Special thanks to my awesome Beta NCChris!
Disclaimer: I own nothing that is twilight!
Chapter 9 – The New Year
New Year's for the wealthy Texans seemed like just another reason to drink and be merry in a time were it seemed like there was nothing good to toast about. Unlike Christmas, the Whitlocks did not hold the New Year's Ball. Instead, the Smithens held the honor of hosting the event.
The Smithens, like many in the South owned a large cotton farm and were the proudest southerners you could find. The Confederate Army's funds were greatly attributed to this family and all of Austin was aware of it. They were also well known traders, not an uncommon exploit in the confederacy.
As Bella examined herself in the mirror she could hardly hold in her chagrin. Tonight was not going to be like Christmas in the least. Firstly, due to the fact that she was not allowed to leave until the festivities were over. Secondly, her left ring finger was now adorned with a ridiculously extravagant engagement ring. Yes, dear Mr. Hunts had given her a ring for Christmas. Third and finally, since her fiancé, she cringed thinking of the word, was not busy she was to be escorted by him to the New Year's bash. She was positive there was no reason for celebration tonight.
Bella was thankful for the wintry weather. It called for higher necked dresses that could easily hide her necklace;which was now adorned with a handsome picture of her love. There were also certain marks that ornamented her collarbone and neck, do to Jasper's lack of self-control during their private time. She was not complaining about them, they simply were just becoming difficult to hide.
Her mother had actually picked out a beautiful dark blue silk trimmed dress. The bodice hugged her curves perfectly, and luckily much to Bella's enjoyment, the skirt did not call for a hoop. The neckline hung low on her chest but the high-necked chemisette she wore underneath made the dress very modest. Should the company be different, it would have made for a great night.
A knock at the door broke Bella from her reverie. With a deep sigh she straightened her perfectly pinned up hair and turned to walk towards the front door. Once there she opened the door to reveal Mr. Hunts standing in attendance.
"Mr. Hunts, nice to see you," Bella curtsied as a sign of respect.
"Isabella, haven't I requested of you to call me James, we are engaged after all?"
She held in her shudder, there was no chance in hell she would acquaint herself personally with this man.
James Hunts was the town mystery. Nobody knew when he moved here or what his occupation was. To be quite honest, he was a handsome man with a body most women would fall over for. His blonde hair not quite like Jasper's golden locks, but a darker more muddy color, was slicked back and held by a band of silk. His face was sharp; a strong square jaw gave him the masculine features that his flawless pale skin needed.
It was his eyes that made Bella uneasy the color seemed unnatural. The strange green seemed to swirl with slight specks of red, as if someone had dropped blood into them. They were always cold, and seemed to convey emotions that were hidden to the naked eye. When he looked at her there was always an undertone of agitation, something that made shivers run up her spine.
"I don't really quite know you enough to call you by your first name, Mr. Hunts," Bella said stressing the title to make him understand that she would not be easily broken.
In that moment Renee decided to make her entrance. As soon as her eyes landed on James strange green orbs she was immediately hypnotized. She sauntered over to him exaggerating her movements in a way that would make anyone uncomfortable in her presence.
"James! Darling isn't this splendid, now you can show off that gorgeous ring with this handsome man by your side!" she squealed. Then made a point to glare at her daughter, communicating to her that she'd had better behave for her sake.
Renee was quite aware of Bella's disinclination toward her impending marriage. She also knew that Bella was having a bit of a rebellious phase, where she would sneak out and make it seem as though she was seeing someone, but Renee knew better. It was all an act and, once the marriage was final, Bella would be thanking her. This was what was best for her; a husband with good social standing and the bank statements to cement the envy of every woman in Texas.
"Renee you look ravishing as always," he said as he took her hand and kissed the back. A blushing Renee turned her face away from him feigning shyness.
Bella stood to side finding her mother's display rather revolting.
"Well ladies, I believe we should leave now or we will be late," he suggested.
"Oh you two go on ahead, I, unfortunately, have other plans, but enjoy yourselves and give my regards to Beth Anne and George," Renee said as she ushered them out the door.
"What could possibly be so important that you would miss the party?" Bella asked hotly.
"Isabella, don't be rude." James' monotone voice came from beside her.
She bit her tongue, fighting to show James how rude she could truly be.
As Bella examined her mother closely, a thought ran through her mind.
She is up to something.
"It's not a problem, James; I'm accustomed to my daughter's wit. Not that it should be your business, Isabella, but I was invited to celebrate the evening with the Dwyers," Renee said nonchalantly, but Bella knew that it wasn't the Dwyers she would be seeing, at least not all, just one.
To be specific Philip Dwyer, married and with kids yet had fornicated with half the single women in Austin.
~*~
The coach ride had been filled with uncomfortable silence, as James continued to stare at Bella. The scrutiny behind his eyes was slightly hungry and chilling. She also felt like he was appraising her, weighing her pros and cons, seeing if she was worth the burden of making her submissive to the marriage.
All through the journey he talked and asked questions, while she barely listened, never answered, and thought of the man she wished would be sitting across from her.
As the coach came to a halt, James gave Bella one last withering stare and warned her to behave and not make a scene. This was to be a pleasant affair where they were to socialize as a couple. Her attitude would not be perceived well.
The coldness left his eyes and was instantly replaced with an amiable façade. With a firm grip on her arm he helped Bella out and looped her arm through his. The hold he had was borderline painful, to point where she grimaced.
"Remember my words, Isabella, now grin and bear it like the good little woman you are," he whispered in her ear then gave her a slight peck on her cheek.
To an outsider it would have looked similar to a tender embrace between partners, but the feelings stirring through Bella were closer to fear than affection.
They made their way inside the grand ballroom, where many were already dancing while others were drinking and conversing amongst themselves.
The room was expansive greater than even the Whitlock's, Bella compared it to being the size of her house. An amber glow spread through the room from the six crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.
It seemed the Smithens were interested in doing everything bigger and better than anyone else. Where the Whitlocks were modest with discreet glasses of champagne being distributed throughout the night, the Smithens had a rather ostentatious fountain spouting the popular celebration drink. Everything from tables, seats, and dinnerware, was decorated in gold, unlike the delicate Christmas colored palette of the Whitlock's, this was bold and roared of great fortune.
Out of nowhere, the boisterous elders of the Smithen family appeared in front of the seemingly happy couple.
"Oh James, Isabella! So wonderful to see you dearies," Beth Anne Smithen gushed, enveloping them in what appeared to be hug, but was more of a chokehold.
Beth Anne Smithen was no small woman; her figure was rather round, yet, no doubt, voluptuous, made even more noticeable by the extremely tight bodices she wore. She was friendly to a point, but would gossip about you the second you left her presence, and with her blunt attitude most would find her obnoxious. Yet, ask anyone in Austin and they would relish the fact that they knew her.
Now her husband was a sturdy man, in fact, you could mistake him for a boulder if he stood too still, and he had a serious attitude to match. George Smithen was all business and found attending such events to be a frivolous waste of time, but, for his wife's sake, he would endure it. Both their heads of hair were graying from age, and only his mustache seemed to maintain its dark pigment.
After being released, one of the many serving boys passed by and offered them flutes of champagne. James ignorantly grabbed two without thanking, or even looking at, the dark skinned young man. Handing one to Bella, he returned his attention to George were they were discussing the financial status of the army and what could be done to rectify it, while she subtly mouthed thank you to the boy, who nodded his welcome and seemed slightly cheered by her small act of kindness.
"I heard someone got a mighty nice present this Christmas," the stout woman gushed.
Bella internally rolled her eyes knowing her mother was bragging to everyone about her impending marriage.
"Well? Let's see that rock?" Beth Anne urged.
Bella only relented when she felt a discreet nudge from James, warning her to be cordial. She lifted her left hand to the appraising eyes of their host.
"Wow, look at that thing, ain't it beautiful, George?"
Her husband grunted not appreciating the interruption in his conversation.
In truth, the ring was quite beautiful. Four smaller diamonds and two small round medium pink rubies surrounded the center diamond, beyond that were two larger teardrop shape rubies. The band's shoulders were styled in a classical scrolling pattern with open gold work. It looked similar to a child drawn flower. In Bella's opinion, the rings was just too much. She was a girl of simple tastes and this ring did not fit that profile.
"I bet Renee is just bustin' at the seams that her little girl got so lucky. Speakin' of that tart, where is she?" Beth Anne said making her intoxication obvious.
"She was unable to make it. Unfortunately, she was a bit ill and did not want to risk worsening her condition," Bella said trying to hide such a blatant lie.
Even though she wasn't on good speaking terms with her mother, that didn't mean that she wanted the town to have a field day spreading rumors of her mother, even if they were true.
"Oh, what a shame, I'm so sorry to hear that," she lamented, not sounding sorry at all.
It seemed that was the end of their conversation, for not two seconds later she had flitted away to another guest.
The rest of the evening's conversations were similar to those. If you asked Bella to name each person she had talked to she wouldn't have been able to remember a single name.
Currently, she was draining her third champagne flute. Her mind was feeling only slightly hazy due to the alcohol. James had finally left her side, to Bella's delight. She was enjoying the subtle warmth her drink provided as it slid down her throat, when she was flocked by the daughter's of her mother's gossiping acquaintances.
"Well if it isn't Isabella Swan, I heard your mother bagged you James Hunts," Betsy Smithens sneered. You could say she was he parents' child; her appearance was the perfect mixture of the stout couple.
"Well I heard she first tried to get her claws on Jasper Whitlock, but Momma Whitlock ain't no fool!" cackled another of her cronies.
"What I wouldn't give for a piece of that cherry pie, since he ain't taken maybe he'll go for me."
The last peaked from behind Bella while arranging the top of her dress, in order to show more cleavage.
"Oh no you don't! That tasty piece of meat is mine! Why do you think I asked Ma to buy me this new dress?" Leanne, the cacklet, stepped in front of her.
Bella got a good look at all three of them and noticed they wore similar dresses. She wondered how they could wear such dresses in this frosty weather.
While Bella was examining the three harlots bickering, two warms hands grabbed her by the waist. She gave a slight yelp when the cold air hit her cheeks. The hands on her waist spun her around to where she came face-to-face with the blue pools of her one and only love.
"I hadn't noticed I was in front of a window," she noted.
A sultry look came over her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"How convenient."
"In deed," he responded as he leaned down to kiss her rosy lips.
"God, Jasper, as much as I wish I could, I can not be out here. James, he scares me, I don't know how much more I can take," Bella cried.
"Don't worry, darlin', soon. Can you get away tonight?" Jasper asked as he held her face in his hands wiping away her tears.
"I don't know. Maybe, but it will be very late before I will be able to escape. We won't have enough time."
"Alright, tomorrow night, the cabin. We will make a solid plan, no more skirtin' the issue. Deal?"
She gave a slight smile, "Deal."
~*~
They spent a couple of minutes embracing and enjoying their limited amount of time, knowing it would be one of the last times they would have to separate, before rejoining everyone inside.
Bella was making her way to the champagne fountain for another flute to calm her nerves, when a cold presence made itself known at her side.
"Where have you been?" James cold voice lost all of it sweet pretense.
Where not twenty minutes ago a hand was delicately caressing her waist, there was now a new hand; cold, hard, and gripping. Bella's fear began to spike, somehow he knew where she had been, and he was making it obvious that it did not please him.
"I-I was j-just getting some fresh air," she stammered but finished strong.
"That was quite rude, Your friends were worried you left in the midst of a conversation. I will not have my wife act in such a manor," his voice was menacing and laced with hidden threats.
Yet, apparently, Bella's subconscious didn't register that fact, for she was suddenly overcome with a boldness she wasn't aware she possessed.
"Let me remind you that I am not your wife," just as the words left her mouth his hand tightened significantly evoking a small whimper of pain to escape her lips.
"Yet, Isabella. You may not be me wife now, but you will be," he kissed her temple. She felt the bile rise in her throat when he did that.
"Now, we will be leaving soon after the festivities are done. I have to leave early for business tomorrow. I don't want you complaining for we will be parting with everyone before the countdown starts," he ordered.
He took her through each and every person saying their farewells with promises of attending the engagement party the next month. A party that Bella was not even aware of. This reeked of her mother's doing. When they were done, it was roughly one minute to midnight. One more minute and it would be the start of a new year, and with it a new life for Bella, far away from all the people that currently surrounded her, and close to the ones she longed for.
Everyone moved outside for the fireworks display the Smithens had "splurged" for. At ten seconds to the New Year, everyone started to chant together.
"10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone bellowed at the same time. Couples all around them kissed and families hugged. Bella's eyes briefly caught Jasper's while he embraced his parents before the stone hard hand of James grabbed her face for a slight peck on her lips.
~*~
They left immediately after that, were he cordially returned her to her home. When she entered her house, the first thing she noticed was its emptiness. Nelly peaked around the door from the dining room.
"Has my mother not returned yet, Nelly?" she asked, cautious that she may have been mistaken.
"No, Miss Bella, de Mistress of de house med it clear she would not be returnin' to de house tonigh," Nelly said in her thick Jamaican accent.
"Good, come on, I have to tell you of my night out with Mr. Hunts, and Jasper's brilliant rescue from the cronies," Bella gushed.
Nelly was truly the only friend she had. There were few things Bella did not share with her. Most included what she and Jasper did in private. Because even if she were supportive, Nelly acted more as an older sister and tended to reprimand her when she was acting less than wholesome.
The rest of the night they babbled of the night's events and what could come of the next night when Bella and Jasper reunited to formulate a plan. They were that much closer to freedom, to loving each other without the fear of being discovered and separated.
A/N: I was BLOCKED! But, I think you will all be happy this is the longest chapter as of yet. You guys all know I love you, and I'm sorry for dragging it out but I like for you to see the developement. This chapter took some serious brain power so please be nice. There will be a link to a pic of Bella's ring. Don't you all think Renee is delusional, I so do but I wrote her to be that way, and apparently my beta agrees. I hope you are all being as observant as her, cause she is catching on to most of my sublte hints or warnings which ever way you want to interpret. Reviews are turn into words you can read so please, leave some love for our lovers!