Chapter 11

1901

The rest of the afternoon passed in blurry haze for Isabella. She didn't trust herself to interact normally with the other young people so she stayed put in the gazebo with Mrs. Cullen and Mrs. Gardiner. Mrs. Cullen was kind and fussed over her faux ankle injury. Mrs. Gardiner acted bored and pretty much ignored her. Watching Edward romp with Tatiana in the surf was difficult, but she knew it was just an act. He had declared himself to her, and they were meeting in secret again tonight. Isabella was apprehensive and knew the consequences of her decision could be dire, but she could not deny the exhilaration she felt in knowing Edward returned her feelings. That was all that mattered now.

Edward joined the small party on the sailboat back to the mainland as evening descended but allowed Jasper to pilot the craft. He tried to stay nonchalant, but his acting ability could only go so far. He wanted to keep eyes on Isabella as long as possible.

Isabella and Alice took seats together on the most forward bench on deck away from the others. Tatiana and Irene crowded near the helm, while Peter and Garrett helped with the sails. Edward sat alone on the aft lip of the deck so he could keep a view of the entire party. Katherine helped her mother below deck out of the sun.

Alice could sense a tension in her friend and watched her carefully. She was suspicious about the supposed ankle injury and the few moments when Edward and Isabella were obviously speaking alone. Then, they had avoided each other the rest of the afternoon. She tried to ask Isabella about her ankle, but Isabella was so distracted she could hardly string a sentence together. Alice sighed and gave up. Maybe she could get her to talk another day. She hoped Edward Cullen hadn't been unkind; she would also try and get some information from Jasper, she decided.

Unfortunately, Isabella's elation was short-lived. As Jasper maneuvered the sailboat close to the mainland dock, Peter hopped the short distance with the lines to tie her up. His movement drew her eye to the road at the end of the dock. A black steam car was parked there, and its driver, dapperly dressed and wearing a cocky smirk, was known to her. It was James Hunter.

As the sailboat was secured, he got out of the car and strolled down the long dock toward them. Peter was helping the ladies onto the dock one by one. Alice had sensed Isabella stiffen and had lingered on the deck with her, knowing she was dreading the coming confrontation. Finally, Isabella had no choice but to be lifted off the boat. She glanced back at Edward who standing rigidly on the bow, his fists clenched and his face furious.

James greeted Peter and Garrett by clapping them on the back and heartily shaking their hands. Finally, he reached Isabella and greeted her.

"Miss Swan, I was just visiting with your father, and he suggested that I collect you and Miss Brandon from the marina when I pointed it out it would be much quicker than his carriage. It's the least I could do since I wasn't able to entertain you during the party today." This last sentence he spoke with a sneer flung toward the Cullen brothers. His words were directed to Isabella but were obviously a statement of ownership over her to the crowd assembled. Isabella prayed nothing had been definitely decided between him and her father while she was gone that day.

"Yes, of course, that's very kind of you," Isabella murmured, her eyes on the ground. Alice bit her lip, knowing Isabella's feeling about James Hunter but could see no way out of the situation. The two girls held each other's arms as they made their way down the dock toward James' steam wagon. Their maids trailed behind, carrying the girls' things. Isabella glanced over her shoulder once, hoping to catch Edward's eye, but Tatiana was blocking her view. A sour taste filled her mouth, but she reminded herself that she would see him again in just a few hours.

Tatiana was delighting in the spectacle. She enjoyed seeing Isabella treated like property and was amused by the thought of mousy Isabella married to the rough and tumble Hunter. There was something appealing about him, she thought. Of course, he was below her station, but he was handsome and cunning. She was sure Isabella would be miserable with him and that pleased her.

Tatiana turned to call a farewell up to Edward on the bow and caught him staring after Isabella and Alice. Her eyes narrowed. She thought back on the day and realized Edward had been looking at and around Isabella quite a bit. She found that realization unsettling. It wasn't possible that he found her interesting or attractive, was it? Tatiana shook her head disbelievingly. Her mother and sisters were further ahead almost off the dock, but James had lingered behind and was still chatting with Peter and Garrett. She thrust her arm at James as she came up even with him, forcing him to escort her up the planks.

"Control your girl," she warned him. "She's done something. Edward has been watching her closely all day." James raised his eyebrows at her.

"Indeed?" he drawled. "She is beautiful, which is reason enough for me to watch her," he leered at Isabella's backside as she leaned over the door of his car up ahead. Tatiana made an impatient sound.

"Just keep her away from Edward. He's meant for me. We mustn't let anything get in the way of our futures now, hmm?" she snapped. James laughed, unconcerned.

"Point taken," he agreed. "The only thing more beautiful than Isabella is her father's money, which I won't let slip away, trust me." Tatiana smiled, having delivered her warning and pulled her arm away from James. She joined her mother and sisters without a good-bye.

In the meantime, Jasper was preparing the sailboat to return to the island. He noticed Edward was pacing the bow distractedly, obviously upset about something.

"What's with you, Edward? Did you not have a good time today?" Jasper asked his brother. Edward was tugging at his hair, a reliable sign that he was agitated. Jasper was confused.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Edward muttered and busied himself helping Jasper with the boat. It was getting dark now, and they needed to get home. But he wasn't fine, of that he was sure. James Hunter and Charles Swan would surely come to agreement soon, and Isabella would be engaged. His parents would never agree to allow him to marry her instead. The situation went beyond just simple midnight tryst. A big decision would have to be made, and Edward was pretty sure he was prepared to see this through to the end.

Isabella had dutifully allowed Angela to get her ready for bed that evening. Her father had remained in his study and had not joined her for dinner. She was thankful for this development, feeling sure he would have seen through her attempts at a calm veneer. Angela had eyed her suspiciously throughout the bedtime routine. His absence also meant there had been no final agreement with James Hunter.

Midnight was approaching, and Isabella was now restlessly pacing her bedroom. She had dressed herself in a day dress and boots suitable for scrambling over rocks. A heavy wrap lay draped over her vanity stool, awaiting the moment she would pick it up and actually leave the house. For some reason, the act of donning the wrap had become symbolic to Isabella. It would mean she was really going to go through with this.

Isabella was not completely naïve. She knew she was not self-sufficient or capable in a bourgeois sense. She may have been low born, but she had been raised like an heiress. Since her father had removed her to France, she had received every convenience that a proper young lady should have. She had assistance when dressing, eaten the finest foods, stayed in the loveliest accommodations, and had never ventured outside in the dark alone. So, the idea of climbing down the cliff outside had her terrified. But she would do it for Edward.

However, fear of the dark was not the alone thing that frightened her this evening. She knew that she would run away with Edward if he asked her. She loved her father and was grateful to him, but she was sure he did not understand her. She would give her father up if it meant having Edward and avoiding what she was sure would be a miserable marriage to James Hunter. He had been horrible that afternoon during the car ride, leering and smirking the entire time. He hadn't even limited his attention to her, behaving insufferably towards Alice as well.

No, Isabella was quite resolute in her decision to leave with Edward. Even if it meant a much less comfortable life than the one she had been living. But she wasn't sure that an elopement was what Edward was proposing.

Isabella's mother had been her father's mistress, so Isabella, more so than any of the other young ladies she had spent time with that summer, understood that when men indicated that they wanted a woman, there were a few different things they could mean. Isabella considered what she would do in this scenario all evening and had come to the conclusion that it didn't matter what Edward was proposing. She would give herself to him in any way she could. It was her only chance at happiness, however short-lived that might be. But, Isabella thought Edward was more honorable than that when she thought back to his sincerity and kindness at the ball and at church that cold, rainy morning. That settled, Isabella quickly snatched the wrap from the stool and swathed herself. She stole silently down the stairs, through the kitchen, out the door, and across the lawn, keeping the electric lantern turned off until she reached the edge of the cliff.

Edward was lost in his own musings as he slipped from his own home and made his way to the pleasure beach. When he and Jasper had returned to the island on the sailboat, he had casually suggested that the small rowboat be moved to the beach for them to use on future outings to further amuse the party guests. Jasper had applauded the idea and been pleased that Edward had recovered his good humor after brooding on the sailboat.

Edward knew that he wanted Isabella, but he didn't know how he could make it happen. His only real option was elopement, and he knew his family would be furious at him. But he thought they would forgive him in time. Isabella spoke perfect French from her years living in Europe, so he supposed they could go there and stay until the scandal blew over. The question was how to put the plan into motion. He had his trust fund money available in a few days; the timing couldn't be better. He really didn't feel terribly guilty about taking the money. It was truly his, after all.

Edward decided his plan was sound. He would declare his love for Isabella, beg her to run away with him, and make preparations over the next few days. By next week, they would be in Europe. There was really no reason to drag it out; that would only increase their chances of being caught. The only wrench in the works would be if an engagement had been settled upon by Hunter and Charles Swan. Then, they would have to leave immediately, with or without the money.

Edward was well out on the water by the time he had worked out his strategy. It was a beautiful night; the moon was high, and the sky was clear. He barely needed the light shining from his lantern. His oars moved swiftly through the chilly water, barely disturbing the surface. He glanced up toward his destination and thought he spied a light winking on the top of the cliff. He watched as it slowly dipped below the edge and began to descend. It must be Isabella. She was actually coming to meet him. He hadn't realized he had doubted it until that moment, and his heart swelled.

The bottom of his little boat scraped the sand at the base of the cliff, and he nimbly jumped out onto the sand, barely wetting his shoes. He dragged the boat further onto the small spit of sand and turned to familiarize himself with the area. The beach was tiny in the extreme with several boulders littering the rocky shore. He recognized the edge of the trail and allowed his eyes to follow its path upward. He saw with dismay the state of disrepair in which the path was kept and frantically scanned higher, worried about Isabella traversing such a dangerous course.

She descended out of the darkness like a ghost, enveloped in white the way she was. Her hair was dark cloud, and her eyes were dark holes in her pale face. His breath caught in his throat, fear and desire overcoming him before he recovered his manners and rushed to help her finish her journey.

He clutched her hand to steady her over the final rocks and felt that stinging sensation once again when his skin touched her. He could see her better as she held her electric light aloft and recognized the shy, nervous smile on her face. He wanted to embrace her but it seemed too forward. He remained silent, trying to settle on an opening statement, as he helped her over the sand and offered the bench of his beached rowboat. When she was settled safely, he stood beside, cleared his throat, and finally spoke.

"Isabella, I want to thank you for agreeing to meet me. I know you are risking your very reputation, ah…" he trailed off. It all sounded so formal and wrong. He ran his hands through his hair in agitation. He was surprised when she lifted her hand to still his movement.

"Edward, I am yours. You have proven your good heart by showing me such kindness at our every meeting. I trust your intentions and agree to whatever you propose. My father doesn't understand me, and I fear James Hunter will destroy me. My only chance at happiness lies with you," she told him simply. He gaped at her in shock. Her blind trust in him was really too much. He wasted no time in clambering onto the seat beside her. He grasped her hands between his and gazed deeply into her eyes.

"I don't know what I've done to deserve an angel like you, but Heaven has put you in my path," he told her, the words coming easily now. "I want to spend the rest of my days basking in your perfection. Please be my wife." Isabella's smile was radiant. She knew she had been right to trust her instincts; Edward did love her and would make her an honest woman.

"Of course," she answered him, and he leaned forward, pressing his lips against her. The kiss was brief; it was all Edward could manage as his self-control was teetering on the brink. He would not kiss her as passionately as he desired until she was truly his. Isabella had no idea that a kiss could feel like that. The girls at school had giggled over the idea, but feeling Edward's lips on hers was the most perfect sensation that had ever existed. She wanted to lose herself in it, but it was over all too soon, and reality reared its ugly head.

"What are we going to do?" she asked him in a small voice as they sat, leaning their foreheads together.

"I have a plan," he told her. "But, first, I have to ask, have things been formalized between James Hunter and your father. I've been worried sick since I saw him on the dock," he admitted. Isabella smiled and shook her head.

"I didn't see my father when I returned home. He stayed ensconced in his study, and I think he would have told me had it been settled already. But, it was a bad sign that he agreed to allow Hunter to drive me home," Isabella warned. Edward nodded seriously in agreement.

"My father has released part of my trust, intending for me to invest it in the business. It is a large sum, and we could live quite comfortably in Europe for some time. It will be available to me within the week. As soon as I have it, we can be away," Edward explained excitedly. Isabella frowned, and Edward didn't like it. He lifted his index finger and touched her lips in an attempt to wipe away the expression. Isabella sighed.

"Edward, how can I take you away from your family and your legacy like this. It's too selfish!" she exclaimed. Edward lifted his hand and stroked her hair, reveling in his ability to touch her intimately like that. He could do that because she was his, he happily reminded himself.

"Isabella, love, don't worry. My family loves me. They will forgive me in time. We'll come back from Europe in a few years with grandchildren, and I'm sure it will be like none of this happened," he assured her. The confidence in his voice placated her, and she clutched his hand.

"All right, then, how do we proceed?" she asked him. "How will I know when it's time to leave?"

"Watch for me," he told her. "From the cliff top. Each night at midnight, I will go out to the beach with a light to let you know the plan is progressing. When you see the light on the rowboat, coming toward you, you'll know it's time to leave. You can gather your things and come down to meet me," he concluded. Isabella considered and decided the scheme was perfect. She especially liked that she could see his light every night until their departure. It would make it easier to bear being away from him now that she knew he was hers.

Isabella buried her face in Edward's chest and inhaled his scent deeply. She had never been this close to any man other than her father, and she reveled in the aromas of tobacco, spice, and musk. Edward wrapped his arms around her and once again thanked God for sending him his perfect match. He knew he would spend eternity with her.

Thanks to all those who read and review! A few of you have rec'd my story in various places, and I now have a lot more followers. Thank you so much to those who have enjoyed this enough to do something like that. I truly appreciate your support.

Some of you may know that I've had to pull one of my other stories, Eye on the Prize, in order to maintain my online anonymity. I do plan to re-post it with some minor modifications as soon as the current issue is resolved. Unfortunately, this may take up a bit of my time over the next week , so the next update of Cullen House may not be for another 3 weeks instead of my normal two, although I will try to keep on schedule.

The good news is that after Labor Day I will be going to a three day work week! I may have mentioned that I despise my job and have been looking for another one, but since I'm very specialized I haven't been able to find any other jobs in my niche in the area. I think the reduced schedule will make things tolerable. One good thing about being a military wife: if you don't like your job, you don't have to worry about sticking around for it for very long! So, I'll have lots of extra time to finish up Cullen House starting in September. Maybe even weekly updates!

EG