Raven made an appearance in only a few moments. A trifle breathless, she entered the stall and, without pausing, threw her arms around Nick's neck in a strangling hug.
"No need to choke me, pet," he said, laughing as he pried himself from her grasp.
"It is either that or shoot you," Raven retorted. When she drew back, however, her blue eyes were sparkling. "You do deserve to be shot, Nicholas. You have no conception of how I grieved for you – and Aurora, too. I've lived with such guilt, believing I got you killed. Why did you never send us word?"
"I was a trifle occupied at the time, getting out of the fix the British navy had devised for me and then preparing to come after you. And I felt sure you would have learned the news from someone on the islands."
"We never did, Nicholas."
He shook his head warningly. "I'll thank you to practice calling me Mr. Deverill in private, sweetheart, so you won't forget in public. Since Sabine was your guardian, his cousin would be only distantly connected to you."
"Ah, yes, I will have to remember."
"In fact, we should not be seen together in private at all."
A frown creasing her brow, she cast a cautious glance over her shoulder. O'Malley had taken up a position outside the stall's half door along with his mount, screening her and Nicholas from prying eyes.
"I sent my maid home just now," Raven said in a concerned voice, "so she wouldn't see me talking to you, but I didn't consider the danger to you… It is quite dangerous for you even to be in England, isn't it?"
"There is the possibility that I might be apprehended as an escaped prisoner, yes."
"Why ever did you come here then?"
"I wanted to see how my hoyden of a sister fared, of course," Nicholas said teasingly. He surveyed her stylish riding habit of forest green velvet critically. With her vivacity and fresh beauty, Raven didn't look as if she'd risen unfashionably early after dancing half the night away. "From all appearances, you are doing quite well for yourself."
Her smile was wry. "Better than well. You would be proud of me, Nick… ah, Mr. Deverill. I recall you once said teaching me to behave with decorum would be like trying to turn a wild filly into a lady's mount. Well, I am quite tame now. Of course, a good deal of the credit goes to Aurora."
"Indeed?"
"I don't know what I would have done without her, truly. She is extremely accomplished and so highly regarded… You couldn't have chosen anyone better to advise me. With her guidance, I've been able to face society's lions without being devoured alive. And if I am not betrothed by the end of the Season to an earl at the very least, I shall be very disappointed."
His amused expression sobered. "You're certain you can be happy with a cold-blooded marriage to an earl?"
Raven's blue eyes turned just as sober. "My happiness is beside the point. Mama wished me to make an advantageous match and marry into the nobility, and I won't fail her, Nicholas. As for cold-blooded, you know I have never wanted love. I won't make the same mistake Mama made, letting passion destroy my life, pining after a man even on my deathbed. And besides, being the mistress of my own household will be far preferable to living under my Aunt Dalrymple's thumb, where I cannot say two words without being reprimanded."
The stubborn set of her jaw gave way to a smile. "Thank heavens for Aurora. She has been so genuinely kind, and she shares my love of horses. I'm to meet her in the park for a gallop in a short while…But enough about me, Nicholas. Tell me, how did Aurora take the news of your reincarnation?"
"She wasn't quite as delighted as you were," he said dryly.
"Only because she doesn't know you well enough yet." Raven's eyes grew wide. "Oh, my word, do you mean to take her back to America with you as your bride?"
Nicholas hesitated. "We haven't worked out our future yet. I imagine Aurora needs time simply to get over her shock at my reappearance."
"But you mean to claim her?"
"That is still in question," he admitted, not wanting to sound overconfident in his powers of persuasion.
"Your marriage was legal, was it not?"
"Entirely. But the issue is more complex than mere legality. Our marriage was supposed to be only temporary. I'm not certain Aurora wants me for a lifetime – or that she thinks I would make very good husband material. I'm known far more for my wild adventures than my stable respectability."
"Yes, but I remember you saying it was nearing time for you to settle down as your father wished. And I think any woman would be fortunate to have you for a husband," Raven declared loyally.
"But then you are prejudiced on my behalf, puss."
"I suppose." She frowned. "Well, you will simply have to persuade her. It shouldn't be impossible. Aurora is quite independent minded, but no one has more ruthless charm than you do. You managed to convince me to forgive my English relatives for the horrible way they treated Mama, when that was the last thing I wanted."
"We'll see," Nicholas said noncommittally.