AUDEAMUS

Chapter 11

The following day Bella Swan found herself on the doorstep of the Black residence. The door was bolted shut from the outside and, looking in through the windows, the young woman noted that the place was swiped clean. Only larger furniture remained.

For all intents and purposes, the family had left its Hayes residence. It was only wanting, she supposed. Billy Black remained a fugitive at large and his son had grown rather disappointed with the town he now resided in. The aunt and cousins must have sought out some relatives, as Jacob had mentioned.

It was more or less the answer she got from one of the neighbors. Mrs. Smith, a petite woman in her late forties and with already graying hair, nodded knowingly. "They left the lot, a few days ago," she stated. "The son in shambles." Mrs. Smith leaned forward and lowered her tone. "But who wouldn't, what with his father's unfortunate run-in with the Royal Guard," the petite woman continued.

Bella knitted her eyebrows. Why hadn't Jacob said anything right before his departure? It appeared he had left Hayes completely without notice. "Where did Jacob go?"

"Oh, he didn't say nothin', but methinks he was done with this town." She nodded knowingly, as if she held the final saying, even though she was obviously only speculating. When Bella was not quick enough to join in on the gossip, Mrs. Smith continued. "Methinks he went to search for his father." She leaned forward with great eagerness, whispering while the pedestrians looked them down. "Maybe to find the man who saved his father as well—they say it was the ghost of General Cullen."

The younger woman turned from Mrs. Smith with a sigh and wrinkled her nose. But she did not say anything on the matter. "Thank you for your information, Mrs. Smith," she said with a small bow of the head.

She went back to her house in disappointment. Jacob had quit town without as much as bothering to inform her. Bella did not understand why that irritated her as much as it did.

A part of her thought that, maybe if he had read the note Mr. Ridge had written, he might have believed her—maybe he'd even want to figure out who the possible killer could be.

April took her home and she brushed out the horsehair that had rubbed onto her green riding habit. She felt for leaves or twigs that might have, by some chance, fallen into her hair. Charles Swan would no doubt express his distaste if she wasn't at least presentable. Before climbing the steps up to the elegant mansion, Bella did a final check, making sure there were no visible stains on her habit.

When she was satisfied, she opened the front door and stepped into the neat foyer.

"There she is," a man's voice rumbled, catching her by surprise.

"Miss Swan," a nasal, bothered voice shot through and her dismayed eyes glanced up, already knowing who had spoken before seeing him.

There, by the marble stairs next to her parents, stood the peacock himself; Edward Masen. An arrogant smirk shot her way, the gesture making Bella want to rush for her bedroom before having to endure another minute in his presence. She had not the energy for it today.

"Isabella," Renée rushed over, her voice calm but her features frantic. "Mr. Masen has expressed his wish of taking a stroll with you, on this day of all days!"

Not even Charles Swan appeared thrilled, and his mask was worse crafted than Renée's.

Bella stammered, looking at both her parents. Her eyes finally rested on Edward. His nose was up in the air, the starched cravat in place, the tight velvet coat in a screaming red, and beige breeches with dark-brown boots hurt her eyes. He had frilly lace escaping his left sleeve—no doubt his favorite perfumed handkerchief.

Her stomach dropped as she forced a smile. "How lovely," she lied through her teeth. There was no reason to make a scene before Edward or her parents. However, the young woman was decided to make things rather clear once she was alone with him. "I shall change into something more presentable."

"Indeed, for I could not be seen in the company of such ghastly apparel," he muttered, blotting his nose with the handkerchief. Renée's face reddened at such a remark, but her daughter caught her mother's eye and shook her head discreetly.

"I would not wish to taint your good reputation, Mr. Masen," Bella managed to respond before walking in rushed strides to her room.

"I have acquired a chaperone, Mr. and Mrs. Swan, fear not. Although my good reputation…," she heard the irritating and high nasal voice sound before rounding the corner.

Bella forced the door to her room shut and leaned against it, wondering what she had gotten herself into by accepting his invitation.

By the front of their house, on the small park leading past the main gate and up to the principal door stood an elegant and polished black vis-à-vis carriage waiting. Two horses in brilliant white with brushed fur snorted in anticipation. Bella instantly recognized Joseph in the driver's seat, looking smart in a tricorne hat to guard him against the harsh rays of the sun.

"Shall we?" Edward Masen turned to her with his arm outstretched for her to grab onto. Bella glanced down at the limb, the brilliant red of his coat screaming at her to run. His green orbs should have instigated a sense of irritation and a feeling of vexation. However, Bella found herself rather surprised when the only feeling coursing through her was genuine curiosity. For indeed, why on earth would Mr. Masen wish to promenade with her? She was not a genuine lady of upper society, she did not frequent all the gatherings, dream of the Safeira or Wessport assemblies or nag constantly to her parents of the upcoming season.

For all intents and purposes, Mr. Masen should have turned his back on her and never looked back. Yet, there was something pulling him to seek her out: and Bella wanted to know why.

She absentmindedly brushed the front of her gown, a redingote in pale blue lined with white lace. She would die before she aimed to match Masen in his horrendous choice of dress. Bella adjusted the straw bonnet and accepted his extended arm, much to the surprise of her parents.

"Lead the way, Mr. Masen," she smiled. A smirk tugged at the end of his lips—of that she was sure. But the arrogant expression remained, plastered on his face as if the expression were permanent.

He led her to the carriage and up the step. Bella settled into the bright beige leather, the cushion of it impressive. It looked new and she wondered where the carriage had come for, it had not been used on her outings with Alice.

Edward huffed as he got up the step. He settled down in front of her and brought the lacey handkerchief to blot his forehead. He signaled for Joseph and they started moving. She was surprised that he did not too wear a hat as she suspected he would not wish for his fair complexion to experiment the tanning capacities of the sun.

But Edward seemed to always have an ace up his sleeve. He opened a small compartment to his left and dug out a black parasol, opening it up and letting it shield him from the bright rays.

Bella could not help a delicate eyebrow rise at the gesture. She brought up her white fan and shielded her face to mask the chuckle that was threatening to break through.

Edward remained silent until they were on their way.

"And where does Mr. Masen plan to take me on this pleasant day?" she asked, settling back in the cushions and for once enjoying the slow pace of the vehicle.

He stared at the fan, moving lazily in her hand, as if he were almost jealous that she had one and he did not. "It has come to my attention that there is a much-celebrated walk going along a small river by the foot of the Durun Mountains here."

"Will the exercise not be too exhausting for you, Mr. Masen?" she leaned forward to ask, mocking great concern as the fan picked up speed. The chestnut curl resting on her left shoulder slumped against her bosom.

Laughter and conversation floated through the air as they moved along Hayes, past the center that was always so alive in the middle of the day. Their carriage attracted quite the attention, something the fop appeared to be quite happy with. "I shall push myself," he drawled absentmindedly. He then turned to her and an expression of discomfort appeared on his features. "I must confess, Miss Swan, that I do not find the situation rather agreeable. Not your company, of course. But, rather, the fact that I must make an effort to move around." His hand moved along with his speech as he tried to further explain the situation. "My father," he drawled in the same arrogant nasal tone, "wishes I were more active."

"Ah," Bella cut in, suddenly understanding the situation. "But I should think you are a very active man, Mr. Masen," she spoke with a feigned agreement.

"That is what I tried to explain to him, my dear Miss Swan. You see," he leaned forward, quite taken by his arguments as to why he was an active and sporty man. "I do take part in regular exercise. My every outing," he continued, overtly emphasizing the last word with a dramatic finger in the air, "is exercise enough. Going to and from gatherings and parties quite drains a man." He dotted his nose with the handkerchief.

Bella's fan came up to shield her face so that he might not notice her reddening cheeks while trying to hold down a sigh. Edward Masen was impossible, completely impossible. She felt sorry for the father who had to be at his wit's end, no doubt.

"And being seen with me, walking by the river promenade, might remove your father's irksome comments for a while," she filled in.

Masen bowed his head. "My parents quite like you. I hope you will not find offense in this little arrangement, Miss Swan."

Bella did not in the slightest. She could breathe easier now, knowing that Mr. Masen was not showing an interest in her as a person—rather, he was merely using her presence as a way to escape his father's ire. It was sad, downright pathetic in her eyes. But she found his company so amusing that she did not mind being with him for an afternoon. The young woman reasoned that she needed to be in the mindless company of someone like Edward after all the heavy and dreadful occurrences that seemed to have found their way into her life. Strolling along a promenade with an absentminded fellow like Edward Masen might help her remove herself from reality, even if for a little while. She would not openly proclaim that she was using him as much as he was her.

"I do not take offense, Mr. Masen."

He slapped his knee in a silly manner. "Capital!" Edward exclaimed as they passed the low outer wall of Hayes. The thick stone valve blocked out the sun for a second and the temperature dropped in the shade.

She wondered, however, what they would speak of. Would it be a strange promenade where none would say a word? Or would he occupy the walk by saying nothing but things of himself?

It appeared not.

As they arrived at the foot of the mountains, just under Adelton Hall, the castle of the Count of Cadherra, they disembarked the comfortable carriage and continued on foot. Bella picked up her dress as they strolled down some stone steps until arriving at the walk.

The stream was a few feet wide and one side, a path had been etched out in the greenery for them to walk along. Tall trees in all shapes and sizes towered above them, the roof of the forest shielding them from the sun. Edward had thus left his parasol back in the carriage as they walked.

At first, they remained silent and Bella took in the surroundings, lavishing in the presence of nature, in the music it provided; birdsong, running water pooling next to them, grasshoppers running about and grass and trees dancing in a gentle breeze that stirred the scent out of the greenery. She would not expect Masen to understand, but as she looked over at him, Bella found that he too stared at the idyllic picture of perfect nature in silent contemplation.

He soon spoke, asking her questions she never expected him to ask. He inquired after her parent's health, how Hayes had been like growing up as a child, what she did when she wasn't at Jessica Stanley's or with his sister. The questions he posed were always followed by other, more detailed; for he listened, generally intrigued by her answers. However, Bella was careful in giving away too much of what she did in her free time. She did, for example, not tell him how she would escape to Raven's Grove with April and soak up the freedom nature offered her. Instead, that part was replaced with 'taking strolls in the garden' or 'reading', which wasn't entirely a lie.

"Do you have any other acquaintances in town?" he asked, walking with his hands behind his back in a casual manner.

Bella would not tell him of Little Lucy. "I have some friends. Sgt. Thompson has become a rather good acquaintance since he has practically fallen in love with our cook's meat pies," she laughed. She remembered herself—the carelessness of her laughter—and quickly reprimanded the action and once more gathering herself before him.

"I was, or rather my family, was good friends with Mr. Ridge." Bella did not know what had prompted her to speak of a dead man. Maybe the fact that she had been thinking of him as of late. She grew somber at the very thought of him.

Masen nodded in comprehension. "A tragedy, the whole affair." His voice had lost its arrogant drawl. While the nasality was always there, it seemed to her he genuinely meant what he said.

"Indeed."

"I heard there are new tenants who are to move into his lodgings any day now," he stated. "I wonder who emptied out the chambers, or if the tenants are to keep his possessions. I heard Mr. Ridge did not have an extensive family."

Bella shook her head. "He did not. I took it upon myself to remove most of his possessions from his lodgings some week ago," she sighed. Her eyes trailed the ground where she stepped. "I left the furniture, for I could not carry it out by myself. But most of his books I had donated to a public library in Coldwick."

Silence followed her statement. Bella wondered if he saw her action as futile, silly nonsense.

"An admirable act, Miss Swan." Edward Masen sounded impressed—or maybe it was merely her imagination. "Did you really do it all by yourself?" he wondered.

"Well, Mr. Ridge's maid, Miss Haste, was there as well, but she could not bring herself to pack up his worldly belongings, so I took charge. He did not have much." She stopped and directed her gaze at Edward. "But I felt it an affront to the man I considered as an uncle not to have his final affairs taken care of."

He nodded. It was as if the final part of the conversation had removed a layer between the two. They were like onions slowly being peeled. He looked at the sky, the pinkish tone giving away the late hour. "Shall we return, miss? I think twilight is upon us, or it shall soon be."

The trees rustled once more in pace with the rushing water of the stream. Other late afternoon strollers had started heading back for their carriages as well. Bella remembered the occurrence from the other night—the feeling of being watched, the chuckles emerging like an echo from Raven's Grove. A shiver brushed her spine and she hastily nodded, turning back with him.

In the light of day, the woods did not frighten her. But as soon as the sun settled, and the moon and stars brightened up the sky with their silver sheen, it was transformed into something unknown; invoking a sense of unease, a sense that it hid something from her.

"I never thought, that out of all these people, it would be Mrs. McCarty who would extend an invite!" Charles Swan was running around in the room with a giddy smile plastered on his face.

Their carriage was being prepared. Renée and Isabella Swan dressed in exquisite attire for the evening soirée. Bella herself had thought her eyes would pop out of her skull as she had read the elegant invite sent by Rosalie to their front door a couple of days prior. She had asked they attend a close-knit gathering at the Masens'.

Her parents had been ecstatic. The fact that Rosalie McCarty had chosen to invite them showed their status was being more and more accepted in society.

But Bella did not really give it much thought. What had drawn her in was that Major Collins would attend as well. She held a friendly affection for the gentleman and had not seen him for the past few days. Major Collins had been rather busy running his garrison, trying to keep some of his soldiers in check. Rumors had sparked when the major had sent some soldiers on their way to the Wessport garrison for disciplinary action.

Her parents had indeed first wondered how it was that Rosalie might have been the one to extend them an invitation. But ever since Edward Masen had taken a promenade with her by the small river, they would give each other knowing nods. Young Miss Swan herself pondered the thought: had Edward taken to her? Maybe her presence was there for Carlisle Masen to see that Edward kept ties with her.

Bella found it rather agreeable, not at all insulting that the peacock should use her. Rather, she found the whole situation quite amusing. She wanted to see how it would play out.

She had rushed up to her rooms with Lorraine for a final touch-up of her hair in front of the mirror. Her jewelry box was wide open, and she promptly closed it—the thing barely sporting three pieces of jewelry. It was a rare thing, that Miss Swan should wear rubies or pearls. She did not take to it.

Their carriage ride was as uncomfortable as always and Charles Swan swore under his breath that the next thing to be invested in would indeed be a new carriage. One as elegant as the vis-à-vis vehicle Edward Masen had arrived in a few days prior.

Stepping into the Masen townhouse was like stepping into just another party, only this was definitely more lavish. However, Bella saw the same faces from town as always; the Stanleys, the Wenns, the Webbers, the Moores, the Copes, Mr. Wilson, and so on.

But wherever she turned, Bella was astonished by the bright flickering of wax candles, the elegant chandeliers, the dress of the people, the small live orchestra playing in one of the rooms. Port, Madeira, and other wines flowed like water.

Mrs. Hale had found Bella before she could even think to look for her. "Miss Swan! Come see the quartet that is being played!" Bella excused herself to her parents before following the excited young woman. Her swirling gown led the way as she pushed through groups of perfumed people.

They arrived at the room where music stemmed from and a wave of stifling heat washed over Bella. Although the windows had been prompted open for the fresh night air to seep in, the general exercise of dancing managed to outpace the fresh air seeping in.

There, in the row of dancing people, was Major Collins in the fold of Jessica Stanley's arm. Bella's eyebrows knitted together, and something tugged at her. She sensed a feeling of unease and irritation wash over her. Why was she acting like this? It was almost as if she were…jealous. But that could not be! She chastised herself until her alert chocolate orbs collided with the smug smirk of Alice's.

"I thought you might find the situation unfortunate." Alice dragged her further into the room. "Your dance card is empty, Bella. You must make yourself available so that Collins may ask you for the next dance!" she urged in a high voice, trying to speak over the bright music playing in a quick rhythm.

Bella's head turned back to the laughing Jessica and her mouth turned down in a frown. "Do not worry yourself so with me, Alice. I shall be fine." She had no wish to see Collins happy and smiling with Miss Stanley.

"Shall we not walk out to enjoy the fresh air?" she asked instead. Bella wanted to get away from the throng and Alice's smug smirk washed away to a knowing sigh spreading over her features.

She took her friend's arm in her own. "Very well," Alice sighed.

They stepped to one of the tall French doors and let the cool wind refresh them. Hayes was otherwise quiet, as sleepy as it had always been.

"Where might your brother be?" Bella asked. She had not heard or seen anything from Mr. Masen ever since he had taken her to the river.

Alice shifted next to her, her eyes drifting to the crescent moon. She was hesitant in speaking, but seemed to lose it, probably considering Alice had grown to trust Bella Swan over the last months since her arrival.

"My brother…" she trailed off, trying to find the words. "Papa has prohibited him from attending." Alice's nose wrinkled.

"Why ever would he do such a thing?" Bella's eyebrows arched in a questioning manner as she turned to fully face her friend.

"This whole party was his idea, you know?" The young woman's shoulders sank. "He got Rosalie in on it, soon we were all planning it together, even papa seemed for the idea. But you know how Edward is."

Bella now wondered what the man might have done for Carlisle Masen to cast such repercussions over him.

"My father wasn't in his full right either," Alice continued, trying to tell the news from another angle. "For the past few weeks, he has tried to have Edward be more active. He has even urged that Mr. McCarty teach him the proper etiquette of fencing."

Bella snorted and quickly put her hand over her mouth. "I did not mean to—" she stammered, aghast at her own reaction.

Alice shook her head. "I reacted the same way," she comforted her friend. "You can imagine how my brother was not entirely for the idea. But he did as father bade. Emmett and Edward sparred once, and my brother never picked up the sword again. I have never seen anyone as clumsy!" Alice was beyond frustrated. "And he thought he could remedy the whole fiasco. So, he went to you, as publicly as he could—taking our best carriage—and took you on a promenade."

"I know," Bella added. "I was there, remember?"

"Of course," Alice sighed. "But, well, how shall I put this delicately…my parents are quite taken with you." She blushed, which caused Bella's cheeks to redden as well. "And I think, when papa heard Edward was taking you for a stroll, he was aglow with joy."

Bella now wondered where it had all gone wrong.

"When Edward returned home, the following afternoon he managed to slip up and unknowingly gave away the true reason for asking you for an afternoon stroll. Papa was furious. "Alice's voice now trembled, as if she were recalling the scene. Her hands turned into fists. "With reason." Her golden eyes found her friend's and a look of remorse, shame and sadness became apparent in them. "If you were not aware of this before, then forgive me for so bluntly revealing it now. But my brother used you to get papa off his back, and such an act cannot be forgiven."

Music seeped out on the balcony, the jolly tune not agreeing with the tone of their conversation. Bella had never seen Alice so apologetic before.

"I knew." She faced the darkness of the night, her profile half illuminated by the wax candles lighting up the interior of the Masen estate. She should have been ashamed to confess such a thing. But she could not let Edward fall in the eyes of his sister for an act she had been fully content to play a part in. She turned to fully face Alice. "I was made aware from the very start, Alice. He…gave me the choice to return to my parents, to cast him aside. Your brother knew very well that what he was doing was wrong."

For a while, Alice had to let the words sink in, not quite sure she was hearing right. "You knew?" she repeated dumbfounded.

"There was never any insult to my person." She stepped up and took Alice's hands in her own. "Your brother is…peculiar, to say the least. But he lacks no honor. He was truthful from the start. You should make that aware to your father."

Alice's mouth trembled. The revelation had lifted a weight off her shoulders. "I wonder how papa will react," she managed to laugh, finding the sudden shift in emotion strange.

Bella joined in on the awkward laughter. "I imagine he will not make sense of it. Let the party pass and then speak with him. Lord Masen is a reasonable man," she said. Indeed, he was. Bella always saw Carlisle as someone keeping a cool and level head. But she suspected having a son like Edward might throw off the most patient man, like Carlisle.

They drifted back into the party, Bella mingled the eve, not catching sight of Collins until later.

"At last I find you, Miss Swan," came a smooth voice behind her as she was speaking with Angela Webber. Angela quickly curtsied, drifting away, displaying the same shyness as her father.

Bella turned with an arched eyebrow. "Major Collins, one might think you would remain on the dancefloor the rest of the night," she said dryly, a forced smile plastered on her face.

He did not seem to see the sarcasm lurking beneath the surface. "How fair your parents?" A question of politeness in the circles she frequented.

"Very well, major. I am surprised you have not happened upon them this eve." She sipped some port.

"I am afraid I have been tied down to the dance floor." He leaned forward. "By a rather forceful young lady." His eyes were widened, and the haunting look of fear presented itself in his etched-out jaw as it grew stiff and his brow furrowed. Bella stared at him in confusion when his lips spread, and she caught whiff of the joke. "Against my will, I must confess."

His words provoked a laugh in her. "But you managed to escape, it seems," she pointed out. She should have known. Collins was as eligible as Edward. But he was far more appealing than the dandy. Other ladies there present would have realized the same as she had.

"How can I call myself a military man if I cannot even execute a plan of escape—from a young lady no less!" he exclaimed.

"Hush or she will hear you!" Bella reprimanded.

Collins broke out into a chuckle. "Miss Stanley seems far too occupied speaking with Mrs. McCarty to notice anything else." Bella followed his stare and found Jessica Stanley, engaged in a one-sided conversation with what seemed like a distressed Rosalie, looking like she wanted nothing more than to get away from the irksome young lady.

"I am glad to find myself in rather pleasant company," Collins dared. His statement was so bold that it provoked an unwanted blush in Bella and she had to turn away.

"Major Collins," she mumbled to him as if to reprimand him.

Gentle eyes found hers and Bella stared into them, finding nothing to happen within her chest, for they were merely the eyes of yet another man who's fancy she'd caught. Bella shivered internally, where was that deep affection Alice had spoken of? Was it, maybe, hidden? Maybe it was there, only obscured by the glass of port she'd been sipping on.

The rest of the night she spent by Collin's side. But Bella found no joy in it anymore. A great fear now settled within her—a fear that she held no affection for him, no discernable emotion or interest. The only emotion he had provoked in her was jealousy. It was not something she wished to experience again.

Alice caught sight of her distressed state when she was listening to Miss Stanley blabber about the latest fashions of London and Paris.

She wanted to rush for her friend but dismayed as Bella walked away. She was escorted by her father and mother and they all journeyed home in the carriage. Renée could not stop commenting on how interested Major Collins seemed in Bella—an act which was usually reserved for her father. Charles Swan remained quiet as he stared at his daughter.

Lorraine was there when Bella returned, and they entered her room as she started helping her out of the irksome gown that had stifled her the eve. Sara had turned in for the night.

She sat before the mirror as Lorraine removed the pins from her hair. Bella stared emptily at her own reflection when chocolate eyes wandered to the side of the white table.

"Lorraine," she asked, absent-minded. "Did you remove my jewelry box to stand by the window?"

It was a strange occurrence for Lorraine was very adamant of never touching the box with precious jewels. At her previous stations, she had gotten in trouble for even looking at similar things and made sure never to go close to Bella's precious possessions. Bella did not mind much, and she trusted in Lorraine. Which was why she found her moving the box—even touching it—strange.

Lorraine stuttered in defense. "N-no, miss, I can assure you I have not been in your room since you left, Dory can attest to my whereabouts!"

"Calm yourself, I am not accusing you of any crime," Bella said. "But if you did not move it, then who did?"

Lorraine looked at the box with newfound curiosity now that she was cleared from any misconduct. "No one has entered your room to my knowledge."

Bella shook her head vigorously as her lips pressed together. "Maybe I moved it myself before leaving for the carriage." It was not possible for she had not done it. But she needed some sort of reasonable explanation both for herself and Lorraine.

She was helped into her nightgown and settled into bed. Bella was not truly tired when her head hit her pillow and she twisted and turned several times until finally finding a somewhat comfortable position to sleep in. Her hand found the small pocket of her nightdress and clutched Ridge's note.

Under the thick covers—despite the warmth of a summer's eve—Bella suddenly noted the chill present in the room. She lay still in silent contemplation wondering why it felt as if a draft had come over her.

Suddenly she froze when her window creaked slightly.

All was quiet: too quiet.

She fervently searched within her mind, trying to recall her or Lorraine opening the window before she had gone to bed. But such a thing had not transpired. Bella felt her mouth dry up and she had to control every microscopic part of her body, every cell, from not moving.

The hairs on her arms stood up and a chill drifted down her spine.

A soft thud—barely audible—sounded. She probably wouldn't have noticed it had she not strained her ears. Bella focused, trying to listen for something else when she came to the horrid realization.

Someone was in that room with her.

A/N: Another chapter for you, Happy Easter!

Cheers,

Isabelle