The Marquess Who Adored Me

by Rachelle Stevensen

  She nodded, “Yes, I am fine Cole. Are you all right? You look pale.”

  Cole shook his head, “Actually, I am not. I need to find Burk and Brooks and we need to speak. I found something this morning rather troubling.”

  Rose nodded, “Burk and Brooks were walking around here just a moment ago.” She looked around for a second, “Ah, there.”

  She pointed to two men who were walking on the top deck. Cole cupped his hands around his mouth, “Burk!”

  He yelled and Burk turned to look, Cole beckoned to him. Both men walked to where they stood and Cole said, “Aidan and I have made some discoveries this morning. They are things that I only wish to repeat once, here at least. When we get back to dry land, our mother will need to know.”

  Rose looked up at him, and he gestured to everyone to follow him, but Cabe shook his head, “Since Rhia and Rose are using my cabin, I want to ask if we use it for our discussion as it is the largest and most comfortable. Is it all right with you Rose if we use it to have this discussion?”

  Rose nodded, “Of course. I don’t mind.”

  Cabe nodded as well and led the way to the cabin. There was a large desk in the middle of a bank of windows, with chairs on either side.

  A bed sat off to the side, curtains hanging down on either side to block out the light. There were also soft chairs situated around the room, a vanity by the bed and a rack of clothes in the corner.

  Cole helped Rose to a chair and sat next to her. Aidan moved a chair around to put Rhia in it so she would be comfortable, and he faced Cole, and Burk, Brooks and Cabe did the same.

  Cole cleared his throat, “As you know, or maybe don’t, Aidan found some letters and a journal stashed in our house from the man who wanted to end our lives. I couldn’t sleep this morning and started reading through the letters. Wanting to see if they were as bad as I feared. And what I found is quite possibly the worst thing that did in fact confirm all our fears.”

  He ran his hands down his face and pushed his hair back, “The letters were from the man we called father for the majority of our lives, but who in all reality was actually our uncle. He wrote the letters to his long-time mistress and the mother of his child. And in those letters, he explains in great detail on how his mistress Carolyn was given very detailed instructions on how to get him out of prison. Her, along with the help of a prison guard, they were able to convince our real father that they planned on blackmailing him about Edward. Since most people believed Edward to be dead, the story would have rocked London, and Jacob did what he could to stop it. He was kidnapped and held in Carolyn’s home for several weeks. Until his hair was longer, his beard had grown, and he had lost weight. Then, with the help of their guard, they were able to switch the brothers in the night.”

  Cole sighed and ran his hand over his face, hating going over the details of the letters, but knowing it was necessary.

  He blew out a breath and continued, “So, Jacob was in prison as Edward, and Edward was free to ruin Jacob’s life and all he had built. Which he did with relish. Not only did he ruin Jacob’s life and our lives, he also killed his own father, and had our mother’s parents sent to America. With instructions to never let her know they were alive. She believed them dead and has been alone for so many years. And our mother suffered at the hands of that mad man for most of her life. Aidan did as well, the girls did. He killed many in his reign as the Duke and cared not at all. Reading the letters and learning just how deranged he was and what lengths he went to in his madness, it sickens me.”

  Cole finally looked around the room, and Burk had his fists clenched hard on his chair. His knuckles were white with the strain, and he looked toward Rose next, she was shaking and as Cole watched, a tear slipped from her lashes.

  Cole could see Rhia’s pale face, and she turned to hug Aidan’s arm, which was now around her shoulders. Aidan pulled her into his lap and was trying to shush her small cries.

  A growling noise made him turn from his sister to see Cabe also clenching his chair, but his gaze was riveted to Rose.

  Rose put her head in her hands and her shoulders shook with her grief. Cole pulled her into his chest, wanting to offer her comfort, and watched Cabe as his chest worked like a bellows.

  He was breathing hard and trying hard to keep his seat. He nodded to Cabe, and very gently he eased Rose back into her chair.

  She put her legs up on her chair and wrapped her arms around them, resting her head on top of them. Her small shoulders shaking.

  Cole watched as Cabe could take it no longer and he rushed to Rose’s side, where he dropped to his knees in front of Rose.

  Cole could see he struggled with his prosthetic, but he could also see Cabe didn’t care. He scooped Rose from her chair and into his arms and he slowly moved his legs out in front of himself but held her tightly to his chest the entire time.

  He had to pull his prosthetic leg to the front of his body, making it move when he couldn’t move it like normal, but it worked, and he held Rose as she cried.

  She clutched at his chest, and all the men sat silently in the room, the only sounds were from Aidan shushing Rhia, and Cabe’s soft crooning to Rose and her quiet sobs.

  It took her some time to quiet down her crying, and Cabe held her tightly through it all. Not caring that Rose was soaking his coat with her tears.

  She sniffled for a minute, and then finally stopped making noise all together after that. Just being held in Cabe’s arms. And in that moment, Cole was grateful to his friend.

  For being able to comfort his sister. Rose took a few deep breaths. She shuddered in Cabe’s arms. And Cole saw her clutch onto his friend’s shirt tightly once again. Cabe kept holding her, until she went stiff in his arms, and slowly pushed out of them.

  She didn’t look in his eyes, but quietly whispered, “Thank you, sir.”

  She got off his lap and quickly left the room. Cabe watched her leave. Aidan stood with Rhia, and they followed Rose out of the room. Rhia’s eyes were still bright with her unshed tears and Cole knew that Aidan probably wanted the girls to comfort each other.

  Cole saw Cabe’s shoulders slump. He walked to where the man still sat on the floor and knelt beside him.

  He touched Cabe’s arm softly, “Are you all right?”

  Cabe looked over at him, startled. He nodded, “I am fine.”

  He struggled to get to his feet, and Cole helped where he could. Cabe brushed him off and stood by himself. He walked to the bank of windows and leaned against it. “Keep going with your tale if you can.”

  Cole shook his head, “I don’t want to leave Rose or Rhia out of it. We can wait until they both take a minute to calm down. It isn’t easy to hear. Rose is so tender hearted and takes things very hard. Rhia is also the same, but she is new to this family. So, hearing this probably isn’t easy for her. She has had Aidan tell her quite a bit, but this is so new.”

  Cabe looked over his shoulder and nodded his head. “Fine. We shall wait then.”

  Cole walked to where he was standing. He lowered his voice, “Cabe, are you certain you are all right?”

  Cabe turned his head, and pinched the bridge of his nose, “No, I am not all right Cole. Hearing these things and knowing it upsets Rose is hard for me. Seeing her pain is worse than my leg. I have never felt this way about a woman, and this is not the time or place for me to have these feelings about her. Not only that, but she is beautiful and perfect Cole. The last thing she needs is a man who isn’t even a whole man. You saw how quickly she left, when she saw who held her. I just need to realize my feelings are unfounded and it will go away. Probably.”

  Cole turned to look at him. He smiled at his friend. “Cabe,”

  Cabe glared at him, “Stop. Just don’t Cole. I don’t need to hear it. Let’s just get this finished, and she will never have to be offended by me again.”

  Cole let out a breath, “Cabe, listen to me.”

  Cabe held up his hand, “I will listen to it later. Just finish telling us what we
need to know.”

  Cole nodded, “Fine. Let me get Aidan and the girls and we can finish everything.”

  Cabe nodded and went back to looking out the window. Cole stepped away and shook his head. Sometimes he hated the fact that they were titled, like Aidan said.

  It was a problem with Burk and for Cabe. Although, Cabe’s was him being a stubborn ass and he would lose Rose if he kept this up.

  She deserved a man who wanted her for her. Cole shook his head, his mind still on the possibilities that his father and his grandparents were still alive.

  The moment they got back to London; Cole was going to investigate everything. He would find his father and his grandparents, if it was the last thing he did.

  He found Aidan with both the girls and saw Rhia trying hard to comfort Rose. He leaned down and hugged Aidan’s wife. “Rhia? Are you doing all right with this?”

  Rhia shook her head, “No, I am not Cole. It’s hard finding out things about such an awful man. One who felt hurting innocent people was fun. Hearing how twisted and evil he was, and knowing his heinous crimes is not fun to hear. I hate it. Hate that he hurt the love of my life, my family. All because he thought he deserved something he didn’t. Didn’t think he had to serve his sentence for his crimes because he felt like he was better than that. It’s horrible. I wish he had left you all alone, but if he had, you wouldn’t be the men you are today. I just needed a moment to comfort my sister, and to tell my husband how much I love him.”

  She turned to Aidan, “Because I do. I love you more each day and am grateful for your strength.”

  Aidan leaned forward and kissed Rhia. He pulled her in close to his chest and Rose stood. “I am ready now to hear the rest, Rhia put everything into perspective.”

  Rose hugged Rhia the best she could with Rhia still held in Aidan’s arms. “Thank you Rhia. I am so happy you are here with us on this journey.”

  Rhia smiled at Rose, “I am too.”

  Cole led Rose away and let Aidan take his time bringing his wife back into the room. He knew they needed a moment and was beyond grateful for Rhia and her strong heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Eden

  Somewhere in the Ocean, Nov, 1812

  In the few days they had been on the water, the calendar had changed, and Eden hated that she was still on this ship, and not in Cole’s arms.

  She needed him, and he wasn’t here. She was struggling with her loneliness. Even being here with Lily and Persephone didn’t help.

  Lily was withdrawn, and not at all like herself. She wasn’t smiling, didn’t laugh or try to speak to them. Not after Katarina’s threats. It had scarred Lily from trying or doing anything again.

  Katarina still came in every single day, and Eden hated her. She was not a woman prone to fits of violence, and hatred, but Katarina inspired her.

  Eden wished for her death every day and wasn’t sad in the least when she thought of it. But Eden struggled with those thoughts. She wished she didn’t have them, but there was really no help for it.

  Katarina loved to tease the women of their fate and would brag to them about how rich she would be from their sale. How excited she was that she had finally gotten her revenge on Aidan and Cole. Eden rubbed her arms and walked to the small window.

  She looked out at the never-ending sea and wished again for Cole. If he was here beside her, this would be an adventure. Not something that was straight out of her nightmares.

  Leaning against the window, she put her head on her hands and watched as the water flowed around the boat.

  She wasn’t certain how long it would take to get to their destination, but it seemed not long enough. It was as if every day that passed Eden lost a little bit more hope, a little bit more faith. And that was harder than being here on this ship. Knowing what awaited her was hell on earth.

  She shuddered thinking of another man touching her, being with her the way Cole had. She would fight until the day she died. She knew it would never be like what she and Cole had shared.

  The men would use her and hurt her in horrible ways, and Eden wanted to retch at the thought of it.

  She took a deep breath of the salty air and shut her eyes. This type of thinking served nothing. Helped in no way. But it was hard to do anything else.

  She felt a hand touch her arm and she jumped, spinning around to see Lily standing next to her.

  Lily’s eyes were sunken in, and she had black circles under them. Her hair was matted, as was Eden’s and Persephone’s.

  They weren’t permitted bathing water, and they all stunk. Rather badly. Eden’s skin itched and she hated it.

  She longed for her normal, rather boring life again. Lily tried to smile at her, “I apologize for scaring you. I just wanted to see how you faired.”

  Eden pulled Lily in for a quick hug. “I am not my best today. My thoughts are chaotic and full of hatred, and longing.”

  She sighed and tried to comb the snarls out of her hair. Lily gave her a small smile, “I know a little of what you long for. I do too.”

  Persephone called out from the bed, “I do too. A bath is so much needed.”

  Eden smiled and she and Lily walked to the bed. “I don’t think that will happen, but it was a fun wish. Would you like to try walking today?”

  Persephone nodded. Eden and Lily grabbed her by the upper arms and helped her from the bed.

  Over the past few days, the girls had been helping Persephone learn to walk. It was very slow going, and someone always had to keep an arm around her.

  She was rather weak, and her legs didn’t have the strength to hold her fully yet. It was Eden’s turn this day to hold her up, and she wrapped one arm around Persephone’s waist, while Lily walked to the other end of the room.

  Eden let Persephone take the lead, and together they slowly made their way toward Lily. They were both panting by the time they made it across the small room, but Persephone had leaned a little less on Eden this day, and more on her legs.

  Lily broke into a smile and hugged them both. The door opened while the women were hugging, and Katarina stepped into the room, and scoffed. She rolled her eyes, “Isn’t this a sight?” She cooed in a condescending tone, “Oh, what? Did the stupid cripple girl decide she wanted to walk now?”

  Katarina laughed, “Good luck with that. Although, it won’t be the worst thing. Her buyer probably would love if she could do more than just sit there. You are smarter than I thought.”

  The girls said nothing, just stood there and held Persephone’s weight up between them. Eden could stand the quiet no longer, “What do you want Katarina? If you came to insult us all, save it. We have no wish to hear it.”

  Katarina sucked in her breath, “How dare you speak to me that way?”

  Eden rolled her eyes, “It is the truth. You stole us, and are going to sell us to awful men, we get it. Truly. But we don’t want to speak with you or hear your words. So, say what you need to say, and get out.”

  Katarina walked up to them, and slapped Eden across the face. “You will listen to everything I have to say, because I wish it of you. If you want to talk to me that way, I can always find a way to curb your tongue. Again, my men are all waiting for me to give the word. They are willing to teach you manners. You will need them where you are going.”

  Eden’s head snapped to the side, and she brought her head back around slowly while Katarina was talking. “You win then. Please, my lady, continue.”

  Katarina’s eyes narrowed. “That’s better. I wanted to let you know that we should be there in a few more days. The captain says the weather has been fair, and the wind strong. I will have the men bring in a tub for you soon, I want you to be fresh for your buyers.”

  Lily scoffed, “We don’t want to make your life easier by bathing for the men.”

  Katarina laughed again, “Did you not hear me Lily? My men are ready to teach all of you a lesson. If you desire, they can bathe you after they fuck you. They care not if you smell like a sewer. A few men
have said just how willing they are to fuck you. You will have no shortage of men lining up for a chance to get at your cunt. So, the choice is yours Lily. You can bathe yourselves, or my men can bathe you. Keep in mind we have been on the open water for a while and they have been longing for a woman.”

  Lily went pale again and looked down. Eden saw red, “Fine, bring in your bath. We will bathe and make ourselves ready for you.”

  Katarina laughed, “It will not be that easy. I will have one of my men in here with you to make certain you are doing what needs to be done. He might not touch you if you behave.”

  Eden let out a sound of outrage. “I will not bathe with a strange man in here!”

  Katarina laughed again, “I say you will. If you want to keep talking, it will be all of them.”

  Eden glared at Katarina, then nodded. Katarina swept from the room and slammed the door. Eden and Lily helped Persephone to the bed and sat her on the edge. “Well, our wish for a bath came true.”

  Eden huffed, and she paced around the room. “We are getting closer to our destination ladies. I am getting scared. More than I thought I would.”

  Lily knelt in front of Persephone. “We don’t have a choice Eden. We can’t escape, and the fate that awaits us there is no different than the fate that awaits us on the other side of that door.”

  Eden let out a growl of frustration. She sat down hard in one of the chairs and put her head in her hands.

  She wanted to cry, to yell and scream her anger out. Persephone spoke up, “I am scared. I don’t want to be touched by those men. Not by any of them. I always thought that one day, in my secret imaginings that the man I love would be the one to show me these things. And now, I will never know. It will always be something out of reach. That is the hardest thing for me. Only knowing the awful touch of someone I hate, not the one of someone who loves me.”

  Eden looked up and saw tears spill over Persephone’s eyes. She stood and rushed to her side. Lily hugged her tightly and Eden put her hand on her face. “We will do what we can Seph. I promise. I will do everything in my power to get us out of here. Even if we must jump out of a window and swim. We will find a way. We have to.”