And you all thought I had abandoned the story!

Nope, still here, still working on it. Still super-pregnant, still chasing after my other four kids, still trying to keep my head on straight... Despite all that, I PROMISE (super-duper-double swear PROMISE) that I will finish Wrenfield Hall, and before this baby comes. We have a deadline, folks, and I will stick to it.

And if YOU are still inclined to read this chapter, despite its seriously tardy debut, I thank you. I'm sure it must have been quite annoying to get invested in a story to have it stall so rudely for two months now!

With that said, I thought this would be the last chapter but it turns out I had a little bit more to say. I think this is the second-to-the-last chapter. Pretty sure. :)

One more bit of business - if I were to write a sequel (IF - if, if, if) how interested would people be? Two things regarding that - one, it would be at least six months from now before I could realistically even think about starting to write again (babies...sheesh). Second, and here's the biggie, it would NOT center around Bella and Edward. They would be important, but I envision picking up the story about twenty years down the road - when there are grown children who are getting ready to spread their wings and fly. Remember, there are several babies already born in this next generation who are not all biologically related (hmmm...where might that lead?) and who might be doing very interesting things around the turn of the century. Thoughts? HONEST thoughts? I know people read FF for the ExB romance, but my mind is branching out...

Chapter 26

Renee and Charles Swan stood at their doorstep, smiling and waving at their only daughter as her carriage rolled away from their small cottage. Bella pushed her head from the window and craned her neck to watch as their figures receded away. Her eyes filled as she gripped the carriage and leaned out towards them.

"I love you!" she called through her tears. "I love you both! I'll see you again!"

Her mother placed her hand over her heart while her father blew her a kiss with one hand and pulled his wife close with the other.

"Goodbye!" Bella cried, her voice a mixture of grief and joy. "I will be happy, I promise! I promise!"

"You promise what, darling?" Edward's voice was low in her ear as Bella's eyes drifted open. She was nestled securely under his arm, her head resting on his chest as their carriage rattled along.

"Oh…I must have been dreaming…" she whispered into the smooth fabric of his traveling coat. She breathed deeply, taking in his scent, a mixture of sandalwood soap and coal from the earlier train ride to St. Mary's village from London. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face as he looked down at her. "For falling asleep? Take me at my word, having you sleep in my arms is one of the great pleasures of my life and I don't believe we'll have the opportunity again until we are man and wife next week. Forgive me for enjoying this while I can."

He bent his head to hers and kissed her forehead softly.

"But we are almost home, Bella."

She straightened and peered out the window. The summer afternoon had begun to fade into evening, bathing the tree-lined road in rosy-orange light. She held her breath as she looked through the gaps in the trees to the fields beyond where lush waves of golden wheat grew, and further still to a tidy farmhouse where climbing honeysuckle hung heavily over the door.

"It's beautiful, Edward," she said quietly.

Edward nodded, squeezing her hand as his eyes followed where she looked. "It looks to be a good year," he said. "I'll be anxious to visit Del Hughes and the Leatherby brothers to see how their farms are faring."

Bella turned to Edward and smiled. "You're happy to be home," she stated softly.

Edward dropped his head and nodded. "I would have been happier than I could have hoped for to be with you in Venice, but to have you and be back at Wrenfield Hall? Saint Peter would have a hard time convincing me that heaven has anything better to offer."

Bella laughed and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm happy to be home, too."

The carriage rounded the last bend and suddenly Wrenfield Hall was in view. Bella gave a small shake of her head as she studied the massive stone structure.

"You know, when I first came here years ago I was so intimidated…I felt so small and out of place. But now," Bella smiled as she pulled Edward's hand further into her lap, nearly hugging it with excitement, "now it feels like I'm seeing an old friend."

-xxx-

Bella sat, drumming her fingers on the desk in the front drawing room while her leg bounced restlessly. Her letter to Sofia had been sealed and addressed and awaited transport to the village for posting. The book she had been reading lay discarded in the armchair across the room, and though it held her interest for an hour, she could not make herself pick it up again.

She stood and crossed the room to look out at the front lawn and the curved drive. Edward was not expected back for at least an hour from visiting with several of the tenant farmers. Not for the first time she reminded herself that she needed to learn to ride so she could take a horse out, too, and explore more of the estate.

She wasn't tired, so a nap was out of the question. In fact, Bella felt fairly bursting with energy and hadn't a thing to do.

The first several days back at Wrenfield Hall had been absolutely lovely – like a dream. She and Edward had walked for hours, taken picnics, read to each other in the shade of the ancient oak trees, ate beautiful meals by candlelight and played cards and chess late into the evening.

But the holiday had to come to an end eventually. Edward had much to attend to with the estate and Bella encouraged him in his responsibilities. She loved Wrenfield Hall too and wanted to make sure it was being properly managed.

She hadn't counted on the boredom, though! Alice had arranged the wedding weeks ago, when she first got the letter announcing that Bella had been found and they were returning to England to be married, so there was nothing for Bella to do to prepare for the wedding next week. Alice would be arriving tomorrow with an entire wardrobe for Bella's new life as the lady of the house, and though the latest fashions held only a mild interest for her, she couldn't wait for Alice and the diversion of her company.

But for now, Bella needed something to do!

Bradford… she thought, and after a glance a room to ensure its tidiness and a quick fluff of the pillows on the chaise, Bella left the drawing room to seek him out.

She found him in the small china room, pulling out dishes for the evening meal.

"Bradford!" she said with a smile, joining him.

"Ma'am," Bradford said respectfully, with a slight bow.

"Oh for heaven's sake, Bradford!" Bella said, turning pink. "Don't start calling me ma'am now. I'm the same Bella who helped you dust these very dishes not so long ago."

"Ah, but you're not," said Bradford with a small smile. "You've come a long way, Miss Swan. Just look at your dress – that's not a housemaid's frock you're wearing."

Bella looked down at the satin charmeuse dress that had been waiting for her when she arrived at Wrenfield Hall.

"Well, I have Alice to blame for this," she said with a shrug. "It is pretty…"

"It's lovely," said Bradford. "Far too lovely to be soiled with any of the work we have here. Besides, I'm finished with these dishes, so there isn't anything left to be done."

"What about the silver…surely there's something that needs polishing?"

Bradford smiled and shook his head. "Out of the question, ma'am," he said, raising an eyebrow at the dress.

"Oh. Well, please call on me should anything come up that I can help with."

"Absolutely," said Bradford, bowing as she left.

Bella gave a small sigh as she moved down the hallway and poked her head in the library which remained her favorite room in the house. A girl in a telltale black dress, apron and cap stood on a ladder, dusting one of the upper shelves of books.

"Hello," Bella called. The girl looked down, startled, and immediately began climbing down the ladder.

"Oh, please, no," Bella began but before she could protest further the girl stood in front of her, curtseying.

"Really, that's not necessary," said Bella, her brow wrinkled. "You know, I used to do exactly what you are doing. I used to work here, as a maid."

"I've heard,ma'am," said the girl shyly.

"If you need any help…" began Bella but stopped as the girl's eyes grew wide.

"Of course not, ma'am," replied the girl, shocked. "You couldn't!"

Bella was taken aback. "Well I could," she said, trying to keep the offended note out of her voice. "It's been a few years but I do remember how to wield a duster."

The girl blushed. "I'm sure you're able," she said quickly. "But, ma'am, if Mrs. Mallory came in here and saw that I allowed you to help me I'd never hear the end of it."

"Besides," she said, glancing at Bella's dress and the small pearls in her ears that Edward had given her as an engagement gift, "you really aren't one of the staff anymore. You're…well, you're to be Lady Masen."

Bella nodded slowly. "Yes, of course," she said quietly. She turned to leave but then turned back once more.

"What is your name?" she asked the girl.

"Harriet."

"Do you like to read, Harriet?

"A bit. I haven't had much opportunity."

Bella smiled. "Would you like to borrow a book?"

"From…here?" Harriet asked in surprise.

"Of course."

"But I wouldn't have any idea of what to choose…"

Bella walked over to the bookcase and after a few moments she pulled a book from a shelf.

"Here. It's called Little Women and it's by a wonderful American author, Louisa May Alcott. I think you'll like it very much. Just return it when you're finished."

Harriet took the book in her hands and looked up at Bella.

"Thank you, ma'am," she said with a smile.

"I shall pass your thanks along to Lord Masen," said Bella, and she left the room.

Bella walked slowly through the grand rooms of the mansion. Everything was in order, as neat as a pin.

Perhaps Mrs. Cope…she mused and changed her course for below stairs.

The kitchen was its usual buzz of activity, with Mrs. Cope stirring two saucepans at once as she instructed one of the kitchen maids to take a white cake out of the oven.

"Mrs. Cope?" said Bella as she stepped tentatively into the kitchen.

"Ah! Miss Swan!" said Mrs. Cope, a broad smile on her face.

Bella stared. Miss Swan? In an instant, her eyes filled with tears.

Mrs. Cope's smile dropped from her face and she turned to the kitchen maid who was setting the hot cake on a table to cool.

"Ginny, take over here, would you? When the hard sauce has thickened take it off the flame but keep an eye on the soup."

Quickly Mrs. Cope made her way across the kitchen to Bella's side. "Take a walk with me dear?" she asked quietly, and the two women left the room.

A minute later, Bella and Mrs. Cope walked out the back door and into the warm summer afternoon. Bella sniffed loudly and Mrs. Cope silently handed her a handkerchief.

"What's wrong, dear?"

"Miss Swan? Why on earth would you call me that?" burst out Bella. "I'm just Bella, you know that better than anyone! I can learn to deal with Bradford calling me ma'am, or the housemaids curtseying to me when they're probably wearing an apron that I myself wore three years ago. But you? Please, Mrs. Cope! Please don't do this to me!"

"Oh! Oh my dear girl!" and Mrs. Cope enveloped her in a maternal hug while Bella continued through her tears.

"I've nothing to do! I love to read but I can't sit around all day doing that, or my needlepoint. Bradford won't let me help with anything, the maids won't let me touch a dust rag, and you are calling me Miss Swan!"

She sniffed again. "It's not that I really miss waxing the floors, because quite truthfully, I'm glad to be done with all that. But I need something to do! I've worked so hard, been so busy for the last several years that I can't just sit idly, with nothing to do or think about but what to wear to dinner."

She pulled away from Mrs. Cope and sat down heavily on a wooden bench beneath a beech tree.

Mrs. Cope joined her, putting her arm around her while Bella rested her head on her shoulder.

"Bella dear, let me first explain why I called you 'Miss Swan.' I do think of you as Bella, always. But the reality is you will be Lady Masen in a few short days. You will be the lady of the house and you will need the respect and loyalty of your staff. If I call you Bella in front of them, it will make it difficult for them to see you in the proper light. But I promise

you, when it's just us, you will be Bella."

Bella mulled over Mrs. Cope's explanation as she continued.

"And really – what lady of the house sits down to mend the kitchen linens or polish the silver? It just isn't done. That is one of the things you will have to learn to accept as mistress of Wrenfield."

"Bella, I promise you, this is just a time of adjustment. You'll find something to do – something important and fulfilling and worthwhile. Just do your best to enjoy your days until you know what that is."

Bella nodded slowly and wiped her eyes. "I suppose you're right." She looked up at Mrs. Cope and smiled. "And really, I am so thrilled to be home and I cannot wait until Edward and I are married. I feel like there are so many good things yet to happen, I just need to be patient until I get all of my feelings sorted out."

Mrs. Cope patted her knee. "You'll be fine, dear. I know it."

-xxx-

"One of her best meals, really," remarked Edward, exhaling slowly as he opened the door for Bella as they retired to the drawing room after dinner. "It's amazing what that woman can do with a humble chicken."

Bella laughed. "I don't think that particular chicken was exactly 'humble.' I watched one of the stable boys chase it around the yard for a good twenty minutes before he caught it this morning. It seemed to take great pride in having its head still intact."

Edward joined her laughter as he closed the door after her and followed her across the room where she stood.

"I had no idea you'd be so amused by the show the livestock puts on. I guess I'll have to try harder to entertain you," he said, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her down on to the chaise with him.

"Well, the entertainment I envision has little to do with being chased around the yard," she murmured as she wound her arms around his neck and lowered her head to his.

"I believe you underestimate just how much we might both enjoy the thrill of pursuit," he said in a low voice, his fingers running down her spine.

Bella shivered as she angled her body closer to him. "Lord Masen, I do believe you are taking liberties to which you are not yet entitled."

"And for that," she whispered against his lips, "I say thank you so very, very much…"

The teasing in Edward's eyes was gone in an instant, replaced by a hungry look that Bella knew so well.

"Bella," he whispered and their mouths came together.

Finally Bella pulled away.

"I know, I know," said Edward reluctantly, trying to calm his breathing. "Just a few more days."

Bella gave a small smile and pressed her forehead to his. "Believe me, it's as hard for me to stop as it is for you."

He gave a laugh. "Are you certain?" He sighed, kissed her cheek and moved her to his side.

"I suppose I should find something else to occupy my mind or I might not be responsible for what I do to you." He stood.

Bella reclined on the chaise, lifting one arm languidly above her head and resting it on the pillow behind her. "Alright. I'll just enjoy myself watching you from here."

Edward looked at her and shook his head. "Darling, you really are trying the limits of my restraint."

Bella opened her eyes wide, feigning an innocent look. "Whatever do you mean, sir?" she said, stretching her body even more across the tufted furniture.

"Bella…" Edward warned.

She winked at him.

In a flash he was at the chaise again, attacking her neck with passionate kisses while she giggled and made a pretense of pushing him away.

"Really, Edward, most inappropriate," she breathed out through her laughter, and, though it was a struggle, she finally sat up.

"Now," she said, straightening her dress and smoothing her hair. She stood and extended her hand to Edward who lay dejectedly on the chaise. "Up and off to your desk."

Edward groaned and finally stood, taking Bella's hand. Primly she led him to his writing desk where he sat obediently and stared at the leather blotter for a moment.

"I'm sure there was something I was going to do here, but I really find myself so distracted," he said with a smile.

"Patience," whispered Bella in his ear. "Next week will come soon enough." She kissed his cheek and returned to the chaise with the book she had been reading earlier.

After a moment Edward straightened. "Ah, yes. The books. They need a good going over and I'm not sure I'll have much time between now and the wedding, so I'd better get to it."

He stood and pulled two large leather-bound volumes from a shelf behind him and set them on the desk, opening one.

Bella sat up, interested. "May I see?"

Edward looked up with mild surprise. "By all means. This will all concern you too, soon enough."

She joined him at the desk.

"There are two ledgers," Edward explained, indicating the books. "This one is for household expenses and upkeep to Wrenfield Hall, including staff salaries, kitchen expenditures and so forth. The other is for the rest of the estate – taxes, rent from farmers, profit from the sale of crops, charitable expenditures and myriad other things."

Bella leaned over Edward's shoulder and examined the open page with its neat lines and columns.

"Interesting…" she murmured.

-xxx-

Edward stood outside the drawing room, his head tilted toward the door. As he listened silently, the shadow of another figure in the early morning sunlight caught his eye. He lifted his head to note the arrival of Bradford who was looking at him quizzically.

Edward lifted his finger to his lips and motioned for Bradford to join him. For a moment, the two men stood quietly at the door until Bradford broke the silence.

"What are you listening for, sir?" Bradford whispered, looking mystified.

"Shhh…she's still in there," was the reply.

Bradford waited another quiet moment. Finally, he spoke again, his voice barely audible.

"Who, sir?"

Edward paused, still listening. "Bella."

"Oh."

Another minute passed.

"Is she alright, sir?" whispered Bradford, looking concerned.

A slow smile spread across Edward's face. "She wonderful. She's been in there all night with the estate ledgers. So far she's straightened out one rather large accounting mess that has confounded me for the last two years and has moved on to analyzing crop profits over the last three decades related to which fields they were grown in. She's also mentioned looking into new tax laws she read about in the Times which might benefit the tenants and, of course, the estate as a whole."

Bradford eyebrows were raised to heights Edward had never imagined possible.

"Well." Bradford paused. "Some tea, then, perhaps?"