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round his hips against hers. Disgusted by that blatant gesture, she tried to back away only to find the sturdy oak table at her back. Anchored securely to the floor, it was as unyielding as a brick wall.
Trapped in Raven’s arms, Eden gave up her attempts to escape and relaxed against him. She hoped for a softening of his aggressive stance, but none occurred. Instead Raven leaned forward, bending her backward over the table until she was forced to grab his shoulders to retain her balance. His mouth had yet to leave hers, and gasping for breath, she was outraged to find herself completely at his mercy when she knew that was a quality he sorely lacked.
Raven was past the point at which he could analyze his actions. All he could do was react with the violent emotions she had aroused. He wanted Eden for his own with a desperation he could no longer disguise, and yet at the same time he understood why there was no room in her heart for him. That was a torture that continually plagued him until he could no longer contain his inner rage. He wanted her to love him rather than mourn Alex and he had not another minute of patience to wait for that miracle to occur.
Eden felt the muscles in Raven’s shoulders flex as he tightened his grasp. His linen shirt had been softened by a dozen washings but its smoothness provided no comfort as she dug her fingers into his well-muscled flesh. His skin was as hot as his fevered kisses and she felt seared by the heat. Convinced he intended to force her across the table and rape her, she grew faint, and it wasn’t until Raven began plucking the pins from her hair that she realized he had at last slackened his hold on her. In the next instant he had pulled her upright and his kiss took on the magical sweetness of the very first kiss he had ever given her.
Not about to allow him to turn his abusive assault into a seduction, Eden finally succeeded in breaking free and turned her head. What had possessed her to threaten divorce she didn’t know now, but in the heat of their argument it had seemed like her only choice. Had she expected him simply to walk out on her as he had so often? Now she wished that he had for his penchant for leaving in the midst of their arguments was certainly preferable to the violence he had just shown her.
She felt his chest heave as he drew in a deep breath and hoped he was again rational enough to think with his usual clarity. “What in God’s name is wrong with you?” she whispered.
Raven slid his fingers through her curls and began to rub her back gently. “There’s nothing wrong with me,” he denied with the same stubborn defiance he displayed whenever she challenged him. “Did you expect me to be pleased that you no longer wish to be married to me? No man would be happy to hear that.”
“He would be if he also thought the marriage was a mistake.”
Raven took a step back, but kept his arms draped around her waist. “Is that what you think, that we don’t get along well because I’m sorry I took you for my wife?”
“How would I know what you think?” Eden replied with a renewed flare of temper. “I know what you think of the War, the stuffiness of English society, the island of Jamaica, and the proper discipline with which a ship must be run, but I don’t know what you think about me.”
Raven stared down at her, his dark eyes aglow with a compelling light. Clearly she wanted him to swear his undying devotion, to which she would undoubtedly respond with wistful longings for Alex. That was a trap he intended to avoid for as long as it took for her to feel something for him. What was the point of mentioning love when she would react with pity? He had far too much pride for that. He kissed her gently as he knew Alex must have.
“Have you changed your mind?” he asked before kissing her deeply once again. “Is passion no longer enough?”
Eden lost count of his kisses before she realized he had still not revealed his thoughts about her. Her conscience scolded her crossly for being distracted so easily, but as her whole body began to ache with the need for him, she knew there would be many other days in which to discuss their marriage, but that night had been meant for love.
Chapter Fourteen
September 1863
When Raven returned to his cabin the next morning with Eden’s breakfast, he found her still asleep. He shook her shoulder gently, but when she sat up and brushed her hair out of her eyes, he winced.
“I’m sorry about your mouth. I didn’t realize I was that rough last night.”
Eden licked her lips and immediately understood why he had been inspired to apologize. Her lower lip was not only swollen where his teeth had sliced the tender flesh, but also hurt rather badly, providing a painful reminder that their most heated argument yet had gone unresolved.
When his sleepy bride did no more than regard him with an anguished glance, Raven bent down to kiss her forehead lightly. “The weather turned foul during the night. I’ve changed our course to take us farther north in hopes we’ll miss the worst of it.”
Now fully awake, Eden could readily discern the rocking motion of the ship had grown more pronounced. As a result, the timbers creaked and groaned loudly in protest. Raven was having difficulty compensating for the changing angle of the ship and had to constantly shift his weight to remain upright.
“Confederate ships often put into Caribbean ports for supplies, If we’re on a more northerly course, then it’s possible we might sight some,” Eden mused aloud.
“Not in this gale we won’t, but when the weather clears, I’ll tell the lookout to keep watch for the Southern Knight. That’s the only ship you’re really interested in seeing, isn’t it?”
“I’d appreciate knowing of any Confederate ship, but yes, I’d especially like to see my father’s.”
“He could be sailing off the coast of France for all we know. Don’t make yourself sick worrying about whether or not the Southern Knight will survive this storm.”
“I won’t. My father is an excellent captain.”
“So am I,” Raven assured her.
Eden had not meant to give him the impression she was comparing him to her father and hurriedly refocused his attention on the storm.
“Hurricanes hit the coast often enough for me to know we’re in serious trouble if that’s what this is. What do you want me to do?”
“Did I mention the word hurricane?” Raven asked.
“Well, no, but—”
