This story has been beta'd by The Duchess of Fanfiction Sunflower Fran.
For those of you who've read the one shot, this chapter is about ninety-nine percent new. Just a small portion is from the o/s.
Edward
I arrive at White's in an excellent mood, to find the gentlemen waiting for me. Carlisle, Charles and Whit are smoking cigars and drinking brandy. Whit has a sour disposition upon his face as he sips from his glass.
"There you are! Come, man, you must catch up. We are celebrating you after all," Charles says thrusting a glass of brandy in my hands.
"Thank you. I will not miss my bachelorhood but I shall celebrate the end of it never the less." I drown my entire glass of brandy and then sit down motioning for more.
"Where is McCarty? I thought he would be joining us," Whit asks.
"He is visiting his mother-in-law in the country. I dare say she must be threatening to cut him off again." I start drinking my second glass.
"What a wretched woman Lady Stanley is. You know I actually considered courting her, but by my third dance with the woman, I knew how cruel she was. Thank heavens Renee stole my breath away," Charles says finishing off his brandy.
"I am thankful that I was too poor to be a part of society. However, in the end I was blessed with one of the queens of the rumor mill. I had no idea how popular Es was until after we were married and arrived in London," Carlisle says smiling fondly.
"Forgive me, but you were accepting of her past?" Charles asks with wonder in his eyes.
"Careful Charles, that is my mother you are talking about, well both my mothers and my father," I say giving him a glare.
"I mean no offense. I am just astounded that Carlisle did not have an issue with their relationship." Charles explains.
"I take no offense. Esme was very forthcoming about her life before me. She told me she had a grown, adoptive son, and her relationship with his parents was very deep and sincere. She also said that if I ever questioned her relationship with her son, she would run me threw with a sword."
We all laugh, and my heart swells with affection for Mother Es. When I first met Carlisle, I was very apprehensive of him, but we have become close over the years. He's been more of a father to me than my father ever was.
"Well, you are a bigger man than I. I have always enjoyed my quiet life as the second brother to an Earl. Once my brother died and I inherited the title, I was not prepared for all the attention that comes with an Earldom," Charles says.
"Gentleman enough talk. Let us play a friendly game of Whist. Coins on the table, please." Whit says throwing down a few pounds.
The coins bounce on the table in front of us. Charles takes out some bank notes and sits them down.
"Do you not have any coins, Charles? We would hate to rob you of your money. Here take a few pounds from me." I take out a hand full of pounds and split them between Charles and myself.
Charles lifts his glass to me. "My son-in-law, The Duke of Devonshire, he is already providing for me in my old age."
"Esme is already planning to move into Chatsworth once the grandchildren start being born. I dare say you and Renee are welcome to join us." Carlisle raises his glass towards Charles.
I start choking on my brandy. "Grandchildren! What in gods name are you talking about?" I ask horrified that someone may think Bella is now with child.
"Calm yourself, man! I dare say that you and Whit will both give us grandchildren soon. Chatsworth is indeed large enough to home all of us." Charles says happily.
"Yes, my family home is quite vast, but at last, you all are not living with Bella and me. I love every last one of you, but I dare say I would like my wife to myself for eternity." I say finishing the remainder of my brandy.
My wife; that is what she will be in two-days times. My heart swells with the thought of having her in my arms, with no threat of a scandal, parents walking in, or the detestable Hunt lurking around.
"I never thought I'd see the day The Bachelor Duke would be so in love with a lady," Whit says before he finishes off another glass.
"She is a most magnificent creature. I couldn't be happier if it were my own son marrying her, but since Edward is the closest thing I will ever have to a son, I am delighted." Carlisle raises his glass to me.
"Thank you, Carlisle, for your kind words about my daughter. She is my greatest achievement in life," Charles says smiling widely.
Charles's love for his daughter is truly a sight to behold. I am honored that he feels I am worthy to have her hand.
We start our friendly game of Whist. Carlisle and Charles against Whit and myself. Whit and I win the first hand taking the two pounds that have been wagered.
"Bollocks!" Charles cries out. "You two should let me win since one is married to my niece and the other is marrying my daughter."
"I dare say we should not! I am secure, if anything Masen should let you win, in case you change your mind." Whit tells him dealing our next hand.
"If he changes his mind I shall grovel at his feet." I jest smiling at them.
"You have it bad my boy! I am glad to witness it." Carlisle smiles over at me.
"Do not fret, I will not change my mind. I may, however, need to borrow a few pounds if we lose this hand." He says putting the last of his coins on the table.
Before another word is said, we are joined by Baron Cromwell. "Charles, I am shocked that you are allowing this farce of a wedding to happen."
"Bugger off Hunt! I am to be married, and there is nothing that you and your black heart can do about it." I spit at him causing a scene.
I say the brandy has loosened my tongue considerably, but I dare not back down from him. I stand to face him toe to toe.
"I say the true Masen is making an appearance. One day the world will know that you are not the innocent you claim to be," he says shaking his head at me.
"Oh, I dare say I have my faults but nothing compared to the likes of you. Now if you will excuse us, we are celebrating my upcoming nuptials to Lady Isabella Swan. I would invite you, but I do not wish foul company to be at my wedding." I glare at him.
"Let us hope that nothing happens to ruin the joyous occasion," he says before turning away.
"What a despicable man!" Carlisle says starting to play his hand.
"He is a blaggard," Whit says drinking his brandy.
A butler comes and sits another decanter down as we have finished the last two.
"I cannot believe he wanted to court Bella. Thank heavens he will never get close to her. You will protect her always from him, wont you, Edward?" Charles asks raising an eyebrow.
"With my very life, sir!" I say very seriously.
The Baron Cromwell James Hunter shall never hurt my love as long as there is air in my lungs.
The remaining of the evening is spent drinking and playing cards. The married gentleman provided a wealth of knowledge upon Whit and myself. We spoke of mood swings and always letting your lady wife believe she has won an argument. Although we were in company, there were whispers of always putting your wife's needs before your own and Whit seems to have had an eye-opener with that subject.
It is well past midnight when we stumble out of Whites all singing loudly. Michael catches me as I trip over my own feet.
"I am to be married in one days time, Michael!"
"Yes sir, I know! Congratulations! She is a most fortunate young lady."
"Thank you my good man, but I am the fortunate one."
Indeed, I will be very fortunate to call Isabella Swan my wife.
Rose
I pace back and forth in the parlor; my large abdomen hinders me from moving faster. Emmett sits stoically speaking of his wretched mother-in-law and her wishes to send me away. I feel powerless to her and her detestable offspring. They have controlled Emmett his entire marriage; I have no wish to allow them to control my unborn child and me. My heart goes out to my beloved; he looks haggard and worn out, nothing like the dashing gentleman that won my affections so many months ago.
We met at a party at the Duke of Somerset, a delightful man who finds great pleasure in feminine company and cards. I was there with my closest confidant, Lauren. We were both between steady gentlemen and were looking for a bit of fun. It is not to say that my bed was empty of male company, but I preferred to be a kept lady and a single gentleman here and there only provided a few coins. I was fortunate enough to have saved over the years in my profession so there was never a rush when a gentleman ended our liaison.
I was enjoying conversation with Lauren and a few other women when a large gentleman approached me. I was taken unaware by his friendly disposition and deep dimples. I was immediately swept off my feet, and our affair began.
It started off as all my relationships with a gentleman do, cold and unattached. However, Emmett refused my coldness. He always went out of his way to shower me with affection and gifts. The difference between Emmett and the others was that he showed me a kindness that I have never felt before.
When I allowed him into my heart, it seemed a whole new world was open to me. I had not expected to become with child, and when my courses were late, I thought that I could take pennyroyal tea as I've done in the past. But the thought of killing Emmett's and my child caused a shiver to run through my person.
God help me, but I love him dearly.
"Rose? Rose, we have no other choice but to run away." He says grabbing at his hair.
I rush over sitting next to him as graceful as I can with such a large abdomen.
"Your mother-in-law wishes to send me to America, in my condition? The baby will arrive in less than two months time. The journey alone could kill us both," I say placing my hand on his knee.
"I know! Do not worry, darling, Edward will help us. I will speak to him in the morning. I hate to disturb him now that he has found happiness, but we must act before Jessica and her mother do something rash."
"When is the wedding? I do not want to be a burden on his wedding day especially after Lady Isabella was so kind to me." I smile thinking of the kindness she showed me.
"The wedding is in a day's time. I have no other choice but to turn to him. Do not worry, he gave me his word he would assist us." He pulls me into his side, and I breathe him in never wanting to part from him.
There is a loud banging at the front door, and my maid Katherine rushes to answer. Three, very menacing looking bandits enter my home.
Emmett rises up pushing me out of the room. "Rose, run."
"I cannot!" I scream before the men attack Emmett.
One grabs hold of me and hits me hard across the face. I yell out in pain before Emmett attacks him knocking him over with his body.
"Rose, go to Edwards!" He yells at me.
Katherine pulls me out of the chaos as the three men attack Emmett over and over until he falls to the ground. "Come away, Mistress!" she yells pulling me out of the house.
We flee down the streets daring not to look back to see if one of the men were following us. I hold on to my large stomach, my heart practically beating out of my chest.
When we reach the London Townhome of the Duke of Devonshire, I can barely stand upright. Katherine leaves me there going to her parents' home on the other side of the city. I knock on the door to be met by an elderly butler.
"May I help you, Madam?"
"I must see the Duke, it is a most urgent matter." I stand in the cold night air with nothing to cover me.
"The Duke is not home. Please come in from the cold, my lady."
I walk inside of the very lavish home praying that the Duke will soon return. I know not what has become of Emmett, and I fear the worst.
Edward
After partaking in an unhealthy amount of brandy, I find myself struggling to exit the coach. Even without McCarty, the night was a delight.
I am to wed the love of my life. I dare say I need to inform her what she means to me. It has never been mentioned, and one cannot leave these things to chance.
Michael escorts me from the coach to the door where a grave looking Jenks is waiting.
"Your Grace there is an urgent matter that needs your attention," the older butler says.
"My dear man, can it not wait. I am quite foxed at the moment. I'm celebrating, you know!" I turn to walk up the stairs.
"Your Grace, I need to speak to you concerning The Marquis of Winchester!" I turn to find a very stunning and expecting blonde woman.
"Dare, I ask who are you?" Of course, I knew McCarty had a mistress. Over the two years of his marriage, he has had a few, but there have been rumors that he had taken a fancy to his new one.
Upon my word, he has planted his seed in her.
This is grave indeed.
"I am Rosalie Hale. Your Grace, I beg of you. Emmett assured me that you would help us. I had nowhere to go but here. I fear that Emmett has been harmed." She starts sobbing almost falling to her knees.
"Come now, my lady. Calm yourself. Let's sit by the fire." I usher her into the parlor. "Jenks some tea, please.
Rosalie takes a seat, her entire person shaking.
"He was going to leave her, Your Grace, but it is her mother who supports them both. There is no way out for him. I am afraid Your Grace!" She cries and I awkwardly pat her back.
One of the maids Lydia brings in tea. Giving me a nervous look, I ignore her trying to comfort the lady on my chaise.
Once Lydia leaves us alone Rosalie continues. "I am frightened that something has happened to him. When I left the house, the men were upon him. What if he's dead?"
"Calm yourself. I shall go to your home now! Jenks! Have Michael and John bring around the carriage!"
I rise, grabbing my jacket and hat. I take a few drags of the tea that Lydia poured. Before I leave, I instruct Jenks to make sure that Rosalie is set up in one of the guest rooms.
I stumble slightly as I enter the carriage. I must recover my wits Emmett needs me. Finding Rosalie's home in Kensington, I rush out of the carriage running through the open door to find Emmett lying in a pool of his own blood. His wounds are very great indeed. One of his eyes is closed shut, his nose seems broken and there appear to be cuts to his side.
Michael is beside me holding a gentleman holster. He wanders around the house checking for intruders. All seems clear as I kneel down checking over Emmett.
"Rose?" Emmett chokes out weakly, grabbing hold of me.
"She is safe at my townhome. No one will dare come there," I tell him wiping his brow with my handkerchief.
I turn to Michael. "Assist me with getting him into the carriage. He must see a doctor immediately."
We have difficulty getting Emmett's large frame out of the house. It takes Michael, my coach driver, John, and myself to get him from the house and to the carriage in the dead of night.
Once he is settled, he calls for Rose repeatedly.
"Edward, if I die, promise me you will look after her and the baby," he begs me as I try to hold his massive frame up in the small compartment.
"Nothing is going to happen to you, do not worry yourself." I wipe his brow as the carriage stops in front of my townhome.
The Baron Cromwell
Morning could not come soon enough; I had hoped to go to Charles in the dead of the night, once news of Masen's houseguest was confirmed. I had my maids run to the other noble houses informing the staff of Masen's debauchery.
I leave my townhouse, taking my carriage to The Earl's. I shall finally ruin Masen! That insignificant maid and her sister finally paid off.
When I discovered that my newest maid, who I enjoyed to have my way with, had a sister at Masen's I knew I had to use it to my advantage.
The Marchioness's plan is working out perfectly. The men she hired did their job and allowed the whore to escape. I knew she went to Masen's as I had my valet watching his home for when she appeared on his doorstep. Having the maid report to me was only to confirm her loyalty to her sister. Once they went to the other houses spreading the lie, I saw no reason not to release her sister from my employ as promised. I did, however have my way with her one last time … as a celebratory event. Now I am done with her.
I knock frantically on The Earl's door and rush pass his butler dramatically. "I must see The Earl! It is a matter of life or death!"
The fool falls for my Shakespearean act and leads me to the breakfast room. He is moving at a snail's pace, and I cannot prolong my joy any longer. I push him out of the way causing him to knock over an expensive looking vase.
Barging through the door, I interrupt the family at breakfast.
"What is the meaning of this?" The Earl stands and glares daggers at me.
Fool of a man. I feign as if I am very sorry to deliver the news.
"Pray forgive me but a rather urgent matter has come to my attention. I detest bringing bad news, but I must warn you and your family that The Duke of Devonshire has duped you all. He is, as we speak, entertaining his mistress, Rosalie Hale, who is in a delicate condition."
I watch as Lady Isabella stands, then takes a step and falls. The Marquis of Hertford catches her, taking her over to the small chaise against the wall.
"Bella!" His tiny wife screams as everyone rush to her.
"Get out of my home, now!" The Earl marches towards me.
"Sir, you must act now, or your daughter will be ruined. I beg you to cancel the Duke's request for a license and allow me to submit my own so that I may marry Isabella and she may be done with this scandal."
He is silent as everyone look upon us. Isabella comes to as her mother gives her water to drink.
"Come, darling, let's get you to bed." Lady Renee says helping her daughter off the chaise.
"I beg you, Charles, allow me to wed Isabella. I will gladly take her hand even after her ruination." I bow to him.
" You are a liar, Edward would never be so crass! I will never marry you! I do not care if I am ruined." The stupid girl yells at me.
I see that Masen has turned her against me. Let's hope her father has more scruples than she does. Once she is mine, I shall see to it that she never uses her tongue against me.
"Isabella, I am devoted to you like the Duke never will be. You must see he has used you-"
"Enough! I will never consent to you marrying my daughter. Now, leave my home this instant or I shall remove you myself!" he yells at me.
The nerve of him. "You will regret this! She is ruined, all of society knows of this scandal. It will be no secret that Isabella is second to a whore."
The Earl grabs me by my jacket and throws me out of his home like trash. They all will pay greatly for this.
Blaggard - A scoundrel; an unprincipled contemptible person; an untrustworthy person.
Pennyroyal Tea - This is one of the most famous abortifacients in history: a tea made with the herb pennyroyal, or mentha pulegium. Pennyroyal is actually a type of mint, but it's a very successful abortion drug — so deeply poisonous, in fact, that just five grams of it can be toxic.
A/N: Upon my word! What an action pack chapter! We have met Rose, and have learned a bit about her and Emmett. Our Duke has enjoyed himself immensely! The Baron is upon the scene, is this the last we shall hear from him? I shall see you all less than a fortnight. I am currently writing for the Fandom for Mental health and of course, I am behind so I may be a few days late of my weekend posting! I do apologize but I am pounding away at the keyboard as we say in America! (hehe!)
