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Nathan was frustrated by her lack of understanding. “I’m sorry to say this, sweetheart, but if you feel that way, I’m afraid you’ll soon regret marrying Raven. Your mother could offer far better advice than I can, but other than to love you, there’s nothing I can do for you until the War’s over. None of us expected it to last more than a few weeks, or months at the most, and now it looks as though it will continue until the last Southerner is dead. That my own situation is too desperate to permit me to help you is no excuse, I know, but do you think you can stay with Raven until I’m able to do something for you?”
Grateful for that offer, Eden hugged him tightly. “Your love is all I’ll ever need. I intend to stay married to Raven, forever.”
“Because Alex wanted it?” Nathan asked incredulously.
“No, not just because of Alex.” Eden stopped there, unwilling to describe the bargain she had made with Raven when revealing it would only infuriate her father. As perverse as Raven was, she did not want Nathan to hate him. “Raven is most definitely a rogue, you’re right about that, but he’s also very bright. He’s a fine captain, firm with his crew, but not abusive. He has many admirable qualities,” Eden paused as she tried to think of some, but when none came to mind, she gave up the effort. “I hope once we reach Jamaica, we’ll be able to lead normal lives. I know we’ll never love each other the way Alex and I did, but I don’t expect that either.”
Eden was more slender than when Nathan had last seen her, and if anything, more beautiful. She had the same maturity about her now that he had seen in all too many young widows of late. “Your mother and I had hoped you’d be happier in England, sweetheart. We really did.”
“I was happy, Daddy. Once I met Alex, I was happier than I’ve ever been. I’ll never forget him, nor be sorry that I was his wife.” She tried to smile so he would not think her situation bleak, but she could not keep her lips from trembling.
Raven had expected Eden and her father to talk for an hour at most. Nearly two had now elapsed and he was becoming worried. He rapped lightly at his cabin’s door before peeking inside. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I neglected to offer refreshments, and it’s growing late.” He was astonished to find Eden perched on her father’s knee, her arms draped around his neck, in what he considered far too familiar a pose.
Unmindful of the critical nature of Raven’s thoughts, Eden slipped off her father’s lap and went to the door. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. “I didn’t have time to mention the arms, but if we gave them to my father, it would save us the trouble of disposing of them elsewhere.”
Raven had already learned from the Confederate officers they were entertaining that the Southern Knight was dangerously low on munitions. Those young men had had no idea that was exactly what the Jamaican Wind’s hold contained, however. Considering her comment an invitation to join her, he moved through the door and closed it behind him. “You’ve told him about Alex?”
Eden nodded as she wiped away the last of her tears on her father’s handkerchief. “Yes, I did.”
“Good.” Raven took note of the half-empty bottle of whiskey on the table, and decided no further offer of refreshments was needed. He helped Eden return to her chair, then sat down beside her. “My uncle wished to aid the Confederacy. We’ve not only got a great deal of gunpowder on board, but also Enfield rifles and Kerr revolvers and ammunition for them. I’ll be willing to transfer it all to your ship if you’ll give me your personal guarantee that I’ll be paid what the munitions are worth in gold. I’ll not accept Confederate currency.”
Nathan was astonished not only by the mention of arms, but also that Raven would launch into such a discussion without making the slightest attempt to get to know him first. He had had no love for the British before that day, and his son-in-law’s cool arrogance did nothing to change his opinion. In the back of his mind, he began listing the Southerners his daughter might take for a third husband and he found it easy to smile.
“You’ll take my personal note for the cost, is that what you’re saying? If I give you my word that you’ll receive gold for the arms, you’ll give them to us?”
“Well, I’d prefer a straight exchange, but I’m assuming you don’t carry gold in sufficient quantity on board the Southern Knight. If I’m wrong and you can pay me now, then there’ll be no need for a note.”
“Is this why you were so damned reckless? Did you come to our aid simply to make a profit on arms?”
“Daddy, I’m sure the thought never crossed Raven’s mind. We were concerned only about you. I don’t think his actions can be described as reckless either. Daring is a far better word, and since our intervention worked to your advantage, it’s rude of you to question Raven’s motives.”
Nathan was not about to argue that he could have gotten along without help when he doubted he could have. He was startled that Eden would defend her husband so staunchly, however, when she had given him the impression she was indifferent to him. “Forgive me, my lord,” he began with exaggerated care. “I’m more than a little drunk, but I did not mean to insult you. Draw up the note, and I’ll sign it. Perhaps we can decide upon some deserted isle where we can safely load the munitions on the Southern Knight. We’ve so many repairs to make we have great need of a safe harbor.”
“Raven?”
Raven read Eden’s question in her anxious expression. “Our plantation is located on the Rio Bueno and has docks up the river that aren’t visible from the sea. They’d make the perfect place for you to conduct your repairs. If you’re low on munitions, you must need other supplies as well, don’t you?”
“Well yes, of course, but” Nathan did not want to be indebted to a son-in-law he found so difficult to like.
“Jamaica can’t be that much out of your way, Daddy, especially not if you’ll be safe from attack while you’re there.”
Nathan rose to his feet, but kept his hand on the back of his chair to keep his balance. “You said your uncle wished to help the Confederacy. What are your feelings on the matter, Lord Clairbourne?”
Raven also stood, and when he drew himself up to his full height, he was pleased to find he was perhaps a fraction of an inch taller than his father-in-law. “I’d rather you called me by my name,” he requested first. “I think your misguided cause was doomed from the start. I’m helping you only because you’re Eden’s father. I’d not have intervened if we’d sighted another Confederate ship in the danger you faced. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I believe in your cause, because I don’t.”
“But you’re not averse to making a profit on it?” Nathan pointed out shrewdly.
“I’m merely trying to complete a venture Alex undertook. I’ve no desire to build our wealth on your country’s pain. If I didn’t have to protect Alex’s investment, I’d have dumped the whole lot overboard long before this.”
Nathan saw no difference between protecting an investment, and turning a profit, but even after one drink too many he could see the futility of arguing with Raven Blade. The handsome young man was not only bright, but determined as well. He was most certainly not the type of man he would have chosen for Eden, but because that choice had already been made, Nathan would not waste his breath decrying it when he could do nothing about it.
“Give me the
course settings for your plantation, then should we have to separate, we can rendezvous there later. You have my word that I’ll not sail into your harbor with a Federal ship anywhere in the vicinity. I’m sure your actions today will be seen as those of a lunatic, but protecting the Southern Knight in a private harbor would be another matter altogether.”
“I’ve gotten myself out of worse situations,” Raven replied flippantly, but he went to his desk, sketched a quick map, and made the course notations Nathan had requested.
“Yes, I just bet you have.” Nathan leaned down to kiss his daughter goodbye. “Stay where you are. I’m sure it’s too cold for you to be out on deck again. Oh, by the way, Michael Devane’s one of my officers. I couldn’t bring him with me today, but I know he’ll be looking forward to seeing you.”
