CHAPTER 29

'Oh Alice, I have missed you so!' she embraces her friend tightly.

'If you missed me so, dear friend, then I wonder why you stay away extensively.' She returns her hug with vigour.

'You know very well dear friend, that it is because I was mourning.'

'Was?'

'Alice, I will always love and miss my father, that will never change. Nor will the fact that I am still shocked by his passing and saddened that he kept his ailments from me. But now, I am myself, whereas before I was not.'

'Okay then, I accept you reasons. How does your aunt fair? I know she was quite close with your father, still.'

'Yes, she of course was devastated, but she took the news much less devastatingly than I.'

'And how does she fair now?'

'She is well… if not lonely.'

'Lonely? I have never thought that anyone could ever accuse her of being lonely.'

'On the contrary Alice, she has always been.'

'I feel as though she has talked intimately with you, are you at liberty to discuss details?'

'Yes… did you know that she had an offer from a most handsome and wealthy man?'

'Oh! I did not know, she obviously refused him.'

'Yes, she said it is her sole regret.'

'Then, why did she refuse, I wonder?'

'She refused him because she thought him pompous and arrogant.'

'So, she misjudged him then?'

'No Alice, she did not. He was indeed those things and likely more, what she regrets is not seizing an opportunity when it had arisen. She was determined to marry someone she loved, not anyone who will simply have her. '

'Oh… and have her words impacted your perspective on things, Izzy?'

'Yes Alice, indeed they have. I do not wish to be old and lonely like her, I really don't. But most of all I don't want Swanfield in anyone else's hands except a Swan's, be it their last name or not. If I am to have an heir, then I must have children, which means I must marry.'

'You seem quite out of sorts Izzy, I fear your panicked state may cause you to make a hasty decision. You need not marry this very second, dear friend. There is still time aplenty to catch a husband.'

'No Alice, what if there is no time at all, what if my days too are numbered?'

'Izzy, you are three-and-twenty, I'd say you have five years before you will start being seen as a spinster. Besides, I just need to pen a letter to my dearest cousin and I will have you a husband here for you in less than two weeks.'

'Yes, Mr. Noir, I quite forgot about him. And we do get along rather well, it is far more than my aunt could have ever hoped for.'

'Izzy! I said it in jest, I will not send for my cousin unless it is truly what you wish, and I know very well it is not.'

'Alice, you can not know what I need.'

'Izzy, what you need is to settle down. Yes, I agree, your aunt made a valid point and solely relying on that one perfect man may inadvertently result in becoming an old maid like your aunt, but that doesn't mean you should settle for whoever will have you. You have many options at present, not just Jacob, and that is the result of acquainting yourself with one family. Imagine how many men you may acquaint yourself with if you were to stay on in London and get introductions to all of the friends of the Cullen's! trust me Izzy, there is no need to rush.'

'Perhaps you have a point, perhaps I just need to think on my options for a time.'

'Yes! that is what you need. Think things through thoroughly before you decide, for I know you and I know you must be alone to contemplate yourself.'

'Indeed. Now, enough about me, let us talk about you my dear friend, surely you are full of wonderful stories.'

'I have spent a great deal of the past six months at Jasmine Court where we have had visits from all of Edward's family. I also went to London for a time and returned home to stay with Mama and Papa for a time. They appeared rather downtrodden and morose when I left, so I am trying to convince Edward to return to Henders Hall for a time. It will be good for Forks society to have some company and good for you to have some friends close by. Perhaps we can even persuade Angela to return home too and it can be like the old days.'

'It will never be like the old days, dear Alice. You are married, as is she, and I am left, alone to grow old and wither away.'

'You mustn't be so down, all will work out Izzy.'

'Perhaps, I just can't shake Aunt Marie's words. But it will be good to have you and the Cullen's back at Forks, I do so miss that short time.'

'Indeed! it was a most eventful time in Forks. I have quite decided Izzy, I will ask Edward again, and if he refuses, then I will ask the Captain, for I know for a fact that he will indeed go. He will do anything to be closer to you, Izzy.'

'Not you too, Alice. I hear enough of that from him.'

'Well, he too, much like my cousin Jacob, can't but help pay you special attentions. If you are indeed still worried about becoming an old maid still, I'm sure he too will offer you eternal companionship. You get along quite well with him too, do you not?'

'Yes Alice, but like your cousin, I haven't considered my feelings regarding him as yet. But if I feel like I have no option but to marry or become a spinster, then he too is a viable option for me. Thank you Alice, you always know how to calm me down.'

'Not at all, Izzy. But I would like you to truly start considering the men all vying for your affections, your situation, what your aunt has said, and most importantly, your future.'

'I will Alice, thank you.'

'Good. Now come, everyone is in the drawing room.'