Rebel Temptress (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page A

your faithlessness." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "How will you like it when you find out that I have replaced you with your sister?"
    He was drunk and he knew it, but it did not matter. He had earned the right to get drunk. The South had been at war for one year, and Jordan had seen his share of fighting. He was a major now and a commander of men. Why then had he lost command of his life?
    He looked around the sitting room. It was decorated in good taste, and the furnishings were of the best quality. He had just married the heiress of Landau Plantation and he was now a wealthy man in his own right. Why then did it give him so little pleasure?
    He thought of Honor. He remembered the first time he had seen her. She had been a tiny, delicate little girl with big green eyes that had seemed to melt his heart. There was something about her that had drawn him to her from the beginning. He had called her his little one and had teased her and adored her as one did an adorable child.
    That child was now his wife. What right did she have to be in bed alone on their wedding night? Jordan drained the contents of his glass and staggered out of the room. He climbed the stairs, bitterness in his heart.
    He was unsteady on his feet as he fumbled with the knob on Honor's door. He would have his revenge tonight, Jordan thought, and he would extract it from Meagan's sister.

4
     
    Honor was awakened by a loud noise. Jordan swore as he stumbled into a chair, knocking it over onto the floor.
    "Jordan, is that you?"
    "Who were you expecting?" he said angrily. "Are you like that slut of a sister of yours with men tramping in and out of your bedroom?"
    Honor got out of bed quickly. "Jordan, are you drunk?"
    "Hell, yes, I am drunk, but not so drunk that I cannot satisfy you, if that is what bothers you."
    She reached out for him in the darkness and tried to steady him. "You have come into the wrong bedroom. I will help you to your room," Honor said, feeling uneasy. She had never seen Jordan drunk before, or any other man for that matter, and it frightened her for some unknown reason.
    "I have not come to the wrong room. It is your bed I seek, my dear, or have you forgotten that I am your husband?" He pulled her against him roughly. His hands moved over her body, causing her to struggle to be free. "Be still," he commanded as his lips came down brutally on hers.
    Honor felt terror as she pushed against him. Her heart seemed to be pounding in her head. "Jordan, please, you are frightening me," she pleaded.
    He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. His body followed hers down, pinning her beneath him. "You are so sweet, so sweet," he murmured. "I need you to chase my demons away."
    Honor reached up and touched his face, feeling she wanted to help him in his torment. "I will do whatever you want, Jordan."
    His mouth covered hers in a burning kiss. "Meagan, Meagan," he moaned. "I love you."
    His voice seemed to come to her from' a long way off, and when his words penetrated her consciousness, she struggled beneath him.
    "Release me, Jordan. Please, you do not know what you are doing."
    "Do I not? You are going to pay for what you did to me, Meagan."
    He moved his body off her. Honor thought he would let her go until she realized he was removing his clothing. She felt panic and moved slowly off the bed and eased her way toward the door.
    Jordan, sensing what she had in mind, grabbed a handful of her hair and jerked her toward him, laughing harshly as Honor cried out in pain.
    "Jordan, please, you are drunk."
    "Jordan, you are drunk," he mimicked. "I will show you I can still please a woman even when I am drunk."
    Almost no light penetrated the darkened room. Honor could barely make out Jordan's face. She had to get through to him, make him see that he was making a mistake.
    "Jordan, you will regret this in the morning."
    He tightened the hold he had on her hair and jerked her roughly against him. His lips found hers as he kissed her