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Ashamed she had not realized how badly battered Raven was, Eden leaned over and placed a light kiss on a deep purple bruise on his shoulder. When she moved back, she was startled to find him observing her with an amused smile.
“That you’re covered with bruises isn’t a bit funny,” she scolded softly. “I’d never have left you two alone last night had I known you’d behave so badly.”
Raven scoffed at her sympathetic gesture and words of regret. “Don’t pretend you were concerned with my health just now. If you want to look at me, you needn’t be shy.” With one easy gesture, he flung aside the sheet that covered them, completely exposing not only his well-muscled frame but her delectable figure as well.
Eden’s long curls covered her breasts with a modest drape, and after bending her knee slightly, she did not feel as though she were on display nude merely to satisfy his curiosity. As for him, she already knew how attractive he was without needing another look. Her kiss had been a spontaneous show of affection she had been unable to contain, and she was truly sorry he bore so many marks from a fistfight that should never have taken place. That he had responded not with equal sweetness, but with an arrogant challenge, was not only disappointing, but unnerving as well.
“I was worried about you, not admiring how handsome you are,” she responded defensively.
“You mean that was pity I saw in your glance rather than wifely pride?”
Eden noted the scrapes on his knuckles as he reached out to trace a light path from the cleft between her breasts to her navel. They had made love only once in the morning. That had been at Briarcliff, the day after Alex’s funeral. At that bittersweet memory, her eyes stung with hot tears of shame for she recalled how badly she had wanted Raven, and why.
“Eden?” Raven had awakened in such a good mood he had been unable to resist teasing her. That another of his attempts to make her laugh had failed miserably baffled him.
Eden could not meet his gaze. She knew only that all too often Raven’s words hurt and confused her, or like now, filled her with nearly unbearable remorse. “I know our marriage is an unusual one, but a wife ought to be able to show concern for her husband without him laughing at her.”
“I wasn’t laughing at you,” Raven denied as he pushed her down on her pillow. There was nothing he liked better than pinning her beneath him where their arguments could lead only one place. “If my efforts to amuse you make you cry rather than laugh, I’ll give them up.” He kissed away the drops of moisture that clung to her lashes then nibbled her earlobes until she began to giggle.
“That’s much better.”
That Raven’s dark eyes could hold a charming warmth rather than merely a menacing light was something it had taken Eden a long while to learn. That she still understood so little about him was troubling, but as he began to kiss her gently, obviously taking care to keep his beard from scraping her skin, she was content for the moment with what she did know.
While he waited for Eden to dress later that morning Raven struggled to compose a note to Julian Ryan that not only imparted the sad news of Alex’s death, but also invited him to attend a dinner party in honor of his bride’s father. He had not realized until Nathan had questioned him that Julian would have to know who had fathered Eden’s child, but he did not even attempt to reveal that secret in writing.
After entrusting the message to Azariah to deliver, Raven turned his attentions to the document Nathan seemed so anxious to sign. He had the invoices for the munitions, and asked for exactly what they had cost. When Eden joined him in the study, he showed her what he had written.
“You’ve included nothing for transporting the arms from England, or to allow for a profit?” the fair beauty asked in surprise.
“No, the cost is all I want. Greed has never been one of my vices.”
Another point in Raven’s favor, Eden noted silently. Still enjoying the loving mood he had created that morning, she reached up to kiss his cheek. “My father may not be as gracious about this as he should, but there are hundreds of others who will bless your name.”
Rather than being pleased by that promise, Raven frowned darkly. “I don’t want my name even whispered in connection with the arms. Is that clear? I’ll make certain your father understands that too. That I was d
rawn into this is bad enough, I certainly don’t want any credit for it.”
Feeling as though she had been dashed with cold water for the second time that morning, Eden turned away as though distance would soften the bitterness of his tone. She was sorry she had forgotten how much he despised the cause she held dear. It made her feel not only lonely, but sad. “It’s nearly noon, I’d rather we postponed the tour of the plantation for a few days. In fact, let’s wait until next week. If my father can come for dinner tonight, we ought to stay here and make certain everything’s ready.”
“The kitchen is fully staffed today, Eden. You’ll not have to don an apron and cook.” Raven had often heard it was a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, but he thought she had made a poor choice for the day’s activities. “I can show you the plantation any day you like, but next week we’ll be in Kingston. I want you to meet Alistair Nash, our attorney, and—”
Eden raised her hand to still his protest before his list grew any more lengthy. “I want to go, Raven. You needn’t try and convince me that I should.”
“Good.” Raven so frequently ran into a brick wall with Eden that he felt as though he were wandering through a maze. He had no doubt he was a totally rational person, but in his view, her moods were as changeable as the direction of a butterfly flight. It certainly made their lovemaking exciting, but he longed to be able to complete a conversation without constantly having to worry he would inadvertently upset her. That was another question he wanted to ask Julian. Perhaps all well-bred young ladies had such delicate natures, or maybe it was merely pregnant ones.
“Let’s take this note to your father to sign. That will give us the chance to confirm the dinner invitation too.”
Thinking that idea a good one, Eden walked back toward Raven, but she was worried still. “My father must have nearly two dozen officers. Do you want to invite them all to dine with us?”
“Why not?”
“I thought perhaps you’d prefer a smaller group since you don’t share our views. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable in your own home.”
“Our home,” Raven corrected her. “I think I can stand to listen to the glories of the Confederacy for one evening at least. I’ve also invited Dr. Ryan and his sister, Rebecca. Your father wanted to meet him. That will make three people for my side.”
“That’s just the point. I don’t want anyone taking sides. I’m certain my father must have a surgeon on board. Why did he want to meet this Dr. Ryan?”
Raven slipped his arm around Eden’s waist as they started for the door. “He wants to be certain you’ll receive the best of care.”
