Chapter 11. Coming Clean and Surprises
(BPOV)
A few nights ago, I told Edward that when he was ready to go to Europe, I wanted to go with him. He certainly didn't tell me no, but he did say that he wanted me to go with him too, but it wouldn't be safe. I knew he was right. If we just ran away together, neither of us would be in peace.
So, that's why today, I was going to make the biggest risk of my life. I was going to tell my father that I had fallen in love with a stable boy. I deliberately did not tell Edward about what I was planning to do, because I knew he'd try to stop me. But I knew it had to be done sooner or later.
And frankly I preferred sooner. I was tired of hiding my love for Edward. Tired of sneaking around. Tired of being worried that Edward thinks I'm ashamed of him for not being a rich man. I didn't care if I was thrown out, disinherited, or disowned. I was going to tell my father that I was in love with a stable boy, and damn the consequences.
After 2 hours of pacing around in my room, I was standing just outside my fathers study. Thankfully he wasn't seeing any of his partners today, so he was completely alone. I was afraid out of my mind of telling him the truth about Edward and myself. As accepting and understanding as he was, Lord bless him, I was still frightened of what his reaction would be to this news.
I was just standing just outside his study door for what felt like hours, when suddenly Nelly came behind me, startling me.
"Your father loves you miss. You are his reason. Whatever you have to tell him, I know that it would never have him feel any less for you." Then she walked away, going back to whatever she was doing prior.
I was just amazed at how well Nelly knew me. Her words gave me the courage I needed to reach out, gently knock on the mahogany door, and wait.
"Come in."
I took a deep cleansing breath, then walked into the room. I saw my father sitting at his desk reading some letters I guessed. My father was always so strong and determined. He always worked so hard for his sugar business so his family could always live in comfort. But he never let his business completely consume his life. He always, always tried hard to make lots of time to spend with his beloved wife and daughter.
He looked up from his work, and removed his spectacles with a smile when he saw me.
"Hello, Isabella. What brings you here?"
His voice was always kind and gentle. He never raised his voice to me, not even when I misbehaved as a child. Always made me feel safe and loved.
I took another breath and finally said, "Papa, may I speak with you please?" No matter how busy he was, he would always drop everything to hear what I had to say.
"Certainly, my dear." He got up from behind his desk and walked over to the leather sofa across the room and beckoned me to sit next to him. I did just that. "What's on your mind, sweetheart?"
I had never felt so nervous in my life. But I just sucked it up and took the plunge.
"Papa, I've been up to something that most would consider… inappropriate."
He looked confused for a moment then concerned. "Oh? And what is that?"
I took another cleansing breath then continued. "The new stable boy, Edward Cullen? About a month ago, I went for a ride on Cinnamon. He got spooked and charged, and I almost fell, then Edward came and saved me."
Father looked really concerned then. "Princess, why didn't you tell us about this?"
"Because I didn't want you to have a fuss over nothing. Besides, mother would have been more concerned about my personal appearance anyway." Father gave a slight nod of agreement.
I continued with my story. "After that, we've been seeing each other almost every night for the past month. We've… we've fallen in love, Papa."
He looked away from me, stone silent. I couldn't read his expression. Before I could try to make sense of it, he got up and walked over to the fire place, laying his arm on the mantle.
I got scared he was furious with me. "Papa, I know I've defied you and mother, I probably even disgraced the family name. But I just couldn't -"
"Why didn't you feel you could tell me about how you felt about another man?" Father interrupted me.
I looked away from him, too ashamed to let him see my coming tears. "I was afraid you'd send him away. That I'd never see him again."
He breathed a heavy sigh. He looked to be pondering something. I could only imagine what. Then he finally said, "Are you sure it's you he loves and not the fortune that comes with you?"
I was almost offended by that question. "Papa! I know it may seem impossible, but I know he loves me, and I love him. He makes me feel important, special, cared for. I don't care that he's not rich. I know he's the one."
He looked at me for a moment then looked away. The silence between us seemed to stretch on for hours. Then finally, father cleared his throat and walked over to stand in front of me so I could look up at him.
He held out his hand to me, which I took, and he helped me up and he hugged me close to him. I began to cry on his shoulder. He rubbed my back as he said in a gentle voice, "Isabella, darling. I promise I'm not going to send Edward away. But I do need to think about this. So why don't you go on up to your room and I'll have Nelly bring you up a cup of tea?"
I nodded my head then left the room after he gave me a quick kiss on my forehead. As I say in my room sipping my jasmine tea, I could only dread what my parents reaction would be. I knew he was going to tell mother of this. My only solace was Edward's love for me would always stay true. I knew him that well.
(EPOV)
It was a beautiful sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind. I was just pumping some cool water in a bucket so I could water he horses when Gregory walked up to me with a very serious look, but I decided to act all pleasant and such.
"Good morning, Gregory. Beautiful day."
He replied, "Yes, yes. Gorgeous. The boss wants to see you."
I had almost dropped the bucket and spilled that water all over myself. "Why?"
"I don't know why. I was just given instructions to tell you that Mr. de Swan wants to see you. He said immediately, but I think you should go clean yourself up first. Don't think he'd appreciate dirt being tracked through his fancy house."
I looked down at myself and I was a tad dirty. So I set down the bucket and quickly ran to clean up some. Once I thought I was decent enough, I made the trek up the long hilly path to the main house.
It was truly a sight to see. At least to someone like me. It appeared to be made of white stone. Several shiny windows placed just right around it. I could see two steeple towers on either side of the estate, and the roof was covered in grey shingles with turquoise spires here and there. Undoubtedly the home of a rich man.
I thought to knock before entering. Only polite. A tall, aged man wearing a black suit answered the magnificent teak door. I assumed he was the butler.
Without knowing what do to, I took off my hat and said in a shaky voice, "Uhhh… I'm Edward Cullen. Mr. de Swan asked for me."
The butler replied with a possibly French accent, "Oh, yes. The master said he was expecting you." He stepped to the side to allow me in. "Right this way please. He's awaiting you in his study."
I walked in and quickly took in my surroundings. Everywhere there was high quality furniture, porcelain knick knacks, and several portraits on the walls. And I could swear I spotted a shiny black piano. And a large one at that.
I was brought back to reality when the butler lightly knocked on a door. I assumed it was Mr. de Swan's study. After a voice said 'yes' he opened the door and said, "A Mr. Edward Cullen to see you, sir."
There was no answer, the butler just motioned for me to come in. the room I walked in was just ridden with dark cedar wood and dark leather. And there was my employer Mr. Charles de Swan sitting in grand looking leather lounge chair holding a class of what I assumed to be brandy.
He eyed me for a moment then motioned to the chair next to him. "Please have a seat, Mr. Cullen." I did as bid. Scared out of my mind. "Thank you, Vincent."
The butler left and shut the door. Leaving me alone with my employer. Not knowing if I was in trouble, if I did something wrong. My soul guess is he somehow found out about me and Bella. If this was the case, then I certainly was in trouble.
After what felt like hours of silence and ringing the rim of my hat, Mr. de Swan finally spoke. "I suppose you're wondering why I've called you here, Mr. Cullen."
I replied as politely as I possibly could, "Yes sir, I am. Have I done something wrong?"
He did a quiet chuckle before he answered. "Well, son, that depends if you answer my questions truthfully." I could not remember a time when I felt more uncomfortable and nervous.
"Yes sir?"
He took a long pause and a sip of his brandy before he finally asked, "My daughter told me a couple hours ago that the two of you have been secretly seeing each other in the stables almost every night for the last month. Is that true?"
She told? She told her father about us? Why?
There was no sense in denying it. I wouldn't deny it. I know that I've lost her forever but I won't hide my love for her anymore. That must be why she told her father. Because she didn't want to hide it anymore.
"Yes, sir. It's true."
He looked down at his drink. "I see. She also claims that the two of you are in love. Is that true as well?"
"Yes. It is."
He paused, took another sip, the asked, "Have you compromised her?"
"No, sir! My mother raised me to be a gentleman. I would never do such an inappropriate thing to a woman. Least of all your daughter." I looked down at my hat, feeling slightly ashamed of myself. "Besides, she deserves better than me."
I looked up and saw that he was looking at me in an inquisitive sort of way. His next question sort of caught me off guard. "What is it you love about my daughter?"
I just couldn't help but smile at that. "Where do I start? Well, for starters she's exquisitely beautiful. She's smart, funny, sweet, caring. She has the most generous hear I've ever seen, she talked about my father's tailoring to some of her friends and that got his business going better." He nodded in acknowledgement at that. "She has this way of looking past a persons outer surface and seeing what's inside. She truly is the most remarkable woman I've ever met in my life, and I love her with all my heart."
He looked thoughtful, then set his glass on the side table between us, got up from his seat and stood before me. He said in a softer voice, "I understand you saved my daughters life sometime back." He held his hand out to me. "Thank you. I mean that thank you."
I smiled, stood up and took his hand, and we shook hands together. After a brief moment, we let go and he walked over to his desk and sat down. "I have a few more questions, Mr. Cullen." He motioned for me to take one of the seats in front of his desk.
As I sat down, I said, "Please call me Edward sir."
He smiled at me. "Alright Edward. You may call me Charles if you'd like. And you know, I should have guessed something was new with Bella when she's been acting so happy lately." The fact that he used her preferred name didn't go unnoticed to me. " I mean, she's never sang to herself in her solitary before. I was beautiful to hear. " He looked lost in thought for a moment, then said, "Now, I would like to know what you'd like to do with your life? Do you always plan to be my stable boy?"
"Well, sir - er - Charles, I've actually wanted to be a great pianist. I got this job so I could save up to go to Europe and see if I can get any luck in some concert hall."
He seemed interested in this. "How good would you say you are?"
I had to laugh a little at that. "Well, my mother taught me to never boast, but in my personal opinion, I could put Mozart to shame."
He smiled. "Really? Well, maybe you should play for my family sometime." He got serious. "Now, Edward, at any point, were you intending to propose to my daughter?"
I gave that question some very serious thought. It didn't take me long to come up with an answer. "If she would have me, sir."
He leaned back in his chair, silently thinking to himself. Then after a few moments of silence, he reached down and opened one of the drawers of the desk, took out a small green box. He lifted the lid and stared at what was inside for a few seconds before he spoke again.
"You know the only reason I gave that bastard Crawford permission to propose to Isabella was because I knew she would turn him down. I knew the moment he started courting her that he would never be the man for her. I just had no idea he would react the way he did. I blame myself fully for that incident. But I can see that you truly love her for her. And I can see plain as day that she loves you as well."
"One can only hope, sir."
He placed the open box on the desk in front of me. Inside was the most magnificent ring I have ever seen. It consisted of silver band with many tiny diamonds that formed the shape of an oval. Truly a sight to behold. And I certainly did not expect what he said next.
"That was my mothers, and you have my blessing."
I just looked dumfounded between him and the ring several times before I found my voice again and said, "Sir… I have nothing to offer her." He held up his hand to silence me.
"You love her. That's enough for me. And for her."
I was completely speechless. The only words I could muster were, "Thank you sir. Thank you so very much."
He smiled and said, "And as far as your financial situation, why don't we discuss that another day? And before you start wondering, I spoke to the missus, and after a little… persuasion, she came on board with this too."
We both laughed together at that last comment. I reached forward, took the ring box in my hand. I felt like I was actually holding a beam of sunlight, for my future, this time, really was bright.
I was just a wrought with joy at that moment, I just got up from my seat, went around the desk, took Charles de Swan's hand and shook it vigorously. "Thank you sir. Really! Thankyou!"
He laughed and got out of his seat and patted my shoulder. "Just make my daughter happy. That's thanks enough. Now, when was your next 'secret meeting'?"
"Tonight."
"I'd save this for then." He gestured to the ring in my hand and winked at me. "You should go back to work, keep up appearances. Till you're my son-in-law that is."
"Oh, yes. Thank you again sir." Then I left the house with a smile in my heart and a spring in my step. I closed the ring box and tucked it away in my pocket. It was a good thing my father was good at what he did, otherwise there'd be a risk of this box falling out and getting lost.
Once I got back to the stables, I went back to what I was doing before I was called away. When I was pouring a bucket of water in one of the horses troughs, Gregory came in. "So, what was that all about sonny?"
"Oh, the boss was just expressing how well I've been doing for him, that's all."
Gregory thankfully just shrugged and left it at that. I prayed to God for time to move quicker. Never have I so longed for nightfall to come so badly.
