Oops! I slept in. It's still Mother's Day in some parts of the world...just!

xx Elise

~I~

Impatient

Bella felt like all of London was caught up in the excitement of her pending marriage to Edward. Between the daily updates in the social pages, the incessant questioning to which they were subjected at whatever society event they attended of an evening, and the seemingly never-ending fittings and preparations, it was a struggle not to become overwhelmed. Her impatience to become Edward's wife was never in doubt, but her enthusiasm was tempered by the knowledge the majestic ceremony would bear little resemblance to the small, intimate affair she would have preferred.

She wasn't sure what was worse . . . the knowledge crowds would line the street to watch the bridal procession, the enormity of the church service that was to be followed by a wedding breakfast at the palace in the early afternoon, or that she would be attended by no less than seven bridesmaids, chosen by the King, most of whom she had yet to meet. Alice would be acting as her maid of honour, her younger friend's enthusiasm unbridled. Penelope's young sons were to be page boys, and Bella assured the nervous lads they would be very dapper in their roles.

Jasper was to stand up with Edward, and having warmed to him considerably during their time in London, Bella didn't have to feign her pleasure at the announcement. Her reaction upon discovering Lord McCarty, her soon-to-be cousin-in-law, Emmett, would also be included in the wedding party was not nearly as charitable and led to Edward's and her first domestic disagreement.

"Emmett?" Bella frowned. "Your cousin Emmett?"

"Who else?" Edward laughed. "He'll be standing up with me alongside Jasper for the ceremony."

"But Uncle Carlisle said it would take at least six months to oversee the restoration of his estate in Ireland, possibly twelve."

"And it will, I imagine, but when I asked Father, he agreed that Emmett and Rosalie should be allowed to return for our wedding."

Bella couldn't believe this was happening. "You requested their presence?"

"Of course. Emmett's like a brother to me."

"When will they be here?"

Edward shrugged. "In good time for the wedding. Within the week, I suppose."

"Within the week?" Bella's voice rose. "When were you going to tell me?"

"I'm telling you now." Her all-too-handsome, mostly considerate, but sometimes incredibly obtuse husband-to-be spread his hands. "Emmett's behaviour at Worthington was boorish, but I thought his apology sufficient. I'm certain he would be willing to proffer it again if that would help."

"His apology is not the issue." Bella folded her arms.

"Are you nervous about being in his presence? You have nothing to fear from my cousin."

"It's not Lord McCarty I'm afraid of." Angry tears sprang to her eyes, and Edward's expression sobered.

"Rosalie," he said flatly.

"I didn't think I would have to face her so soon." Bella had known it would happen one day—the idea the stuff of nightmares. She'd expected a little more warning, not to be threatened with the possible ruination of her wedding.

"She's family, I'm afraid." Edward reached for her hand, Bella's response in accepting it uncharacteristically slow. "But that's no excuse for her rudeness. I guarantee she will treat you with the utmost respect, or she'll have me to answer to."

"Rudeness?" Bella snatched her hand away. "It's not poor manners I'm afraid of. I was almost trampled to death because of your cousin's wife. Not to mention the fact she went out of her way to sabotage our relationship, took my mother's pearls, and called me a tart."

"In fairness, she did believe you were a commoner."

"Which is no excuse for treating a person abominably." Edward's placating tone had done him no favours, and Bella began to pace. "She took great delight in revealing our situation to your father upon his return in the most damaging manner possible, calling me a whore and inferring I had willingly shared my bed with not one, but four men."

"I can understand why you are not in a hurry to befriend her."

"Befriend her?" Bella stopped and faced him. "It shall take all my restraint not to slap her senseless. Rosalie had better understand that circumstances have changed now that I am no longer masquerading as a servant. If she thinks I shall meekly submit to her abuse or stand by while she makes a play for my betrothed, she's in for a rude awakening."

Edward's smirk—and the insecurity she had unwittingly revealed—did little to douse Bella's ire. But before she could scold him further, he pulled her into his embrace, ignoring their family members engaged in a spirited game of whist at the far end of the drawing room.

"You have nothing to fear with regards to Rosalie or any other woman," he said softly. "For I only have, and will only ever have, eyes for you."

His declaration brought a reluctant smile to Bella's lips, one that curved more freely when she considered how he'd already demonstrated the veracity of his words. Ignoring the fact he was betrothed, or that she was invariably standing by his side, the young debutantes at the social engagements they attended practically threw themselves at Edward. It should have galled, but he paid them so little mind, his attention fixed on Bella at all times, that it was actually quite gratifying. The jealousy he displayed when foolish gentlemen fawned over her, while flattering, was entirely unnecessary.

After being told by the Mallory sisters back home in Forkton that her unfashionable red hair was a death knell for her chances of finding acceptance, Bella had expected to be shunned when she made her debut. When she imagined the reaction of her childhood friends-come-nemeses to discovering their neighbour was related to royalty—and to Edward when they met him—she couldn't help but chuckle. Since the King was determined to make her wedding a public event they, along with the rest of Forkton society, had been invited. But she was most looking forward to seeing Jacob, Leah, and the extended family of household staff whom Bella's father had insisted receive invitations.

The visit to the charity home, while challenging, was a welcome distraction from the fuss and drama of the wedding preparations and stimulated vigorous conversation amongst their group. They were eager to be of assistance, their first course of action being to commission the board of the charity to advise them of areas of need and formulate a plan for expansion.

"I would like to see us establish a home and training college close to Masen Park," Edward said. "Security wouldn't be such a nightmare, and Bella could continue her involvement with the charity once we're settled in the country."

His suggestion went a long way to making up for his cousin's inclusion in their wedding party and endeared him to Bella even more than she thought possible. Jasper's determined, if sober, involvement in their discussions and planning had a similar effect on Alice, and she joined Bella in her room late one evening to share her thoughts regarding his efforts.

"I'm convinced his feelings for me are genuine," she said, as the two young women sat cross-legged on Bella's bed, clothed only in their nightgowns. "He was sincerely moved by what he saw at the home, his conscience exercised to make confession as well as spur him to action."

"Confession?" Bella sat forward. "He spoke with you regarding his previous experiences?"

Alice nodded, dropping her gaze to where her hands plucked at the white linen sheets.

"What did he say?" Bella prompted.

"That after coming into his inheritance as a young man, he did not always conduct himself in a gentlemanly manner," Alice said, her words in the form of a recitation. "He admitted to visiting houses of ill repute as a younger man but only on occasion and not for some time, certainly not since making my acquaintance."

"Oh." Bella released the breath she was holding. If it were Lord Edgeley's past in question, she imagined the litany of his sins would have been a lot longer. He'd been noticeably absent during her time in London, and she dreaded their eventual meeting. Edward had assured her there was no need to worry, that he'd been warned not to make trouble, but she feared a man with so little honour could not be trusted.

"Jasper says he loves me." Alice looked up to meet Bella's gaze. "And he wants to spend the rest of our lives proving the genuineness of his feelings."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes, I do."

"That's wonderful." Bella smiled at her friend and future sister-in-law before asking cheekily, "And he has kissed you properly?"

"He certainly has. Hiding in the shadows on the terrace at the Crompton's ball." A dreamy smile curved Alice's lips. "It was everything you said it would be . . . warm, tender, and really quite breathtaking. I didn't want him to stop, but he said he's determined to treat me with the utmost respect and has no intention of taking advantage of my passionate nature before the wedding. I think he's afraid of what Edward and my father would do to him," she added, in an aside. "So . . . I told him that was perfectly acceptable as long as we could share many more such kisses during our courtship and betrothal. I also told him once we were married, he must promise to bring me to the pinnacle of desire as often as I required."

Bella's mouth dropped open. "You didn't really say such a thing?"

Alice shrugged and both girls succumbed to a fit of giggles.

"How did he respond?" Bella asked when their laughter died down.

"Well." Alice leaned closer. "He didn't say anything for the longest time, just stared at me with his mouth opening and closing. When he finally agreed to my demand, his voice was quite hoarse, his brogue almost too thick for me to understand."

"I'll bet it was," Bella murmured, thinking she could do with an interlude in the shadows herself, not to mention being brought to the pinnacle of desire. But quite aside from the commitment they'd made to wait until they were wed, she and Edward were observed a little too closely to take the risk. On the positive side, as the days to her wedding counted down, Bella had begun feeling more confident about successfully fulfilling the role of his marchioness. She was even hopeful their marital relationship might be characterised by the lack of constraint they had experienced at Worthington. Their desire for one another was certainly undiminished. If anything, it had grown, with the slightest brush of their fingers inducing sharp intakes of breath.

"I could feel you watching me from across the room," she had whispered one evening when they were seated close together at the theatre.

"Did it bother you?" Hidden in the shadows, Edward had held her hand, placing kisses on her palm when no one was looking.

"I'm not sure our hosts approved, but I enjoyed it very much. Having your gaze upon me is like an invisible caress down my spine."

Edward's groan had earned a look of rebuke from Carlisle who, along with Esme, had accompanied them for the evening.

"I'm heartily sick of feeling like an errant child requiring constant supervision," Edward had grumbled. "Not that I have any right to complain. Our parents—your father, in particular—have been remarkably accommodating, all things considered."

Bella had agreed, though she couldn't deny she was impatient to be rid of the need for chaperones once and for all.

~I~

I do love Alice, the cheeky minx. ;)

xx Elise