Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance) (33 page)

"Of course you shall go. It is not the proper thing to do to cancel a date at the eleventh hour."

"Since when have you worried about what is proper?" Honor challenged her sister.

"Honor, why are you wearing that horrid dress? It is five years out of style and looks it," Meagan said in exasperation, noting the shabby appearance of the gray print gown her sister wore.

"It suits me very well," Honor said stubbornly.

"It will not do at all. You must wear the new gray and black gown. Do you want to look out of place beside the lovely Lisa Maxwell?"

"She was rather pretty, was she not?" Honor said, knowing she did not want to look shabby when Adam saw her tonight.

"She was breathtaking. Now run along to your room and change before they get here."

* * *

Honor's heart felt heavy as she studied her reflection in the full-length mirror. How could she hope to compete with Adam's beautiful lady friend? Compete? Did she want to compete? Yes! She wanted Adam to say he loved her as he once had, because she wanted him with all her heart.

Honor heard the knock at the front door. She sat down on the edge of the bed and buried her head in her hands. Now that Adam was here she was not sure she could face him. How could she act natural when her heart was breaking?

Meagan opened the door to Honor's bedroom to tell her Adam had arrived. Honor stood up and squared her shoulders, ready to meet the ordeal that awaited her. She was surprised to find that Adam was alone.

He stood up as she entered, and for a moment their eyes locked and held. "You look lovely, Honor," he told her.

She lowered her head, realizing he had not called her Mrs. Daniels as he had the night before. "Where is Miss Maxwell?" she asked.

"She is Mrs. Maxwell, and she sends her regrets that she cannot accompany us tonight. She and her husband are giving a party."

"Oh."

"If you are ready now I will be proud to be the escort of two such lovely ladies."

"I am sure Honor would love to go, Adam, but I seem to have developed a headache, and I feel dreadful," Meagan said, smiling at Adam with a hint of mischief in her blue eyes.

Honor whirled around to face her sister. She opened her mouth in protest. "Meagan, how could you?" she accused.

"It is not my fault, Honor. Do you think I invited the headache?"

"Then I shall remain to look after you," Honor said icily, knowing Meagan was deliberately throwing her and Adam together. It was such an obvious ploy that it embarrassed her.

"You will do nothing of the kind. When my head feels like it does now, I want nothing more than to be left alone in peace and quiet."

"Well, if you are sure," Adam said, taking Honor by the arm and leading her toward the door. He gave Meagan just the slightest smile. "I hope you recover quickly."

"Oh, I shall, never doubt it."

It was all Adam could do to keep from laughing out loud. Meagan was priceless. She knew how badly he wanted to be alone with Honor, so she had arranged it.

Adam led Honor into the ballroom downstairs and sat her down at one of the tables. He ordered champagne and poured a glass for her.

She had never tasted champagne before, and she wrinkled her nose in distaste after she took her first sip. Adam watched her with a smile on his face. She looked so unsure of herself that he wanted to reach out and touch her hand to give her assurance, but remembering what Meagan had told him, he decided to take it slow and easy.

Tonight he would start a slow campaign to win her. He would, in fact, start a campaign to seduce her. He felt momentary guilt because Honor was so young and inexperienced, and no match for him with his knowledge and experience in pleasing women, but the guilt did not last long. He would have his heart's desire before the night was over, he thought. He would have Honor's promise to become his bride.

He stood up and took the champagne glass from her hand. "Come, let us dance," he said as he led her to the dance floor.

The music was soft as he whirled Honor to the dance floor. For a moment Honor panicked; she had not danced in years and she was afraid she had forgotten how, but it soon became apparent that she and Adam danced well together. He led and she followed.

At first it was nothing more than two people who danced well together, but soon Honor became aware of Adam's hand around her waist as he drew her tighter against his body. His hands began to move caressingly over her waist and along her spine. His face was resting against hers and she scarcely dared to breathe.

"You smell just the way I remember, all sweet and clean," he whispered. His breath stirred in her hair, and she felt her knees go weak. "I have missed you, darling. There has not been a day gone by that I did not think of you." His lips moved over her face and she swallowed the sob that came to her throat. "I love you, Honor. I will always love you." His voice was deep and passionate.

Honor turned her face to look at him, and the music stopped.

"Let us get out of here. There are too many people around to suit me."

Honor allowed Adam to lead her out of the ballroom and out the front door of the hotel, where he handed her into a buggy that was waiting at the curb. It seemed as if she was living in a dream world. Adam had said he loved her. Where was he taking her now? It did not really matter as long as they could be together.

There was a large park across from the hotel, and

Adam instructed the driver to take them there. He held Honor's hand and looked deeply into her eyes.

Honor could no longer bear to look into his eyes, so she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She had thought she would never see him again, and yet here he was holding her in his arms. She thought of Jordan and their marriage that had turned out to be no marriage at all. What would Adam think when she told him she had lived with Jordan without benefit of marriage? No matter that she had believed herself to be Jordan's wife, she had lived in sin.

Adam asked the driver to stop, and he lifted Honor to the ground. The man was told by Adam to wait for them no matter what the cost and if he had to wait all night.

The driver smiled and assured them he would not budge. He thought to himself how beautiful young love was.

There were many couples walking about in the park, but Adam found a secluded little gazebo. When he drew Honor inside, his arms went around her and his lips crushed hers in a passionate kiss. Honor recalled how it had felt when Adam had made love to her in the apple orchard, and her body reacted by trembling.

Adam felt her lips tremble, and suddenly she was returning his kiss. His breath quickened as his lips traveled down her smooth neck to rest on the wild pulse beat he felt at the base of her throat.

Desire rose like a flame inside of him, and Adam knew he had no reason to fear that he had lost the ability to be stirred by a beautiful woman. He was almost on the brink of madness as his mouth recaptured hers. His hands moved over her back, molding her body to his. He felt himself on dangerous ground, fearing he would frighten Honor with his raw passion. He raised his head. "Say you will marry me, Honor, I need you," he pleaded. "I am only half a man when you are not with me," he said in a passionate voice.

Honor's eyes were soft as she looked into Adam's eyes. She was on the verge of saying yes, when she remembered Jordan.

"You may not want me when I tell you about Jordan and myself."

He silenced her with his finger over her lips. "I know all about you and Jordan. Meagan wrote me. It does not make the slightest difference to me unless you do not love me."

"Oh, Adam, I do love you," she blurted out. "But are you not disgusted at the sight of me, knowing I was not married to Jordan?"

"Darling," he said softly, "I feel only love and pride for you. I want you for my wife."

Honor shook her head in disbelief. "You still want me?" she said in a small voice.

"I never stopped wanting you." He led her over to a bench and sat her down on his lap. "Darling, I want to say something to you. Please sit quietly and do not interrupt until I have finished. I am aware of the fear you have about being married. I want to assure you if you put your trust in me and agree to be my wife, I shall be a very patient husband. I would insist you sleep with me, but until you are ready and until you ask it of me, I would make no demands on you. Do you believe this?"

"Yes," she said, hiding her face against his shoulder.

"We will be no more than two people who love each other, sharing a bed. Do you trust me?"

"With all my heart," she said, looking into his eyes. "With all my heart."

"Will you marry me, darling?"

"Yes, if you want me."

He touched her face softly. "If I want you. Oh, my love, I want you so badly I ache inside."

"But Adam, what if I am never able to . . ."

"Hush darling, do not say it. Trust me when I tell you the time will come when you will beg me to make love to you. Remember how it was between us, Honor? It will be that way again, I promise." Adam lifted her face and his lips touched hers softly at first. Honor's arms went around his neck. His lips moved over her face, then sought her lips once more. Honor remembered only too well the love she had shared with Adam, and she found herself wanting him to make love to her again. She felt as if she was being transported into the heavens. "I love you, I love you," she whispered as he raised his head and stared into her eyes. Honor was surprised when she caught the glint of tears in Adam's eyes.

"Our coming together will be all the sweeter the next time because we have waited so long for it," he said in a trembling voice. He knew he had to get her back to the hotel before he lost what little control he had left.

Adam handed her into the waiting carriage, and when the driver smiled at them, Adam beamed at the man. "She said yes," Adam informed him.

"Congratulations," the man said. "Was there ever any doubt?"

Adam laughed and looked at Honor, then winked. "You have no idea."

22

Adam walked Honor to her door. It was after eleven o'clock, but there were still people in the corridor, so he dared not touch her.

Honor handed her key to him and he inserted it in the lock. "I would like to invite you in, Adam, but I fear Meagan has gone to bed."

He smiled down at her. "I would like to kiss you good night, but we are a bit conspicuous standing in the hallway."

Honor had to look away from the glow in his eyes.

A man and a woman passing by looked at them disapprovingly, and Adam laughed at Honor's discomfort.

"I will see you tomorrow morning. We need to talk about our wedding."

"What time will you call?"

"Is nine too early?"

"No, nine will be fine."

Adam's eyes were on Honor's parted lips. "Until tomorrow, then."

Honor felt a thrill go through her body. "I shall wait for you."

Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly. "I shall not be able to close my eyes all night."

Honor opened the door and went inside; her heart was beating wildly. Leaning against the door for support, she allowed her happiness to wash over her.

Meagan, hearing the door shut, came out of her bedroom wearing a robe. "I thought you would never get here. What happened?"

Honor forced herself to look stern. "How is your headache, Meagan?"

"What? Oh, that, it is all but gone. If you do not tell me what has occurred, I will burst with curiosity."

Honor ran across the room and threw her arms around her sister. "Adam has asked me to become his wife and I have said yes," Honor cried, tears of happiness falling down her face.

"Oh, my dear, dear, sister, it is what I wanted for you both. I was so afraid something would keep you from accepting Adam's offer."

Both sisters cried tears of happiness. Honor sat on the settee with her feet tucked under her, and Meagan sat beside her.

"When will the wedding take place?"

"I do not know. Adam is coming in the morning at nine to discuss our plans. Oh, Meagan, I am so happy. I cannot believe Adam still wants me after all that has occurred."

Meagan laughed. "He would want you if you had two heads. If ever I saw a man in love, it is your Adam O'Roarke."

Honor frowned and looked at her sister suspiciously. "I am wondering how Adam knew where to find me. New York is a big city. I have heard of coincidences, but this is too farfetched."

Meagan looked at her innocently. "Perhaps you and Adam have a guardian angel who wants your happiness."

"Yes, I believe that to be true, and I believe her to be none other than my very own sister. Meagan, I really do love you. You have been my strength these past months. I am loath to see you go to France."

Meagan hugged her tightly. "Do not worry, we shall visit often."

Honor smiled through her tears. "Will you not be too grand to associate with a farmer's wife?"

Meagan returned her smile impishly. "Most probably, but I will try not to show it. Now, off to bed with you. Tomorrow will be a busy day. We have to shop for a trousseau and oh, I do hope Adam will want to be married right away. I refuse to sail until I have seen you safely married."

* * *

Adam lay in his darkened room. The agony and unhappiness he had gone through belonged in the past. Soon he would have all he desired. He considered a moment. He was almost sure he could overcome Honor's fear, remembering how it had been between them the night she had lain in his arms and matched his passion. That night she had given him all he had asked for without fear. Adam also remembered the nights he had suffered thinking of Honor lying in Jordan Daniels' arms.

In many ways Honor still seemed untouched, innocent. No, it did not matter about Jordan. He had used Honor brutally, and what he had done to her had been little better than rape. The act between

Honor and Jordan had left a deep scar on her, but he would heal her scars, he would be loving and patient.

Adam was well aware of the power he had over women. Honor would know the full impact of that power. He smiled. Yes, he had the power to render a woman helpless, but no woman had ever had that power over him, no woman until Honor. With one glance from those fiery green eyes, with a touch of her delicate hand, with a word spoken from those soft lips, he became her slave forever.

She was lovely enough to make a man lose his heart, but with Honor it was so much more than beauty. She was that rare combination of an innocent and a seductress. She was not yet aware of her power over the men she came in contact with, but when she learned to use her feminine wiles no man would be able to withstand her. But he would be her husband, and he and he alone would teach her about love.

* * *

Honor had a hard time falling asleep. She touched her lips where Adam had kissed her, then she sat up in bed. She had no fear of Adam. She did not dread their wedding night, but looked forward to it with great anticipation. Her body trembled at the thought of Adam's lying beside her and his hands caressing her body. She let her mind wander back to the night Adam had made love to her, and her body reacted so strongly to the memory that there was no fear in her—only love and a deep longing.

Jordan Daniels was in the sitting room feeling bored. It was a Sunday afternoon, and the house was quiet. His mother was upstairs in her room with a sick headache.

Chauncey entered the room and announced the arrival of Mrs. Hanks and her daughter. Jordan had not seen the Hanks family for several years. They owned Causeway Plantation and were very wealthy. When the war had broken out Mr. and Mrs. Hanks and their only child, a daughter, had gone to England.

Mrs. Emma Hanks swept into the room followed by her daughter. "Jordan, my boy, I am delighted to see you. I have just returned from Europe, and I heard of the terrible thing that happened between you and that Landau girl. Honor, I believe her name was. I cannot tell you how grieved I am for you."

Jordan's first reaction was anger, and he was about to ask her to leave when his eyes fell on her daughter, Lori. She was no longer a child, but had become a lovely young lady. Her hair was light brown, and her eyes were a soft blue. When her mother pushed her forward, she blushed and lowered her head.

"You remember my daughter, Lori. Poor little thing, she has been so unhappy in England. My husband died while we were there, you know. Lori and I are all alone now, without benefit of a man's counsel."

Jordan took the young girl's hand in his, and she raised her head, looking at him adoringly.

"Well, you have grown into a beautiful young lady. When last I saw you, you were but a child."

Emma Hanks sat down on the settee and removed her gloves. "It is so good to be home again, although all the young men seem to be either dead or gone. So many of our friends are no longer here."

"Yes," Jordan said, still holding Lori's hand.

Mrs. Hanks saw that Jordan Daniels was taken with her daughter and smiled to herself. She had always liked Jordan, and he would be perfect for little Lori. Her daughter was so shy and unassuming, and she needed a strong man to look after her.

Jordan led Lori to the settee and she sat down beside her mother.

"I stand ready to help you in any way I can, Mrs. Hanks. After all, what are neighbors for?"

"I see that Green River is thriving. It hardly seems touched by the war. It must be due to good management," Mrs. Hanks said.

Silver hair and green eyes flashed through Jordan's mind. Then he pushed the image aside and turned to Lori Hanks. "Tell me, Miss Hanks, are there any young men in your life at the moment?"

She blushed and lowered her head. "No, there is no one.

"Ah, then may I dare hope that I can call on you sometime?"

The young girl raised her head. "I would love it above all else," she said shyly, for in truth Lori Hanks had adored Jordan Daniels for a very long time. He was so strong and handsome, and the way he was looking at her was enough to cause a young girl to lose her heart.

Jordan smiled. She was shy, and it brought out a protectiveness in him. She would never demand from a man more than he could give, he thought, his mind racing ahead to how he would woo and win Lori Hanks.

* * *

Honor looked in the mirror for the seventh time. Should she wear her hair up or let it hang down?

Meagan came into her room and took her by the arm. "He will be here any moment. You look fine."

Just then there was a knock on the door and both sisters walked into the sitting room.

Meagan gave Honor a reassuring smile as she opened the door to admit Adam. "The clock says nine o'clock, you are very punctual."

"It is one of my virtues to always be on time." His eyes went past Meagan to Honor. "Did you sleep well?" he said meaningfully.

She walked across the room and offered him her hand. "I scarcely closed my eyes all night."

He took her hand in his and squeezed it. "One would never guess it to look at you. You look as fresh and lovely as always."

Meagan tapped her foot in mock impatience. "If the two of you can tear yourselves away from each other, we have a wedding to plan."

Adam laughed and enfolded Meagan in his arms. "My, how shrewish you sound, my soon-to-be-sister. I think you missed your calling; you should have been a matchmaker."

Meagan gave him a half smile. "If the need ever arises, say if a man loves a particular woman and he does not know how to win her, I could be persuaded to interfere."

Adam planted a kiss on her cheek. "I thank you for your interference."

Honor felt the warm glow that surrounded the three of them as Adam hugged both sisters in his arms.

"Honor tells me that you are off to Paris to marry a count. Lord help Paris when you get there."

"You are most probably right. Suppose you had not come to New York and I had been forced to take my sister with me? She would have had all the men in France begging at her dainty feet."

"There was never any danger of that because when I received your letter there was no stopping me."

The three of them sat down and Meagan poured them all cups of coffee, then placed a sweet roll on a plate and handed it to Adam.

"Honor, are you going to want a big wedding?"  Adam asked as he bit into the sweet roll.

"Heaven forbid. Who would I invite? I would like it to be very small and informal."

"Good. Now, as for the date, how about today?" Adam asked, smiling.

"How is it possible? We have made no arrangements," Honor said.

"I have been closeted with Lisa Maxwell's husband all morning. He just happens to be a very prominent judge here in New York, and he assured me that he will arrange everything for me."

"Would you wish to be married by a judge, and will you not want Suzanne to be at our wedding?" Honor asked.

"We shall most certainly not be married by a judge. I insist that a man of the cloth tie you to me so there will never be a time you will not feel married to me. As for my sister, I would like her to be here, of course, but she will understand the need for haste."

"I, for one, am delighted it is to be today. I have a ship to board tomorrow, have you forgotten?" Meagan said.

"What do you say, Honor, will you have me as your husband before the sun sets on this day?"

Honor laid her head on his shoulder. "I will have you for my husband before the sun sets this day," she answered, waiting for the fear and anxieties to descend upon her. But she felt only joy and excitement.

Adam's arms tightened around her. "I wish it was spring, so you could have apple blossoms in your hair. I always associate you with springtime and apple blossoms."

Honor raised her face to him. They were unaware that Meagan had left the room and closed the door behind her softly. Meagan's eyes had been misty as she had watched the two people she loved most in the world plan their future together. She thought of her own forthcoming marriage and wished for the kind of love Adam and Honor shared.

* * *

Honor and Adam exchanged their vows in a small church not far from the hotel. The only guests were Meagan, Lisa Maxwell, and her husband. Honor wore her gray gown with the black trim, and a gray lace scarf covered her hair. Adam stood beside her looking deeply into her eyes as the minister spoke the words that would make them one. When he pronounced them man and wife, tears of happiness sparkled in Honor's eyes.

Adam cupped her face in his hands. "You are now my wife," he said softly, and his lips covered hers in a kiss that was so sweet it was almost reverent.

After the ceremony they said good-bye to the Maxwell's, and Adam helped Honor and Meagan into the carriage that would take them back to the hotel.

Meagan had planned a feast to be served in their suite.  There was food of every description accompanied by champagne, and three waiters served them. Honor felt her happiness bubble up inside her. There was no memory of the ceremony she had gone through with Jordan so long ago. There were no thoughts of regret over past mistakes, only happiness and excitement over the way Adam looked at her with the promise of things to come.