This fict is for snooplover60, the rest of us should just be glad she was born!

I am sorry some of you are so upset over Edward's actions and felt I did not warn you. I really feel like I did. I also informed you all to message me with any questions!

Chapter 7

A sennight after his conversation with Jasper, Edward receives a letter from his solicitor insisting they meet in person. Taking a deep breath, he prepares himself to leave.

Walking to the nursery, Edward's mind races with different scenarios on how to inform his wife of his indiscretion. He has decided to tell her everything after he speaks to Mr. Uley.

It is best to have no more secrets, and no longer allow others to have power over him. For years, he let the lack of an heir affect his relationship with his wife and daughters. He allowed Jasper to manipulate him, and he allowed himself to be controlled by fear and cowardice.

No more.

Entering the nursery, he finds Isabella on the floor with their daughters playing tea party. Clara lies peacefully beside her mother on a duvet while her sisters sit happily with little teacups.

"Papa!" Charlotte yells when she sees him, causing the baby to jump but not wake.

"Shhh," Edward says, bending down to lift her.

He kisses her cheek, causing her to giggle as Eliza wraps her arms around his waist.

"Papa, join us," she says, smiling up at him.

He bends down, releasing Charlotte and placing a loving kiss on Eliza's temple. "I cannot, darling. I have business to attend, but I will return before it is time for bed."

"Promise?" she asks, smiling up at him.

"I promise." Edward gets on his knees placing a kiss on top of Clara's head, careful not to disturb her. "May I see you in the hall?" he asks Isabella.

He holds out his hands for his wife, and she takes it gladly, standing to her feet.

"Emily, I will return shortly," she says to the Nurse before following her husband out of the room.

Once they are away from the watchful eyes of their children, Edward takes his wife in his arms, kissing her hungrily.

The kiss is filled with all the love he feels for her.

"Must you go?" Isabella asks, pressing her forehead against his chest.

"I must, and when I return, I have something very important to tell you." His voice is grave as he strokes her back lovingly.

Looking up into his eyes, she searches his face. "Is everything well?"

Taking a deep breath, he presses his lips to her forehead. "It will be. I promise you it will be."

"You're scaring me, Edward," she says, fear clenching her chest.

Shaking his head, he places a chaste kiss to her lips.

"I will tell you everything when I return. I love you, Bella," he says, staring into her eyes.

"And I, you. Always." She presses her lips to his one last time and then watches as he walks away.

Worry and fear grip at her very soul, and she wishes she knew what has her husband so upset.

~~FFG~~

Sitting in his solicitor's office in Leeds, worry runs through him.

Samuel Uley, a tall seriously looking man, enters. "Lord Cullen, thank you for coming. I did not think you would want to learn what I have discovered in a missive."

Edward stands, shaking his hand. "I thank you, Samuel. Can she be quieted?" he asks desperately.

They both take a seat, and Samuel sits forward staring at Edward.

"I went to see Miss Denali myself, informing her that if you did pay her the funds, she would not be able to come back for future reserves," Samuel says gravely.

"I just want the entire ordeal over. What was her response?" Edward asks, running his hands through his hair.

"That is the situation actually. I thought it best if Miss Denali explained it all to you."

Mr. Uley stands and goes to the adjoining room, opening the door. Tanya Denali enters, eyes downcast. There is a small bump in her gown that was not evident that dreadful night.

Edward stands outraged. "My God, man! What have you done?" He turns to Tanya. "You're … You're with child!" Edward cries, not believing his eyes. "That cannot be! I did not … did not …" The words die in his throat as realization takes over him that enough time has not passed for it to be noticeable.

"It is not yours. It is Lord Whitlock's," Tanya whispers.

"Dear Lord," Edward says, running his hand over his face, relief flooding him.

"Lord Cullen, I assure you, you will want to hear what she has to say directly. Please calm yourself." Mr. Uley escorts Tanya into the office. "Please tell Lord Cullen everything of which you have informed me."

Tanya looks down at her hands, wringing them together nervously. Edward watches, noticing how young she actually is and feeling sick with himself.

"Lord Cullen … That night was orchestrated by Lord Whitlock-"

"Impossible!" Edward yells, not believing his ears.

"It is true. I've been working with Maria you see, entertaining lords such as yourself. Lord Whitlock and Maria approached me, saying if I bedded you, I could earn five hundred pounds," she says desperately.

"Dear God," Edward says, not believing his ears.

Tanya continues on, tears falling down her face. "But you see, before that night I had been with Lord Whitlock in secret for nearly three months. I knew I was with child, but I feared informing Lord Whitlock since we still had not revealed our affair to Maria."

"How do you know it is Jasper's child? Could it not be someone elses?" Edward asks, not believing his ears.

"Usually, I do not allow a person to spill inside me, only Lord Whitlock refuses to withdraw," she whispers, causing both Edward and Mr. Uley to shift uncomfortably.

Maria discovered that I was with child and who the father is since I've been unable to hide it," she says quietly.

"We've been together, and he promised he would take care of me after he received the funds from you. He told me the five hundred pounds was just for Maria's benefit. But once I informed him I was with child …" She cries.

Mr. Uley stands to rush to her handing her a handkerchief. She dabs at her eyes giving him a smile.

"When I told him about the child, he said I would never see a penny of the money he is to get from you and that I could be carrying anyone's bastard." She cries into the handkerchief. " Maria threw me out, believing that I was trying to take her place, but he promised me I would be his mistress."

She sobs uncontrollably as Edward stares on in disbelief.

"My agents discovered her in a poor house. I promised her funds and passage to her aunt's in Scotland if she came and informed you of all that has transpired. I've promised her a small sum for her silence on the situation between you and her, and she has also written a letter stating that Lord Whitlock is the father of her child." Mr. Uley hands the letter to Edward.

His eyes sweep over the words stating that Jasper is the father of her child and how he turned them away. Hurt and betrayal fill him. Jasper was his friend, his constant companion growing up and into adulthood.

Although he knows Jasper did not make him do anything that night, he still feels this state of affairs would have never occurred if Jasper had not insisted they go to Maria's. Now he is sure of it, since Jasper had the entire event planned.

No.

He thinks to himself. It is I who betrayed Isabella. Whatever Jasper did, I betrayed my wife.

"I will make sure you have enough funds, Miss Denali. I am truly sorry for your situation and for that night," Edward says, standing, having had enough of the conversation.

"I am sorry as well, Lord Cullen. You don't deserve what we did to you," she says standing.

"You have nothing to apologize for. It is I who should apologize for my behavior," Edward says gravely.

"Lord Cullen, if you will give me a moment we have more to discuss," Mr. Uley says.

He escorts Tanya out of the small office and into the adjoining room. When he returns, he again takes his seat.

"What is it?" Edward asks, tired and desperate to return home.

"Lord Whitlock. It seems he is in desperate need of funds or will be sent to debtors prison." Mr. Uley stares at a shocked Edward.

"Good God! I knew he struggled for funds, but his marriage to Lady Whitlock was supposed to put an end to his poverty," Edward says, not believing his ears.

"It seems he has spent all of his wife's dowry on gambling, liquor, and women. I looked into it on your behalf, once I learned of his involvement. If he does not pay his debts by next month, he will be arrested. I believe he recently learned of his situation and tried to get the funds from you," Mr. Uley says gravely.

"He could've just asked me. He was my friend." Edward shakes his head, not believing Jasper's betrayal.

"I am sorry," Mr. Uley says.

"No, thank you, Samuel. You have done my family and me a great service." Edward stands, bowing his head

"It is my pleasure, Lord Cullen," he says, standing as well.

"Please see to it that Miss Denali reaches Scotland and has the funds she needs to start over," Edward says before exiting the office.

Reaching his carriage, he breathes out a sigh of relief wanting nothing more than to put the entire ordeal behind him, but he knows that in order to do that he must inform Isabella of his treachery.

~~FFG~~

Isabella sits nursing Clara while the others play together. She rocks back and forth, humming a tune her mother used to hum to her when she was younger.

Her fingers stroke her daughter's dark hair, admiring the strange auburn highlights.

A knock on the door disturbs her thoughts; she covers herself as Emily answers the door.

Fairchild steps into the nursery but immediately freezes when he sees that his mistress is nursing.

"S ... Sorry to disturb you, my lady. Lady Whitlock is here," he says, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh? I wasn't expecting her, I'll be right there," she says, trying not to giggle at the aged butler's embarrassment.

Fairchild hastily exits the room and waits outside the nursery for his mistress. Isabella joins him, her clothing now in order.

"I do hope I did not embarrass you, Fairchild," she teases him.

"I admit to being a little surprised, but after you and His Lordship's first year of marriage, nothing really shocks me anymore," he says as they walk through the palace.

Isabella cheeks color, remembering several incidents where the butler caught them at different stages of undress or freshly disheveled.

"Goodness, the secrets you know of the entire family," she says, smiling at the gray-haired man she has come to love like a relative.

"Yes, I do have a fascinating tale of Lady Esme and Lord Carlisle in the garden," he says as they descend the stairs.

Isabella laughs, imagining her in-laws in such a state. "I do hope you won't tell the next lord of the palace our secrets." Bella shakes her head.

"Never, my lady. You are my favorite mistress, and all your secrets are safe with me," he says sincerely, stopping in front of the Queen Elizabeth sitting room.

"And your secrets are safe with me. I shall never tell Martha that you are in love with her," she teases him on his feelings for the aged housekeeper.

"My Lady!" he says, his eyes wide as she enters the Queen Elizabeth sitting room.

Isabella plasters a smile on her face, finding Alice sitting and drinking tea as if she belongs in the lavish setting.

"Alice, what a surprise, I was not expecting you," she says, taking a seat across from her cousin.

"Yes, well, since you feel you are so above us commoners, I decided to pay you a visit," Alice says, taking a sip of her tea.

"I will remind you that this is my home and I will not tolerate your rudeness." Isabella takes a deep breath, trying to control her temper.

Alice sets her teacup down, giving Isabella a cold smile. "Yes, it is your home. A home built on love and trust. I used to envy you, the way Edward looked upon you, but now I just pity you."

Sitting up straighter, Isabella looks over at Alice. "I do not have time for your riddles or games. If you have a reason for being in my home, then please say so, if not, I must ask you to leave so that I can return to my children," Isabella says, growing tired.

"Your children ... it must be terrible not being able to produce a son. I thought how devoted Edward was to you even with the lack of an heir; he still was the ardent husband. But it was all a lie," she says, watching Isabella closely.

Isabella stands, having enough of Alice's cryptic conversation. "I must ask you to leave."

Alice ignores her and continues. "Your precious devoted Edward could no longer stand your inability to produce him a son and sought comfort in a whore." She laughs at the shocked expression on Isabella's face.

"I will not listen to your lies! Get out." Isabella holds her chest, fear and hurt creeping up her spine.

"Oh but my dear sweet cousin, I am not lying, Edward had an affair with a whore, Tanya Denali, and now she wants payment for services rendered. So you see, he is no better than my rake of a husband, and you've been living a lie all these years." Alice stands, enjoying the pain and shock on Isabella's face.

Without thinking, Isabella takes Alice by the arm, dragging her out of the sitting room and pushing her out the door and into the foyer.

"Get out of my house you foul woman!" she yells as Fairchild looks from her to a smug looking Alice on the floor.

Alice stands, wiping off her gown. "How does it feel to fall from grace?" she asks Isabella.

Isabella slaps her across the face. "Get out of my house."

Clutching her face, Alice runs out, shocked that gentle Isabella would dare lay her hands upon her.

Rushing through the house, Isabella goes into her room, closing the door behind her. Tears fall as pain grips at her very soul. She searches her mind, hoping there is no truth to Alice's tale. However, the lump in her throat and the pain in her heart tells her a different story.

Thinking back to three months earlier, she remembers her husband leaving after Clara's birth and not returning until a fortnight later, with regret and pain in his eyes.

Replaying his words from earlier in the day over her mind, she gasps out loud, holding her hand to her mouth.

"Dear God, no," she says as she falls to the floor crying uncontrollably.

The pain takes over her, as she sobs alone in the dark, knowing that every word Alice spoke is true.

A knock on her door fills the empty room, but she dares not move.

"My lady, is all well?" Fairchild asks.

She does not move, nor answer, as he continues to knock.

Once again, the feelings of pain, hurt, and failure surrounds her, and she cries knowing that Edward sought the comfort of another woman because she could not provide him an heir.

As Edward enters the palace, he finds a forlorn looking Fairchild.

"What is the matter?" he asks the butler.

"Lady Whitlock paid Her Ladyship a visit earlier that seems to have upset her, and now she will not come out of her rooms."

Edward stares off, wondering what on earth Alice could have done to upset Isabella. "Do you know what was said?" he asks desperately.

"I am not sure, but the conversation became heated, and Her Ladyship struck Lady Whitlock. I tried to make sure she was well, but she will not answer the door. I sent Jessica up, but she has not returned," Fairchild says with worry for His Ladyship.

Edward nods his head and rushes off to his wife's room. Upon entering, he finds his wife and her maid packing her gowns into a trunk.

"Darling? What is happening?"

Isabella turns to Jessica without acknowledging Edward. "Leave us. Please tell Fairchild to have the coach ready. I would like to leave for Essex in the morning."

Jessica bobs a curtsey. "Yes, My Lady." She rushes out the room.

"Bella what is going on," Edward asks desperately.

Turning to face her husband for the first time, Isabella glares at him. "The children and I are leaving," she says simply.

"No. Tell me what that horrible woman did." He walks over to her, taking her by the hand.

Isabella looks up at him tears in her eyes. "It is not she who has done something, it is you, Edward," she states, snatching her hands from his hold.

The thought of him touching her after he was with another woman makes her sick to her stomach.

"Dear God, no," he says, shaking his head.

Isabella watches as all color leaves Edward's face, confirming what she knows is true. "How could you? You were with a whore? Was it after I gave birth to Clara?" she asks, disgust in her tone.

"Darling, please. Please let me explain," he begs, clutching on to her.

Pounding on his chest, she struggles to break free. He releases her, not wanting her to hurt herself.

"Explain! Explain how I gave birth to your daughter, but you left us as if we were trash and found solace in another. I will no longer stay here and be your fool!" she says, rushing past him.

She sits on the bed, crying and wishing he would leave her alone.

"Sweetheart, I was not myself. I indulged in brandy too much that night because I was the one who felt like a failure. I am the one who was unable to secure a future for my wife and children; it was because of my own shortcomings that I was weak. Please … I love you, Bella," he cries, falling on his knees in front of her.

"Get out," she whispers, unable to take the sight of him any longer.

"Please, don't leave. Do not take the girls-"

Standing, she pushes him away, nearly causing him to fall. "Don't you dare mention the girls! You never cared for them because they weren't male. Well, now you will be free to have your precious heir with someone else! I never wish to see you again!" she says before rushing into her dressing room.

Edward goes to the door, his hand pressed up against it. "Darling! Please! I love you. I love our girls. I am so sorry for my indiscretion."

"Go away, Edward," she calls from the door of the dressing room.

He stands on the other side in agony and despair. Leaving, he is followed by the sounds of Isabella tears on the other side of the door.

The same sound that haunts his thoughts throughout the night.

In the morning, a distraught looking Edward stands outside the palace watching as servants pack up the carriages. He kisses his girls goodbye and assists them into the waiting carriage as Isabella waits patiently with Clara in her arms.

He looks at Isabella who stares straight ahead, her red-rimmed eyes unmoving.

"Darling, I shall come to Essex-"

"Do not bother. Goodbye, Edward," she says coldly, ignoring him.

"Bye Papa," Eliza says sadly, noticing that her mother has been crying.

"Goodbye," Edward says, closing the door on his family.

He watches as the carriages disappear into the early morning, hoping and praying that somehow he can get his beloved family back.

A/N: Ladies! Ladies! I know it is impossible to see it, but there will be a HEA. Some of you do not want it, cannot perceive it, but they do deserve it. I love that you all have these perfect lives where nothing ever happens, but perhaps in your ficts you want that. I admit I do too! So much so that I shy away from heavy angst, but this doesn't feel heavy to me, so if I can take it … This fict is for Debbie and she likes the angst and for her birthday she shall have whatever she requires from me because she listens to me when I'm depressed, holds my hand from far away when I'm crying. So if you don't like it, well, you don't have to! Fyrebyrd is my pre-reader, Sunflower Fran is my beta, all together we all make quite the pair!