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Prologue

Ja, 1863

Consued his pose frequently as he leaned against the mantel in his uncle’s study, for the subject under discussion was not one he cared to pursue “The very last thing I require is a bride, Alex, and you know that as well as I do,” he insisted for what seemed like the hundredth tientle to the ear despite the exasperation of his mood

While he readily understood the cause of his nephew’s pensive frown, Alexander Sutton’s own expression was filled with a warlow of admiration and pride Raven Blade was always described as tall and dark but Alex knew that was no lance While the words were true, they revealed far too little about the coood looks fascinated women, and made men so envious they frequently failed to notice the brilliance of his mind

Years at sea had enhanced the bronze tones of his skin with a deep tan that never faded The somber effect of his coal black hair was softened by thick, boyish curls but there was nothing youthful about his eyes They were so deep a brown they appeared black and his gaze was often guarded, for Raven sought to see what others missed: the secrets that lay hidden beneath the layers of pretense that passed for fine manners in polite society

An active race and superbly ars: with a careless nonchalance that belied their princely cost He gave his extensive wardrobe no ives his blanket, but despite the elegance of his apparel he had not once been called a dandy He was now in his shirtsleeves, but that provided scant comfort in Jamaica’s sultry climate

Alex nodded slightly to acknowledge Raven’s view, but he was too intent upon ive in “Julian thinks I may have a year left, but certainly not two Before I die, I want to see you have a suitably adoring wife to look after you I’ upon it You may not realize that now, but you’ll thank e, so my advice is based on my own experience, and it’s probably the iven you”

Raven turned his back on his co a deep breath, he valiantly fought against the pain that Alex’s casual ht, Alex had already outlived his father by five years, and his grandfather by seven While he was clearly able to accept the heart disease that had plagued the Sutton faenerations, Raven could not

“There are other doctors Why h it were a death sentence?”

Annoyed, Alex shook his head sadly “I refuse to foolwhatever precious ti for a physician who could extend my life I prefer to take each day as it comes, and to enjoy it as best I can”

Alex’s relationship with Raven often mirrored that of a father and son despite the fact only twelve years separated them While they were not even distantly related, when Alex had plucked Raven froutter, made him his cabin boy, and then later introduced him as a nephew, the story had never been questioned After so many years, their closeness was deeper than blood, so the fact their relationship was of their owndid not matter to either of them Rather than uncle and nephew, on that afternoon they see over how one would live the rest of his life without the other

Alex noted the tension that had stretched the fine linen of Raven’s shirt taut across his broad shoulders and realized how difficult a ti “I swear if you start to weep, I’ll get up and beat you with the poker!” he threatened as convincingly as he was able before breaking into deep chuckles “I know you possess a healthy passion for woht one to marry, you’ll love her so dearly you’ll find it no effort to be faithful to her Had Eleanora not died so young, I know she would still beme as happy as she did on our honeymoon”

Raven did not understand how Alex could speak of love and death in the same breath Nor could he fatho when the ht not live to attend the wedding “What you ask is iain

“No, it is not,” Alex argued “We’ll spend the summer in London, and attend as many parties as we have to in order to find you a wife I can guarantee it will be an extreine”