A/N

Me and my evil cliffie certainly brewed up a storm last chapter. I wonder what Edward will think of Brave Bella's arrival? Here's hoping he redeems himself.

Thanks to my lovely betas, Katmom and NKubie, though you can blame them for the ending this time!

Chapter 11

After taking his place opposite Rosalie at the head of the two columns of dancers, Edward nodded and the musicians began to play. The courtly dance involved intricate steps and minimal touching, which suited him perfectly. Once an entire circuit of the dance was completed, the partners rotated—suiting him even better. How the hell was he supposed to endure a lifetime with Rosalie when they could barely manage five minutes in each other's company without him feeling like he wanted to crawl out of his skin and leave it behind like the husk of a dead snake? Consummating the marriage was going to be a bloody nightmare. The only way he could imagine enduring it was if he were to close his eyes and pretend he was with another.

With Bella.

The idea would be dishonourable to both women, but once formed, was difficult to dislodge. Since he couldn't have Bella in reality, was it wrong to contemplate having her in his dreams?

"Hello, Edward," her soft, sweet voice reached him over the strains of the orchestra, and he smiled to himself. Memory was a powerful thing. Focussing his attention on his latest dance partner, his eyes widened. Dressed in a stunning red and gold gown that revealed an almost shocking expanse of creamy flesh, she was one of the ladies wearing an exotic mask over her eyes.

Brown eyes.

Warm, brown eyes with a touch of amber surrounded by long, dark lashes.

The hair swept into a twist high on her head was also brown with familiar-looking hints of red . . . like the highlights that had caught his eye when he'd seen a lovely maid's wavy locks illuminated by firelight.

"Your Highness?"

His gaze lowered to the cupid-bow lips below the mask. Red lips. Soft, red and oh, so kissable lips.

"Bella?" he whispered, and those precious lips curved in a smile.

"So you haven't completely forgotten me."

"Forgotten you?" His feet stumbled to a halt, as his scrambling thoughts lost track of the dance steps. "I've thought of nothing but you, day and night, since we parted."

"Oh!" Her eye's widened, and she took a step closer. He would gladly haul her into his arms if she was willing, but then he realised she was matching the steps of the dancers to either side of them. With a shake of his head, he forced his legs into motion. Catching hold of Bella's fingers, he raised their joined hands. She swept beneath his arm and circled around him before they were forced to draw apart to perform the intricate movements the dance required. Twice more, they stepped close to one another. Twice more, she swirled beneath his arm. But when the time came to release her hand and retreat to his side of the dance floor, in anticipation of a change in partner, he held firm, having no intention of letting her go.

"Come with me," he said, tightening his hold on her hand and weaving his way through the crowd towards the side of the ballroom.

"Edward!" she whispered. "You're making a scene."

Slowing down so she could catch up, he murmured close to her ear. "Pretend to have hurt yourself. Limp. Act as if you're going to faint. Just give me a reason to get us out of here."

She blinked up at him, then sagged against his side, her free hand rising to her brow. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but I appear to have done myself a grave injury," she said in a raised voice.

Edward snorted. He should have feigned the injury, as her acting was worse than his . . . and that was saying something. A steward approached and asked if he could be of assistance, but Edward shooed him away.

"I'm just returning the young lady to her family," he said, earning some approving nods from the curious onlookers.

"I can do that for you." Jasper approached and took hold of Bella's other arm before adding in a whisper, "You didn't have to hand deliver her, as I was just biding my time until after the dance to make my move."

"Not bloody likely," Edward muttered, pushing his friend away with a none-too-gentle shove. "It's Bella. Now cover for me."

Leaving a spluttering Jasper to stand guard, Edward led Bella through the nearest door and down a hallway, entering the first room he could find. A parlour-cum-study, it was shrouded in darkness, so he crossed to a desk where he'd spotted a lamp, only releasing her hand to light it. Turning to face her, Edward didn't know whether to wrap his arms around her and kiss her senseless or shake her for putting him through this torment.

"Take off the mask," he said, his tone harsher than he'd intended. She took a step back, so he took one forward, unwilling to allow any more distance between them than was absolutely necessary. With trembling hands, she did as he'd demanded. Only then, when her lovely face was bared to him, did he continue. "Why are you here?"

"I need your help," she said in a small voice.

"What? More money?" He turned his back and began rummaging through the drawers of the desk before slamming them shut. "There doesn't appear to be any here. I'll have to speak with the steward who handles my finances. I'm surprised." He faced her again, the bitterness in his tone unmistakeable. "One hundred gold coins weren't enough?"

Her mouth dropped open, and all he could think about was kissing it when she'd probably not given their kiss another thought.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, and he lifted his gaze to find a troubled look in her eyes. "I know you said it would take time to secure my independence, but it's been three weeks, Edward, and I've not heard a word. I'm to be forced to marry a dreadful man if you don't help me, and—"

"What do you mean?" He grabbed hold of her shoulders, willing himself not to become distracted by the feel of her bare flesh beneath his hands. "I wrote you after only a few days. You wrote back to me saying you no longer required my help securing a new guardian, as you'd decided to accept my offer of payment instead . . . gold to use for a dowry. You said you had a suitable gentleman in mind for a husband, a Mr Felix, and that you found him quite agreeable."

"Agreeable? The man's a monster. I have no dowry and know nothing about this gold of which you speak." Bella placed her hands on his chest, her expression imploring. "I never received your letter, Edward. I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

Edward squeezed his eyes shut. He'd believed she had used him, played with his affections to gain his sympathy . . . and a sizeable reward.

"Demetri." He ground the name between his teeth, opening his eyes to meet Bella's stunned expression.

"You sent that fierce soldier to find me?"

Edward nodded, betrayal burning like acid in his belly. "Over two weeks ago. I needed more information about your current guardian, as the only Swan family I could find didn't fit your story. The father was a high ranking nobleman, but when he died, the daughter was left in the care of his second wife, her stepmother—"

"A wicked stepmother," Bella said, tears filling her eyes.

"Your stepmother forced you into servitude?" Edward could barely believe such a thing.

"And she's going to make me marry Mr Felix any day now unless you help me. He's paying her a fortune for me, a fortune I suspect he received from Demetri, though my guess is he's keeping plenty for himself."

Edward drew Bella into his embrace. "No. I won't allow it."

"Thank you." She hugged him tightly, and he rested his cheek against the top of her head. Within the space of two heartbeats, his relief that she'd not used him became something else, something impossible to suppress. She felt it, too. At least, he hoped she did. When he lifted his head, the look in her large, dark eyes gave him the answer he was hoping for.

"Bella." He breathed her name on a sigh and fell into the kiss like a man diving into deep waters. Their lips touched, his eyes closed, and everything that was wrong with his world was set to rights. This was what one hoped for in a relationship - caring, warmth, affection - but rarely found. It was also much more, a craving both satisfied and awakened to a whole new level of want. Their mouths moved in harmony, finding a rhythm that released wave after wave of pent up passion. With Bella, Edward felt more connected to another person than he ever had before - understood, needed, desired - not for what he was but who.

Bella didn't care that he was a prince or heir to a kingdom. It would have been far better for them both if he wasn't. She only cared for him.

Her arms reached up and wrapped around his neck, her gloved fingers threading through his hair. Her breasts pressed firmly against his chest and her lower belly against his groin, leaving them both in no doubt of his body's response to her embrace. It wasn't enough, and he pulled her higher and harder against him. She whimpered into his mouth, and he softened the kiss.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," he murmured against her lips.

"You didn't." She pulled back a little, her breath coming in quick pants. "But we shouldn't be doing this. It's not right."

"Not right? It's the only thing that's right." He drew her against him and kissed her again, inhaling her scent and savouring the feel of her sweet mouth, her tempting curves. His tongue traced the softness of her open lips then delved into the treasures between. With a soft, moaning sound, she arched into him. He groaned in response, his body wanting more, his mind refusing to acknowledge he would have to let her go at some point.

Never!

This was the woman who should be on his arm, sharing his bed, bearing his children. This was the woman he should marry.

Rather than jolt him to his senses, the rightness of the revelation settled around him like a warm cloak on a winter's night. Bella was meant for him. She was his, and there was no point denying he was hers, body and soul. Obligation, responsibilities, sanity be damned.

"Edward?" she murmured when he manoeuvred them towards the long leather couch he'd noticed positioned against one wall. When the back of his knees hit the edge of the seat, he went to sit down, intent on taking her with him. But Bella had other ideas.

"Edward, we can't," she said, breaking the kiss and taking a step back. "We have to stop. You're betrothed to another."

"Not yet, and besides…" He shook his head. "Rosalie cares even less for me than I do for her. Our marriage would be a travesty now that I've found you."

His arms and lips sought hers again, and she didn't deny him. Relieved and distracted, he didn't notice the door opening or register that they were no longer alone in the room. He kept right on kissing Bella like a starving man feasting at a banquet.

"So this is why my prospective husband couldn't even finish one dance with me." Rosalie's coolly spoken words had the same effect as being drenched by an icy torrent, and Edward spun to face her where she stood just inside the now open door. "I thought Emmett was the hound dog of the family, but it appears you share his morals," she continued, entering the room with a grim-faced Jasper behind her. "Could you not have waited to tryst with your doxy until after our betrothal was announced?"

"Bella's no doxy," Edward said, tucking her protectively against his side. "She's the woman who saved my life when I was left for dead in the forest. The woman I love."

~xxx~

Bella's heart had taken a battering over the course of the evening, first racing when she thought she might not gain entrance to the palace, then lodging in her throat when she came face to face with Edward. Discovering he hadn't forgotten her had caused it to swell within her chest until she'd feared her ability to contain it. Being kissed by him, being held in his arms, being told that he cared for her was like being given a taste of heaven . . . before all hell broke loose.

"Edward?" She tugged on his arm until he turned to face her.

"I mean it, Bella. I love you with all my heart," he said, and she feared hers would break. He wasn't hers to love or to be loved by in return.

"But you can't . . . you mustn't . . ."

"It appears he already does," Princess Rosalie interjected, raising a perfectly arched brow. She looked more bemused than devastated, but Bella felt bad enough for the both of them. She tried to step away from Edward's side, but his grip on her tightened.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," she said, attempting a curtsey with his arm still around her. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I came here tonight because I need Edward's help, not to interfere with your betrothal."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about the betrothal if I were you," Rosalie said. "As there's no way in hell it's going to happen now."

"What are you talking about? What's going on?"

Bella's mouth fell open at the sight of not one but two kings and their queenly wives forcing their way into the room along with a younger man she suspected was Edward's brother, Prince Emmett. At a look from his father, Edward finally released her, and Bella managed a stumbling curtsey.

"Who's the gal, and what's she doing with my future son-in-law?" The elderly man who'd first spoken, and could be no other than King Marcus, continued. His face was flushed, and one of his hands kept clutching at his chest.

"My name is Miss Isabella Swan, Your Majesty." Bella stepped forward, worried the man was going to pass out. "I apologise for the disruption. I came seeking help from Prince Edward—"

"And got a little more than she bargained for." Rosalie placed a hand on her hip. "A passionate embrace from the man I no longer have any intention of marrying."

"Why? Because you caught them kissing? The lass is pretty enough. Can't say that I blame him." King Marcus waved a hand, and Rosalie turned to face him.

"Father, Edward just told me he loves her."

"So?" the king said while allowing himself to be lowered into a chair. "He can love who he wants as long as he marries you and takes over the reins of my kingdom, though it might be wise to cultivate some discretion," he added, directing his words to Edward. "You can have as many mistresses as you want when you're the monarch, but I'd advise securing the crown first and not flaunting them under your wife's nose."

The colour drained from the princess's face, and Bella's heart went out to her. It seemed her feelings and wishes counted for as little with her father as Bella's did with Victoria.

Rosalie raised her chin. "I've done everything you've ever asked of me, everything I can to prove my worth despite only being a daughter and not the son you wanted. But I won't be treated like chattel. I'll not marry a man who cares for another, one who would blatantly disrespect me on the night of our betrothal. "

"You'll do as your damn well told!" Her father shook his fist.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but your daughter is right." Edward stepped forward. "I apologise for causing you distress, Rosalie. I hadn't intended for this to happen, either, but I can't deny my feelings for Bella. A match between the two of us is no longer an option."

"Edward, don't be ridiculous. You'll jeopardise the alliance." King Carlisle's voice rose above King Marcus's sputtering, and his wife's cries of concern.

"What if she married me, instead?" Emmett's booming voice, and outrageous query, momentarily silenced the room before Rosalie's shriek rent the air.

"You? You couldn't be faithful if your life depended on it!"

"What does being faithful have to do with anything?" King Marcus managed one last outburst before collapsing back in his chair, at which point Bella decided the priests were right and there were many levels to Hell.

Amidst the chaos that erupted, Edward beckoned Lord Whitlock over.

"Jasper, look after Bella for me. Take her somewhere safe."

"Edward?" While Bella didn't want to leave him, she couldn't deny the situation was getting out of hand . . . and her presence wasn't helping.

Meeting her gaze, he cupped her shoulders. "I'll come find you later. I promise."

She nodded. "Please, don't do anything rash. Your father is right, and the alliance is too important to jeopardise."

"I'd say it's a little late to worry about that." Lord Whitlock's wry gaze took in the arguing sovereigns and general air of panic.

"It's all right, Bella." Edward rubbed his hands over her bare shoulders, ignoring his friend. "I'll find a way for us to be together, one that won't cause a war on a second front."

"Oh, don't even jest." She clutched at his chest. "After so many years of turmoil, the peace is too important to risk."

"Yes, and something Marcus's people are as desperate for as ours."

"There is that." Lord Whitlock took hold of Bella's arm for the second time that evening. "Here's hoping he lives long enough for you to broker an alternative deal. I wouldn't fancy having to negotiate with Queen Rosalie after this little debacle."

Bella swallowed hard and looked to where the beautiful princess was kneeling beside her ailing father. Being responsible for breaking up a royal betrothal was bad enough, but she didn't think she'd be able to live with herself if she caused the death of a king . . . or be allowed to live, for that matter.

As if sensing her concern, Edward leaned in and murmured close to her ear. "Don't worry, this isn't your fault. Now go with Jasper, as I've my work cut out for me here. I'll come find when I can." Ignoring the other occupants of the room, who, admittedly, were somewhat distracted, he kissed her cheek. With a hesitant wave, she crept out of the room with Lord Whitlock while Edward went to speak with his father.

"You do have a knack for landing in the middle of things, Miss Swan," the baron said as they walked along the sconce-lit hallway. "Aren't you supposed to be preparing for your own wedding, to a groom Edward paid handsomely for if I recall?"

Bella was surprised he knew the story, but she was quick to deny any involvement.

"Well, that's a relief." Lord Whitlock said, ushering her along a second hallway and into a luxuriously appointed bedroom. "Edward's been miserable as sin these last few weeks, between thinking you'd deceived him and the prospect of marriage to a woman who treats him with utter disdain. Here's hoping once the dust settles the two of you can find a way to be together, as I don't think my stalwart friend is going to get over you now that he's had a second taste."

Bella felt her cheeks flame and ducked her head. She wasn't sure what to make of the handsome, fair-haired baron or the dramatic turn of events. Was it possible? Could she have a future with Edward?

"You should be safe enough here," Lord Whitlock added after checking the window was secure. "I'll send someone to watch the door and let Edward know where to find you."

"Thank you, my lord." Bella dropped a curtsey, a little shocked when the baron caught lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of her fingers. He eyed her sombrely for a moment, and she pulled her hand free, taking a cautious step back.

"You've nothing to fear from me," he said, his lip curling in a rueful smile. "Unlike his brother, I would never encroach on Edward's territory. But I won't deny I think he's a lucky man to have found you, or rather, be found by you. Do tell, are there any other ladies of your ilk hidden away in your modest little village?"

Bella immediately thought of Alice. "Possibly," she admitted with the hint of a smile. "But she's a little shy of men, so you'd have to be on your best and most charming behaviour."

Lord Whitlock's brows rose. "Oh, Miss Swan, I can be very charming when it suits me."

With another bow, he departed, leaving Bella to cover her mouth with her hand in order to stifle a giggle. She'd never had the chance to flirt with a courtly gentleman before, and she had to admit it was fun. Although not nearly as exciting as having been reunited with Edward. Joy bubbled up within her at the prospect of seeing him again . . . and not having to be parted. Spinning in a circle, she laughed, as her skirts swished around her.

"Please, Lord," she prayed aloud. "Let Edward find a way to placate his and Rosalie's fathers so that we can be together. Oh, and please don't let King Marcus die, certainly not because of me."

Her smile faded at the thought, and she sat down on the bed with a thump. What a night it had been? She couldn't help feeling sorry for Rosalie, though she suspected Edward was right, and that the beautiful princess didn't carefor him, certainly not the way Bella did. She hoped the ageing Kind Marcus would be all right and regretted that her involvement in the situation might have worsened his condition. But thank heavens she'd arrived before the betrothal had been announced! Her only other regret for the evening was that she'd not had the chance to dance with Edward for longer. His kisses had more than made up for it though, and with her fingers pressed to her tingling lips, she fell back on the bed.

A knock at the door a short while later saw her springing up right. She hadn't expected Edward would come find her for some time, but he must have managed to get away.

"Coming!" she called, rushing to the door. Flinging it open, her bright smile was replaced with a gasp of horror. "You!" she cried, stepping backwards when the dark and dangerous-looking Demetri forced his way into the room. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been sent to guard you," he said, grabbing hold of her arm with one hand while the other brandished a knife. "Which is exactly what I'm going to do. I don't plan on letting you out of my sight until you are safely delivered to your new husband. I've waited too long for this alliance to see it ruined by some worthless, slip of a girl. Edward will soon get over his silly infatuation once he learns you're damaged goods, and believe me, you will be damaged when Felix is finished with you."

A/N

Eek! Another evil cliffie! I thought of trying to finish the chapter a bit earlier while Bella was still blissing out over being reunited with Edward, but this is where I would end it if I was publishing the story. Sorry! Next chapter will be up as soon as possible.

On an exciting note (for me) I just received word from my publishers that Innocence has sold just shy of 2000 copies in it's first 6 weeks of publication. Squee! Not exactly a best seller, but a really great start for a debut novel. If anyone has read it and would like to leave a review on and/or Goodreads (hopefully positive...my fingers are crossed!) I would be very appreciative. If you let me know you've posted a review, I'll put your name in my 'hat', as I'd like to offer a free ARC copy of Protection, the sequel, to one of my lovely fanfic readers.

Wish me luck for getting Bella out of this pickle. Can you imagine Edward's response when he finds her gone?

Catch you soon!

Elise