Eden smiled and pulled her thoughts away from her two big brothers. She needed to get out of the house before Sterling came home. She would see them both soon and then she had to get ready for the ball tonight.
She had been dreading the season starting. It was her fourth, and so far, she had no prospects and was very quickly going to be on the shelf. Which was both a good and bad thing. She knew that Sterling could find someone for her, and if there was no one courting her, she was in trouble. It scared her the most.
She was glad there hadn’t been any prospects, yet, as she was hopelessly in love with a man who didn’t even know she was alive. Thinking about Cole made her smile, and yet, she hated it.
She had seen him at her very first ball. He was there, standing a head taller than most of the men. His dark hair had been pulled into a queue, and he looked around the room like he hated every minute of being there. His light grey eyes never missing a thing. He wore dark evening clothes, showing off his broad chest and strong arms.
He was so handsome; he took her breath away. When she asked someone about him, she heard every rumor there was to know about him, and everything anyone had to say about him.
But after watching him for three years, she deduced that either most of the rumors, if not all of them, were wrong, or he was very discreet in his affairs. She hoped that it was the first one and couldn’t bear the thought of it being the second.
That thought made her stomach cramp and yet, it wasn’t unheard of for men of the ton to be with several women before marriage. And sometimes even after marriage. She could only hope that he wasn’t like the other men. No matter what she heard about him.
She didn’t think he was the type of man to sleep around on so many different women, but her brother did, as did many, many others, so what did she know?
Eden finished getting ready, slipping out the front door silently, just in case Sterling was home, and made her way to the orphanage. She knew most women of the ton would never travel without an escort or a companion, but she hadn’t the time, nor the funds to hire one.
Nor did she wish to have another person dictate about her life. It was already bad enough with Sterling. Plus, with Burk and Brooks on her case about going around alone, she didn’t need another person telling her what to do.
She loved the freedom and knew enough people in Whitechapel that most left her to her own devices.
When she made it to the street with the orphanage, she stopped to admire the house they had found.
She was beyond grateful to have stumbled upon it, and the woman who ran it. It was her sanctuary and her peace of mind. She loved it within the walls. To her, this was home. Not the house she slept in.
She was greeted by the kind woman who ran it day to day. Her name was Mary Fitzgerald and Eden was convinced she was an angel.
Mary had been down on her luck and taking care of her three children all alone, her husband having passed away when her youngest was still just a small babe, when Eden had found her begging on the street.
Hearing her story, and seeing Mary’s beautiful children, Eden couldn’t stand it. She ran to Burk and had told him of her idea.
Burk listened with amusement, but when he saw that she was serious about her idea of opening an orphanage, he grew concerned.
She let him know in no uncertain terms that she would open the orphanage, with or without him.
Burk had grumbled and had not been pleased, but Brooks had been the voice of reason. He felt that they too should help the needy and scared children that graced the streets.
Brooks had pointed out their own story, “Burk, you know we came from nothing. We always said that if we ever had the funds, we would do something to help around here. Here is our chance.”
Burk had grumbled some more but had gone along with their ideas. After hearing about Mary, Burk had agreed she would be perfect for the position and Mary had been there since they opened the doors.
The children all loved her, and Mary became a teacher, mother, nurse and many other things to the children who lived at the orphanage.
“Good morning, my lady.” Mary said as she greeted Eden.
Eden smiled, “Mary, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Eden?”
Mary chuckled, “A few more, my lady.”
Eden groaned and then giggled, knowing that Mary would never stop treating her like the lady she was. “What is so funny in here?”
Eden turned at the sound of a deep voice in the doorway and smiled when she saw Burk duck under the casement.
Burk was so tall that most buildings, especially here in Whitechapel, were too small for his giant frame. He often hit his head, and would let out a curse, causing the children to laugh and yell at his curse.
Burk had the best sheepish face Eden had ever seen. Especially when she would put her hands on her hips and glare at him after his cursing. How she loved him.
“Good morning Burk!” Eden laughed and ran to give him a hug.
He kissed her cheek, “Eden. You look beautiful today as always. How do you fare? I heard from my source that a certain gentleman has arrived back in town. You don’t want to be late for the ball.”
Eden blushed and looked down, “He is back? Really?”
Burk nodded and Eden smiled. “I think I am going to speak to him tonight. I know it is not proper and against society’s rules, but I have missed him so. And I am tired of being scared to speak to him.”
Brooks came in the kitchen at that moment, knowing exactly who they spoke about, and frowned, “Are you certain poppet? We don’t want you getting hurt. What if speaking with him isn’t all you have desired?”
Eden walked to his side and gave him a hug. “I don’t know Brooks. But I just can’t live my life asking what if? It’s been three years. If I can’t speak to him by now, when will I ever? When I am officially a spinster and on the shelf? Or after he had gotten married because I was a ninny and didn’t say anything? That would break something in me that I don’t think I could fix. I am so tired of being scared. He wouldn’t hurt me. I honestly believe that.”
Brooks sighed and looked to Burk, who shrugged. Eden sighed as well and looked between her two adopted brothers.
She knew they were protective of her, and she loved it, but this was something she wouldn’t bend on. She needed to see Cole, and she would. Her brothers would just have to be all right with her decision.
They weren’t related in real life, as obvious by the difference in looks and personality. But they were brothers, in everything except blood.
Burk was so tall; he was head and shoulders over most men. He was also broad, everywhere. He had pitch black hair, and amber eyes that cut you to the quick. He saw everything and knew as much. He was very smart and was very quick with his wit.
Brooks had golden brown hair and startling blue eyes. He wasn’t as tall as Burk, but Eden didn’t think anyone was as tall as Burk. Eden thought he was as tall as Cole was. Brooks was also broad and strong. He was kind, smart and funny.
Over the years, Eden found herself more and more grateful that it had been them who found her. No one else would have treated her as one of their own like Burk and Brooks did.
When the two of them found her wandering around Whitechapel all those years ago they immediately took her under their wings and took care of her.
She had left her house after Sterling had tried to force a match on her. She had only been ten and five years of age. And she had refused. Knowing that her parents wouldn’t have allowed Sterling to do that.
She had pointed it out that it was a stipulation of their will, that she remained unmarried until she found the man of her choosing, and Sterling hadn’t liked that one bit.
She had escaped his fists and anger, but only just. She ran and ran, not knowing where she was going until it was too late.
When she finally stopped and looked around, the houses were derelict and a man had come out of the shadows, his clothes hanging off his gaunt frame.
“
Waz a wee girl like you doin in a place like this?” He had slurred and when she didn’t answer, he lunged for her surprisingly fast.
She had screamed, and took off running again, not looking where she was headed until she ran straight into a young man.
She had bounced off his large frame and hit the ground, and when she looked up, she had scrambled to get away from him, regaining her feet, and looking around to get away.
He had held both of his hands in surrender and softly spoke to her, “Are you all right? What are you doing all the way out here? You must be lost.”
She hadn’t wanted to speak to him, but another young man had come to see what was happening and they both talked to her. Getting her back to her house. They had kept their distance from her, neither touching her, but by the time they made it back to her house, she was beyond grateful for their help and that nothing worse had come from her time there.
Over the next few months, she would slip out of her house and travel to where the boys had found her. She got to know them and after that, they were thick as thieves.
Even though the young men weren’t thrilled at first, she wore them down and now she was proud to call them her brothers.
She loved them both and while she was grateful to them always, she would speak to Cole if it was the last thing she did. “If something happens when I speak to him and he doesn’t turn out to be who I wish him to be, then I will give up this silly notion. All right?”
Burk and Brooks both nodded. Burk said, “We are just protective of you. You are our little sister and we don’t want him to hurt you. Just be careful and come straight to us if something happens. All right?”
Eden nodded and the three of them went about their day. They worked together in the home, cleaning, playing with the children and making certain things that needed to be done got done.
When it came time for her to go home to get ready for the ball, Eden was nervous.
She had been in love with Cole St. Andrew from afar for so very long, and tonight she would finally gather every single ounce of courage she possessed and go speak to him.
She scrubbed herself clean and dressed in her favorite dress. She changed the hem and the shape of the bodice again before tonight, having gone a little bolder with the bodice itself. Making it lower than most would expect, but it suited her, and she loved how it looked on her. She left the color the same, it was light pink and fit her coloring and small frame perfectly.
She pulled her hair up, twisting it into a lovely style because she didn’t have a maid to help her.
Her brother gambled away too much money for them to employ anyone worth mentioning, so Eden fended for herself.
She didn’t mind it, and had done quite well, thank you very much. She smirked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath.
She smiled, “You will talk to him. You can do this.” She nodded her head and went downstairs to wait for her friend’s carriage to appear.
Persephone was new this year to the season. She was Eden’s age, but her parents had only agreed to let her come this year and only this year.
They believed she was too fragile to be in London for long. They were always saying how sick she was, but Eden had never seen evidence of it, other than the fact that Persephone sat in a special wheeled chair.
Still, Persephone’s parents insisted she was ill. Taking her home early often. Eden hadn’t been sad to leave when they did that, but it was mainly because Cole was gone, so she didn’t wish to be there anyway.
Persephone was a little shorter than she was, and a lot skinnier. She glowed with health though and Eden worried and wondered about what happened in Persephone’s home that made her parents worry so.
She also was quiet and soft spoken, kind and gentle to a fault. Never saying a bad word to anyone, and Eden had made it her mission to not let the harpies say anything rude to her.
She saw Persephone’s parents’ carriage pull up to the house and she went out quickly. No one spoke on the ride to the house, but Persephone did grab Eden’s hand and gave it a slight squeeze. Eden loved that they had a connection and was grateful for their friendship this season.
They made it to the house that hosted the ball, and after helping Persephone into the house, they were announced.
Eden helped wheel Persephone into place on the far wall and stood beside her. Neither she, nor Persephone would be asked to dance, nor would anyone come speak to them. Aside from the harpies that prayed on people who they deemed as less than.
She rolled her eyes at the women simpering and fawning over all the men, and the men practically drooling when they saw a woman whose breasts were almost falling out of her dress.
She loathed this part of the season and hoped against hope Cole would get here soon. She knew she shouldn’t call him Cole when she spoke to him. They had never been introduced, and even if they had, she would still need to call him Lord Woodbridge or my Lord. But, oh how she wished to say his name when they spoke. It would be terribly improper, but she longed to.
Just then, his name was announced as was a woman by the name of St. Andrew. She was a stunning beauty and held onto Cole’s arm tightly. Cole looked down at the beauty and smiled at her, and Eden could see their connection from here. She felt her stomach drop to her toes and felt so nauseous that she had to clench her jaw to keep the bile from coming up her throat.
He had gotten married while he had been away. That was why he had been gone for so long. And he looked like he was extremely pleased about it. His wife was beautiful, and Eden thought they fit perfectly together.
Her eyes pricked and she blinked hard, trying desperately not to cry. She was such a ninny.
She had no reason to be upset about this. She had never even spoken to the man. She had no claim on him whatsoever. None. Had no reason to be jealous, but oh, she was.
Here was the man she had thought of and wished was hers for three years, and he was taken. It was no wonder. He was handsome and kind, even though he rarely spoke to anyone, she knew deep down he was.
She couldn’t stomach this right now. Seeing that beautiful woman on his arm, Eden knew she was the luckiest woman in the world. She had gotten the best man there was.
She needed to preserve her dignity and leave before the tears fell. She couldn’t be seen in public showing her emotions. It wasn’t done. The room was slowly closing in on her. It felt too small and she could hardly breathe.
She needed to leave, to get as far away from this room as possible and she needed to see Burk and Brooks, and cry.
Just for tonight, though. Tomorrow she would move on, and never think of him like that again. She wasn’t the sort of woman to behave that way. Pining after some other woman’s husband.
It would be so difficult, but she would manage. Her dreams had gone up in flames this night and she would let it burn and when they were nothing but ash on the morrow, she would leave them be and close her heart off. He wasn’t hers. He could never be. And that was the end.
She turned to Persephone and sniffed, and Persephone grabbed her hands, “What is wrong? Are you feeling all right?”
Eden shook her head, determined not to cry. “No, I am not actually. I guess I should have said something earlier,”
Persephone cut her off, “It is all right Eden. Do you need me to get my parents? We can leave…”
Eden shook her head, “Stay, I will take a hackney home.”
Persephone gasped, but nodded. “All right, will you call on me tomorrow so that I may see how you are faring? Or send me a note if you are not feeling well enough to travel?”
Eden nodded; her throat tight. She couldn’t answer Persephone the way she needed to, without letting the tears fall free. Making her way through the shadows, she reached the back terrace, doing anything to avoid Cole, who was currently speaking to someone.
She pushed through the terrace doors and around the front of the house, grateful no one had seen her leave, and called a hack. The driver was surprised to see her, a lady o
f the Ton, asking for a ride. He wasn’t thrilled about her destination though and told her as much. She insisted, and he reluctantly took her to Burk and Brooks’ boxing salon.
When they pulled up in front of their building, Eden was so relieved to be there, that she had to practically pull herself from the hack. Her limbs felt heavy.
Making her way up the stairs, she knocked on the door, and waited for a few moments, until it opened to reveal Brooks. He looked down at her in stunned silence until she launched herself into his arms.
He staggered back a half step when she did that, but quickly regained his balance and pulled her into his arms.
The minute he hugged her back, the tears came, and she sobbed into his chest. She felt him turn her and kicked the door shut, his hand on the back of her head.
“Brooks? What is going on? Who is here this late in the evening?” Burk asked as he came down the stairs. When he saw who Brooks held in his arms, he immediately went on alert.
“Eden? What in the world? What happened? Was it your brother? Did he do something to you?”
Eden shook her head, hearing his questions, but needing a moment before answering them. Her tears still cascading down her cheeks. “I am fine Burk. It wasn’t Sterling. He has done nothing to me. It’s just, I saw Cole.”
Both her brothers looked at the other and Brooks said, “Did you speak to him? Is that why you are upset? He said something to hurt you?”
Eden shook her head, “No, I didn’t get the chance to talk to him. When he came to the ball this evening, he was accompanied by a beautiful woman with the same last name! He must have gotten married when he went away. That’s why he was gone for so long!”
She started sobbing again, and Brooks shushed her softly, pulling her back to his chest as if she was a small child. “Poppet, are you certain he got married? Was his marriage announced anywhere?”
Eden thought for a moment and shook her head. She hadn’t heard about his marriage, but it wasn’t unusual to not hear about every time someone wed. Persephone knew all about her infatuation with Cole, and she read the society pages.
The Marquess Who Adored Me Page 3
