Swept Away (38 page)

Rebecca shared her older brother’s fair coloring, but her features were far more refined. While no one had ever remarked on her beauty, she was actually quite pretty. She seemed almost painfully shy as she greeted Eden. “I’m Mrs. Yardley, a widow,” she explained after an anxious glance at her brother.

Eden wished Raven had told her something about this pair so she would have known what to expect. Rebecca was dressed in a black satin gown of modest design whose high neckline and long sleeves covered her petite figure completely. Her only jewelry was a gold wedding band. Eden could not help but wonder when Mr. Yardley had died, as there was a great deal of difference between a woman who had been recently widowed and one who simply chose to wear mourning garb forever.

Despite Eden’s presence, Julian was unwilling to be distracted from his purpose, and swiftly resumed the argument. “It is Queen Victoria’s own edict that ships engaged in war may not occupy her ports for more than twenty-four hours. Clearly the
Southern Knight
has already exceeded that limit.”

“The ship isn’t docked in one of her majesty’s ports, but in mine,” Raven pointed out.

“Alex would never have flaunted the Queen’s wishes,” Julian replied in the same strident tone that Eden had overheard. “I can’t believe you actually think you can do it and escape censure.”

Raven flinched at the mention of his late uncle’s name. His dark eyes narrowed, but before he could give what Eden was certain would surely be a scathing response, she moved to his side. “You’re mistaken, Dr. Ryan. Alex and I spoke frequently about America’s Civil War, and he graciously offered whatever assistance he could provide. Were he here tonight, I know he would ask you to keep your thoughts to yourself, and if you could not treat our guests politely, he would bid you good night without further delay.”

Raven broke into a wide grin as he slipped his arm around Eden’s waist and drew her near. “She’s right, Julian. While I invited you here in hopes you’d have a pleasant evening, if you feel that’s impossible, I won’t insist that you stay.”

Julian looked toward his sister, who shook her head in a silent plea for restraint. “You really should have told us in your note that your father-in-law was a Confederate officer and I would have sent our regrets. Since we’re already here, we’ll try and make the best of it.”

“That’s very kind of you, Dr. Ryan,” Eden assured him with an enchanting smile even though he had been less than gracious about remaining. “Why don’t we all go into the drawing room to wait for my father and his men. They should be here soon.”

Julian’s frown hadn’t lifted, but he followed Eden from the room without further complaint. His sister, however, seemed greatly relieved the matter was settled for the time being.

Eden was able to exchange only a few words with Rebecca Yardley before Nathan arrived with eighteen of his officers. Clad in their dress uniforms, she thought they looked absolutely splendid, although in his evening clothes, Raven looked equally dashing. Besides Michael Devane, there were a couple of others she recognized from home but she greeted every man with equal warmth. She was pleased when, although Rebecca blushed constantly, the widow seemed interested in meeting everyone, even if her brother did no more than reply to introductions with a scowl and a nod.

Raven had vowed not to do or say anything to embarrass Eden that night, but it came as something of a surprise that the men gathered around his table were so charming a group he had no desire to challenge them on their political beliefs. Some were barely out of their teens. Only the ship’s surgeon and Nathan were older than thirty. While they did want to discuss the War, it was only their own exploits they wished to recount.

“Captain, have you told Eden how we were nearly caught by blockaders because of a bird?” Michael Devane inquired once the meal was under way. He was disappointed he had not been seated beside the lovely blonde, where there would have been an opportunity for him to converse with her privately.

Nathan took a long swallow of wine before shaking his head. “That’s a story I’ll not repeat but go ahead if you must. Just don’t mention where it happened.”

“Tell us all about it, Michael,” Eden coaxed enthusiastically. “It sounds like an amusing story.”

Michael hesitated a moment, then seized the opportunity to capture her undivided attention and began to spin the tale. “It was in the dead of night. We’d managed to slip through the blockade and come in close to shore. The fog was so thick we were all straining to make out the entrance of the, well, of the river, and expecting that at any second a half-dozen Union gunboats would appear. Gradually the fog began to lift, but before your father could give the order to start the engines, there came the most gawdawful shriek you can imagine. It was so loud it nearly rattled our teeth. The devil himself couldn’t have produced a whistle that shrill. We all knew that unless a blockader had a stone-deaf crew, they would have heard, it, too and be steaming our way at full speed.

“Then it came again. Only this time we were all holding our breath waiting for it. The man closest to the chicken coop realized it was the rooster warming up to greet the dawn and made a dive for him.” Michael paused a few seconds as everyone began to chuckle. “Problem was, he’d yanked the head off the wrong bird before he’d realized it. The hens were all flapping about making a terrible racket and the rooster kept right on crowing.”

Nathan was too chagrined to listen to any more. “He finally killed the cock, we slipped into the river without getting caught, and we had chicken and dumplings for dinner, but I’ll not sail with a rooster on board ever again.”

Realizing a noisy rooster had seriously jeopardized the crew’s safety, Eden could easily understand why that wasn’t one of her father’s favorite stories despite the obvious humor of it. It was difficult to read Raven’s expression since he was seated at the opposite end of the long and crowded table, but she was pleased he appeared to be as amused as everyone else. In fact, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves that evening, even Julian Ryan, whom Eden had cleverly seated next to the ship’s surgeon, Clifton Endecott. Although several years younger, and a good deal better-looking, he seemed as serious a man as Julian. The two had become engrossed in a medical discussion from the moment they had been introduced.

Eden surveyed the table and found not only the men seated closest to Rebecca doing their best to charm her, but those seated across from her as well. They gave the shy young woman few opportunities to speak, but Eden could tell from her expression she was enjoying every word of their conversation. While Eden had feared the evening held all the elements of potential disaster, she was delighted to find things going so well.

The table was set with crisp white linens, the finest English bone china with a delicate floral pattern, gleaming crystal goblets, and ornate silver. Deep purple orchids were entwined around the bases of the four silver candelabras. Their brightly burning candles gave off a seductive spicy scent and filled the dining room with their tangy perfume. Yadira had merely nodded as Eden had described what she wanted, but obviously the housekeeper was as talented as Raven had promised.

Taking another bite of succulent pork baked in a flavorful orange sauce, Eden considered the cook’s work excellent as well. She had never tasted breadfruit, but was certain the large green fruit had been roasted to perfection. The dinner was truly superb, the wines Raven had selected from Alex’s cellar exquisite, and their guests all seemed to be enjoying themselves. That the first party she and Raven had hosted as Lord and Lady Clairbourne was an unqualified success kept Eden smiling all evening.

With only two ladies present, Raven insisted Eden and Rebecca remain with the men when they returned to the drawing room for brandy. The conversation grew more serious, but the Confederate cause was defended with such fervor he had to admire his guests’ conviction even though nothing he heard changed his opinion on the ultimate futility of the War.

Time and again he heard that shortages of essentials such as food and clothing plagued not only the Confederate troops, but the civilian population as well. The shortages Raven had considered readily predictable had combined with inflation to wreck the South’s economy. Yet the officers present clung to the belief that any hardship was worth enduring for the sake of preserving the South they loved.

The majority of soldiers in any conflict were always painfully young, but as Raven studied his guests’ earnest expressions, he did not understand how any commander could send such fine young men to their deaths over something so trivial as a political dispute. There had to have been a better way to bridge the chasm between the customs and needs of the North and South than civil war and he thought it a great tragedy neither side had had men with sufficient brilliance to find it.

Raven had said little that evening, but Nathan did not need more than one glance at the young man’s pensive frown to know they ought not to overstay their welcome in his home. He spread the word it was time to leave, then bid his daughter and her husband good night shortly before ten. “Your hospitality will not be forgotten, Lord Clairbourne.”

Rather than again ask to be addressed by his given name, Raven took note of Nathan’s grin and did not make an issue of it. The only evidence the Southerner wore of their fight was a gash in his chin, and Raven hoped they would not ever come to blows again. He was then ashamed to realize how quickly they had resorted to violence to settle a problem that really existed only in Nathan’s mind. It was no wonder countries could not live in peace when individual men could not, he thought sadly.

“I’m looking forward to entertaining you and your wife someday soon,” Raven assured him.

Nathan seemed pleased by that invitation. “You’ll find Sarah is as charming as her daughter, and I know she’ll be eager to meet you.”

“Let’s hope that will be very soon.” Eden kissed her father good night, and remained by the door to say a final word to their other guests.

Michael Devane stepped out of the line and moved to the rear in hopes he would be able to have a few moments alone with Eden if he was the last to leave, but he was able to say no more than a brief thank you before Raven slapped him on the back and ushered him out the door. Disgusted, but not defeated, he hurried to catch up with the others, and promised himself he would not leave Jamaica without spending some time alone with the lovely blonde.

Julian and Rebecca had been invited to spend the night so they would not have to return home after dark. Eden hoped she might now be able to become better acquainted, but before she could encourage them to return to the drawing room, the doctor took his sister’s hand and started toward the stairs.

“It was a lovely party, but I’m afraid Rebecca has become overtired and I want her to go on up to bed.”

Rebecca’s cheeks were flushed, but Eden thought that was from excitement rather than fatigue. The young woman appeared reluctant to say good night but did so after a regretful sigh and, accompanied by her brother, retired for the night.

Eden took Raven’s hand and led him back into the drawing room. “Thank you for being such a marvelous host tonight. I know it must have been difficult for you to hold your tongue, but I’m so pleased that you were able to do it.”

“I can scarcely demand silence from you on certain matters, and not give the same in return,” Raven replied as he took a clean snifter from the tray and poured himself more brandy.

“Well, whatever your reasons, you were the soul of tact tonight and I appreciate it. Now tell me about Rebecca. Is Julian always so overprotective of her?”

“Yes. He’s quite a bit older than she is and after their parents’ deaths felt responsible for her. She was married several years ago, but only briefly. Her husband was an accountant from Kingston. He died of yellow fever, as I recall. Rebecca came back home to live with her brother and there’s nothing more to tell.”

“Is he the one who insists she wear black, or is that her choice?”

“I have no idea. Why don’t you ask her in the morning?”

“Really Raven, that’s not the type of question that can be asked in casual conversation.”

Raven observed Eden with an appreciative glance as she walked to the windows. Despite the warmth of the evening, she looked as pretty and fresh as when their guests had first arrived. The louvers were open and she raised her chin slightly to enjoy more of the fresh air they provided. “Be careful,” he cautioned. “The evening breeze comes off the land. It’s called the ‘Undertaker Wind,’ because it can cause quite a chill.”

“How gruesome,” Eden laughed as she turned back toward him. “There’s a breeze off the sea in the mornings. What’s it called?”

“It’s the ‘Doctor Wind,’ because it helps keep everyone cool while they work.”

“I’ll bet you know all kinds of stories about Jamaica, don’t you?”

“I grew up here,” Raven reminded her with a shrug. “Besides, it’s not all that large an island, so there isn’t a great deal to learn.”

Eden quickly covered her mouth to hide a yawn. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to tell me more another night.”

Raven set his snifter aside and came forward to meet her. “That’s fine with me. I had other plans for tonight anyway.”

Knowing by the devilish gleam in his eyes just exactly what those plans were, Eden lifted her arms to encircle his neck and eagerly returned his kiss. When at last she stepped back, Yadira was at the doorway. The woman came and went with the stealth of a ghost, but Eden was too pleased with the way the evening had gone to be annoyed with her.