The Marquess Who Adored Me

by Rachelle Stevensen

  She loved every single inch of it. It was perfect for her. And wearing it made her feel like she was a queen. Like she was worthy of being at Cole’s side.

  She walked down the stairs, and found Lily there, wearing a light green dress.

  It was similar in the design that she had on, but the sleeves were different, and Lily’s neckline was higher.

  Cole was there, pacing back and forth in a white shirt, a black waistcoat, that was striped with tiny white stripes, a white cravat, black breeches and evening jacket.

  His black knee boots were polished, and his long hair had been pulled back into a tight queue.

  That was regretful, seeing his wonderful length of hair pulled back. But it also allowed her to see every inch of his beloved and handsome face.

  Eden sighed and smiled when he looked up at her standing on the stairs. His jaw dropped open, and he rushed to her side to help her down the rest of the stairs. Kissing her gloved hand, he looked up at her. “You look phenomenal. Gorgeous.”

  Eden smiled wider, “Thank you, kind sir,” she dropped into a courtesy, and he bowed in return, “May I escort you to the ball this evening?”

  Eden giggled, “Certainly.”

  Cole smiled and pulled her in for a kiss, “Good, I wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”

  Eden pulled back slightly, “Are you certain you wish to do this? I don’t want to pressure you to marry me Cole.”

  Cole grinned, “Eden, no one could pressure me to do anything. Trust me. I am grateful that I can marry you. That soon, you are going to be my wife. I worry that you will think it is too soon, that we were very improper and didn’t go about this the regular way, but I want you to be my wife Eden.”

  Eden looked down, hiding her eyes. Cole put his finger under her chin and raised her face to look into her eyes, “What is wrong love?”

  Eden looked at the love of her life, “I don’t think it is too soon. I feel as though we have waited long enough. I was just worried that it was something forced on you. That we went faster than you wished for because of Sterling.”

  Lily laughed, and Cole glared at her. “It wasn’t forced on me. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sterling just moved my timeline up a tiny bit. But trust me on this love, I would have asked you to marry me not too long after speaking to you. I have waited long enough to be with you. Which I am still upset about. That I was such an idiot and didn’t claim you from the start. I am more than happy to be marrying you.”

  Eden nodded, still worried, and a little sad. He said he loved her and wanted them to wed. And she couldn’t wait to be his wife.

  She hadn’t gotten a ring, and Cole hadn’t officially asked her to marry him. It all happened so quickly, but she would move forward tonight with her love, and finally dance with him. More than once if she had her say. After getting her cloak, Cole escorted them both to the ball.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cole

  London, England Oct 1812

  Eden still had a sad look in her eyes. And Cole hated it. Hated that she would be upset about their union, when it should be nothing but happiness. They were finally together, and that was what the most important thing was.

  He had the ring in his pocket, and he was going to ask her to be his tonight, he just didn’t know when. He wanted to find the perfect time to ask her to be his, and even though she had already agreed to the union, he still wanted it to be special. To let her know of his love and to show all of London of that love by the ring she wore on her finger.

  He hated that she still had a bare finger and couldn’t wait to stake his claim on her after all this time.

  He just hoped her brother wouldn’t make an appearance and ruin everything. It was a possibility, especially with them going out into society, but Cole wouldn’t stay hidden in his house.

  He needed to show the world she was his and if it meant seeing her brother, and dealing with his wrath, then so be it. Cole would not be intimidated by a man like Sterling.

  He had lived with far worse and Cole knew also that he was almost twice the size of the other man. He was not afraid of the confrontation that would come.

  Cole knew also that Burk would be outside, waiting to help at a moment’s notice.

  And Cole was grateful for him, but he sincerely hoped that tonight would be their night and that nothing would ruin it for them.

  After arriving at the house that was hosting the ball, Cole held both elbows out to his love and to his sister and escorted them both inside.

  Their names were announced, and several people turned to stare at the trio. It appeared they were on display, and Cole didn’t like the looks of the men or the women.

  A few women openly sneered at Eden, one even burst into tears, and ran from the room.

  He had no idea what that was about, since he had never seen the woman before in his life, but he didn’t care either. This night wasn’t about anyone else but the love of his life, and their first dance as a betrothed couple.

  He left Lily to her own devices and led Eden to the dance floor.

  He knew this dance was a lively one, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to dance with her, and he would.

  Eden was trying hard to contain her excitement, and Cole smothered a smile behind his hand. He loved seeing the sparkle return to her eyes. He coughed, disguising his laugh and they started dancing.

  Eden smiled the entire way through their dance. Cole loved holding his woman close and watching her face light up as they moved through the motions of the country dance.

  When they finished, Cole was bombarded with matchmaking mothers, offering their daughters for the next dance, and so on.

  Cole ignored them all, not letting anyone distract him from his true purpose, and led Eden to where her friend was seated. Eden grinned when she saw the woman, “Persephone! How are you?”

  The woman, Persephone, smiled, and Eden leaned in to hug her. Cole heard Persephone whisper, “You came with the Marquess? I thought you didn’t know him.”

  Eden giggled, “You are right, I didn’t the last time I saw you, but I do now.”

  She started to say something else, when a commotion at the front door grabbed their attention. “I know my sister is here! You need to get her right now! You can’t keep her from me! I am her guardian and you will retrieve her for me right this instant! I demand it!”

  A man pushed passed a few people, making people stumble, and a few dropped curses as they fell, or hit into someone else. Sterling spotted Cole with Eden, and he felt Eden shrink behind him.

  Sterling started to push his way through the people standing between them, and Cole jumped into action.

  He wouldn’t let Sterling touch Eden. Never again would he lay a hand on her. Not if Cole could help it.

  He grabbed Eden by the hand and pulled her through the ballroom, Lily hurried to their side. She must have heard the commotion and came quickly, “I will distract him. Don’t worry about me, just get her out of here now!”

  Cole went to shake his head, “I overheard you speaking to Burk, so I know that Burk is here. He will take me home later, just go Cole! Sterling looks as though he will not stop. Not until he gets Eden.”

  Cole looked at his sister, worried about her fate, not liking that she would stay behind. And possibly be hurt trying to keep Eden and he hidden. He couldn’t think about that though, he hurried out the terrace doors. Burk emerged from the shadows when he saw who it was, “Sterling is here! He was trying to take Eden. Lily is still inside, protecting us. Please help her Burk and bring her home!”

  Burk nodded, “I will protect her with my life. Cole you need to go this way, it will bring you around front. My carriage is a block east and will be ready for you. I will take yours home when I bring Lily, all right?”

  Cole nodded, “Thank you.”

  He pulled Eden behind him and they hurried to Burk’s carriage. When they were seated inside, Cole told them to head to his townhouse.

  Eden was shaking, and Col
e pulled her into his arms. Trying to calm the shaking. “Are you all right my love?”

  Eden shook her head against his chest, “No. Cole, I am not all right. If you hadn’t been here tonight, he would have taken me, and no one would have stopped him. I am frightened Cole, what if he does find a way to take me? Then what? Am I to be sold to another man and used in such ways it doesn’t bear thinking of?”

  She shuddered in his arms and Cole tightened his hold on her, “No Eden. No. I will let no one will take you from me Eden. No one! I won’t let that happen, I can’t. You are mine! Only mine!”

  Before she could speak more, Cole had his lips covering hers in a desperate kiss. She opened for him, and their tongues dueled.

  Eden gripped the back of Cole’s head, and pulled his hair free from its tie. The thick dark strands falling all around them in a cloud and Eden loved feeling him, any part of him against her.

  Cole broke the kiss only to start kissing his way down her throat and Eden let out a moan when he lightly bit down on the soft skin where the juncture of her neck met her shoulder.

  He could taste her, his entire being filled with her essence, and her scent was divine. He pulled her into his lap and kissed his way across her bare shoulder until he met her sleeve.

  Pushing it aside with his mouth, he kissed her skin, tasting her, softly sucking at the skin there, and wishing it was more. She leaned back in his arms when he kissed his way to the other side, and the actions made her breasts raise in her dress.

  He could see the outline of them, the soft mounds of perfectly formed flesh called a siren song to him, as did the cleavage between them. But that skin begged for his tongue. So, he gave them what they asked for, sliding his tongue in that valley between her soft breasts.

  She tasted sweeter here, like she had dipped some of her perfume between her breasts and Cole let out a groan. He could feel his shaft growing harder for her every second, and when she let out another moan, after the soft lick, Cole’s shaft went completely hard.

  He leaned forward, needing to feel her, everywhere and nuzzled her breast with his nose and Eden whimpered in his arms. She had her hands buried in his hair, her head was thrown back, her eyes shut in ecstasy and Cole took what he wanted from her, kissing her mouth again.

  Feeling her tongue slide out to taste him, made him want more from her. He felt around the back of her dress and undid the tie there.

  The laces came undone with a hard tug of his fingers, and Eden’s bodice sagged. She did nothing to pull it up, nor did she voice any complaints about the state of her clothing.

  Cole kissed his way back down her soft, soft skin until he reached the where the fabric sagged on her tiny form.

  Nudging it out of the way, Cole brought one arm in front of Eden, needing his hand free so he could do this, and pulled the fabric down completely.

  He filled his palm with her breast and squeezed. Eden let out a harsh breath, a soft gasp of shock and delight and Cole watched her face for any sign of discomfort.

  She gave none. Her breast filled his big palm, even overflowing his large hand, and her hard nipples poked out. Wanting his palm to touch and caress them. Cole pulled her chemise out of the way and bared her breasts to his hungry gaze.

  They were full and high, the nipples a dark shade of pink, and Cole let out a moan when he saw how hard they were. They were practically begging for his tongue to taste them. To suck on them.

  He leaned forward and sucked one of the peaks into his mouth, giving into temptation, and nearly came undone.

  The peaks of her nipples in his mouth was unlike anything he had ever felt before and he swirled his tongue around and around the tight peak, wanting to feel every inch of it.

  Eden cried out his name into the carriage, and Cole loved every moment of this. He switched to the other breast and flicked his tongue over the other tight nipple.

  He loved her taste, the way she moved and writhed in his lap, the way she moaned his name, and clutched his hair made Cole feel like a king.

  She undulated in his lap, her body moving of its own accord, and accidentally brushed against his hard erection. Cole stiffened, not wanting to frighten her with how hard he was, but she didn’t seem to care.

  Her dress had ridden up as she writhed on him and was closer to her thighs than it had been before. Cole could feel her heat through her undergarments, and his breeches. Could feel the wetness soaking through that thin undergarment she wore and made his cock weep wetness of his own in his pants.

  He sucked harder on the tight nipple in his mouth and Eden rocked her hips again. He loved how uninhibited she was, how free she seemed, and he felt the same. Wanting nothing more than to feel everything. Cole wanted to feel what he was doing to her, so he slid his hand up her thigh.

  Eden moved her hips again when he touched the soft skin of her thigh and Cole wanted to rejoice. When he reached the juncture of her thighs and could feel how wet she had truly become, Cole let out a harsh breath.

  He had done that to her. Him and him alone. Feeling the wetness coat his finger, Eden cried out again. Cole released her nipple with a pop, looking at the tight peaks now wet from his mouth and tongue and ran his finger over and over the tight, wet sheath.

  When he reached the top of her sex, and the small nub there, she whimpered again. She rocked her hips into his finger, and Cole guided her to do it to his cock. Needing to feel her grind against him. To use him for her pleasure.

  The friction felt so good, his eyes almost crossed. He knew that if they continued, he would come, and it would be hard. But he didn’t care.

  He needed to see her come, and if he came with her after seeing her reach her climax, he wanted that too.

  He raised his finger to his lips and sucked the wetness off it, wanting her taste in his mouth as he guided her body.

  He groaned at her taste, and guided Eden’s hips again and again. Pulling her nipple back into his mouth and sucking hard on the small peak, Eden rocked harder and faster against him, her body stiff and needing something, until she screamed his name, and went stiff in his arms, her back arching and making her nipple slide free from his mouth.

  Seeing her reach her peak, all while on top of him, Cole could finally let his release come out of him. He pulled Eden in tight and cried out into her skin.

  She was heaving for breath, as was he. His lungs working like a bellows. That release was harder than anything he had ever felt. Not that he had very many, but that was new. He just breathed for a minute, holding Eden in his arms. Her grip on his hair still tight.

  After a moment, Eden pulled his hair slightly to get him to look up at her, which he did. She was disheveled, her breast still out of her dress, the skin damp from his mouth, the skirt up around her waist, and she looked like a fucking goddess.

  Eden bit her lip, and Cole smiled. “Are you all right my sweet love?”

  Eden nodded, and blushed. “Yes, I am. I should probably fix this though.”

  She gestured to her dress and Cole smiled again. “Do you really have to? Those breasts are too wonderful and too perfect to cover.”

  Eden blushed harder and Cole laughed, “But, all right, if you insist.”

  He kissed the tip of each one, and after her shiver of delight, helped her get everything fixed.

  She still sat in his lap, but she had her dress pushed down to a more decent length and cupped his face in her hands. “I cannot believe what just happened. I loved it, but I have never felt anything like that before.”

  Cole shook his head, “I haven’t either. You are the first and only woman I would ever want in that way, and I am grateful more than you know that you love me back.”

  Eden smiled, “I am your first? Do you really and truly mean that?”

  Cole nodded, “I told you a little about the man I thought was my father, and how he was. I never wanted to be like him, and that included me not sleeping with every woman that batted her lashes at me. It was easy to abstain, as I never wanted any of those women, and it
never bothered me until I found you. But I am glad I waited. Relieved and so in love with you. You are it for me Eden. I have known that from the first moment I saw your beautiful face. I know it took me a very long time to acknowledge it, but I do love you. More than my own life. And I will spend every single day for the rest of my life letting you know that. Know how much I love you.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

  With a flick of his fingers, the box opened and in sat a gorgeous ring. It was a gold ring with a large marquis diamond in the middle and four diamonds on either side of the main diamond.

  Eden gasped, covering her mouth with a shaking hand. She looked into his eyes, and he smiled. “Will you marry me Eden?”

  Eden’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded. “Yes! Yes, I will!”

  Cole laughed and pulled her in for a kiss, “I love you Eden.”

  She hugged him, “I love you too.”

  “You do realize that I am going to marry you as fast as possible right?”

  Eden giggled, “Yes, I do.”

  He smiled, “Do you care where we marry?”

  She shook her head, “Not really,”

  “Good. I had to make certain there wasn’t a special place you held in your heart. And I wanted to ask you if we can marry at my brother’s estate? He doesn’t like crowds, or London. We can leave in a few days and marry right after we get there. I can get a special license. I did it for Aidan.”

  Eden nodded, “I would love to Cole. I have nothing from my family that I would want or care for. I would be happy to marry you there.”

  Cole smiled, “Good, after I make the arrangements, we shall go. Soon.”

  Eden nodded, “Can we ask Burk and Brooks to accompany us though? I won’t get married without them there.”

  Cole smiled, “Of course, they are your brothers. I wouldn’t want it otherwise.”

  Eden snuggled up into his arms, “Thank you Cole.”

  She held up her ring and studied it as they rode through the streets to Cole’s townhouse.