The Marquess Who Adored Me

by Rachelle Stevensen

  Eden blushed a little, “Thank you Cabe. I have heard about you as well, though not as much as I could have. I have seen you around the ton before you got sent off to the war. I am sorry that you were injured.”

  Cabe nodded, “I don’t believe I saw you there. But I mainly stayed by Cole and didn’t really speak to many people, nor did I dance with anyone.”

  Eden giggled, “I wasn’t much of a dancer either. Not that I didn’t love it, I did, I just wasn’t asked. I was a wallflower and happy to be so.”

  Cabe actually laughed out loud, “That surprises me. Not many women like that status.”

  Eden smiled. “Not many, no. I always had new women surrounding me, until they found their suitors and I was once again left to my own devices. I was grateful to be a wallflower, as I was hopelessly in love with Cole.”

  Cabe smiled, and Eden did too. “It is refreshing to hear your thoughts. No wonder Cole likes you.”

  Eden laughed, “Thank you. He had to stop being such a stubborn ass, but he finally did.”

  Cabe barked out another laugh, “A stubborn ass? That describes Cole all right.”

  Eden smiled, “He had to get shot before he realized he needed to finally stop being an ass. I certainly don’t hope that it will take some of the other men I know to not stoop to his level, before they admit their feelings.”

  Cabe came to a stop, and Eden looked up at him. He was staring down at her with his eyebrows raised and his mouth open in shock. “What does that mean?”

  Eden giggled, and pulled Cabe forward. “I am talking about my brother Burk. He is also as stubborn as Cole, and I can only hope he doesn’t take that long before he admits his feelings for Lily.”

  Cabe coughed, and she looked up at him. He looked away quickly but saw him smile again. “I don’t think he will have that problem.”

  Eden nodded, “I don’t either. Once he sets his sights on something, it becomes his only focus.”

  Cabe nodded, “I have seen that. He is very,” he trailed off and Eden smiled.

  “Intense?”

  Cabe snorted, “That’s it. Intense.”

  Eden laughed, “He is that. Only, I have never seen it directed at a woman before. Not until he met Lily.”

  Cabe laughed, “I can only imagine that.”

  Eden nodded, “Oh, it was priceless. He had been upset with Cole and had dragged me behind him. He and Cole almost came to blows, and by the time they calmed down, Lily was not happy. Burk saw her, and almost broke his neck trying to get a second look.”

  Cabe laughed again, “Priceless.” A voice came from behind them, “What is priceless?”

  Eden gasped and turned to see Burk standing behind them with his arms crossed over his chest. “Um, good morning Burk.”

  Eden smiled up at him, and Cabe snorted, then coughed. “You aren’t going to distract me Eden. That smile has stopped working on me.”

  Eden batted her eyelashes and gave him another smile. Burk uncrossed his arms and he sighed. “Fine. Do not tell me. I wished to see how you fared,”

  Eden laughed, “Burk, I was telling Cabe about you and Lily. I am fine. Truly. Now that I have Cole back, and I am able to be in his arms again, that is what matters. And being able to see you, and Brooks. I was scared, but I always knew you would come for us. I tried really hard not to lose faith in that.”

  Burk coughed, and hid his smile, as did Cabe. “Eden, you scamp. Telling Cabe about my love.”

  He pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick hug. “I am glad. Lily is still having a struggle with some of the things that happened.”

  Eden nodded, “I know Burk. She didn’t realize how sheltered she was, and even though she went through hell with her father, she still wasn’t prepared.”

  Burk sighed, and Cabe did as well. He was about to answer, when Eden heard a frantic voice calling her name, the trio turned to see Cole looking around the deck.

  Between Burk’s bulk, and Cabe’s, Eden was lost between them. “Cole! I am here.”

  Cole turned in their direction and rushed over. He pulled Eden into his arms and let out a breath.

  Whispering in her ear, he said, “I went to our room, and you weren’t in our bed where I left you, sated and sleeping.”

  Eden blushed, “Cole!”

  She whispered at him and he laughed. He turned to look at his friends and shook their hands.

  Eden saw him give Cabe a look, and a nod. Which the man returned. Eden’s eyebrows drew down for a moment in confusion, but she let it go.

  Holding her close, Cole looked down at her and kissed her softly. “What are you doing up here love?”

  Eden smiled, “I was walking the deck with Cabe. He has been so kind to me, and I am grateful to him.”

  Cabe gave a soft chuckle. “Your woman is a charmer Cole.”

  Cole laughed, “That she is. I am the luckiest bastard there is.”

  Eden laughed, and didn’t flinch at his profanity. She was too used to it. Being raised with Sterling, Burk, and Brooks didn’t give you pretty language to be around.

  The men laughed as well. Cole turned her, “I think my sisters, Rhia and Persephone are looking for you.”

  Eden smiled again, kissing him and walked away. She found the girls in the same cabin as before, and Rose smiled as she entered. “Eden! Good morning!”

  Eden smiled, “Good morning girls! How did you sleep last night?”

  Eden watched Lily blush scarlet, and she bit her lip to keep her smile hidden. Lily stammered out that she had slept quite well, and Eden left it at that.

  She walked to where Persephone sat and hugged her close. “How are you today?”

  Persephone smiled, “Good,” she too bit her lip and leaned in close to Eden.

  “Brooks came by this morning. He wished to tell me hello, and to see if I needed anything. He is so very handsome.”

  Eden let out a small chuckle. Yes, Brooks was a very handsome man, and Eden loved that someone had finally turned his head.

  “He is a wonderful man. I hope you two can get to know each other better.”

  Persephone laughed. And Eden turned to see Rhia, where she quickly hugged her new friend. “How do you fare Rhia?”

  She put her hand on Rhia’s stomach softly and Rhia smiled. “I am fine this day. Surprisingly I haven’t been very sick, and, on the ship, I haven’t had many problems at all. Although Rose is ready for it if it’s needed.”

  Eden laughed, “That is good news.”

  Eden head a throat clear from behind her. She turned to see the sisters standing in front of her, with a new gown between them.

  She hadn’t seen it before, but she guessed Rose had brought it from home. Seeing as she was the only one who had been brought on this journey willingly.

  “That is beautiful! Whose is that?”

  Rose smiled, “It’s yours. It is one of the gowns that I brought, but I wish for you to wear it.”

  Eden’s face scrunched up in confusion, “Why?”

  Rose and Lily looked at each other. “For the wedding.”

  Eden looked confused still. “What wedding? Who is getting married?”

  Persephone giggled from behind her. “You are silly!”

  Eden’s jaw dropped open, “What?”

  She held her hand up to her face and started sobbing. “Now, now. None of that. We don’t want Cole to see your distress on your face. He is getting the ship ready as we speak, and Cabe is marrying you.”

  Eden wiped the tears away, and let the girls get her ready for her wedding day.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Cole

  Somewhere in the Ocean, Nov 1812

  Cole had changed his clothes into a black pair of breeches, and a white shirt.

  He didn’t bother with a waistcoat or cravat. He wanted to be as far from a man of the ton as he could.

  He also didn’t have to try hard to convince his best man, Aidan to dress casually. Aidan usually did and he wasn’t wanting to change it. Nor did he have to
convince Burk and Brooks to be a casual as he.

  They all walked the deck waiting for the women to emerge. Rose walked out first and nodded. She took a seat in the front row, and Cole smiled at his sister.

  Cole had asked Cabe, and Cabe knew of a man on his crew that played the fiddle.

  He had agreed to play music for them, and Cole watched as Aidan walked Rhia down to sit in one of the chairs that lined the makeshift aisle.

  Brooks came out with Persephone in his arms. Lily and Burk were next, and after he had Lily in place, both Burk and Brooks walked back to where Eden stood waiting.

  Cole couldn’t see her yet, and he wanted nothing more than to run down the aisle and grab his woman.

  The man started playing his fiddle, and everyone stood, even Persephone, with help from Lily.

  Eden came forward, Brooks had one of her arms over his and Burk had the other.

  She had a light pink dress on. It had small sleeves, and a square neckline. The front of the dress had a decorative piece in the middle of her breasts, and her hair loose in waves down her back.

  She wore a wreath of small flowers in her hair and was barefoot as she came down the aisle to his side.

  Cole felt like he had stopped breathing, and felt Aidan nudged him. Cole let out a breath and reached for her hand.

  Burk kissed her lightly on the cheek, and Brooks did the same. Then she was there, in his arms. His hands in hers.

  She turned to look at him, and Cole was taken aback by her ethereal beauty. She looked like a goddess.

  He mouthed that he loved her, and her smile was radiant as the sun. She mouthed it back, and Cabe cleared his throat.

  The ship went silent, as everyone, from the wedding party and the crew from the ship all listened to the Captain speak.

  “We are here today to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony. I have seen the lengths this man has gone through for his love, and they are remarkable.”

  Cabe turned to look down at Eden, “He is a wonderful man.”

  Eden smiled up at him, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I know.”

  Cabe got back to his speech, “He went through hell and back, and never strayed, never wavered in his quest. Never once did he think it was a lost cause. He always stayed true to his heart, and it guided him to you.”

  Cabe looked over the people, “Eden also went through things she never should have, but here she stands, as strong and beautiful as ever. Both in beauty and soul. Cole, you are a lucky man.”

  Cole nodded, “The luckiest.”

  Cabe smiled, “If there are no objections, then we shall proceed. Cole wrote his vows to you Eden, and we knew you wouldn’t have time to prepare, but that’s all right.”

  Eden smiled at Cole, and he looked into her eyes. “Eden, my love, my life. When I saw you across that ballroom, all those years ago, I knew you were the other half of my heart and soul. It hit me like a lightning bolt, and I didn’t think my heart could take it. I feared hurting you, doing anything that would bring you any unhappiness, so I stayed away. And I regret that more than you know. You are too light to be brought into the dark. You make everything shine, and I am the luckiest man in the world that you chose me back. And that you love me. By some miracle. I cannot wait to make you mine.”

  Eden was crying, tears rolling down her face, and as Cabe went to speak again, she held up her hand.

  Wiping the tears away, she smiled through them. “Cole, I have loved you from afar for too long. Being here, with you, I know now without a doubt of your love for me. You came for me, and I always knew you would cross oceans, and walk thousands of miles to find me. I knew that without an ounce of doubt. I love you Cole. I cannot wait until you are my husband.”

  Cole was grinning down at her and pulled her in for a quick kiss. Cabe laughed, “That has to wait until afterwards.”

  Cole laughed as well, “I couldn’t wait. Who could resist her?”

  Everyone else laughed, and Cabe cleared his throat. “Well, then let’s get to the important parts. Cole, do you take this woman to be your wife?”

  Cole smiled, “Yes, I do.”

  Eden grinned back, and Cabe said, “Eden, do you take Cole to be your husband?”

  She smiled, “Yes, I do.”

  Cabe smiled, “Well, then with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Now, you can kiss your bride.”

  Cole pulled Eden back into his arms, and over one arm. He dipped her low and kissed her.

  She burrowed her fingers in his hair and held him to her. They kissed as everyone cheered. Cole stood Eden up, and together they turned to look at their family and friends.

  Everyone came up to congratulate them, all the girls hugging and laughing with Eden as she received hugs from each person, and Cole as well.

  He got hearty slaps on the back from his brother, Burk, Brooks and Cabe. Then each of the men kissed Eden softly on the cheek.

  Aidan welcomed her to their family and Eden hugged Cole’s brother tightly. He was a wonderful man and she was grateful to Cole’s brother for all he had done for Cole.

  After everyone had the chance to give them their congratulations, it was time to dance. The fiddler started up a song, and dancing broke out across the deck.

  It was merry, and fun. With everyone laughing and eating, as the party went into the night.

  Cole and Eden broke away from the group, and Cole carried her down the hall, to their cabin.

  Cole kissed Eden, and kicked the door closed behind them. He put her down for a half a minute to lock the door behind them.

  Then pulled her back into his arms. “I love you wife.”

  Eden giggled, “I love you, husband.”

  Cole undid the buttons on Eden’s dress, and kissed his way down her back. She sighed and goosebumps covered her skin.

  He smiled, and kissed his way down, until he could push her dress off. She stood in her corset, chemise, drawers and stockings.

  Cole worked all those clothes off until she stood naked before him. Her long waterfall of hair the only barrier between him, and his goal of her naked body.

  He turned her to look at him and growled when he saw her tight pink nipples peeking through her hair.

  He nuzzled one tip with his nose, and then the other. She brought her hands to his hair and gripped it tight.

  She moaned as he brushed her hair over her shoulder and captured her nipple in his mouth. He sucked hard, and flicked it with his tongue, and she sighed, and moaned.

  Moving to her opposite breast, he did the same. Pulling back, he bit the tip lightly and her knees buckled.

  Cole caught her and lifted her in his large arms. Laying her on the bed, he divested himself of his clothes, and climbed on the bed with her.

  He kissed his way up her legs, and when he made it to the center, he nuzzled into the curls of her sex.

  Eden gasped, and tried to push him away. “Cole!”

  He kissed her nub, and licked it, until she was gasping, and crying out his name.

  He kept licking, and then sucked the small nub into his mouth and she bowed under him.

  Coming apart completely. He surged up her body and thrust his hard cock deep into her.

  Feeling her body still in the throes of her climax, Cole had to hold his at bay.

  Thrusting hard in and out of her, Cole went faster and faster, until he felt the tingle of his climax in the base of his spine.

  Eden was clinging to him, her nails clawing down his back, and her leg curled over his hip.

  Her breasts were bouncing as he thrust harder into her. She cried out his name again, and he felt her inner muscles clamp down on his cock, pulsing hard on him.

  He let the hold on his release go and came deep inside her body. He hoped against hope that it would take hold.

  He wanted his baby growing inside her. He collapsed on top of her, breathing hard.

  They were sweaty, breathing hard and Cole loved knowing she was his in every single way. His wife, his love
, his entire life.

  He rolled to the side, still connected to her in the basest way, and held her close.

  She snuggled into his arms and he kissed her forehead softly. “I love you.”

  She smiled against his skin, “I love you.”

  Her breathing got heavy, and she fell asleep in his arms. Cole finally felt his cock soften enough to slip from her body. He pulled a blanket over them and closed his eyes.

  Breathing her in. He let his mind drift, and before he knew it, it was morning.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Eden

  Sailing into port, England, Nov 1812

  Eden woke a few mornings after their marriage, sick. She threw up the meager contents of her stomach and her head was spinning.

  She sat hunched over the chamber pot, as the door opened to reveal Cole. He rushed to her side and knelt next to her. “Are you all right?”

  Eden nodded, “I think so. I have been rather nauseous the last few days. I thought it was simply nausea, but this morning was not just nausea. I didn’t know I would have sea sickness right when we are leaving the ocean.”

  She wiped her mouth with the handkerchief he handed her and rinsed her mouth with some water.

  Cole helped her to her feet, and she swayed. Cole wrapped his arm around her, and decided against it, pulling her into them in a bridal style.

  He carried her over to a chair, and sat down, with her in his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder, and sighed.

  She felt him kiss her forehead, and she snuggled deeper into him. “I have been so tired of late as well. I don’t know what has come over me.”

  Cole said, “I don’t know either. We are so close to home, when we get back, we can see my mother. She is better than any doctor and knows more. Rose and Lily also could help you. Should we go see them?”

  Eden looked up at him and nodded. “Certainly. Let me dress, and we can go see them.”

  Cole let her off his lap, and she walked over to their small bureau and pulled out a dress.