Ruined by the Marquess: A Forced Marriage Historical Romance (Arranged Marriage Historical Romance Traditional Regency Romance) (Alpha Male Matchmaking Romance Historical Victorian Romance) (4 page)
William and Katherine have another small wedding in Devonshire, at the Sinclair’s family estate. His parents are more than happy to have a lovely new addition to the family in the form of Katherine.
Katherine manages to win the hearts of everyone in her new home with her gracefulness and kindness. Barely after a month after their marriage, the old and ailing Marquess passes away peacefully in his sleep, content with the knowledge that his son and his daughter in law would do complete justice to the marquessate.
A year later, William and Katherine are blessed with a baby girl who’s just as beautiful as her mother with the same huge brown eyes. Samantha proudly accepts the role of the new arrival’s godmother and christens her Charlotte.
William doesn’t forget to thank God for blessing him abundantly. Each day, he falls a little more in love with the woman who had once sworn that she’d die an old maid! They do have their fair share of fights and disagreements with both of them being headstrong, but it only adds spark to their beautiful relationship.
As for Katherine, she feels blessed to have a husband who’s not only loving and caring but her best friend too. Her marriage may not be perfect, but it was definitely very close it!
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Table of Contents
Ten years ago
London– 27 June 2002
“Shelly can you please hurry up. I really don’t want to be late for my first day!” Rachel shouted on top of her voice from the front door of her flat. It was an amazing day. All her wishes were going to come true very soon. Hailing from one of the most influential families in Kent nearly 56 miles from London, it had been her dream to come to the big city for further studies. Being from a conservative family it had taken all her efforts to convince her parents that what she wanted would be the best for her in the long run. Finally they gave in and after faring well in her graduation course she came to London for her masters.
“Just a minute sweetheart,” Shelly shouted back. Rachel smiled to herself as she knew Shelly's one minute would stretch for at least 10 minutes. She crosschecked if she had all her books and documents in place and started heading towards the elevator. A small window at the side caught her attention. She liked the buzz of the city, the crowded area and the sounds of cars. Across the street, there was a park where children were playing. There were a few old couples sipping coffee at the cafe down the road. It was really a beautiful day.
“Ready!” Shelly said and pulled Rachel out of her thoughts.
“Let’s go quickly or we will be late. You have the flat’s keys?” asked Rachel as she entered the elevator.
“Yes. Why do you worry so much sweetie? Just chill,” laughed Shelly.
“Don’t know. It’s just the way I am I think,” Rachel smiled. She thought how different they both were but they’d still hit it off when they’d first met. It was like complementing each other. One thing Rachel knew for sure that she could trust Shelly completely even though they had become friends only a few weeks ago.
As they exited the building, a chilly breeze gripped them. The weather was cold for the month of June. It took them 15 minutes to reach their destination. Rachel looked at the huge building with awe. She felt very lucky to be a part of it.
“Darling you have my number. Just call me if you have any problem.”
“Sure Shell!”
“Take care. And see you at 5.”
Rachel just nodded as Shelly moved towards the stairs. She started looking up for her class. This was a new beginning for her in the truest sense. She was excited as well as nervous.
Her class was on the right corner down the hall and she started heading towards it. Rachel smiled at the students passing by hoping to make new friends soon. Finally she reached the door, took a deep breath and entered. It was as if the world was opening for her, new and bright.
It was not a good day for Kris. And to think of it, it was barely 9 in the morning. He was seriously cross with his mother. She had called him up in the middle of the night telling him about her new boyfriend. They were out on a vacation somewhere in Spain. She even said that she would be marrying him as soon as they return. He should have suspected it. It had been about 6 months Laura had not called and he just hoped this time she had found someone who would love her and stay with her for the rest of her life. The list of her marriages and then divorces was getting pretty long.
Sometimes he wished his father was still alive. His parents loved each other a lot and theirs was a complete family in every sense. But after that fatal road accident, their lives changed completely. Laura had grieved for two years but after that she started looking for love elsewhere. This led to her marrying a few unsuitable men who left her more shattered than before. It made life all the more difficult for Kris as he wanted her to be happy, always.
While talking to his mother in the morning, he could feel something different. She seemed to be happy. Maybe finally she’d found the right person for her, Kris was just keeping his fingers crossed. He couldn’t sleep after the conversation and after a lot of twisting and turning, he got up. He had worked very hard for this day and would not let anybody ruin it, not even his mother.
Kris switched on the TV and watched the latest news and weather forecast while eating his breakfast. The day ahead was clear. He wished he could say the same for himself. After clearing the plates, he started getting ready for the college. His wardrobe was not very extensive…just a few formal shirts he had bought while working at the supermarket. He put on one of them, collected his bike keys and left the apartment.
Kings College was on Chancery Lane, about a mile and a half away from his rented apartment in Fleet Street. He drove his bike leisurely as he was before time for his class. After reaching the college campus, he headed straightaway to his class. He had no friends or acquaintances and he had no intention of making any. He was happy to be alone. That way no one had the power to hurt you in any way…
****************************************
“Are you expecting someone or can I take the seat?” Rachel asked a guy sitting alone on the third row. He looked up and stared at her as if he had seen a ghost. She asked again with all the politeness she could muster.
“Excuse Me, can I sit here?”
“Oh...Yea, Yes, I mean sorry… I mean yes, you can.”
“Thank you,” she replied, thinking maybe he was also new to the place and that’s why was acting weirdly.
“I am sorry. I was thinking about something and didn’t hear you the first time.”
“It’s fine. No worries.”
“I am Kris and you…”
“I am Rachel.”
Just then, Professor Adam Holloway entered the class and everyone got up to greet him. This also put an end to the awkward conversation with Kris. She should have sat somewhere else, Rachel thought to herself. She remembered Prof. Adam all too well from the admission broachers she had in her file. He was their Economics Professor.
After introductions, Prof. started off with his preliminary class. Rachel couldn’t help stealing a glance sideways. Kris Frances Ville… the name was Spanish, she thought. He must be over 6 feet tall against her 5’6. He had a strong face with sharp features, the face of a man who had seen a lot of tough time. His hair was thick and a bit long at the end but he had managed to tame them quite well. His eyes were the same color as his hair… deep brown, as if he was hiding something in its depths. His torso was well built too, the body of a man who had the habit of working out daily. On the whole he was quite attractive, Rachel thought.
At the same moment Kris looked up and saw her looking at him. He smiled at her. It was like the whole room lit up by his smile. Rachel got butterflies in her stomach and quickly looked away. He had a very good mouth and fully formed lips… “No no no… don’t go there,” Rachel told herself and started concentrating on the lecture going on. But sitting on HIS side, it was a very difficult thing.
Kris smiled at her. She was beautiful in a very subtle kind of way. The first time she called him, he was dumbstruck and his mind did not register anything she said. Rachel was neither tall nor short, medium height of about 5'6. Her hair was deep brown in color, long and curly at the end, which fell all the way to her waist. She had tried to keep them in place by wearing a band on her head. Her beautiful blue eyes and small nose made her look quite attractive. She wore a formal white shirt and blue jeans. He could not keep his eyes away from the way her shirt fitted around her curves. She had curves at all the right places and the view was too tempting for him to look away.
Kris had caught her looking at him and this made her blush profusely. He looked at her again. She seemed to be embarrassed and was chewing her bottom lip. This simple gesture was so exotic and sensuous that it increased Kris' pulse rate and did all the good things to his hormones. Rachel had pouted, very kissable lips.
All the promises he had made to himself about not getting involved with anybody seemed to go down the drain. No! He could not let that happen. He had promised himself and he would keep that promise. He would not get emotionally attached with anyone until he finally realized his dream, even if that anyone was a sweet and beautiful girl like Rachel…
****************************************
“How was your day sweetie?” asked Shelly as they were heading back to their apartment.
“It was quite a day! Mainly we had introductions today. Proper classes will start from tomorrow.”
“Are you alright? You seem to be a bit lost. Was the day too hectic for you?”
“No. Not really. Actually a thing is disturbing me, uhhh….no, not a thing. It’s a person who is disturbing me.”
“I guessed there was something wrong! What happened?”
“You know when I entered the class, there was a guy sitting alone. So I sat with him and we talked a little. But I don’t know what happened during the lecture, when the class ended; he just got up and left, without saying a thing.”
“Ahhh… so it is a guy thing! Don’t worry about it. It will be fine tomorrow. By the way, what was the name of
your
guy?” Shelly asked in a teasing tone.
“He is not
my
guy! His name is Kris. I think he is a Spaniard.” Rachel replied.
“Was he good looking?”
Rachel thought of Kris. He was definitely good looking, very handsome indeed. Even in a plain blue shirt and black trousers, he looked distinctly attractive. But she was not going to tell all this to Shelly. She would ask so many questions which Rachel was in no mood of answering right now.
“He was just fine!” She answered as they entered the building and headed for the elevator.
Rachel entered the apartment and put down her bag on the couch. Her mind kept on drifting towards Kris. Had she done something that made him angry?
“Maybe he really is weird! It’s not my fault if he didn’t like me sitting next to him.” She told herself loudly.
Rachel thought she would not let anyone piss her off on the day all her dreams had come true. She busied herself in preparing dinner for Shelly and herself. There was a bread loaf they had bought yesterday from the departmental store along with some canned vegetables and a carton of milk in the refrigerator. She started preparing grilled sandwich.
She could hear Shelly singing to herself in her room. Rachel liked her jovial nature. She was so relaxed and outgoing that it was impossible not to like her. She was almost done with dinner and set out plates for two on the kitchen table. After dinner, she thought, she would go through the notes she had jotted down during the day’s lectures and then go to bed early.
“Something smells really good!” Shelly said as she came into the kitchen.
“I’ve made us some grilled sandwiches and coffee.” Rachel smiled.
“You’re a blessing honey! What would I have done without you I wonder at times?”
“Don’t be over dramatic okay? You are going to do the dishes now,” laughed Rachel as they took their seats for dinner.
Their flat was a small one with two bedrooms, one kitchen and a small living area. But it had all the necessities Rachel could think of, so she had no complaints. Both the rooms were on one side of the apartment leaving enough space for an open lobby. There was a television and two couches on the other side where they usually sat together and talked. Rachel changed into her pajamas and t-shirt and started reading her notes. She was clear about most of the topics discussed today. After about half an hour she fell asleep.