Chapter Thirty-Six

Samantha walked to the breakfast room where the servants prepared for the group breakfast and the day’s activities. She made every attempt to contain her inner glow, sure that her smile radiated happiness and gratification.

“Good morning.” Her voice rang out with a definite lilt to her aunt who just entered. She wondered if everyone could now tell her virginity had been taken.

Aunt Minerva engaged her glance but made no comment.

“I’m famished.” Samantha placed food on her plate.

Prince Nicholas asked, “Dear lady, there is something different about you this morning. Do we ride?”

She avoided his stare. “Oh, yes. I did promise we would.” She addressed the daughter of the earl. “You will come with us, won’t you? It’s going to be a wonderful day, and I’d like to ride over and see the other side of the bluff. We’ll have such fun, Lady Sue Ellen.” Samantha reached for a glass of water and addressed Raven. “Your Grace, will you join us?”

She enjoyed herself at his possible discomfort. She wanted him in her future. She refused to apologize for what she believed reasonable at the time. In the aftermath of fantastic lovemaking, remembering his expression when he looked out the window the night before, she’d been wrong for all the right reasons. Falling in love with Raven would not be a hardship. Now she was more frightened of what he unleashed in her—a wanton woman who tasted paradise and could never be satisfied with just one night. Her predicament escalated into a dilemma. One night was not enough for her, but what about him? Hmm!

Raven swept his gaze over her face, vibrant like a blithe spirit, flaunting her newfound sexuality and passionate fulfillment. He would’ve preferred she exude this charm with him alone, but knew he did indeed awaken the wanton in her. Samantha became a female reborn to a woman of passion and desire. He chose to take credit for this metamorphosis because it pleased his vanity. The youth and virility on his part more than pleased him, and he welcomed their return. To have unleashed such a magnificent woman who appeared to have passion for him alone rendered him a sense of pride—although she did have a natural flirtatious nature. He’d have to curtail the jealousy that claimed him at inopportune times.

Emotion and rationale became enemies of each other, and he owned both. He battled his inner self. He didn’t want to win if it would mean the loss of her, the loss of his future life, and the loss of passion. Raven was a man also reborn because of her.

“Lest you think me a poor host, there are duties to which I must attend. I will catch up with you, Lady Samantha. I do know that your brother will join you also.”

He also noted Winston’s cool demeanor. Raven hurt at the obvious pain inflicted to the young man. The Information from his investigators would verify or vilify.

While not quite a command for her brother to join Samantha, Sue Ellen, and Prince Nicholas, Raven wanted her well chaperoned if he could not be there.

As he rose from the table, he said, “Enjoy your ride. I regret I can’t join you.” He noted the sardonic smile on the Prince and returned a stony glance of caution. Raven could not be sure of the Prince’s loyalties either. This pleasant country week at the estate was a whisper away from a total disaster.

After everyone left, Prince Nicholas stayed behind for a moment. “Raven, I believe I saw you and Samantha while you walked to the boathouse last night.” A grin appeared on his face. “Your evening with the lady had a pleasant ending. Da?” Yes?

Raven snapped his eyes to Nicholas. “The events satisfied our needs. However, a gentleman would never discuss such things about a lady. It would not be the honorable thing to do. Nyet? No? I’m sure you will agree.”

Under the breakfast table, Raven’s right leg did a tap dance.

Prince Nicholas smiled. “I agree, Raven. Off I go to enchant the ladies.”

“Enchant to your heart’s content, Highness, but stay away from the redhead,” he cautioned.

“Yes, Raven, I know. To flirt is not a crime, although she doesn’t care to know I exist.”

“I prefer it that way, Highness.” Raven’s smile now became generous, but his eyes pierced at the Royal. One raised eyebrow warned in silence.

Samantha urged her horse ahead with some abandon. She liked to ride on her brother’s estate without the cumbersome sidesaddle, but propriety here at Raven’s estate demanded better decorum. What difference did it make now? She thought it a heady sensation to be a woman in the true sense of the word, emancipated and invigorated, too. Soreness in her core from the previous night’s activities invaded. She slowed the horse so she could adjust to the sidesaddle, and the horse’s canter.

Her brother soon caught up with her, in obvious distress, “We need to talk. Someone bought my promissory note. The agreement states they must offer me the opportunity to pay the sum. I either pay or lose the estate. Either way, I don’t have the funds for the voucher I signed yesterday for the cartel. We may have to withdraw, but it will look like guilt on my part if I do.”

Samantha understood the chill that echoed his voice at this strange turn of events. “Brandon, I do believe someone has targeted us as scapegoats. It must be hard on Raven, too. After all, he invited you to join.”

She steadied her horse. “Well, you can’t allow your reputation to be ruined by vouchers with insufficient funds and disgrace us. When did you learn of this, Brother?” Breathless with annoyance, which needed control, her mind raced in a duel with her twin emotions of fear and anger.

“A servant delivered a note to me late last evening. I tried to talk to you about it last night, but you didn’t answer my knock on the door.”

“I see. I must have been in a deep sleep.”

“Be careful, Samantha. We’re out of our league, I fear.”

“So be it. Pay off the promissory note with my money. What good is money if I can’t help the family when it’s in need? If the cartel is successful, you can return it to me. Let me know if I have to sign anything. There’s always father’s trust on my behalf. If I don’t have enough funds, I’ll ask Aunt Minerva to help. Or I’ll sell my emeralds. As a family, we are a reckoning,” Samantha said with pride, defiant in spirit. “There’s also the Foundation money from the auction, but it’s not enough, I venture.”

She reached over and touched the bridle of his horse. “Brandon, I think you should tell Raven about the promissory demand note.” She pulled up her horse close to his. “We’re in this together. Remember my love for you has no boundaries. There isn’t a power on earth that can separate us…not even Raven’s. I’m going to ride alone. It will give me time to think.”