Sir Edward and Cardinal Cullen sat together reading a letter from the Queen. In it, Her Majesty announced that happily she had wed Prince Philip of Spain by proxy and now the King and Queen of England, France and Naples, Jerusalem and Ireland; Princes of Spain and Sicily; Archdukes of Austria; Dukes of Milan, Burgundy and Brabant; Counts of Habsburg, Flanders and the Tyrol - defenders of the faith, would bring England back in to the loving arms of a most forgiving and generous God at peace with Rome.

She called upon Sir Edward and his company to return to England by way of Spain and accompany her beloved husband to his new shores.

They would leave Venice in six days time.

Isabella, Rosalie, and Mary-Alicia huddled over a table full of fruit laughing. Rosalie had just described in extreme detail her latest outing with Emmett McCarty. He insisted on taking a tour of the Palace Gardens, no matter that she assured him the courting-style dates were unnecessary, and she had much to attend to at home.

"These Englishmen do love their strolls and genteel conversations."

Isabella stared off. Rosalie turned to her, "Do you not find it so?"

"Nay. I have met with Sir Edward upon four different occasions and very little conversation occurred." She winked at her friends. "I do concede though, that he is in favor of outdoor activity. He has requested an excursion on the morrow."

Mary-Alicia sat back in her chair and pushed her plate away. "They do keep us busy. The Duke of Parma is growing quite jealous, I believe. He has taken to sending me crates of wine with his letters of poetry. Unfortunately, they always seem to arrive just as Whitlock is leaving my sheets. But I am not able to help myself. Whitlock is eager and he is the first full-blooded Englishman I have ever met."

"Well, tonight we will attend supper at Lord Crowley's. It will be a small affair and our Englishmen will have to occupy themselves elsewhere."

Rosalie sat forward, "Esme has said that she and the Cardinal are hosting dinner for them. I hope you don't mind that I declined on our behalf."

The three women sat quietly looking at each other. Finally, Isabella smiled and patted Rosalie's hand. "No. Of course not."

Edward stood in the gondola and assisted Isabella aboard. He lifted her from the steps near the palazzo and held tightly until she was able to situate herself comfortably upon the cushioned seat.

"Where are you taking me, milord?"

He sat across from her and signaled the gondolier to push off. "I thought I would give you a tour of my ship." He pointed to the basket behind her. "I've had a meal packed and thought mayhap we could spend the night."

Isabella clapped her hands and then moved over to sit on Edward's lap, causing the boat to rock precariously. "That is splendid. I have not been aboard a ship - Venetian or otherwise. You shall show me the decks so that I can inspect and assure myself of your safety whence you depart."

He nuzzled her neck. "Do you say that you worry?"

"I am a very caring person. I shall worry much when you must leave."

Edward straightened and tightened his grip on her. "The Queen has requested my return already." He felt her eyes turn to his face. "We are to set sail in five days."

"Oh." Isabella returned to her own seat. "I so pray that Her Majesty finds reason to send you on her business again."

The two remained quiet until they were aboard, The Volantyne. A mate was on the deck surrounded by sails, his sewing kit ready at this feet. After their tour, Edward left Isabella at the helm while he spoke to the captain. She watched as an older man lay a cloth over a table and lit candles. He smiled a gap-toothed grin and held a chair out for her. She curtseyed and thanked him.

"Dinner'll be brought right up, miss."

Edward reappeared and sat opposite her. "The captain has assured me that we shall not be disturbed this evening. He will leave a handful of men with the ship and the rest of the crew will go in to town. I believe they have found many games to occupy them at Rialto Bridge."

Edward and Isabella ate as the crew disembarked. Once they had the deck to themselves, Edward led her to the stern and there he gave her a brief introduction to navigation. She took great pleasure in holding the heavy cross staff and listening to Edward wax poetic about the stars.

"So, have you read, The Revolution of Celestial Spheres? Do you side with Nicolas Copernicus?"

Edward laughed and said that he did not give it much thought. Whether we circle the sun or not, sailors follow the stars. He turned to her, "And tonight, brightest beauty, I shall follow only you."

Inside Edward's cabin, Isabella waited while he lit a candle. After he secured it in its holder, he pulled her to him. Fisting his hands in her hair, he bent to kiss her. "So sweet is your scent, so soft is your skin."

She quickly removed the clothing below his waist. As she pulled up her skirts, he lifted her and took her roughly against the door, unable to sustain his ardor. Her hands dug inside of his shirts and her nails clawed at his back, spurring him on.

After he had reached ecstasy, Edward waited for his breathing to slow. He walked to the bed where they fell in a heap and then raised himself to his knees and pushed his hands into the mattress at either side of her face. He bent forward and touched his forehead to hers.

"Forgive me? I had only my own delight in mind. My thoughts are filled with such urgency. I want only to be with you as much as I am able before we are to leave."

Isabella wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his body down so that his chest rested upon her own. "Hush! There is nothing to forgive. This is your time. You may have me as you wish."

They broke apart to fully undress and then meeting again in the center of the bed, Edward propped himself on the pillows. "I didn't fully comprehend the stories I heard before coming to Venice."

She cuddled next to him and ran her hand over his chest. "What stories?"

"You, my Bella. Even in England, we hear of the mysterious and beautiful courtesans. I did not believe there to be a woman of such power. Yet, now, I can not believe I ever doubted it."

"You say then, that England does not have courtesans?"

"I say that no other country I have visited has the beguiling beauty and talents that Venice has shown to me. I say that I will admit that I did not believe that an educated woman could give me so much more splendor. No pretence of naiveté. No false kindness to hide vile intent. Only want and desire without duty."

"You make me very happy not to live in England," she teased.

"No, Isabella. England is grand. I love my home, but I lament at her inferiority in just this one arena."

Isabella placed a kiss upon his lips and moved to straddle him. His eyebrows rose as he placed his hands around her thighs and moved them up to her buttocks. "And now what will you show me?"

"Now… I will show you how I learned to ride a horse."

Edward laughed and tightened his hold of her, pretending to turn her. "Then are you to sit side-saddle."

She pressed on his arms, "Oh no, Sir Knight. I am to ride astride."

Isabella selected a blue fabric and was trying to decided on her favorite lace when her secretary entered with the day's cards. "You have seven today. Are you still not willing to read them?"

"Not yet, Angela. I am not accepting any invitations until the English ship has left port." She held up two small strips of lace. "Now tell me, do you like the bobbin or needle?"

"With the blue? The needle."

"Thank you. Is there anything else?"

Angela walked back in to the hall and then returned with three men carrying different items. "Yes. These also arrived today. One is from Signor Marcus, the Doge's brother."

The first man stepped forward and opened a large silk box. "He sends you these pearls and requests an evening. His wife has given him a son and he wishes you to celebrate with him when he is next in town."

The second man lifted a large canister and Isabella peeked inside. She inhaled deeply and looked to Angela who said, "These are cacao beans." Angela waited and Isabella still looked confused. "They are from Señor Cortéz, the Spanish ambassador."

"Oh, yes. The drink he served when I last visited Spain." She filled her lungs again with the scent of the beans. "Delicious."

The third man came forward and presented a velvet lined box full of perfumes and scents. Isabella did not wait for Angela to continue. "Send these back." Then she turned to the beans and asked Angela. "Is the ambassador in town?"

"Yes. He arrived two nights ago."

"Pity. Send them back with a note that I am not receiving gifts until the new moon." She smiled at Angela, "And, keep the pearls. Signor Marcus will not be arriving in town for at least a week, if not longer."

She bade everyone to depart and returned to her fabrics. Tonight, the Doge was hosting another party. His last for a while as his wife and brother had requested his presence in the celebration of the newest member to the Volturi family. He would be leaving in three days for the country, departing as soon as the English set sail.

The invitation stated that it was to be a masquerade and guests should arrive only once the sun had set. A separate invitation from Sir Edward requested she dress in blue and silver to match his costume.

Along with Edward's invitation was a necklace. Small silver flowers were in a choker style and each set with an opal in the center. They were linked together by onyx settings and easily worn tight around the neck with a clasp of blue velvet ribbon. It was the most delicate item Isabella now owned.

Angela returned to the library and began to write notes on Isabella's behalf. She would be glad when the English left and things could get back to normal.