by Phoebe Conn
“Is such a precaution really necessary?” she asked apprehensively.
“Of course. If Union vessels are in the area, we want to know about it. When we return to sea, we’ll sail before dawn so no one will see us leave the Rio Bueno. We’re always that cautious. We’re fighting a war, remember, not merely involved in the merchant trade like your husband.”
Eden preferred looking out at the endless motion of sea rather than at her companion’s adoring expression. “The War’s not going well for us now, is it?”
“Let’s not talk about the War,” Michael begged. “When I found out you’d gone to England last fall, I knew I’d been a fool not to propose long before then. It broke my heart to learn you’d married someone else. Are you happy with Lord Clairbourne, or do you want to leave him and come home to me?”
Raven had made her promise she would never divorce him, but Eden knew she had not been thinking clearly when she had mentioned ending their marriage or she would have known she could not really do it. Raven was a complex and continually perplexing man, but Eden knew she would never leave him. While she could not describe their marriage as one of blissful contentment, there was definitely something precious in her relationship with her husband and she did not want to lose it.
“This is my home now, Michael,” she assured him. “There was never anything special between us. Don’t try and pretend that there was. I’m certain there are still plenty of young women in Richmond who are praying for your safe return. Give your love to one of them.”
While Michael was deeply disappointed she had not thrown herself into his arms, he could not help but break into a grin at the mention of other women. “Well, if I can’t have you, let’s hope the prayers of the Richmond girls are answered.”
“Yes, let’s do,” Eden agreed. She reached up to kiss his cheek, then took his hand as they started upriver. They had not gone far before they encountered Raven standing in the middle of the path.
“Go on back to your ship, Lieutenant,” he ordered brusquely. “I want to talk to my wife in private.”
When Michael hesitated, Eden encouraged him to go, and although reluctant, he did. She waited until their conversation could not be overheard to speak. “I was so anxious to see you, I didn’t stop to consider the fact you might be busy. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”
Eden was wearing the pale apricot gown Raven had always liked, but now it reminded him of the dreadful argument they had had on the cliff when he had stupidly thought she was about to leap to her death. “I thought you understood Julian’s orders and planned to remain in bed for a couple of days. It was bad enough that you went down to the docks, but to walk all the way out here is totally irresponsible.”
Raven was standing with his feet wide apart and his hands on his hips as though he were shouting orders to his crew. It took all of Eden’s willpower not to react angrily to his criticism. Instead, she took a step closer, as though he had spoken to her sweetly. “How could you have expected me to allow you to go on believing I didn’t care about you?”
“What are you saying?”
If anything, Raven’s frown had deepened, but Eden did not back down. “You were right. It was very thoughtless of me to think only of Alex and not of you. While I don’t for a minute believe that all English lords amuse themselves with their servants, I know things might be different here in Jamaica. I know you mean to be faithful to me, but if there are women in our employ who once, well, who once provided services of a personal nature, I want you to find them work elsewhere immediately. It’s not an unreasonable demand. It’s what any gentleman would do to ensure his wife’s peace of mind. You must know you’ll not need other women. I’ll never turn you away.”
Raven stared down at Eden, amazed that she was able to discuss such an intimate matter so calmly. He was embarrassed he had allowed her to see how badly she had hurt him. He had not meant to beg for her affection but now it seemed as though that was exactly what he had done. He looked away for a moment as he tried with only partial success to gather his thoughts.
“The slaves were freed here in 1834, three years before I was born. Before then, just as in America, there were plenty of white men who slept with their slaves, but here children who were part white were free. Many were recognized as members of the family and some were even sent to England for schooling. Alex’s father was not one of those men, however, and I like to think it was because he was a man of high principles rather than merely one in poor health. Alex followed his example. He did not abuse the women in his employ and I haven’t either.
“I should never have made that stupid remark about sleeping with servants. I have no idea what most English lords do. All I know is that in all the time Yadira has been here, she’s never given anyone cause for complaint. Alex didn’t let her go when he ended their affair so it seems ridiculous to fire her now for it.” Raven glanced back at Eden, and finding her expression one of interest rather than dismay or scorn, he continued. “There’s never been anything between Yadira and me. Alex and I didn’t share the same women.”
He had not realized what he had said, but shocked by his words, Eden certainly did. “Except for me, you mean.”
Raven winced. “No! You mustn’t think that. I never have.”
Raven’s pose had relaxed, but Eden felt far more tense than when their conversation had begun. “I believe you about Yadira and the others. We need never discuss this matter again, but I beg you to at least give some more thought to finding Yadira work elsewhere.”
Raven felt as though he had already revealed too much of his feelings that day. If he agreed to send Yadira away, wouldn’t Eden think him no better than her slave to command? Squaring his shoulders proudly, he refused to give in. “This is only the third day you’ve been here, Eden, and you barely know the woman. If after the baby is born you still want to hire another housekeeper, we’ll discuss it again then. I don’t want to hear any more about it until then. Is that understood?”
Eden nodded unhappily. There was something about Yadira that had made her uneasy from the instant she had laid eyes on her and she doubted she would ever change her mind. “I suppose there’s always the hope that Yadira won’t like me, and that she’ll leave of her own accord.”
“The subject is closed, Eden. Now what were you doing out here with Devane?”
“Why nothing. I’d just gone for a walk while waiting to speak with you and he followed me.”
Raven had never seen a more innocent expression than the one Eden wore, and not wanting to sound like a jealous husband if there was no reason, he let the matter drop. With a slow smile, he scooped his bride up into his arms and started back toward the docks. “I will tie you to your bed if I must, but you are going to stay there until sundown tomorrow.”
“No, I can’t stay in bed while my father’s here. Please believe me when I tell you I’m well. If I get in the least bit tired, I’ll go to bed early, but I don’t want to miss seeing my father.”
Raven frowned slightly, but since he had not granted her request about Yadira, he decided to allow this one. “All right, I understand why you don’t want to worry your father, but you must be certain not to worry me again either.”
Eden had already slipped her arms around his neck and gave him an enthusiastic hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Raven replied. The day was warm, Eden’s perfume as enticing as her slender figure, and he would have liked nothing better than to carry her off the path into some secluded arbor to make love. Thinking he would have to control that impulse until a better time presented itself, he continued on up the path but his body ached as badly as his heart that he had to keep such a tight rein on his emotions.
Chapter Twenty
September 1863
Nathan Sinclair came to dinner again that night, this time bringing the six officers who had been on duty the previous evening. The smaller party was no less elegant, however, and the conversation was just as spontaneous and enthusiastic. Raven could
not help but compare the recent gatherings in his home to the stilted dinner parties he had abhorred in London. He had not thought he would enjoy the company of Confederate officers so much, but these men were so honest and open a group he found it impossible to dislike them. That they had dedicated their lives to a cause that would never prevail saddened him more than he had thought possible.
“Raphael Semmes, who captains the Alabama, had a head start on us, but the Southern Knight has sunk her share of merchant ships,” Nathan boasted proudly. “We don’t loot them. All we confiscate are the nautical instruments. We take the crews on board, and then scuttle the ships. We’ve never had a captain put up much of a fight. Usually all we have to do is identify ourselves, and the ship surrenders.”
“I assume you’d fire on any vessel that refused to do so?” Raven asked.
“Of course. Our mission is to cripple the North’s maritime fleet. The Alabama, Florida, and the other raiders, we’ve done all we can to make the North suffer the same shortages of goods that we’ve had to endure.”
“And your prisoners?” Eden inquired hesitantly. “What becomes of them?”
“We’ve had days when we could hardly move around the deck for the captured crews underfoot. When that happens, we demand a ten-thousand-dollar bond from the next ship we take, and send the prisoners ashore with them. We’ve not harmed civilians, sweetheart, nor turned over any to our prisons.”
“From what I’ve read, most of the owners of ships you’ve not sunk, or intimidated into keeping their vessels in port, are transferring their registries to foreign countries. Haven’t you found it increasingly difficult to find a merchantman flying the United States flag?” Raven asked pointedly.
“Yes, but those we do find still go straight to the bottom,” Nathan replied with a satisfied grin.
“And when the War’s over, you’ll make a fortune replacing those ships, won’t you?”
Nathan was not certain whether or not Raven was deliberately trying to insult him, but he had succeeded. All trace of humor left his expression as he responded. “I’m going to assume you didn’t realize the implications of your question, Lord Clairbourne, but I am most definitely not fighting for the Confederacy in hopes of personal gain. You’d be wise not to make such slanderous accusations when your own conduct is so far from exemplary.”
Eden was appalled by how swiftly the mood of the party had gone from lighthearted to venomous, but all conversation at the table had come to an abrupt halt. Fearing Raven would end the uncomfortable silence with a demand her father again back up his opinions with his fists, or worse, the weapon of his choice, Eden rose from her chair. “Gentlemen, our brandy is excellent. Shall we return to the drawing room?”
Raven remained in his chair as the men wearing gray uniforms filed out of the room. When his bride came to his side, his glance was filled with cold fury. “My question was so damn obvious, I can’t believe no one else has ever asked it.”
“Yes, it was obvious, and you should have known the answer without asking it too. If the South loses the War, I doubt my family will be left with the resources to build a dinghy, let alone a merchant vessel. That you’d accuse my father of sinking ships to create business for his shipyard is every bit as despicable as he claimed. I imagine you’d prefer your own company to ours for the rest of the evening.”
Eden’s full satin skirt swirled about her ankles with a dramatic flourish as she turned away with all the dignity a countess should possess, but even without her rebuff Raven had no desire to follow. Alex had often cautioned him that he was too honest for his own good, and he had certainly proven it that night. While he and Nathan had not developed the warmest of friendships, they had at least been able to get along together with some accord until now. Perhaps no man ever truly admired his son-in-law, but Raven feared he had just made it impossible for Nathan ever to like him.
Even without Raven’s company, the conversation in the drawing room was strained and Nathan soon suggested he and his officers return to their ship. After the others had said good night, he took his daughter aside. “We’ll sail before dawn, sweetheart, so this will be goodbye.”
“But Michael said you’d be here for a week,” Eden protested anxiously. She reached out to clutch at her father’s sleeve, unwilling to let him go so soon.
“Well, obviously Michael isn’t all that good at estimating the time required to get things done. Now don’t waste what time we do have, just listen. I asked Cliff Endecott to question Dr. Ryan and he’s satisfied the man is a competent physician. He went to visit him at his home this morning, but I think that was mainly to have a chance to speak with Rebecca again rather than to see Julian’s medical facilities.”
Having no interest in whether or not Dr. Endecott thought Rebecca Yardley appealing, Eden frowned unhappily. “I’ve no doubts about Julian’s competence. You’re the one I care about and I don’t want you to leave when you and Raven have nearly come to blows again.”
Nathan laughed at her fears. “I’d say this is precisely the time to leave because your husband came dangerously close to getting his nose broken tonight.”
“I realize he was being difficult, but—”
“Sweetheart,” Nathan scolded gently. “What I’m trying to say is that, with Julian’s care, you’ll be fine. I doubt I’ll be able to return before the War’s end and until then you’ll have to get along with Raven as best you can. I certainly don’t trust him, despite the fact he’s been more than accommodating while we’ve been here, and it’s plain he doesn’t trust me.”
Eden blinked back her tears. “Raven has never learned to keep his thoughts to himself, no matter how vile they are. But I can’t bear to have you at each other’s throats. Let me go and get him so he can at least tell you goodbye.”
“He knows I’m leaving. I told him so this afternoon. That’s what we were talking about when you came into his cabin.”
That neither man had confided that information in her made Eden feel all the more wretched. “Raven is fond of saying that this is now my home as well as his. If you ever need a safe port again, I’ll demand he make you welcome.”
Nathan gathered his daughter into a loving hug. “I love you too much to put you in the middle, sweetheart. There are many ports in the Caribbean where we’re able to buy coal and provisions, so I can’t imagine returning here unless our situation becomes truly dire. Now smile for me, so I can remember how pretty you are.”
When he took a step back, Eden did her best to grant his request, but she wasn’t all that successful. “I love you too, Daddy. Please be careful.” Her father gave her a quick kiss, then let himself out the front door. Eden hoped with all her heart it would not be the last time she saw him. She turned and went back into the drawing room and, still distraught, was quite naturally drawn to Alex’s portrait. His engaging smile reminded her all too painfully of the love she had lost, and she could not bear to think she might lose her father too.
As she rested her hands on the mantel, a drop of wax caught her eye, and Eden wondered which of the servants had carelessly left a candle burning so near Alex’s portrait. She made a mental note to tell Yadira to caution the staff to be more careful, then thought better of it. One droplet of wax was scarcely cause for alarm, and since she did not want to discuss Alex with the housekeeper, she decided to keep the matter to herself.
Having absolutely no idea what to say to Raven, Eder did not look for him before going upstairs to bed. Perhaps he had actually tried to keep his opinions to himself, but he had certainly failed. To make matters worse, her father was every bit as proud and stubborn a man as Raven was. Neither had a forgiving nature and there was probably no hope they would ever develop a mutual respect now. She was positive insults less bitter than the ones they had exchanged had caused permanent rifts in other families, and would be no less damaging to hers.
When she reached the second floor, Eden saw the housekeeper about to enter her room. She called out to her and Yadira remained by the door.
“Thank you for providing another wonderful evening, Yadira. Did you need to speak with me?”
The soft-spoken housekeeper held out a small silver tray on which she had placed half a dozen crackers. “I thought you might feel ill in the mornings, my lady. A cracker or two will settle your stomach.”
Although she was puzzled by Yadira’s suggestion, Eden accepted the tray. “My health is excellent, but I appreciate your concern.”
Yadira’s dark eyes remained devoid of warmth despite her smile. “You need not pretend with me. Raven told me you will have his child in the spring. You must be very proud.”
Proud did not begin to describe how Eden felt at that moment. “Yes, of course,” she managed to lie smoothly, and she slipped into her room before Yadira noticed she was gripping the small tray so tightly her knuckles had turned white. Not caring whether or not the housekeeper’s remedy for morning sickness was effective, she set the tray on her dresser and went into Raven’s room. When she found it empty, she sat down to wait for him.
Nearly thirty minutes passed before Raven appeared and by then Eden’s anger had become a full-blown rage. By the time he had closed the door, she was out of her chair and half way across the room. Her voice was low so it would not carry past the door, but her tone was vicious. “That you would insult my father is bad enough, but that you would tell Yadira about the baby when we agreed not to tell anyone until after the holidays is unforgivable. I can understand why you felt you had to confide in Julian, but not Yadira. I don’t even want her in this house! How could you possibly have imagined I’d want her to know something so personal?”
After the way they had parted downstairs, Raven had not expected their next conversation to go well. He had already steeled himself for what he considered an unavoidable confrontation, and his mood was one of icy calm. He peeled off his jacket, tossed it aside, then removed his tie. He could not recall Eden ever losing her temper with him twice in one day, but the way she told it, he certainly deserved it. Knowing the best defense is always a vigorous offense, he ignored her hostile accusations.
