"Luned…" Bella began, shocked at the sudden tears that welled in her friend's eyes. "Trust me, remember?"

"Bella, please. Do not. There are some things I do not wish to share."

"Luned…"

The maid rose, slightly unsteady with her misery, eyes burning with pain, and turned her back to her mistress. "I cannot, my lady. You must dress." And with those final words, she hurried from the room, leaving Bella open-mouthed in her wake.

It took her a long moment to shake herself out of her surprise and fear for her friend, to be able to function well enough to attempt to put on her kirtle. And fail, of course. In some ways Bella felt that she was finally fitting into this time--she had come to terms with their forms of hygiene, even enjoyed a bath, tolerated the use of a privy. She had made friends and actually hoped now to stay with the man she loved and get a true chance at happiness. But clothes—what she wouldn't give for pants. Short dresses, t-shirts, sneakers, jeans. No matter how hard she tried, she had yet to master the art of kirtle and bliaut, and today without Luned…she was about to leave her room and try to find someone when Alison arrived.

"You need assistance, Isabella?" She grinned.

"Always." Bella answered, both arms somehow stuck in the one sleeve.

Alison laughed and pulled the kirtle off her, making quick work of both undergown and bliaut, tying the girdle snug around Bella's hips.

"There." She smiled. "All set."

"What do you do on days like today?" Bella asked, frowning up at the grey showing through the arrow slit.

"Weave, embroider, change rushes—"

Bella stared at Alison. "You're kidding, right?"

Alison laughed. "No, it is not a joke. But today you are in luck, we will not be doing anything of the sort."

"Oh." Bella sighed in relief. "What will we be doing?"

"Greeting arriving nobles."

"Great." Bella groaned. "Remind me why I have to do this?"

"Your father being who he is, one of the highest nobles in the land and our special guest at the fair, is required to perform similar duties to the lord of the castle and be there on arrival of lesser guests. Which means you need to do the same."

"Ah--woo hoo?"

Alison laughed. "It is not as dreadful as it seems. It is worse for Lady Esme; the lady of the castle is expected to bathe all her male guests after their long journeys. Lord Carlisle attempts to deflect as many as he can with comely serving girls, but not all will be dissuaded from traditional custom."

"That's disgusting! Do they ever…"

"Yes. Rosalind and I will be on hand to deflect indecency."

"I still say that is gross."

"Be that as it may, it is the way things are done. It would be expected of you if you were to become lady of the castle."

"Well, I wouldn't let anyone visit, simple as that."

Alison laughed. "We had better go; there is much to do and only four days before the opening of the fair."

* * * *

Bella's feet were killing her, as were her cheeks. An entire morning spent standing and smiling, watching as Alison, Rosalind and Esme greeted high ranking guests, ensured they were given food, ale, and other comforts after their time on the road. Introduced them all to Isabella, daughter of Lord Swan, and--to Bella's absolute horror--reminding those who were single that she was looking for a husband.

"Can't we leave that bit out?" Bella hissed to Alison after the third noble had looked her up and down, nodding. She was feeling extraordinarily like the proverbial piece of meat.

"I know how dreadful it must be, but we have no choice. This entire fair has been set up in order to ensure you find yourself wed."

"You're kidding, right?" Bella looked at Alison in surprise. "This is for me? I thought it was something you did anyway?"

Alison sighed, gazing sadly at Bella. "Normally, the fair is a small event, intended only for local nobles and peasants. This year…well, you know your father intended for you to marry a Marcher lord. He requested that Carlisle extend the fair, with the main focus being you, being that Swan's estates are closer to the coast."

"What coast?" Bella asked, the light in her eyes dulled.

"The southern coast. Near the crossing to France."

Bella choked back a sob. "But what about Edward? He asked for my hand, and I agreed. What does all this," She spread her arms, "mean for us?"

"It all means nothing."

Bella frowned at the short answer. "It all means nothing? Meaning he will still win out?"

"It all means nothing," Alison repeated quietly.

Bella huffed. "Must you be so…stubborn?"

Alison was saved from answering by the arrival of yet another nobleman and his entourage.

* * * *

"Your bath, my lady." Luned had finally made an appearance, although she was very reserved, saying little to Bella.

"Thanks, Luned."

"It is my pleasure, Lady."

Luned helped Bella undress, saying nothing.

"Luned." Bella began. "If it bothers you so much, I will not ask again, I swear. Just know that I'm here and you can talk to me. Maybe I can help?"

"Yes, my lady." It wasn't a yes of agreement; it was a yes of dismissal.

Bella sighed and dipped one toe into the warm water. Her eyes closed and she moaned in delight. "Oh, that feels spectacular." She let her foot float on the water for a moment before plunging it in entirely, quickly following with the rest of her body.

"Ah…" she sighed, wriggling back against the edge of the wooden tub. "Heaven."

* * * *

Edward slammed his fist down on the table in his father's library. "No."

"Son." Carlisle said calmly. "You could have any woman you want; why must it be her?"

"She is the one for me."

"Is there no way you could stand aside for your brother? He says he loves her."

"He says a lot of things. The answer is no. I want her."

"Son…" Carlisle walked around the large wooden trestle covered in papers, maps they had been scrutinizing. "She is just a woman…"

"Not to me. She is my bride."

"Could you at least sleep on it?"

"No. There is no more for you to say on the matter, Father. I asked for your help, not your dissuasion. If you cannot, then I will ensure it on my own." Edward's hands balled into fists at his sides. "If that is all?"

"Edward. If you are so sure, then I will assist you. But be truly sure, for I feel your brother will not take this lightly."

"I care not how he takes it."

Carlisle sighed heavily. "His distance over the years worries me—I do hope he marries soon, finds a hand to steady him."

"As do I. But not Isabella."

"No. Not Isabella." Carlisle said thoughtfully.

"Is there anything more to discuss, Father?"

"Jasper and Emmett leave in four days, on the first morning of the fair?"

"Yes, Father."

"Then no. There is nothing more we can do until we are certain the Empress is secure. You should find some way to ease your tension, Edward. Sarah would be happy to help, I am sure."

Edward nodded, thinking about someone who could help that certainly wasn't Sarah. Isabella, her dark hair, her rich brown eyes, her soft voice moaning her desire. "I will see you in the morn, father, for our final preparations."

"Yes, son. The last of the nobles should be arriving. I will see you then." The two men clasped hands and Edward left the room, his feet taking him down the curving stairs to the floor below where Isabella's room was.

* * * *

Bella's eyes drifted closed, and she sunk lower in the water, the warmth and the soothing anti-gravity feeling making her drowsy. She sighed again, feeling utterly relaxed and completely at ease, enjoying the silence, despite the fact that minutes ago she had begged Luned not to leave her alone.

The tapestry rustled and she smiled. "I knew you couldn't stay away, Luned. You love my company far too much."

"I couldn't stay away my lady; that is true. And I do love your company, but alas, Luned I am not. Or perhaps you should be grateful…I know I am."

Bella froze. Instead of Luned's light, feminine voice, it was the rich, slightly husky, and far deeper tone of Edward's.

"Edward!" She shrieked slipping under the water.

Unfortunately, as she slipped below the surface, she attempted to breathe, preparing to berate him for frightening her, instead, to her horror, her mouth filled with water and she spluttered, hands flailing desperately, attempting to catch hold of the edges of the tub.

Strong fingers wrapped tightly around her upper arms and she was dragged--choking, coughing, and completely naked--out of the water and set on her feet, Edward between her body and the tub.

"Isabella, are you all right?" Edward asked hoarsely as he shook her roughly.

A few more coughs and splutters. "I would be better if you stopped shaking me." She finally said.

He ceased, instead wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly. "Oh, my Isabella! Do not ever frighten me like that again!"

"Mmph." She mumbled into his chest. He'd said 'My Isabella.' Her heart raced.

He drew her away slowly, gazing down at her glistening bare skin and his eyes flared with green fire.

"Your maid has you ready for me this time?"

He smiled as red burned across her cheeks and down her neck.

"I don't count drowning as ready for anything." She muttered.

"Hmm." His gaze raked her again. "I disagree." His hands ran up her arms and down again, goose bumps on her flesh in their wake.

She shivered, but not from cold. One touch from him and her body burned, charred by an internal flame that could only quenched by Edward.

She moaned softly as he continued, now trailing his fingers along her bare ribs, up her sides and back down to her hips, massaging the bones there with his thumbs. She arched her body to him, begging him without words to move his hands to her breasts, which were already aching with longing; instead he smiled and continued to rub gently before running his fingers back up her sides.

He brought his hands up over her arms, along her shoulders, up her neck and into her hair, gripping tightly.

He stayed that way for endless moments, watching her, memorizing her heated cheeks, her wet hair framing her heart-shaped face, her pink lips full and soft and slightly parted, waiting for him to claim them.

His gaze lingered on her mouth and her tongue flicked out to dampen their dryness. He hesitated no longer, replacing her tongue with his own, nibbling and sucking at her lower lip.

She moaned again and melted into him, dampening his tunic and fanning his desire.

He held her head securely as he ravished her mouth with his tongue, tasting and possessing, laying claim to his angel.

Her hands tugged at the hem of his tunic, and he drew away grinning.

"Wench," he drawled. "You will be the death of me."

She only laughed and pulled harder. "Why is it that I'm always the one on show?" She giggled. "Don't you think I deserve an enjoyable view?"

"Why, of course, fair maiden." He grinned down at her before tearing away his clothing, standing bare and proud before her eyes. "I can only hope that I can offer everything you wish for."

She stared and smiled. "More than that." She breathed, letting her gaze linger on his broad chest, the trail of bronze hair from his navel to his groin. His enormous erection physical proof of his desire for her. She moved her gaze back to his face, his perfect face, more beautiful than any statue of any god she had ever seen. Perfectly proportioned, eyes sparkling, lips ready to draw her in. She threw herself at him, wanting and longing, unwilling to wait a moment longer.

And knocked an unsuspecting Edward into the tub behind him.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly as they fell, protecting her from the wood, grunting as he fell in, bumping his head on the far side.

"If you wanted to have me in the bath, Isabella, you need only have asked." He slowly released her.

She lifted her head, blushing furiously. "Sorry," she whispered, trying to sit up. His hands on her hips held her in place.

"Do not be sorry, my angel. A bath is as good a place as any. Better, even, if you are so wanting that you would attack me…" He lifted her off him slightly before lowering her again, her legs now on either side of him, his erection pressing against her belly. "This way, you can take all you like."

She choked on a groan. He drew her face back to his, whispered, "Do as you will," before claiming her mouth again. She leant on him, her hips grinding against his hardness, an animal growl clawing its way out of her throat.

He groaned into her mouth, tearing away to catch her ear in his teeth.

With a groan of defeat she raised her hips, positioned herself over him and sank slowly onto his erection, whimpering.

At first she lifted her hips and sank back down timidly--this being the first time ever she had been on top--but it didn't take her long to lose herself in the sensation and the power of control.

She grabbed the sides of the tub near Edward's head, and he gripped her hips tightly in his hands to steady her. Then she went for it. Throwing her head back, screaming like a banshee, Edward nipping at her nipples as she hovered over him. The water splashed all around the tub, all over them, and still they continued.

As the tension in Bella increased, she sobbed, and leant further down so she could whisper in Edward's ear, "I love you."

Even as she crested, even as her entire world exploded into a million shards of tingling nerve endings, she still noticed nothing came out of his mouth but groans and yelling.

As she came down, she buried her face in his chest and decided it didn't matter. Her love would be enough to cover them both.

* * * * *

"You did not." Bella giggled. She and Edward were lying across her bed, she on her stomach, her ankles locked together in the air, Edward on his back, his head resting on his crossed arms.

"I did. I pinched all of Samuel's dough for his day's bread, and made myself a lovely castle in my mother's garden. I couldn't sit for a week after Samuel caught me taking nibbles out of my battlements."

Bella giggled again. "That must have been quite a sight; a boy of four, running away with a lump of dough almost the same size as himself."

"I'm sure it was." He watched her carefully. "I look forward to the day when my own son gets up to mischief of the same kind."

Bella smiled softly, imagining chasing after their little boy, his tousled bronze head bobbing away from them. Maybe even a daughter too; one they would not be selling, one that would find love her own way. She pondered that thought for a moment.

"Would you sell a daughter to the highest bidder, like my father is with me?" She asked slowly.

"No. After this…" he trailed off, still watching her closely. "No," he finished finally. "I couldn't. Though--I may not even allow her to be wed until I am on my deathbed. At least if she looks anything like you."

Bella's face flamed.

"You are so beautiful, my Isabella. My angel, truly."

"Not yet, I'm not."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, that's obvious." Bella said bitterly. "I'm not your anything, yet. I'm my father's, to sell to whomever he wishes. You have to win me first."

"Ah, my Isabella." Edward sat up, cupping Bella's face in his hands. "You will be mine, I will make certain of it. If anyone else should outbid me…well, then I shall spirit you away from here. We shall escape into the woods and mountains of Wales."

Bella shivered, happiness flooding her. So she would be with him, no matter what. They would have their babies, they would be happy together.

A/N - Wow, guys, you are truly fantastic! I can't believe how much you have reviewed this - I am in complete awe! So, anyways, update on the sequel (although the end result will be posted on my profile on the day following the final chapter of A Faire To Remember) - at the moment the majority of you would like the sequel to go ahead (yay! so do I!), so I will start right after this. Remember, there is still time to vote! And all questions will soon be answered...