The Marquess Who Adored Me

by Rachelle Stevensen

She pushed his long hair out of his eyes, and he rolled to the side, pulling her into his arms, with her head on his chest. He was still inside her, and she loved it. Her body was still shaking with small aftershocks, and she felt sensitive all over.

  He kissed her softly on her forehead and she shut her eyes, wrapped up in his arms and his love. “Get some sleep love, I know it has been a long day.”

  Eden looked up and Cole smiled at her, she let out a yawn and he chuckled. “See? I told you.”

  She laughed as well, “My body is completely drained. In the very best way.”

  Cole gave her a squeeze. “Mine too. Let’s try to rest, all right?”

  She nodded and shut her eyes. Happy, content and thrilled to be in his arms.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Katarina

  London, England Oct. 1812

  Katarina looked down at the plans she had made. Everything was coming together nicely, and soon, she would get her revenge on her horrible cousins.

  It was the least of what they deserved, and she hoped they would always regret the way they treated her. She would make certain of that.

  She couldn’t wait. She just needed to get through this one last night and long day tomorrow and she would execute her plans.

  Her man had come to tell her that Cole was planning on taking Lily, and his whore to the theater. But they wouldn’t make it there.

  No, they most definitely wouldn’t be making it to see the lights on the stage. She laughed. Knowing this would tear up Aidan, and everyone else who had scorned her, made her extremely happy.

  She shut the small book that had everything written down in it and looked out the small window. Her man would be back, and together they would finish up the last few tasks they needed to accomplish for tomorrow.

  The knock came, and she ran for the door. He was standing there, and she gave him a quick kiss. He wanted to deepen the kiss, but she shook her head. “After we finish, I will let you have your way with me. In whatever way you see fit.”

  His eyes flashed with heat and he shook his head. “Let’s go then. The sooner we finish, the sooner I can get my prize.”

  She pulled him along, and they went about their way, finishing up their plans.

  Chapter Twenty

  Cole

  London, England Oct, 1812

  Waking with Eden in his arms was the best way in the entire world to wake, he decided. He loved that she was still completely naked, and he was as well.

  He leaned forward and kissed her softly to wake her. She let out a small squeak and stretched her body like a cat and Cole chuckled.

  Her eyes popped open at his laugh and she smiled at him. “Good morning my sweet love. How did you sleep?”

  He asked and she giggled, “Better than I ever have. Thank you.”

  “I called for a bath for you to take, and then I want you and Lily to go shopping. Buy some new dresses, undergarments, hats, gloves. Whatever you desire. I want you to have your trousseau.”

  Eden stared up at him with wide eyes, “Cole, I don’t need all that.”

  Cole held his finger to her lips, and then he kissed her. “Love, you only have six dresses. Now eight with the ones Lily has bought for you. You need more than that. You are going to be my wife. I want you to have everything you desire, and even the things you don’t. Please.”

  Eden laughed and rolled her eyes, “All right. Stubborn man. You would give Burk a run for his money. I will go buy some new dresses and be grateful. Thank you.”

  Cole hugged her close, “I am sad that you are leaving me to go shopping when I want nothing more than to take you again, and again this day, but since Lily is home now, and ready for you to get ready to go shopping with her, I will simply kiss you for now, and make a promise that tonight, after the theater, you are all mine. And I am not letting you out of my bed or my sight for at least a day.”

  Eden blushed, “You don’t hear me complaining. I cannot wait.”

  He kissed her, helped her into the tub in his room, and walked to his closet where he shut the door. He couldn’t look at the temptation of her perfect and naked body while she was wet in his own bathtub, so he left. Trying hard to block out the sounds of her bathing.

  He quickly dressed and went downstairs to eat breakfast. And so, he could send the girls up a tray.

  There was a letter waiting for him and for Eden. It was from her friend Persephone.

  It said,

  Eden, my dear sweet friend, I want for nothing more than to go to the theater with you, but my parents aren’t happy. They wished to be in the audience to keep an eye on me. And they couldn’t procure tickets to tonight’s performance. They are worried I will be too excited, and my mother thinks if they cannot go with to monitor me, that I shouldn’t be allowed to go. If there is any way we can arrange for them to get tickets to the performance, I would appreciate it if we could try. My thanks, Persephone

  Cole smiled. He knew how important it was to Eden to have her friend at the ball with them. So, of course he would help get them tickets.

  He would ride ahead and take her parents, so he could use his name and connections, and have the girls come in the carriage afterwards.

  He walked upstairs and gave Eden the letter, after she read it, her face fell, so he told them his plan.

  Eden and Lily were both happy about it, and Eden kissed him hard. Whispering her love for him in his ear.

  He left them with a kiss to Eden’s lips and one to Lily’s forehead. He needed to speak with Persephone’s parents, so he went down to the stables and saddled his horse and rode to Persephone’s townhome.

  When he got to the house, the girls’ parents were all too thrilled to let him into their home and had Cole sit for tea.

  When everyone got settled, Cole sent Persephone a wink and said, “My fiancé received a letter this morning, and I wanted to try to help. See, she said that you weren’t able to get tickets tonight to the theater, and because of this, are afraid for your daughter, and her health. Which I understand. I would like to help in any way I am able. I have many connections with the theater and have several tickets always in reserve. If I may come and pick you up in my carriage tonight, we can get your tickets. Is that all right?”

  The parents were practically bouncing with excitement and agreed.

  Cole could see the happiness shining from Persephone’s eyes. He gave his goodbye’s and promised to come pick up the couple an hour before the performance.

  He rode around London for the rest of the day, going about his business and getting things squared away for his and Eden’s wedding that would be soon.

  That night, Cole hated getting dressed in his stuffy attire, but it was worth it to see Eden’s face and to spend the entire night in her company and showing her off to all of London society.

  They were happy and it made Cole smile with knowing that he had the most beautiful girl on his arm. He left the girls at home, after sneaking into Eden’s bedchamber and kissing her soundly, after dropping to his knees in front of her barely clad form, licking her soft cleft until she clenched her fingers in his hair and climaxed in his arms.

  He had to run back to his own bedchamber and pull his hair back into a respectable style after he did so.

  Smiling the entire way out to his carriage and whistling through his journey to get Persephone’s parents.

  Cole knew that Persephone would be picked up from her house after the girls were ready and would ride with Lily and Eden.

  He was so happy that Eden would be getting her time with the girls, but he couldn’t wait to see her again.

  To show her off to all of London. To show to the women who had treated her as less than them for her entire time she was out in society that she was marrying a Marquess.

  He went to the front office and was able to procure two of the tickets he usually had in reserve, just for this sort of thing. Not that he used them ever. Most of the time he sat by himself in his box, but it was nice to have them for nights like this.
He helped Bruce and Kitty get situated in their seats.

  He had found out their names finally as they rode to the theater, and he knew he had heard them before, but must not have paid enough attention to remember them.

  After getting the two situated, he promised them both that he would wait outside for his other carriage and make certain Persephone was taken care of during the performance.

  He went out front and waited for his girl. Just like he said, but he waited, and he waited. And waited.

  Carriages came and left, dropping off women and men dressed up in all their finery, dripping with diamonds and jewels. Trying to seem as though they were perfect, even though Cole knew most of them were not.

  He was starting to get anxious, but figured they must have left a little late, and they had been stuck in the traffic that now bogged down the street in front of the theater.

  But as the carriages left, his still never came. Burk came up beside him and Cole smiled. They shook hands, and Burk said, “Cole, how are you this evening?” Cole nodded, “I am well, just anxious for my woman to be by my side.”

  Burk studied the street, that now had very little traffic, and was almost completely empty, “Aren’t they supposed to be here by now?”

  Cole looked down at his pocket watch and nodded. “Perhaps they took the long way. Or took longer than we thought to get ready. There was traffic earlier, maybe they got caught in it and decided to go another way? There were quite a few carriages out on the streets this night.”

  Burk nodded, and Cole continued watching the street. Hoping he would spot the St. Andrew crest on the side of any of the carriages that passed. He flicked open his watch again and noted that the performance would be starting in mere moments.

  Most of the traffic had cleared, but there was still no sign of his carriage, or Eden. Maybe they decided to walk instead of riding in the carriage? And just push Persephone in her wheelchair?

  He started pacing, and Burk did the same. He voiced his questions to Burk, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. It isn’t like them to not be here. I feel like Eden wouldn’t risk the cold and potentially harming Persephone by pushing her all the way here.”

  Cole sighed, knowing Burk was right, but not loving that they still weren’t here. His carriage was never late, his driver always prompt, so this was very unusual.

  Brooks came out of the doors, “Where are the girls? Aren’t they supposed to be here? The lights have gone dim inside, and the orchestra is starting it’s opening piece.”

  Cole shook his head, “I don’t know where they are. They should have been here a half an hour ago. You two can go in and watch the play. I will wait outside.”

  Burk shook his head, “I will wait with you.”

  Brooks said the same and turned to watch the street.

  They would take turns pacing the sidewalk, until eventually they all sat on the steps outside of the theater and watched each carriage as it rolled by.

  Sooner than they realized, the play was over, and the girls were still nowhere to be seen. “Let me take Persephone’s parents' home, I bet the girls just got to talking and forgot about everything else.”

  Burk and Brooks nodded, Burk said, “We will come with you.”

  “Wait here, I will find her parents.” But, before he could go inside the building, he was assaulted by a reeking stench of alcohol.

  Cole coughed and tried to cover his nose and was grabbed by his lapels. “You have my sister, you scoundrel. Hand her over to me right now! I am her legal guardian! And I demand her return NOW!”

  Cole looked down to see Eden’s brother Sterling holding his jacket in tight fists. Burk growled from behind him. Cole gently eased the lapels of his jacket from the drunk man’s hands. “I don’t have your sister Sterling. She is her own person. And as such, she has chosen to stay with me, and marry me. You lost your right to be any kind of guardian when you tried to sell her off like she was a horse or cattle.”

  Sterling swayed toward him, and slurred, “You bastard. I didn’t try to sell her; I already have sold her to someone else. She is promised to him for a great sum of money. You bring her back to me, untouched. He has a thing for virgin women. You may believe that she will marry you, but without my consent, you cannot have her.”

  Cole growled this time, the tables turned when Cole grabbed Sterling’s lapels. “You will never touch a hair on her head. She is going to be my wife before this week is through that is my promise to you and to her. She deserves better than you, and I will do everything in my power to never let her feel the hurt you caused her. That man will never touch her. And, if you ever come near her again, I will kill you. How dare you call yourself a man when you sold your own sister to pay for the debt you brought on yourself. Get out of here before I do kill you.”

  Sterling paled, “She may be my sister, but I need that money. He will kill me if he doesn’t get her. He wants her and will stop at nothing to have her.”

  Cole shrugged. “He isn’t my problem, nor is he Eden’s. She would never let that man touch her. She would fight, and never give in to that. Ever. You will forget her after this day, she isn’t yours to worry about. Not anymore.”

  Sterling stumbled back when Cole let go, and he fell. Cole stepped over his body and heard Burk whisper something to Sterling as well.

  He couldn’t make out what it was, but he didn’t care. He needed to find Bruce and Kitty, so he could get them home as soon as possible.

  He had to find where Eden had gone or if she was still at home. It was important. He had a sinking feeling deep inside his chest and needed it confirmed.

  After seeing Sterling out of prison, he worried even more over her, and the fact that they hadn’t shown up to the theater.

  He pushed through the crowds of people milling about and using his tall stature to look over everyone to see who he was looking for.

  He found them standing by a couple and Cole gently grabbed Bruce’s elbow and whispered in his ear that they needed to leave, as he had a family emergency.

  Bruce nodded, and looked confused, but pulled his wife away from the people she was speaking with and followed Cole out to his carriage. “Wait? Where is my daughter? I thought she would be here?”

  Bruce asked as they got into the carriage. Cole shook his head, “I think the girls must have gotten too busy talking at my home, since they never showed up to the theater."

  Bruce looked at his wife, who had her lips pinched in distaste. “We need you to bring Persephone home as soon as possible. I knew those girls would be bad influences on her. She should never be so careless like that to lose track of time.”

  Cole sighed, and said nothing. His stomach kept cramping over and over, and he was more worried than ever that something had happened.

  But he wouldn’t believe the worst until it was absolutely necessary. He had to keep calm, had to remind himself to not go insane over this until he knew for certain that she was gone. He wanted desperately to believe that she was at home.

  He dropped Bruce and Kitty off at their house with reassurances that they would send Persephone home as soon as possible.

  Cole let out a sigh of relief and hated being cooped up in this carriage. He wished he could be riding alongside it, like Burk and Brooks were doing.

  He took a deep breath, and then another, and stared out the window. As soon as the carriage pulled up in front of his house, Cole jumped out of the carriage before it had even stopped rolling.

  He ran up the steps and through the front door. “Eden! Where are you love? Eden?”

  He yelled as he ran up the stairs and toward her room, and his. “Eden?”

  He could hear Brooks and Burk as they too followed him up, and when no answer came Cole threw open Eden’s bedchamber door, to nothing.

  He ran to Lily’s room, and the same sight greeted him. He ran to his room, and the same thing happened again.

  He cursed and ran downstairs and threw open every door to every room, and nothing. “Gladstone! Have you seen w
here Eden went?”

  Gladstone came around the corner, confusion on his face. “Certainly, my lord, I helped the girls get into your carriage a few hours ago. They were all so excited to go to the theater with you my lord.”

  Cole cursed again and ran his hands through his now disheveled hair. “They didn’t make it to the theater Gladstone.”

  The old butler’s eyebrows raised, and then drew down. “I told the coachman where to go. I didn’t need to, as he knows the streets of London, but I wanted to make certain they would be to the theater on time.”

  Burk was breathing hard, and Cole heard him curse behind him. “Where would they have gone Cole? Maybe we should go search the streets? What if they went to a different place on accident?”

  Burk voiced his questions, and Cole nodded. “You could be right. I don’t think my driver would be this careless. He knows of Eden’s position in my life and is very loyal to my family. But let me get my horse, and we can ride around London, just in case. You already know what my carriages look like, so let’s split up and see if we can find them.”

  Burk nodded, as well as Brooks. Cole ran to the stables and saddled his horse. He threw himself in the saddle and rode out to start his search for the love of his life.

  He knew something was wrong, he felt it down deep in his stomach, that no matter where they searched, they wouldn’t find the girls.

  Cole cursed and wanted to scream. He had finally gotten her, she had finally agreed to be his, so who would dare take Eden? Or Lily? He didn’t know anyone in London well enough for someone to take them. And the only other person who would hurt them was dead.

  Aidan had made certain that Braddock was dead. No one could survive a knife to the heart like that. Cole knew it in his soul that Braddock hadn’t survived that.

  Cole rode the streets looking for her, going into different establishments, trying to see if there was any clue to her whereabouts, until dawn approached.