I've posted two chapters close together, so make sure you've read Ch 25 first. :)
xx Elise
~I~
Chapter 26 - Unannounced
"Are ye sure ye shouldn't have left the pearls behind?" Angela whispered, as they rushed to the servant's domain in search of Jessica. Bella had decided to speak with her first in case she was forced to leave in a hurry.
"Probably."
Her maid's advice was wise, but with all the uncertainty she faced, once she had taken her mother's pearls from their hiding place, Bella couldn't bring herself to part with them.
"Jessica may want proof." She justified lamely.
"What will ye tell 'er to explain why ye 'ave such valuable jewels in yer possession?"
Bella's stride slowed. While she had come to quite like Jessica, she was not about to trust her with the truth of her identity.
"I could say they were a gift from Edward. Do you think that would work?"
"Oh, aye." Angela nodded. "I've 'eard stories of gentlemen givin' their mistresses gifts like yer lovely pearls that later got sold when the lass fell on 'ard times."
"And what 'lovely pearls' might these be?" An imperious female voice demanded. "I knew you were just another gold-digging tart, but you can't expect to dispose of anything of value and get away with it."
Bella spun to see Rosalie standing in a doorway, her hand outstretched.
"Hand over the pearls," she said. "You may have earned the odd trinket from my cousin with your whoring, but he has no right to give away jewels that rightfully belong to the duchess or me."
Bella's hackles rose. "The pearls were my mother's and not a gift from Lord Masen."
"Don't be ridiculous, you insolent strumpet. Now hand them over, or I shall call for a footman and have them forcibly removed from your person."
Bristling, Bella reached into her pocket and reluctantly withdrew her mother's necklace. Yanking the bag from her hands, Rosalie removed the pearls and began to run them through her fingers.
"Just as I suspected. These are of the finest quality, a Worthington heirloom of which I have not been apprised. Edward really has taken leave of his senses, giving such priceless jewels to his little whore. You couldn't possibly appreciate their worth."
"Please, they belonged to my mother."
Lady McCarty walked away without a backwards glance, leaving Bella to stand with her hands clenched in impotent fists at her sides.
"Oh, Miss Bella, what are ye to do now?"
"I'm going to find Edward. It's time I told him the truth . . . past time. Once he calms down, I shall ask him to retrieve my pearls from Lady McCarty, though I don't imagine that will be his highest priority."
"What do ye think that will be?"
Throttling the life out of me, Bella imagined, though she didn't put voice to her fears.
"We'll just have to wait and see," she said instead.
"What about Lord Whitlock? Do ye think it would be worth trying to get him on side first?"
Fighting back tears, Bella shrugged. For the moment, all she wanted—no, needed—was to see Edward, whatever the outcome. Turning the corridor into the main hallway, she was surprised to find a procession of staff carrying all manner of luggage.
"What now?"
Angela's demand echoed Bella's thoughts exactly.
"I intend on finding out," she said, keeping her voice low as they ducked and weaved amongst the tired-looking servants. Her best guess was the Denalis had returned, although surely Edward would have spoken to her before sending word to the earl about accepting his ultimatum.
Or maybe not, she thought bleakly. It wasn't as if he required her permission.
They had almost reached the end of the hallway when Jessica approached, a tray laden with cakes and dainty sandwiches in her arms.
"Oooh, thank 'eavens." The maid pushed the heavy tray into Bella's hands. "Can ye deliver this to the green drawing room? Mr Henson's lookin' for ye anyway, so it'd be killin' two birds with one stone. I'm bustin' to go to the loo."
"Very well. Can you tell us what's going on?"
"Work, work, work, and not a damned bit o' rest for the wicked. That's wot's goin' on. Ye'd best head down to the kitchen, Angela, as they're in a right uproar wot with all the comin's and goin's." Jessica called over her shoulder, disappearing down the hallway.
"I had better go."
Angela gave Bella a wan look, and she nodded before making her way to the green drawing room. Although not entirely certain what she was going to say, she hoped to see Edward and at least find out when he would be available to meet, assuming she was allowed inside the room. The more likely outcome was Mr Henson would relieve her of her burden and send her on her way to help out in the kitchen.
"There ye are, miss. I was sent to look for ye." Stephens hurried towards her. "Yer needed inside, so ye might as well deliver the cakes at the same time."
Bella wondered who could possibly need her and why, but the footman opened the door and ushered her inside before she could ask. The drawing room was surprisingly crowded. Rosalie was present, Bella's mother's pearls around her neck, and it took all Bella's strength not to march up to her and demand them back. She was seated next to her husband and conversing with a distinguished-looking lady wearing an elegant hat. Quickly scanning the room, Bella spotted Edward standing next to a very pretty girl with dark hair styled in fashionable curls around her face. The young lady was smiling adoringly at him while, at the same time, standing far too close to Lord Whitlock for propriety.
Looking to the right, she saw a silver-haired gentleman engaged in what appeared to be a very animated conversation with Mr Henson. His bearing was familiar, and as he turned towards her, the tray she was holding fell from her suddenly nerveless fingers.
The Duke of Worthington had returned home unannounced.
Bella didn't think Edward had noticed her entrance, but he shot to his feet even before the tray hit the carpeted floor. He was cut off from approaching by his father, who, having not seen Edward's reaction, blocked his way.
"Isabella! Thank God you are safe."
Carlisle strode towards her, deftly avoiding the scattered plates and cakes at her feet before gathering her into his embrace.
"Your father did the right thing telling you to come to Worthington—no safer place for you to hide. I'm just sorry I wasn't here when you arrived. Let me look at you." Pulling back, he took her hands in his and studied her closely. "Masquerading as a servant, you clever girl. It's a hard life, but you have obviously managed it. Well done. I'll bet you've been baking up a storm in the kitchens. They won't want to let you go."
While Bella could understand his relief at finding her unharmed, the Duke's air of jubilation made no sense.
"Uncle Carlisle!" The name she had called him as a child came unbidden to her lips, eliciting a chorus of gasps from around the room. Ignoring them, she continued. "Papa is dead. Lord Hunter killed him. He's told terrible lies about me."
Carlisle's expression sobered, as he looked at her with his dark grey eyes, their shape and intensity so similar to Edward's.
"Your father isn't dead, Isabella. He survived the shooting and is awaiting your return."
Frowning, she tried to make sense of his words. Papa was alive?
A buzzing noise cut off the rest of Carlisle's words. From the shape of his lips, he seemed to be calling her name, but she was unable to respond, the room slowly revolving around her. Catching her as she fell, Carlisle carried her to a chaise longue and laid her upon its length.
"Would someone tell me what the hell's going on?"
Bella heard Edward's demand as her hearing returned, his voice rising above the hubbub.
"Edward! Watch your language in front of the ladies. I have taught you better than that. You all must be wondering about this lovely young lady who's been working in your midst these past two months. I shall explain everything, but first, someone fetch a glass of water. Alice, would you mind, my dear?"
Bella struggled to sit up, and Carlisle supported her with an arm around her shoulders. Then the pretty, dark-haired girl passed her a glass of water with a shy smile.
Alice. Edward's sister. The resemblance was unmistakable.
Sipping from the glass with fingers that shook, Bella tried once more to make sense of Carlisle's words.
"Papa is alive?" she whispered.
"Yes, my dear girl. He came close to death, but Mrs Waters worked a miracle with her herbal poultices. His staff conspired to keep him hidden in the village, coming up with an elaborate plan to fool that rogue, Hunter, so your father could heal in peace. As soon as he was able, he sent word to my lawyers in London, but it took a while for them to track us down, I'm afraid. When I was notified of the dreadful news, Esme and I travelled directly to Forkton before returning home, collecting Alice on the way. We had to virtually tie your father down, he was so determined to come with us. He is desperate to make sure you have come to no harm, but we didn't want to risk his recovery with what could only be a very trying journey. I told him I would return you safely to his arms as soon as humanly possible."
Bella followed his explanation with some difficulty.
Her father was alive and waiting for her to come home.
Glancing jerkily from Carlisle's enthusiastic smile to Edward's stunned expression, she closed her eyes against the onslaught of joy and pain warring within her heart.
"Father, would you please tell me what's going on?" Edward asked.
"Of course, explanations and introductions are definitely in order." Carlisle smiled comfortingly at Bella, but nothing could have brought her reassurance in that moment.
Wrapping her arms tightly around her middle, she ignored the fact her actions were neither ladylike nor graceful, both being the least of her worries. Despite receiving the best news imaginable, her world was about to come crashing down.
"Isabella, I would like to introduce you to my lovely new wife, Esme."
Esme came over to where Bella sat, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek in greeting. She was a duchess, and Bella should curtsy, but when she went to stand, the gracious lady restrained her with a gentle hand.
"Please don't get up, Isabella. It's so lovely to finally meet you, my dear, as I have heard so much about you."
Edward groaned and tore at his hair.
"And this is my daughter, Alice," Carlisle continued, seeming unaware of his son's frustration.
Lady Alice offered a polite curtsy even though, strictly speaking, as the daughter of a duke, she needn't have.
"I have been very much looking forward to meeting you and do hope we will become friends. What an adventure you've had! Father says we're to debut together this season. You are going to sweep all before you when word gets out of your bravery."
Bella gaped at her in astonishment, while Carlisle chuckled, oblivious to the rising tension.
"Everyone else you will have already met in a fashion." He gestured around him. "This is my son, Edward."
He pointed to the man she knew more intimately than any other. Unable to endure his look of betrayal, she averted her gaze.
"This is my nephew, Emmett, his wife, Rosalie, and over here we have Edward's best friend, Lord Jasper Whitlock. I'm sure you are well aware of their various titles, but since you are practically family, Isabella, there is no need to stand on ceremony."
Bella looked around at the variously smiling and stunned onlookers.
"And now, I have the pleasure of formally introducing this lovely young lady whom you may have previously heard referred to as Bella Brown, but who is, in actual fact, Miss Isabella Swan, the daughter of one of my closest friends, Sir Charles Swan. He's the officer who saved my life during the war and the man you have heard me speak of before many times."
"Bloody hell."
Edward staggered backwards as if struck.
~I~
I think that's what is called a 'rude awakening'! I'll see you all tonight. Thanks so much for all the love you're giving this old/new story. :)
xx Elise