Bristol, England

July

1710

Edward and Caroline slept after their marathon of lovemaking. They woke up for food and water, but would fall back asleep in the same tangled position. Edward realized how hard it was to sleep without Caroline. He felt as if there was some divine connection between them, which somehow they were meant to be together.

Caroline woke in the late afternoon, her face recovered to its normal size and her bruises had faded significantly. Now that she was feeling more like herself, she recognized the severity of her absence from home. Edward and Caroline were sitting in the living quarters, watching sheep out the window.

"I really must go, Edward," Caroline said, she rested her head on his shoulder, "Today has been quite frankly the best time I've had in ages."

Edward chuckled in agreement. However, he couldn't help but think of Caroline's consequences for her nonattendance.

"Let me escort you home, we'll come up with some reasoning for your absence." Edward said, taking her hand and lifting her from the couch.

Caroline nodded, they headed back to the manor in the afternoon light, and the land smelled of fresh air after the summer rain. Her heart began to quicken when she saw a carriage out the front of her home.

"Oh, Christ," Caroline said pulling Alberta to a halt, "Fucking Matthew is here. Bastard."

Edward couldn't help but laugh at Caroline's tone as she swore, but he also felt a sensation in him rise. He recognized the opportunity of potentially seeing Matthew alone… The idea of slamming his head against a stone brought Edward a sick delight that he could not deny. Either way, he knew the outcome of tonight would be interesting.

"I'm not going anywhere, Caroline." Edward said, "He can't hurt you when I'm here."

Caroline took a deep breath, out of negative association she started to loath her home. Caroline and Edward parked their horses and headed towards the front door, Edward quickly took her hand.

"I didn't imagine this is how I would meet your parents." Edward said quietly.

Caroline smiled, so worried that if she spoke she could vomit. She put her hand on the doorknob and looked to Edward once more for assurance. Edward squeezed her hand like he always did and let go. His blue eyes gave her the confidence she needed to open the door.

"Gods, Caroline!" Matthew's voice boomed through the bottom floor of the home, "Where on God's green Earth have you been?"

Matthew's steps echoed through the house, he grabbed Caroline's shoulder and Edward took this moment to step inside. Edward hadn't seen Matthew for a year. He looked different now, older, but the first thing Edward noticed is that they were at eye level and Matthew stepped back after locking eyes with him.

"Kenway?" Matthew said, "What are you doing with my fiancé?"

"I assisted her, Lord Hague." Edward looked at Caroline, realizing that they should have come up with a concrete story for their absence.

"I fell off my horse Matthew…" Caroline said, looking at Edward, and then quickly to Matthew, "You know how clumsy I can be."

Edward didn't know what exchange just took place, but he sensed a tension rise between Caroline and Matthew.

"Caroline, oh my darling," Elizabeth came in, wrapping her arms around her daughter, "I've been so worried! Matthew was just about to prepare a search!"
"Well you don't have to, Mother. This is Edward, I took a tumble on Alberta this morning and he's assisted me in getting home." Caroline explained, avoiding her mother's gaze, hoping that she would accept the lie.

"Well, Edward, that is so kind of you, would you like to stay for dinner?" Elizabeth asked.

"Edward does have duties, Elizabeth." Matthew retorted.

"Nonsense, Master Hague." Elizabeth said, now eyeing Matthew, "The least I can do for the man that saved my daughter is give him a hot meal."

Matthew glared at Edward.

Caroline felt the collision of her worlds at the mahogany table. Matthew sat across from her, Edward to her right, her mother to her left at the head, and her father across her mother. She eyed them all, she tried to remain calm and focus on the conversation. She explained how she went for a ride by the orchard and fell from Alberta, and how her leg was caught in a rouge root. Edward managed to pass by and help her up and escort her home. But as Caroline said the story, her mother eyed Caroline and then Edward. Caroline knew that her mother would want the truth after dinner.

"That's very interesting, Caroline," Emmett said, picking at his dinner, "I don't recall the last time you've fallen from Alberta."

"I've gotten clumsy lately…" Caroline said, sipping her wine.

"Well, I must say, good thing that Edward was there to find you." Emmett raised his glass to Edward, "Thank you, Kenway, for coming to my daughter's rescue."

Caroline smiled; her father had no idea how true that statement was. Edward raised his glass to Emmett and looked down at Caroline. Edward adjusted the napkin on his lap and then snuck his hand over to rest on Caroline's leg. Things were going according to plan. He would leave with Matthew and make him pay for his tactlessness.

"So when is this grand wedding?" Edward asked, sipping his own drink, Caroline linked her hand with his under the table.

"The end of August." Elizabeth replied, "We want to make sure that the rainy season is good and done before we make any final commitments."

"Understandable." Edward replied, "You can never predict third party interference, that is for certain."

Edward smiled at Elizabeth and squeezed Caroline's hand. Dinner ended on an upbeat note, except for the glaring looks that Matthew would send to Edward from time to time regarding his "relationship" with Caroline. They had coffee at the end of the night, both Matthew and Edward bid farewell.

"Thank you again Lady Scott, truly a great meal." Edward said, bowing slightly as he departed. Caroline eyed him from afar.

"Of course, Edward. You take care." Elizabeth waved them both off.

Edward closed the door behind him, watching Matthew walk down the steps and to his carriage.

"Mind if I hitch a ride?" Edward asked.

Matthew froze at the step of the carriage. He took a breath and turned to Edward.

"Why not, come on." Matthew sighed and let Edward in the back before taking the reins and encouraging the horse to pull.

"Would you care to explain your real relationship with Caroline?" Matthew glared at Edward with his brown eyes penetrating and intimidating.

"I'm not sure what you mean…" Edward said, leaning onto the front seat of the carriage; he knew he was playing with Matthew; he wanted to ruffle his feathers before throwing a punch.

Matthew pulled the carriage to the side of the road, close to the orchard; Matthew threw the reins down and locked eyes with Edward.

"Don't play games with me, boy. I own you and you best remember your place." Matthew said, spitting at Edward, "It would be idiotic of me to think that a rat like you hadn't thought of being with a betty like her!"

Edward leaned away with Matthew's profanity.

"What I do know, Master Hague, is that Caroline is a woman of status, and that she deserves more than the posh prick that you are!" Edward retorted. He expected Matthew to throw a punch, but he continued to stare at Edward.

"You know her…" Matthew said, "You've seen each other before tonight, I can tell."

"I have known Caroline." Edward responded. He looked dead in Matthew's eyes, Edward's blood pumped with excitement of getting the opportunity to be in front of Matthew.

"Why keep it a secret then?" Matthew hissed.

"Because we both know that you're insecure with you're manhood and ability to hold a woman's attention." Edward said. He felt his fist tighten, ready to punch.

"Typical Kenway…" Matthew said.

Matthew grabbed Edward's arm and threw him from the carriage. Edward stumbling on his knees, he tried to get up, but was not prepared for the next blow in the abdomen that he felt.

"Poor boy…" Matthew said, kicking Edward again in the side.

Edward rolled over and looked up at Matthew who was looking down at him. He grabbed the collar of his tunic and pulled him close.

"Just like your father, so sure that they can please a woman, but your old man can't even keep his wife from wanting to take her own life." Matthew spat.

Edward took his fist and threw one solid punch to Matthew's face. Matthew's stance swayed, Edward used his own legs to trip Matthew. Then getting on top of him Edward gave him hard punches to the brow, cheek, jaw, and then throat. The last blow, Edward heard Matthew gasp.

"Please…" Matthew said. He started to choke on blood.

Edward felt a rush of satisfaction as he saw Matthew's swollen face in front of him. Gasping for air and spitting out teeth and blood. Edward tightened his grip on Matthew's shirt and pulled him close.

"You fucking prick, you leave Caroline. Tomorrow you will tell Caroline that you are not worthy to marry her, go back to Newport, and never return. You will never speak of this again or I will take your fucking worthless life, you no good cunt. You understand?" Edward said through gritted teeth. Matthew's head drifted. Edward shook him.

"Do you UNDERSTAND ME?!" Edward shouted.

"YES… Ah…" Matthew spat out another tooth.

"Good." Edward released Matthew's collar and let his head fall to the ground. He kicked him in the side. Matthew released one more groan before finally falling silent.