Rosemary Rogers - An Honorable Man

Beautiful, headstrong Cameron Campbell knows her privileged life as a Mississippi senators daughter is about to be shattered. Her fine Southern family has its share of secrets and scandal, and as her father decides to stand with the Union, long-held family rivalries lead to cold-blooded murder. But amidst the devastation, one honorable man is about to show her the meaning of love....

Six years ago Cameron offered Captain Jackson Logan her heartand he walked away from her. She vowed then never to let another man hurt her that way. But now, as war assumes its deadly course, Cameron will be forced to find an ally in this man she loves to hate...and hates to love. A man whose strength and courage will mirror her own as she stakes a defiant stand against slavery. A man who will face unimaginable danger by her side and show her the magic of a rapturous love that comes but once in a lifetime.

Cameron, Cameron, Jackson whispered as he lowered his head to hers. She struggled against him, but he managed to press his lips to the sensitive skin of her neck.

No, she protested. No. She moaned aloud. How could her body betray her this way? How could she ache for his kiss even as she attempted to fight him off? She squeezed her eyes shut, ashamed of herself and her unleashed need, her wicked desire for this man.

Open your eyes, damn it! Im sorry, he whispered huskily. Do you hear me? Im sorry. Im sorry for what I did that day. The way I hurt you.

Hes sorry, hes sorry, her illogical heart cried out. She didnt believe him, of course. She would never believe him. She opened her mouth to spit a retort, but found herself leaning forward, reaching to meet him halfway. She threaded her fingers through his thick hair, the sounds, the smells, the very walls of the barn fading from her mind.

Jackson tore his mouth from hers, panting heavily. Say it! Tell me you forgive me.

His words suddenly hit home. In one clear moment she realized what he was saying. He wanted her to forget everything that had happened that summer and begin anewat least until he abandoned her again. Cameron gave Jackson a hard shove with both hands, so startling him that he stumbled backward.

Get off me, she shouted, wiping the back of her mouth with her hand as if she could wipe away her unbidden passion. You try that again and I swear I will put that pitchfork through you!

Tears filling her eyes, Cameron grabbed fistfuls of her skirts and ran from the barn, ran from Jackson...ran from herself.

Also available from

ROSEMARY ROGERS

and MIRA Books

WICKED LOVING LIES

A RECKLESS ENCOUNTER

SWEET SAVAGE LOVE

SAVAGE DESIRE

Coming soon

SURRENDER TO LOVE

July 2003

AN HONORABLE MAN

ROSEMARY ROGERS

MIRA

Contents

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Thank you, always

My loyal readers over the years

And my new readers

I cherish you all

PART ONE

Chapter 1

Elmwood Plantation Jackson, Mississippi April, 1861

Cameron Campbell shortened the reins of the spirited Arabian mare and concentrated on the spot between the grays ears. This was where she was at her best, a fine horse beneath her, the scorching Mississippi breeze in her face and a split-rail fence looming ahead.

Mentally calculating the number of strides left until the fence, Cameron rose up off the mans hunt saddle, hunkering down over the steeds neck and threading her fingers through her mane. She could hear the skirts of her riding habit flapping in the wind, hear the steel-tipped hooves pounding the earth.

Cameron held her breath, thrusting out her arms to give the gray enough rein to make the daring jump, and suddenly she was airborne. For one long moment, time became elastic. As she sailed over the fence, all of Elmwoodits cotton fields and muddy rivers, lush vegetation and flat dusty deltas stretched beyond the burning April sky. For that one moment, Cameron was a part of the magnificent steed beneath her. She felt Roxys great lungs fill with air. She was free, free of the skirts and petticoats that tangled around her legs, free of the frustrations of being born female in a mans world.

All too soon, Roxys hooves hit the soft grass and the two of them landed in Elmwood again.

Sweet Mary, Mother of God, Taye cried, sinking to her knees in the grass.

Its all right, Taye, Cameron called gaily, releasing the reins as Roxy trotted back toward the fence, proud neck arched, mane streaming. Im fine. Look, no hands. She dropped the knotted leather reins to her lap and waved with both kidskin-gloved hands.

Please, Cameron, take the reins and stop scaring me like this. Taye covered her lovely face. You know how much it frightens me when you dont hold on.

Cameron laughed as she slowed to a walk. And what of this? she teased, pulling her muddy riding boots from the stirrups. Look, Taye. Does this scare you, too?

With the practiced hand of a young woman who had tumbled to the ground many times, Cameron lifted one foot and then the other until she stood balanced on the seat of the English-made saddle, worth the price of a male field hand, her arms outstretched for balance.

Taye glanced up, her honey-colored skin flushing beneath her sunbonnet, her lovely features flashing from fear to annoyance. Stop that, Cameron. Stop it at once. You know you only do that to frighten me.

Thats where youre wrong, Taye. I dont do it to frighten you. She swayed precariously as the mare lowered her head to nibble fresh grass. I do it because I like to.

Cameron dropped to the ground, coming to rest before the young woman kneeling in the grass.

Tayean innocent seventeen years old to Camerons twenty-threeleaped to her feet and threw her arms around her companion. Do you see why such nonsense is dangerous? You could have been hurt!

But I wasnt hurt. Cameron looked into Tayes pale blue eyes. Look at me, you silly goose. Im right as rain. She pinched Tayes cheek affectionately.

Look at you indeed, Taye exclaimed, breaking into a grin. She worshiped the ground Cameron Campbell walked on and had since she was a baby on their mammys lead strings. She handed Cameron her straw bonnet. Best put this on before youre freckled beyond hope. The suns hot today. What I was trying to tell you before you took off over that fence was that the senator has sent for you. A guest has arrived and just look at you. She indicated with a sweep of her gracious hand. You look like a field hand. Your riding habit is covered in mud and your hair is tangled in a rats nest. It will take me an hour to comb out those snarls.

Cameron caught Roxys reins and headed along the elm-lined drive that led to Elmwood, the grand, white-columned house of the cotton and sugar cane plantation nestled beside the muddy Pearl River. Just south of Jackson, Mississippi, Elmwood was the only home she had ever known. The only world she had ever known.

My appearance again? Taye, you know I could care less what anyone thinks of my appearance! Im sick of always being the proper Southern lady. Sick of always being expected to be dressed suitably, to say and do what is appropriate, to smile when I dont feel like smiling. You should have been born Senator David Campbells daughter instead of me. You are truly a lady in every sense of the word.

Cameron, dont talk like that! Tayes pale-blue eyes grew wide.

And who is this visitor? Cameron asked, running her fingers through her long copper hair. Well, whoever it is, Im so happy that Papa is home again!

Senator David Campbell had been in Washington D.C. on and off since Mississippi had seceded from the Union in January. Though he could no longer attend the senate in an official capacity, he had been desperately trying to bridge the widening gap between politicians from both northern and southern states. Despite the secession of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas, he still held out hope that a war over slavery could be prevented.