissa appeared at their side. Edward dislodged Monica's arms from about his neck.

Monica seemed undaunted by the intrusion. She linked her arm through Edward's. "Hello, Clarissa." Her voice was silky-smooth.

"How are you, Monica?" Clarissa's dry voice was icy. The two women had never liked each other since both of them had liked Edward too well.

"Edward, you are easily distracted," Dan said lightly. "I wonder what color goes well with red?"

"Good evening, Clarissa," Edward said, ignoring Dan. "If the good doctor's company begins to wear on you, let me know. He tries to be a wit, but falls short of the mark."

Dan laughed. "Oh, I think I hit the mark I was aiming for, Edward."

Victoria stood in the receiving line beside her grandmother and Paul. She was thoroughly enjoying herself and was glad that she had decided to have a party for her grandmother's birthday. Victoria had been astounded by the large turnout, and the love and affection shown to her grandmother by her friends and neighbors. Although she had asked that they bring no gifts, her request had been ignored. The table in the sitting room was overflowing with presents.

She saw Clarissa and Dan being greeted by her grandmother. Victoria hugged Clarissa, and then introduced her to Paul.

Clarissa smiled at the handsome Southerner. "I have been looking forward to meeting you, Mr. O'Brian. Victoria has told me so much about you."

Paul was dressed in a light-blue suit, and a white ruffled shirt. He smiled and took Clarissa's offered hand. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Patterson."

Victoria welcomed Dan. She kissed his cheek. "Now the party can begin. My best friend has arrived."

He beamed down at her. "It is not a friendship I take lightly, Victoria." Then he said seriously, "If you are ever in need, please do not hesitate to call on me."

"You are so serious tonight, Doctor," Victoria teased him. "This is a party; you are to enjoy yourself."

He grinned. "I intend to. Where is the food?"

"You know the way to the dining room," Victoria told him, smiling. Dan shook hands with Paul, and Victoria turned to her grandmother. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Edward accompanied by a beautiful red-headed woman. Surely this was Edward's intended bride. She closed her eyes. I cannot bear it, she thought. She watched as Edward kissed her grandmother's cheek.

"Happy birthday, Mammaw. You do not look one day older."

"I guess love
is
blind," Mammaw quipped.

Edward reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a brown velvet box. He removed a golden brooch in the shape of a butterfly.

"Edward, you shouldn't have. I recognize that as
your mother's brooch. I cannot accept such a valuable gift from you."

"My mother once told me you admired it. She always intended you to have it; I am merely carrying out her wishes. It would make me happy if you would accept it." He pinned the butterfly to the white collar of her gown.

Mammaw was overcome with emotion. Her blue eyes sparkled with tears. "I shall treasure it always."

Edward kissed her once more. "As I treasure you," he told her earnestly.

"I declare, I am jealous of you, Mammaw," the pretty redhead said.

Mammaw laughed. "I am no competition for you. May I introduce you to my granddaughter, Victoria Lee Farraday. Honey, this is Monica Webber."

"I am pleased to meet you, Miss Webber," Victoria said, hoping her voice had not betrayed the way she was feeling. The woman was beautiful. Her red hair hung to her shoulders; her blue eyes sparkled; her skin was creamy white. The blue dress she wore was lovely, and definitely expensive. Victoria felt the white dress Consuelo had made for her pale to insignificance beside the blue creation Miss Webber wore.

The redhead stared at Victoria long and hard. "You are something of a legend, Miss Farraday. It seems you rode on horseback from Georgia."

"It was not nearly as hard as you might think, Miss Webber. May I introduce you to my fiancé, Paul O'Brian?"

Monica brightened at the handsome man and offered him her hand. "I am delighted to meet you,
Mr. O'Brian."

Paul took her hand and bowed gallantly. "Charmed, Miss Webber."

Victoria felt Edward standing in front of her. She knew the hardest thing she would ever have to do would be to try to act natural when she felt so crushed. "Thank you for coming to my grandmother's party, Mr. Hanover," she said, raising her head to look at him. Victoria was feeling vulnerable. She felt as though her thoughts were laid bare for Edward to see.

He was dressed in a black formal suit. His ebony hair seemed to shine in the soft light. He wore a white shirt with ruffles that accented his deeply tanned face. “I would not miss Mammaw's birthday celebration, Miss Farraday," he said formally. His voice was cold and detached.

Victoria knew she must avoid Edward's hypnotic eyes. She was aware that Miss Webber was talking to Paul, and her grandmother was greeting a newcomer. Edward stood silently before her. Victoria could think of nothing to say.

"You knew I would come, Victoria."

Her eyes met his and she, was lost. It happened as it had at their first meeting. She could neither speak nor look away. The air she breathed seemed charged with electricity.

"You look beautiful tonight, Victoria, but then you always do." His voice seemed to come to her from a long way off. She felt her pulse race. Victoria was totally unaware that there were other people around.

Monica reached for Edward's hand. "Have you
met Mr. O'Brian?" she asked.

Edward looked down at Monica. "Yes, I have. How are you, Mr. O'Brian?"

The two men shook hands. "It is nice to see you again, Mr. Hanover."

"How are you liking Texas, Mr. O'Brian?"

"Tory has shown me around quite a bit and I like what I have seen so far."

Victoria turned gratefully to the guest who now greeted her. She wondered how she would ever get through this night. The party, which had started out so joyously, had now turned into a nightmare for her.

When all the guests had arrived, Victoria and Paul made their way to the dining room. The dinner was being served buffet-style, since the dining room could not accommodate such a large crowd.

Victoria noticed Edward and Monica Webber standing nearby. Monica was whispering in his ear. Victoria saw Edward throw back his head and laugh at whatever it was Monica had said to him. I cannot bear it, she thought. I do not have the strength to get through this evening. Paul handed her a plate that he had filled for her. She smiled at him. "I am not really hungry, Paul."

He cocked his handsome head to one side. "Eat, honey, it worries me when you do not eat."

She took a bit of the creamy potatoes to please him. Her eyes wandered to Edward once more. He was smiling down at Monica as she looked adoringly up at him. Victoria saw Edward offer Monica a drink from his own glass. Victoria closed her eyes,
remembering the day he had shared his canteen with
her. Did Monica know how faithless her future husband was? Then, to be honest with herself, she won
dered what Paul would think of her if he knew how
she had responded to Edward's kisses. In her defense, she argued that Edward had forced his attentions on her. But had he? Hadn't she wanted him to kiss her? The revelation only made her feel worse.

Later in the evening, as it often happened, the younger people sought their own age group while the older people occupied the house. The single couples migrated to the front porch, with the exception of Victoria and Paul, who were still circulating among the guests. Chairs had been placed for the guests' comfort.

Edward sat on the porch railing, his back braced
against a supporting post; one long leg was drawn up
beside him. His hand rested on his boot. Monica occupied a chair beside him.

Monica noticed that Clarissa and Dan were holding hands, and she dismissed Clarissa as a threat. She intended to take advantage of the time
she and Edward would have alone together when he
drove her home.

"I can see now why Victoria was so anxious for Paul O'Brian to come for her," Clarissa said. "He is so handsome and quite the most charming man I have ever met."

"How about me?" Dan asked.

"You are charming, Dan; we all know that," Monica spoke up.

Clarissa squeezed his hand. "You are handsome,
Doctor." She smiled and then added, "Dan, don't you think Victoria and Paul are well-suited to one another?"

Dan looked at Edward. "They are both blond and blue-eyed; they come from the same background. Yes, I think they suit very well."

Edward gave Dan a disgusted look, but said nothing.

They were interrupted by Paul himself as he joined them on the front porch.

"Mr. O'Brian, please sit beside Dan and me," Clarissa invited, indicating the vacant chair beside her.

"Thank you, Miss . . . Patterson." Paul removed his coat. "You do not mind, do you, Miss Patterson?"

"Make yourself comfortable, Mr. O'Brian, by all means."

He placed his coat over the back of his chair, then unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. "It is rather warm," he told her.

"That is all the encouragement I need," Dan said, as he removed his coat and placed it over the back of his chair.

"Tell me, Mr. O'Brian, when do you and Victoria intend to be married?" Clarissa asked bluntly.

He smiled at her and sat down, crossing his long legs. "If I had my way, we would already be married."

"I hope you do not intend to take her to Georgia, Mr. O'Brian," Clarissa said. "She has become a good friend of mine, and I would miss her."

Paul was quiet for a moment. "One day, I shall
take her to Georgia, Miss Patterson, but you shall have an invitation to visit us whenever you would like."

"You avoided my question, Mr. O'Brian, as to when you and Victoria will be married," Clarissa said, with her usual directness.

"Please call me Paul," he said, "and yes, I did evade your question, but only because I have not pinned Tory down to a date. You see before you, Miss Patterson—"

"Call me Clarissa."

He smiled. "You see before you, Clarissa, a man who is totally at the mercy of a woman who is undecided on a date. If you have any influence with Tory, I beg you to intercede on my behalf."

Clarissa laughed. "I shall certainly do so the first opportunity I get. I noticed the beautiful engagement ring she has on her finger, Paul. It would seem you have already half-convinced her."