Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) Read Online Free

that had been her own for so long. Then he made his way to the swamp where the horses were kept.
    Victoria quickly gathered up what few things she needed—her comb and brush, a few mementos that she treasured—then, she rushed downstairs, found the book Romeo and Juliet, and placed it in her pack. She went out to the veranda, and, seeing that Bess's body had been removed, silently thanked Bodine for his thoughtfulness. She retrieved her father's pistols, placed them back in the leather case, and added it to her bundle. She tied it together neatly.
    Quickly she lit an oil lamp and looked about her for the last time. "Forgive me, Father," she said aloud, as she raised the lamp above her head and threw it against the wall. She watched as hungry red flames licked at the drapes. "I swore no Yankee would burn Farraday," she said.
    She picked up her bundle and went out to meet Bodine. He was waiting for her. He took her bundle and helped her mount Rebel. He could see the red flames through the window, and looked at her questioningly.
    "I had to," she said simply. He nodded.
    They rode toward the swamp just as a Yankee column rode up the winding driveway. The sun had set, but the flames from the burning house lit the way for the advancing Yankees, as well as the two fugitives who fled into the swamp. When they were safe within the confines of the swamp, Victoria halted Rebel and looked back at her home. Bodine rode up beside her and they both watched silently, each lost in thought. They could see the tall fingers of fire reaching high into the sky, lighting up the countryside like a giant bonfire.
    "This is the worst day of my life," Victoria said softly. "I lost Bess, my home, and I have killed a man; and it is not over yet. I do not suppose the Yankees will rest until they have their revenge on me."
    Bodine was silent. He had no words of comfort to offer her. He would gladly have given his life to protect her, but there was nothing he could say to ease what she was feeling at the moment.
    "Bodine, the pain is so great and yet I cannot cry. I feel so numb."
    His face was expressionless. "Later you will cry, honey. But for now, we had best ride on. They will soon be beating the bushes, looking for us. I intend to have you a long way from here before they put the pieces together and start a county-wide search for you."
    With one last look at the burning manor house, Bodine led her deeper into the swamp. They rode for about an hour before Victoria realized that Bodine had taken the road that led to Five Hills Plantation. The smoldering remains of the Martin's manor house rose grotesquely in the pale moonlight. She could hardly credit that the house where she had spent so much of her girlhood was nothing but smoldering ruins.
    This is the way Farraday Plantation will look, she told herself. She felt an ache within her breast. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the horrible sight. She wondered where the Martins were now. Had they gotten away safely?
    "They probably moved into Savannah," Bodine told her as though he had read her thoughts.
    "I hope so," she said wearily.
    "I thought this would be a safe place to spend the night," he said. "Since the Yankees have done their worst here, they are not likely to return. You are tired, honey. The barn seems intact. We will seek shelter there for the night. You stay with the horses while I check around."
    Victoria was cold and weary. She felt the night air creep into her body. She shivered. Where was this all going to end? Was the rest of her life to be spent as a fugitive? Her mind refused to dwell on the past events of the day. She could not let herself think of Bess. It was too painful.
    Rebel nuzzled her neck as though wanting her attention. She stroked him gently. "At least I still have you," she said. "I could not bear it if I had lost you, too."
    Bodine returned. He gathered up the reins of the horses and led the way to the barn. "It will not be too uncomfortable," he told