Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance) (39 page)

"Yes, but when you give yourself to me, you still feel as if you are betraying him in some way."

Honor was quiet for a moment. "I suppose that I do feel that if I had not been in love with you I would have been a proper wife to him."

"But you were never his wife, Honor."

"Oh, Adam, I wronged Jordan in so many ways."

"By making love to me in the apple orchard that night?"

"Yes."

"Do you not see, darling, what you are doing? You have forgiven Jordan. You have forgiven your sister. Why not forgive me."

"No, Adam, no! I do not blame you for anything. It is I who am at fault."

"Forgive yourself then, Honor. If you continue as you are now, your guilt will begin to cast a shadow on our love."

"I will read the letter, Adam. I do not want anything to come between us."

He reached into his breast pocket and withdrew Jordan's letter and handed it to her. He noticed how her hands trembled as she removed the letter from the envelope and began to read.

Dear Adam:

I am sending you this letter by Darcy. Having heard of your marriage to Honor, I wish to extend you my congratulations. I know that she loves you and you will make her happy. I now know even if you had not come into her life, Honor would never have been happy with me. I am finding it does one no good to look back on past mistakes. I am sending the remainder of the moneys that I owed Honor for what she spent on Green Rivers. I myself will be married by the time you receive this letter. Tell Honor for me that I am happy, and I wish her to be happy. I suppose there will always be a part of me that loves her, but being a man, you can understand this. I have an offer for you that I hope you will consider and get back to me about. My bride-to-be, Lori Hanks, fancies she would like to own Landau, and her mother, being a woman of means, has offered to buy it for her. Consider whether you would like to sell it and let me know. If I do not hear from you, I will know you do not wish to part with Landau.

Best Regards Jordan Daniels

Honor raised her head and looked at Adam. Her eyes were bright and shiny and a smile played on her lips.

"This is wonderful news, Adam. I know Lori Hanks. She is a sweet girl, and I think she will make Jordan a good wife."

"No regrets, Honor."

"Oh no, my love, no regrets."

Adam crushed her in his arms. "I have been going through hell wondering whether to show you this letter. I was not sure how you would take it."

"Adam, I no longer feel guilty. It is as if a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders."

"Darling, that is how I hoped you would feel. Have you let him go?"

She laughed up into his face.  "Yes my dearest, dearest Adam, he is gone. Do you want to sell Landau to him?"

"I leave that decision to you. Do you want to sell it?"

"Yes," she said, with authority. "Let's sell it to him, Adam."

"Are you quite sure? Will you never want to return for a visit?"

"Never, as I told you earlier, this is my home now." The winds blew through the branches of the apple tree, and dark clouds drifted across the sun, shadowing the land with a promise of snow. But the two lovers did not notice. They were locked in each other's arms, oblivious to everything but their love for one another.

* * *

The O'Roarkes had been in residence at the townhouse for two months. Adam spent his days at his office and Honor found herself attending luncheons and teas with Suzanne who insisted on showing off Adam's new bride. Honor was surprised at how easily Adam's friends accepted her, and she was pleased for his sake, for she wanted desperately to be a wife he could be proud of.

Honor had not been feeling well for the last two weeks, and she suspected she might be with child, but she did not want to tell Adam until she was sure.

She and Suzanne had a tea to attend in the afternoon. She had told her sister-in-law that she might be expecting a child, and Suzanne had insisted on picking her up early so she could see the family doctor.

When Honor rejoined Suzanne in the carriage after seeing the doctor, her face was bright and she was smiling to herself.

"Well, tell me. I cannot stand the suspense. Are you going to make my brother a father?" Suzanne asked anxiously.

"Suzanne, I could not tell you before I tell Adam."

"Do not leave me on tenterhooks—tell me." Suzanne demanded.

Honor smiled. "How would you like to be an aunt, Suzanne?"

Tears sparkled in Suzanne's eyes. "Oh, Honor, I would love it above all else. Adam will be so happy."

"You must not tell another living soul, Suzanne."

"Not even Brad?"

"No. Would you deny Adam the pleasure of telling Brad?"

Suzanne smiled. "I suppose not, but I am bursting with happiness."

"If we did not have this tea to attend I would go to Adam's office and tell him right away."

Suzanne's hand covered Honor's. "Save it for tonight when you are alone. If I know my brother, he will want to shout it to the whole world."

The tea was no different from the many other such functions Honor had attended. There was laughter and gossip, but she was enjoying herself now, since she had made so many new friends.

She and Suzanne had been talking to the hostess when Honor felt someone staring at her. She looked across the room and noticed a beautiful woman glaring at her. She frowned. It was obvious from the look on the woman's face that she did not like her, and Honor was distressed, not knowing why.

"Suzanne, who is that woman?"

Her sister-in-law looked uncomfortable. "Her name is Vanessa Handson."

"I do not think she likes me very well."

Before Suzanne could answer, Vanessa made her way across the room and smiled brightly at her.

"Suzanne, it has been simply ages since I have seen you."

"How are you, Vanessa? It has been awhile."

Vanessa looked pointedly at Honor, so Suzanne felt obliged to introduce them. "Vanessa, I would like you to meet Adam's wife, Honor. Honor, Vanessa Handson."

Vanessa looked taken aback for a moment when she heard the name of Adam's wife. She had been in New York when she had heard of his marriage, but she had not known the woman's name.

She smothered her anger for the moment. "I hope you will call me Vanessa and allow me to call you Honor. I am a very close friend of the family."

Honor could not help noticing that the woman's smile did not reach her eyes, which stared back at her coldly.

"Yes, please call me Honor."

"Hmm, I can tell by the sound of your voice that you are from the South. Did you perhaps meet Adam during the war?" Vanessa asked without any warmth.

"Yes," Honor said, feeling at a loss for words. She was startled when Vanessa suddenly reached for her hand saying, "Come. You and I have many things to discuss. I want to hear all about how you came to know Adam."

Honor looked to Suzanne for guidance, but she only shrugged her shoulders.

Vanessa led Honor into their hostess's sitting room. She sat down on the sofa and motioned for Honor to do the same. "Tell me, Honor how long have you known Adam?"

"I have been acquainted with him for a number of years. Is your husband an attorney?"

"Why should you think so?"

"I suppose because most of my husband's friends are connected with the law in one form or another."

"I am not married."

"I am sorry, I just assumed . . ."

"Well, you assumed wrong. I would have been married by now, but the man I loved was taken from me."

"I am so sorry. Was he . . . killed in the war?"

"No, he was stolen from me," Vanessa said angrily.

Honor was beginning to have her suspicions. She rose slowly to her feet. "I think we should rejoin the others."

"Sit down, Mrs. O'Roarke, I have not begun to tell you all I know about your husband," Vanessa said bitterly.

"I do not think Adam would approve of this conversation."

"You are a thief. You stole Adam from me."

Honor backed away from the hatred she saw in Vanessa's eyes, as Vanessa said, "I will wager Adam has not told you about me."

"No, he has never mentioned your name." Honor replied, sinking down on the sofa. This woman was very beautiful, and Honor wondered how Adam could keep from loving her.

"I am not surprised Adam never told you of me. He could hardly tell you how close we had been at one time. Could he?"

Honor stood up on shaky legs. "I think you should leave now. I do not want to hear any more that you have to say."

Vanessa stood up and glared at Honor. "You will hear all that I have to say before I leave this house. Adam could not possibly love you. You are barely out of the schoolroom, from what I can tell. Why would Adam want to marry anyone who is so obviously lacking in sophistication? Adam only turned to you because he thought he could not have me."

Honor shook her head. Vanessa was lying. Adam had told her he had never loved anyone but her, and she must not let this woman make her doubt Adam. "I do not believe you. Adam loves me."

"You are such an innocent. What makes you think you could hold on to a man like Adam?"

Suzanne paused outside the door of the sitting room, and, hearing Vanessa's cruel words, was on the verge of bursting into the room when Honor's voice stopped her.

"I know my husband loves me, and nothing you can say will convince me otherwise, Miss Handson."

"I cannot imagine why Adam married someone so young as you. Lord, he must be bored."

Honor felt as if Vanessa had struck her and she closed her eyes for a moment. Then she said calmly, "I will not discuss my husband with you. Adam seems to prefer a younger woman to you. Perhaps you should find yourself a husband, Miss Handson, before you are too many years older." Honor aimed at her mark and drew blood.

Outside the door, Suzanne smiled. It appeared that Honor did not need her help after all. Her presence in the room would only make matters worse, she concluded.

"You little snip. How dare you say these things to me? I knew Adam while you were still toddling around."

"Obviously," Honor said angrily.

Vanessa's face was red and her hands itched to slap this young girl who was now taunting her. She had come here today with the express purpose of telling Adam's wife off, but she had lost control of the situation. She tried again. "I could tell you many things about Adam. For one thing, Adam likes to lie quietly after making love. Have you found that to be true?"

Honor's face whitened, but she was determined that Vanessa would not have the last word. How dare this woman say Adam had made love to her? She answered coldly, "I have not found that to be true. Adam and I have never found it hard to communicate with each other, but I think I now know why Adam chose me over you." Honor rushed on, fearing she would lose her courage. "My husband would never have married someone who is hateful and spiteful. You see, I am aware that my husband was with many women before he met me; he is a strong and virile man. But when he was ready to settle down to just one woman he chose me, Miss Handson. Now, will you leave now, or do I tell my husband of your little visit here today?"

"How dare you speak to me in such a rude way? I will not tolerate it!" Vanessa yelled angrily.

"I am sorry for you, Vanessa, but I will no longer stay in this room and listen to your hateful words. If you thought to cause trouble between my husband and me, you have failed miserably. I love my husband and he loves me." Honor was surprised at how calm her voice sounded.

Vanessa looked at her beautiful rival knowing why Adam loved her. She sailed out of the door red-faced and almost collided with Suzanne. Suzanne took her by the arm and led her into the deserted dining room.

"Vanessa, I think it would be a good idea for you not to repeat today's performance. Adam will be very angry when he finds out what you tried to do today."

Vanessa swung around angrily. "I suppose that milk-faced wife will not rest until she has told Adam everything."

"I do not believe Honor will tell Adam anything about meeting you today. That is the kind of person she is, but / intend to tell him."

"Suzanne, you and I were once good friends."

"I never really liked you very much, but I love Honor and I am very angry with you."

Vanessa gathered up the skirt of her gown and rushed from the room, dreading the thought that she might one day have to face Adam's anger over today's events.

When Suzanne left the dining room she found that Honor was searching for her. "Suzanne could we go home? I have a terrible headache," Honor told her apologetically.

When Suzanne had delivered Honor at home she had her driver take her straight to Adam's office. Suzanne's respect and love for her sweet young sister-in-law had increased, for Honor had not mentioned Vanessa to her.

That night over dinner Adam noticed that Honor was unusually quiet and kept trying to avoid his eyes. He kept waiting for her to tell him about her encounter with Vanessa.