Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon

have heard so much about Rio del Lobo since coming to Texas," Victoria said. "I am anxious to see this empire."
    "I am sure you will before too long," her grandmother said, smiling. "Edward Hanover is quite a man with the ladies."
    "Is he not married?" Victoria asked.
    "No one woman has been able to lead him to the altar, though many have tried," her grandmother told her.
    "Some men just do not want to be married, I suppose," Victoria said thoughtfully. "Look at Bodine."
    Her grandmother's eyes clouded over and she changed the subject. "We are going to have to do something about your wardrobe. You cannot go around with only one gown to your name."
    Victoria smiled. "I am sure Lupe is tired of washing it every night so it will be fresh for the next day. I suppose I should ask Bodine if we have money for material."
    "Nonsense!" her grandmother said. "Come with me." She led Victoria up the stairway to her bedroom and opened a trunk that stood at the foot of her bed. She pulled out bolts of material and stacked them on the bed.
    "These are wonderful," Victoria said, picking up a bolt of white organdy with tiny blue flowers on it.
    "Do you think these will suit you?"
    "You mean I can choose from them?" Victoria asked.
    "That is exactly what I mean for you to do."
    "Grandmother, you are wonderful."
    "It is going to be such fun for me to have a young girl in the house again. Look at this one," she said, picking up a blue silk and holding it up to Victoria.
    "Thank you, Grandmother." Victoria kissed her soundly on the cheek. She looked at her grandmother for a moment. "Would it be all right with you if we let Consuelo make up a few gowns for me?"
    "Of course, if that is what you want, child."
    "I would like so much to repay the Delgados for their kindness, but they are very proud. I could not think of a way to help them. This way, Consuelo will be earning the money." Victoria told her grand mother of the plight of the Delgados, and how they might have to return to Mexico.
    "I am very proud of you, Victoria. You have a kind heart, and you really care about other people."
    "Bodine tells me I take after you, Grandmother," she said softly.
    "Yes, he has told me the same thing." Her grandmother laughed as she gathered up several bolts of material. "Come, Victoria, it is still early in the day. We have time to go over to the Delgados."
    Consuelo was overjoyed with the job of making Victoria's new gowns. She took Victoria's measure ments and they discussed the style of dress Victoria would prefer with each bolt of material.
    Mammaw had brought over two hams, a slab of bacon, jars of green beans and corn, a sack of potatoes, peaches, and jellies. Consuelo's eyes lit up. "But this is too much payment for sewing a few gowns," she protested.
    "Nonsense!" Mammaw told her. "This is not for payment. I was cleaning out the smokehouse and root cellar to make room for more. No, I will pay you cash for my granddaughter's dresses." Consuelo found she could not argue with the older woman, something her neighbors had learned long ago.
    "There is something else I would ask of you," Victoria said to Consuelo. "I would like you to teach me Spanish, and I will pay you well."
    "No," Consuelo told her stubbornly. "I will not take money from you, but it will be my pleasure to teach you the Spanish."
    Victoria smiled at her. "All right, then it is settled. If you do not object, I will come over every Thursday for my lesson."
    "You really are my friend," Consuelo said, tears glistening in her brown eyes. "Shall I tell you a secret? Manuel and I were afraid we would not see you again after you left the other day."
    "You were mistaken," Victoria said, taking Consuelo's hand. "You are my friend."
    Consuelo smiled. "It is good to have a friend to talk to. That is the one thing I have missed in Texas."
    Manuel rode up just as they were leaving. "You come by the ranch tomorrow; I have a lot of leather work that needs tending to," Mammaw told him. He was pleased, and