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“You already know what I think of your insipid cousin, so don’t mention her name to me again. Surely you must know that the wealthier a couple is, the less likely they are to marry for love,” he commented as he skillfully edged her toward the bed. “That does not mean that we can’t be happy together.”
“Oh Raven, don’t you know anything about love?”
“Only what you have taught me,” he replied with rare candor. He did not give Eden time to respond, however, before he captured her mouth for a long, slow kiss that stilled all objection to their marriage. He would not leave her alone to brood over Alex’s death when he was alive and in such dire need of her affection. He scooped her up in his arms and began to turn in a slow circle as he deepened his kiss.
After a moment’s hesitation, Eden flung her arms wide, increasing the effect of his seductive spin. She had been so thoroughly depressed she did not think she would ever recover, but Raven had raised her spirits with his playful, and totally unexpected, antics. It was completely out of character for him and yet it was so spontaneously joyful that she did not question what had prompted him to behave in such a carefree fashion.
By the time Raven laid Eden across her bed, and collapsed beside her, they were both dizzy and convulsed with laughter. Breaking into a happy grin, he kissed both her cheeks then paused to judge her reaction before leading her any further.
“I’d never really seen you smile until a few days ago.” Eden was still amazed by how drastically his marvelous grin altered his appearance. “It makes you so much more handsome.”
Raven caressed her cheek with his fingertips, delighted her face was flushed with the warm glow of happiness. “Why Lady Clairbourne, are you saying that I’m dashing?”
“Oh yes, very dashing indeed,” Eden admitted without the slightest reluctance.
Raven knew how easily flattery poured from her lips, but he was in too good a mood to call her a liar. Instead, he kissed her soundly. They had each had the worst of days. Only that morning their emotions had been plunged to the depths of despair, but now their moods bordered on rapture. Raven wanted to take them higher still and began to make love to her with an adoring grace. His strength now tempered with a gentle restraint, he kissed and caressed her until she was so totally his they became truly one. He did not know or care if he had replaced Alex in her mind, but he knew no one would ever take her place in his heart.
Eden gloried in Raven’s affection. She drank in each of his brandy-flavored kisses and never once forgot who he was. He was not Alex, but his loving was so beautiful in itself that it no longer mattered. She could give herself to him with the hope that in time they would grow to love one another. She had not thought Raven capable of such tender emotions, but now that she had felt him express them, she had proof that indeed he could.
She ran her fingers through his thick curls to hold him close as the last shudders of ecstasy throbbed through his sleek body. She had asked him to take things slowly, to give her time, but he had responded by making her his wife with a speed she knew was even more shocking than her elopement had been.
When he wrapped her in his arms, and rolled over to bring her up on top of him, she was so completely relaxed she fell asleep with her head pillowed on his chest but no dream, no matter how blissful, could compare with the charming reality she had found in Raven’s arms.
Chapter Nine
August 1863
Eden’s mood was again a somber one the following morning, but Raven was so pleased with the way their wedding night had gone he attempted to lift her spirits.
“Do you like to ride?” he asked as she finished her last bite of breakfast.
“Yes, very much,” Eden responded softly. “Do you?”
“Not particularly, unless I’m out to race or hunt,” Raven admitted readily, for sedate rides through the countryside had never held enough excitement to keep him amused. “There are still a few more tenants I need to see before we sail for home. If you feel up to it, I’d like to have your company.”
Eden was tempted to offer an excuse, for indeed she had never felt less like riding, but Raven’s smile was so inviting, she feared she might insult him if she refused. Thinking that a poor way to begin their marriage, she agreed. “May I have a few minutes to change my clothes?”
“Take all the time you like. I need to speak with Elkins, the overseer. I’ll meet you at the stable.”
“I won’t keep you waiting,” Eden promised.
As they rode about the estate that morning, Eden kept Raven under close observation. Although she attempted to keep her frequent glances discreet, he captured f
ar more of her attention than the tenants. That he not only called the men by name, but also knew each wife and child, impressed her most favorably. She felt certain she had met all the tenants at one time or another since coming to Briarcliff, but she was embarrassed that she could not recall a single name. Fortunately, she had only to repeat Raven’s greetings and add a word or two of her own.
They had visited half a dozen of the farmers who rented land on Briarcliff before Raven drew his bay gelding to a halt. “Have you had enough?”
“Why no, I’d like to see everyone. I know they all came into Exeter for the funeral and I want them to know I appreciate their being there.”
“They know,” Raven assured her.
Outdoors, Eden did not feel nearly so apprehensive around Raven. The morning was warm, without a hint of the coming fall. The last time she had toured Briarcliff she had been with Alex, though, and the memory of that day flooded her eyes with a sudden rush of tears. Embarrassed, she quickly wiped them away. “We ought to go.”
“Just a minute.” Raven drew his mount alongside the small black mare he had chosen for her. “The next man, Paul Jessup, is a bit of a problem. Elkins told me that he drinks more than he should, and while his wife has never complained to him, he thinks Paul abuses her.”
“And Elkins lets him get away with it?” Eden asked, clearly upset. “I don’t believe Alex knew about it. Or if he did, he didn’t tell me.”
“No, Elkins didn’t want to bother Alex. That’s another problem. Elkins has been the overseer here for thirty years. His wife died several years ago, and Alex didn’t want to mention retirement to him for fear he’d just lie down and die as well.”
