I own nothing.

Thanks to my wonderful beta, GrammarBitch.

I am sorry for taking so long, but I hope your understand that I really don't have time.

Unfortunately, the story is coming to its end. There are around four chapters left.

Deceit

"She is pregnant."

James raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then a lazy smile spread across his face. Peter and the woman exchanged a knowing look before Peter turned to frown at James.

"What do you have in mind?" Peter asked warily, walking beside the woman. He folded his arms across his chest, watching James pace in front of them.

James did not answer him. Things were turning out better than he had hoped. If Isabella was carrying Edward's child, then his revenge would be even more painful. Why had he not thought about this possibility before?

"Anything else?" James snapped at the woman without looking at her.

She looked up at Peter and saw his disapproving grimace. "Her sister is here. She arrived two days ago," she whispered.

"Mmm." James stopped in front of her. "If you tell someone about us, Peter's blood will be on your hands, do you hear me? You are not foolish enough to risk your life and Peter's, are you?" His voice was low and soft, barely above a whisper, sending chills down her back.

The woman nodded, her eyes darting for a second to her lover. "I did not tell anyone, and I do not plan to. Your secret is safe with me."

"It better be. Now, go!"

She picked up her skirts and ran away, disappearing between the trees. Peter watched her until he could not see her anymore, and then he straightened his shoulders, turning again to James.

"She is not stupid," he said sternly. "Mayhap she is willing to do everything for me, but she knows that when this is over, if we survive until then, we are going to wish to be dead."

James rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. You know only to whine all the time. Besides, she is not as innocent as you want to believe. She is greedy; she wants power, and she knows that when this is over, that castle will be mine, like it was supposed to be from the beginning." His hands clenched as he thought about all those years under Edward's command, taking orders from him, being forced to obey. How he hated that man, that impostor.

James was supposed to be the laird; he was supposed to rule over the clan. His father had told him countless times that the castle would be his when he got older, that he would make sure the others accept and respect him. Even though the castle belonged to Edward's parents, James' father assured him that he would inherit the Cullens' land, that it was his for the taking. But he became a mere soldier, trained to protect Edward and his friends. How he would have loved to kill Edward with his bare hands, to get what was rightfully his.

He had decided to wait for the proper moment to put his plan into action. He wanted to find Edward's weakness. Until Isabella wedded him, James thought that Edward did not have a weak point.

Peter saw James's expression and realized what he was thinking. When James first told him about the injustice done to him, he had believed him, because they had been good friends since childhood. Now, Peter doubted he had done the right thing by supporting James in this vengeance.

Whenever he thought about what Alistair did to Jessica, the blood drained from his face, and his palms turned clammy. He never wanted an innocent woman to die. He never wanted his lover to be involved in this, but now it did not matter. He found out the truth too late, and he was in way too deep.

"Your father died trying to steal these lands," Peter hissed. "If you continue with this, that will be your fate, too."

"He was not stealing them," James yelled, glaring at Peter. "He was trying to get back what the Cullens had taken from him."

"You must be either stupid or damn ignorant. Your father put those things into your head; he manipulated you."

When James drew his sword and held it near Peter's neck, Peter did not flinch away. Instead, he continued talking, "He was a cruel, spiteful man who took advantage of his friends and even his own family. He used the Cullens to save his miserable castle that was already in ruins due to his ignorance and sloth. When he realized his castle could not be saved, he decided to steal the Cullens' flourishing lands. He pretended to be their friend, waiting for the right moment to kill them. He was a greedy leech, always asking for more, always wanting more and never giving something in return."

"I will not have you talk bad about my father," James sneered.

"Your father? Tell me, did he ever publicly acknowledge you? Did he tell everyone that you were his son?"

Seeing James' eyes burn with fury, Peter felt a rush of satisfaction. "Of course not. His pride and honor were at stake. He could not risk losing the Cullens' respect and friendship. After all, he needed them to trust him blindly, so his true intents would not be revealed."

"Keep your mouth shut," James growled, pressing the cold steel to Peter's throat.

"Aside from me, Alistair and you, nobody knows who your true father is, and you are the one who told us the truth about him. Besides, I am positive your mother never told a soul. The humiliation of having a child out of wedlock was enough to last her a lifetime. Why should she tell someone that your father was the kind and considerate laird who always treated the Cullens with affection?" Peter said mockingly, looking down his nose at James' enraged features. "No one would have believed her, especially since your father always said how happy his marriage was."

James snorted in disgust. "My father had come to hate his wife. She was a barren wench, a nuisance who could not even give him an heir."

"So, he decided to search for an heir elsewhere, is that it? He bedded your willing mother and nine months later, you were born. Too bad your father never got around to telling anyone that he had a son."

James gritted his teeth together. "He could not tell anyone until he got his lands back and got rid off his useless wife."

Peter shook his head slowly. "He could not tell anyone until he got rid of Edward's parents," he corrected James. "If he did not get his lands back that night, at least he succeeded in killing them and almost killing their son," he hissed. "I wonder how much satisfaction that gave your father, while he was dead on the ground shortly thereafter, killed by one of Edward's faithful soldiers."

"Edward should have died that night, along with his parents," James bellowed, fiercely frowning at Peter.

Peter's eyes flashed in anger. "That castle does not belong to you, nor did it belong to your father. It has always belonged to Edward's parents, and now Edward inherited it as he is the rightful heir. Your father lied to you, making you believe that the Cullens' had taken the castle from him, but that is not true. He only wanted those lands for their prosperity and vastness, not thinking about how much his greed affected the others. Of course he told you that everything was going to be yours, for you were his only heir. Are you so thickheaded that you cannot understand that?"

"Enough!" James roared. "My father was an honorable, decent man who wanted what was best for me. He promised me those lands, and I will make sure they become mine. You will not speak another word against my father."

"Or you will kill me? Go ahead. Do it. It is not like Edward and his men will spare me once they find us, nor do I wish to live with a guilty conscience."

James glared at him for a second, and then he burst into laughter. "Guilty conscience? I did not hear you utter a word when Alistair killed Jessica. You stood next to her and watched everything. Do you not think it is too late to regret what is already done? You, my poor friend, are a coward. You always have been. You want land and control, but you will never do anything to obtain them."

The truth of those words angered Peter. Trying to control his temper, he narrowed his eyes at James. "I'd rather be a coward than kill innocent people."

James lifted his shoulders nonchalantly. "Then, go back. I am positive they will receive you with open arms. Better still, kill me if you think that is the right thing to do."

Peter reached for his sword and found thin air. His hand clenched tightly at his hip as he realized James must have taken his only weapon. Peter knew he did not stand a chance against him, since he was not as well-trained as James was. Without a sword, he was as powerless as a lad.

Seeing his expression, James' smug grin broadened. "You will help me, Peter. I know you will, for there is nothing else left for you."

xXx

"I cannot believe it," Isabella whispered under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief as she watched Rosalie walk toward them with a frustrated look on her face.

"That was the eighth man already. I do not know if I should feel shocked or flattered. This has never happened to me before," Rosalie said as soon as she stopped in front of her sister and her friends.

Esme and Alice shared a grin, and then they laughed loudly. "This is the funniest thing I have ever had the privilege to witness. It truly brightens things around here," Alice replied, watching Rosalie's expression grow wary.

"I do not find this to be amusing," Rosalie mumbled, folding her arms across her chest.

"I never received eight marriage proposals, so I do not know how you must feel," Esme admitted. "Although I must say that it is truly amusing to see these hard, strong-willed men fall over their feet to catch your attention."

"I feel quite awful for disappointing them whenever I turn them down," Rosalie murmured.

Isabella bit her lip and looked at Rosalie. When Edward told her about his soldiers' infatuation with her sister, she never thought they would all like to marry her. It was as surprising to her as it was to Rosalie. In five days, Rosalie had already received more marriage proposals than any woman they had ever heard of in a lifetime.

Rosalie pursed her lips. "What is Papa going to say about this? I cannot marry without his approval." Sighing, she exclaimed, "Heavens! I did not even come here for a husband."

Alice giggled again, barely trying to suppress her excitement at the entire situation. "At least, they are all very handsome, and you can choose whomever you want."

Rosalie allowed herself the indulgence of a small smile. "That is true."

Isabella looked back and forth between her friends and her sister. She was happy to realize they had become fast friends, and she could not help wishing that Angela were here, too. Remembering what Rosalie told her about her family, Isabella sighed.

Angela married the Earl Benjamin Cheney almost a month ago, and she lived not far away from their father's home. The man was quite rich, so Angela had accepted his marriage proposal quickly. Rosalie told Isabella that their father had been a little upset about her departure at first, but he soon grew accustomed to Angela visiting him once every two weeks. It was not something he could say about Isabella, though, since she could barely visit him twice a year.

Rosalie assured her that even though he missed her, he was content to know that she was happy, something Rosalie was now positive of. She had been so delighted to find out that Isabella truly loved her husband, and he seemed to care deeply about her. She knew without a doubt that her leaving England had been Isabella's destiny.

"There is another one coming our way," Alice whispered under her breath. Rosalie's eyes widened, and she quickly straightened her spine, too nervous to turn around to see who the man was.

Alice and Esme pursed their lips in amusement, while Isabella took a look at Rosalie's face and smiled sympathetically.

The man cleared his throat loudly, waiting for Rosalie to look at him. When he saw Isabella, Esme and Alice watching him, he shifted nervously.

"Can I talk to you in private, Miss Rosalie?" he asked formally.

"Glad to see you, Liam," Alice chimed in. Esme nudged her in the ribs, silently telling her to keep her mouth shut and not embarrass the man further.

Throwing the women a helpless look, Rosalie faced Liam and tried to smile at him, knowing beforehand what he was going to ask her.

"You can talk in front of them, Liam. They are my friends," she said.

Liam suppressed a grimace. "All right, Miss." He would rather face a war than a woman. Wars did not require a well-formed speech or charm. Gathering all the courage he possessed, he said, "I was wondering if you would let me court you."

The women seemed surprised by his request, since he was not asking her to marry him. Rosalie did not know what to say. She was torn between declining or accepting his request.

"I ... I am truly flattered, Liam, but I need some time to think this through."

She saw Liam's face fell, and Rosalie stifled a grimace.

"But the Laird said..." Liam trailed off, clearing his throat again. He noticed Isabella's eyes widen in surprise, and he cursed under his breath. He should have kept his mouth shut.

"Wait a minute," Isabella said as soon as Liam turned around. "What did my husband say? Liam, tell me. What did Edward say?"

"Um ... well..."

"You mentioned Edward. Now, you ought to tell me what he said."

Isabella raised her eyebrows at him, urging him to tell her the truth. Rosalie, Esme and Alice looked at each other for a second.

"I do not think it is my right to tell you, Milady," Liam finally mumbled.

Isabella narrowed her eyes. "Fine. Then, tell me where my husband is. I shall ask him myself."

"Do you really believe it is necessary?" Rosalie asked, biting her lip.

"If someone is involved in this, it must be Edward."

Liam sighed and told her that he last saw Edward on the training field. Isabella thanked him, picked up her skirts and started walking in that direction. Rosalie quickly followed her, running behind her and trying to keep up.

"I do not think you should have a fight with him because of me, Isabella."

"I am not mad at him. We will only have a small talk."

Rosalie rolled her eyes as they neared the training field. Looking around her, she noticed young men wielding their swords or sharpening their daggers. Most of them turned toward them and bowed their heads in greeting.

"More suitors," Isabella teased as she winked at her sister.

Rosalie glared at her. "You would have been in the same predicament if you had not been married."

Isabella lifted her shoulders. "We shall never know, shall we? I was already married when I got here. Oh, look, there is Edward with Emmett." Slowing her pace to walk beside her sister, Isabella smiled at her. "You are safe at the moment. Emmett does not seem that interested in you, so I doubt he will propose marriage to you."

Rosalie raised one of her eyebrows at Isabella's comment. Her eyes darted to Edward's dark-haired friend, and she realized Isabella was correct. After their first meal together in the great hall, he was the only man who hardly paid any attention to her. Even though he winked at her and said that arrogant line at the table on her first day here, he barely acknowledged her. He merely bowed his head whenever he walked past her.

Her shoulders slumped in relief. What she needed at the moment was indifference from a man.

Isabella chuckled quietly. "You seem pleased."

"I am," Rosalie answered with a grin.

"Damnation," a soldier roared as another one injured him with his sword. The women anxiously turned toward them only to realize that the man had not been paying attention to the task at hand. He had been distracted by Rosalie's smile.

"Focus on the practice, you fool," the soldier who injured him bellowed.

Isabella bit her lip and watched Rosalie's eyes widen in embarrassment. She grabbed Rosalie's arm and saw Edward and Emmett turn toward them. Isabella was glad that she was not looking at the two men, because they seemed ready to burst into laughter.

"It happens," Isabella said softly, patting Rosalie's hand. She met Edward's eyes and silently told him to stop smiling so widely. In response, his grin only broadened.

Her sister shook her head in disbelief. "This is ridiculous."

They stopped in front of Edward and Emmett. Rosalie blushed when she saw their smiles, while Isabella threw them a stern look.

"I understand your day has been quite exciting, Rosalie," Edward remarked.

"You would know everything about it," Isabella challenged. He raised his eyebrow at her.

Emmett chuckled. "You have caused quite a stir among the men," he told Rosalie.

"Something I did not expect nor want," Isabella's sister murmured, looking over her shoulder.

Isabella threw her an amused look before she turned to Edward, suspiciously narrowing her eyes at him. "We need to talk."

Edward seemed to realize what she wanted to discuss. He indifferently lifted his shoulders. Emmett saw the gesture and rolled his eyes, for Edward had told him his part in this story. Normally, a man did not go to the woman to propose marriage to her. He would go to her father, and since he was not here, Edward was responsible for her.

"I told her not to come," Rosalie jumped in, nodding her head vigorously at Edward. "She is quite stubborn when she puts her mind to it."

She and Edward exchanged a knowing look, and Isabella barely contained the unladylike urge to stomp on his foot.

"I did not come here to talk about me –" Isabella started, but Rosalie's groan interrupted her.

She threw another glance over her shoulder, and turning to Emmett in exasperation, she whispered urgently, "There is a man coming toward us. Get me out of here."

Not waiting for Emmett's answer, she suddenly grabbed his arm and dragged him after her toward the castle. Isabella blinked, surprised by Rosalie's behavior, while Edward let out a loud laugh, drawing everyone's attention.

"Your sister does know how to entice my soldiers."

Snapping out of her reverie, she folded her arms across her bosom. "You have some explaining to do."

Grinning at her, he raised one of his eyebrows. "Rosalie seems to manage the situation rather well, I might add."

"She does not manage it at all. She is not used to men pouncing on her from all corners, and she feels frustrated by their attention," Isabella said, and seeing his disbelieving expression, she halfheartedly added, "something I did not believe was possible. Nonetheless, while she is here, you are responsible for her. If all these men wanted to marry my sister, they were supposed to ask you for her hand, not run after her like animals in heat."

Edward's green eyes were glinting with laughter. He watched her cheeks flush, and stepping closer to her, he caressed her skin with the back of his hand.

Taking a deep breath, Isabella took a step away from him. She could not think clearly when he was that close to her. "Do not try to distract me. I want to know what you really told them, Edward."

"If you did not notice already, there are over a hundred soldiers in the clan, Isabella, and they all seem infatuated with Rosalie. I cannot waste time talking to every man that wants her hand in marriage." When she opened her mouth to protest, he pressed his fingers to her lips. "So, I gathered them together and told them that if they want her, they must ask her themselves."

Grabbing his hand, she said, "How very kind of you."

Ignoring her mocking tone, he added, "At least she will not have time to get bored."

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. She could only wait for the men's fascination to whither away, and she had to admit to herself that the entire situation was humorous.

"I know you enjoy this, too."

Isabella bit her lip hesitantly. "I might."

Edward put his hand on the side of her neck and lifted her chin with his thumb. "I know you do. You can rave all you want, but I saw you restrain a smile when Rosalie dragged Emmett away." When she met his eyes with a wide smile, he added, "Now, I am curious. What would you have done if you had received so many marriage proposals?"

Isabella answered without hesitation, "I would have accepted them all."

"Oh, really?" Edward narrowed his eyes at her, nodding his head.

"Certainly. How could I have turned down so many handsome men?" she teased, watching his reaction closely and was pleased when his lips tightened. "You must agree that they are all very good-looking, especially Charles. With all those muscles and –"

"That is enough," Edward interrupted her with a frown.

Isabella giggled at his expression. "You seem jealous, husband."

"Jealous is a man who does not know what he has."

"Oh. And you do?" she asked innocently, leaning into his palm as he gently cupped her cheek.

"Of course. I have you."

Even though his voice was teasing, Isabella melted at the look in his eyes, so full of passion and fervor. He had come to mean so much to her, as she was positive she meant the world to him.

When he leaned forward, she gladly met his lips halfway. One thing she found very pleasing was the fact that Edward had become used to kissing her in public. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she parted her lips in invitation as his hand grabbed the back of her head, and he deepened the kiss.

Isabella was the first one to pull away from him, beaming at him. She whispered, "Admit it. You were jealous."

He rolled his eyes and told her to go to her sister. God knew where she had taken Emmett, and Isabella laughed again at the memory. As she left the training field, she waved at her husband, and then she turned to the soldiers. Edward threw her a stern look. Giggling to herself, Isabella walked toward the castle.

As soon as she reached the lower bailey, she could see Rosalie talking to Emmett in front of the stables. Rosalie was sheepishly smiling at him, while he nodded and then lifted his shoulders with an amused grin. Rosalie turned and saw Isabella. She took her leave of Emmett and walked toward her sister.

"What were you two talking about?" Isabella asked.

"I was merely explaining why I acted like I did," Rosalie answered. Pursing her lips, she added, "He must have thought the long journey has driven me daft."

"The women surely must consider that since you refused every single marriage proposal you have received."

"Oh, well, like I care."

"You cared enough to explain it to Emmett," Isabella pointed out, throwing her sister a suspicious glance. Rosalie lifted her shoulders nonchalantly.

Walking toward the castle, Isabella linked her arm though her sister's and changed the subject. "Talking about long journeys..." she trailed off. She rather liked to think that Rosalie was never going to leave her, that she was going to be here when her nephew or niece was delivered. She also knew that was not quite possible ... unless she married someone from the clan.

"Must we really talk about that now?" Rosalie realized what Isabella meant. Her smile disappeared, and she squeezed Isabella's hand. "I only just got here, and I do not think that talking about my departure will make things easier."

"I know."

They silently entered the castle and sat down in front of the hearth. The fire crackled as Isabella stared into its flames. She folded her hands across her lap.

"I need to think about this," Rosalie whispered, breaking the silence between them. "I told Papa I wanted to stay at least two months, and I am worried about him, now that he is alone. I cannot yet tell you how long I shall stay here."

Isabella nodded. "You know I would be very happy if you decided to stay longer, but I understand your worry about Papa." She grabbed Rosalie's hand and squeezed it. "Take your time."

After five minutes of silence, Isabella pursed her lips in an attempt to stop a grin and added nonchalantly, "Mayhap Papa will travel here for your wedding with Charles. Or Benjamin. Or Liam. –"

Rosalie's outraged gasp interrupted her, and she swatted Isabella on the arm. At the sight of Rosalie's expression, Isabella collapsed in giggles.