When Bella woke the next morning, she found the sheets had tangled around her body. She had tossed and turned the whole night, consumed with thoughts of her and Edward's behavior.
Mid-morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting the room with a golden glow. Bella looked over at the chaise, and was surprised to see it was empty.
Bella sat back and listened intently, straining to hear water splashing or other noises coming from the sitting room. She heard nothing.
Cautiously, Bella peeled back the sheets and tiptoed across the room. She peered into the sitting room. No Edward to be found.
Where could he be?
"Edward?" Bella called out.
No response.
Bella walked over to the closet in the bedroom. Even though there was a very small chance that Edward would be hiding in there, she checked it nonetheless, not surprised to see it was empty.
Bella felt panic set in.
Had Edward left her behind? What if her stopping their kissing last night had angered him, and he had headed back home without her?
Where would she go and what would she too? She was days away from home, and had no idea of where exactly she was. It would take her a week to walk back, and she had no knowledge of the countryside they had passed through.
Suddenly Bella saw it from the corner of her eye: a small cream square placed on the table next to the door. It had been weighed down by a book.
Bella hurried over and picked it up.
Bella-
I'm so sorry about last night and any pain my actions might have caused you.
Considering the circumstances, I thought you would enjoy the chance to sleep in
and take some time for yourself. I have informed the hotel that you will be taking breakfast
this morning- whether you wish to do so in your room or in the dining hall is up to you.
Simply go down and tell Charles which you would prefer. I shall be back around one pm and
we may take lunch.
-Edward
Bella picked up the book that had been placed on the note, and was delighted to see it was The Arabian Nights. Despite her concern and worry over last night, Bella found herself excited and pleased with Edward's actions. How delightful to get to spend some time alone, doing exactly what she wanted to do.
She deliberated for a second before deciding to take breakfast in the dining room. She changed into her day dress, this one a shaw of taupe, and headed downstairs.
She spoke to the innkeeper, who solicitously ushered her into the dining room. Bella could see a hint of curiosity in his eyes, as if he was wondering what a man like Edward was doing with someone of her station.
A maid brought over a basket of rolls, along with a dish of butter and an assortment of jam: blackberry, strawberry, and currant. A maid brought over pots of tea and hot chocolate, and containers of cream and sugar. Since Edward had mentioned getting lunch, Bella limited herself to one roll, but she relished it, trying out each of the jams. She poured herself some tea and a cup of hot chocolate, blown away by the sweetness and complexity of the cocoa.
When Bella finished, she looked around the room. As it was mid-morning, it was fairly empty. But there were two couples still left, talking and enjoying pots of tea.
The women were dressed in beautiful morning gowns, their arms and necks fully covered by the expensive muslin material. Bella couldn't help but examine her own dress, which had once been a beautiful and dark taupe and was now faded to a lightish purple tone. Her dress was an evening one, in the empire style, baring her arms and chest. Bella found herself wishing that one of the Wellington girls had given her a morning dress. Since morning dresses were generally only worn among the family, the Wellington girls had worn the same ones for years. They rotated their evening gowns out regularly, since those were the garments worn to balls and social occasions. So there were no hand-me-down morning dresses for Bella, only evening gowns.
And that had not been a problem earlier, when her every morning was spent scrubbing floors and doing laundry in her work garment. But Bella could see the incisive eyes of the other ladies, and she knew that they were analyzing her outfit, wondering why she would be dressed so unfashionably.
Bella stood up from her seat, picking up her book. She knew that the charge for breakfast would go to the cost of the room, which was a good thing since she had no money on her.
Bella had passed a library on her walk down the hall. It was somewhat hidden, located behind the drawing room. But Bella had seen it, and she knew there was nowhere else she would prefer to spend her day.
The library was relatively small, only about ten feet by ten feet wide. But it was nice and cozy, the eggshell blue wallpaper giving the room a cheerful feeling. There were only a few built in shelves, and the selection of books was much smaller than at the Cullens.
Bella sat down in a wingback chair, opening her copy of The Arabian Nights. Even though there were other books to pick from, Bella couldn't wait to find out how it ended.
Instantly Bella was lost in the story, feeling transported from her problems with Edward and into the land of Persia, breathing in the exotic perfumes and heavy spices.
She was so consumed by the story that she didn't hear Edward's gentle knocks on the door. She jumped when he said her name, the book almost falling from her hands.
"Did I scare you?" Edward asked, a playful glint in his eye. "I didn't mean to."
Bella stared at Edward, unsure of how to respond. On one hand, she wanted to put the negativity of the previous day behind them. On the other hand, she felt she had to deal with things, to make her feelings clear so that there were no future incidents.
"Yes, you did," she said, closing her book. Bella didn't smile back or return Edward's playful tone. She wanted to make it clear that she was unhappy about the night before.
Edward seemed to pick up on her intent. "Look, Bella, I wanted to speak with you."
He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. Bella felt a thin layer of panic rise up inside of her. She didn't want to be alone with Edward. She was afraid of what he might do, and of how she might respond.
Edward seemed to see the fear in Bella's eyes, and he sat down in the chair furthest away from her, across the room.
"Bella, I'm sorry for how I behaved last night," he said, his eyes looking nervous. "I acted appallingly, and I want you to know it won't happen again. We both had too much to drink, and I would never try to take advantage of you or make you uncomfortable. I see now the hurt it has caused you, and that's the last thing I want to do. So please, can we make amends?"
Bella paused for a second, considering his words. "We can Edward. But you have to understand that I have a suitor. I'm a loyal woman and I won't betray Jacob."
At the sound of Jacob's name Edward flinched, his face becoming annoyed for a split second before he looked calm again.
"I understand that, Bella. I don't want to do anything against you, Bella- but I don't want to speak of Jacob."
Bella nodded. "In that case, yes. Let's make amends."
Edward gave her a grateful smile. She sensed that Edward realized that she wasn't totaly over the incident, but that he was going to let things drop.
"Wonderful. In that case," Edward stood up from his chair and looked at Bella excitedly. "How about some lunch?"
Bella nodded, and she followed Edward into the dining room.
They were seated at the table they had had the night before: right in front of the fireplace, which had been lit and was now crackling merrily.
Although there was a different crowd of women at the lunch service, Bella found she didn't care who judged her in her empire gown, not with Edward by her side. Edward exuded such an air of wealth and sophistication, that Bella felt almost protected by his very aura, as though that status would transfer onto her. She was sure that the waitstaff and the other guests were perplexed by the sight of such a wealthy man dining with a woman who dressed incorrectly. But she didn't care.
A maid came and served them a salad plate, which was some endive and lettuce in a delicious lemon dressing. Bella and Edward maid polite conversation, discussing The Arabian Nights and the Cullen library in polite terms. Bella found it somewhat more difficult to focus on her meal, now that she had such intimate knowledge of what Edward's lips could do. She found her eyes dropping down to watch his lips, and she hoped Edward hadn't noticed.
Just as Bella took her last forkful of lettuce, the innkeeper came rushing into the dining room. From the look on his face, Bella could tell something was wrong. She immediately felt her stomach drop, hoping that he would pass by their table and head for someone else.
But the innkeeper immediately walked over to Edward, bending down next to Edward.
"Your grace, I have received some very bad news," he whispered.
Edward turned to the innkeeper, his face immediately drawn and alert. "What is it?"
"It's your father, your grace. The duke of Cullen passed away two days ago. We have just had a messenger arrive with the news."
The color drained from Edward's face.
He stared straight ahead, saying nothing. Even though it meant that Edward was the new duke of Cullen, it was obvious that Edward was distraught by the news.
After a few seconds of silence, Edward seemed to regain his senses. "Have my coach readied. We shall leave at once."
Edward stood up from his seat, his chair falling to the ground behind him. He immediately strode from the room.
Bella hurried up and out of her chair, rushing after Edward. By the time she reached their room, Edward had both of their bags in his hands, and he was heading downstairs.
She followed behind him, watching Edward as he paid for their stay with the innkeeper. The innkeeper seemed to be trying to strike up some conversation with Edward, and kept complimenting his father. But Edward seemed wholly distracted, barely responding.
The footman took their bags and fastened them onto the carriage, and after a couple of minutes Bella and Edward were seated in their familiar places in the carriage, as it pulled away from the inn.
The innkeeper stood outside, waving to them as a light rain began to fall.
Bella clutched The Arabian Nights, suddenly devoid of any interest in reading it. The sadness in Edward was palpable, and Bella could feel it seeping into the carriage. Instead of reading, she looked outside, watching the rain fall on the town they were leaving behind.
Everything outside looked grey and cold, and Bella realized they were heading towards a funeral.