Bella's POV
Captain Cullen was undeniably handsome, but when he smiled, the effect was absolutely devastating. It was no wonder Mother Cope doubted my ability to become a nun. One smile and I was already somewhat weak in the knees. I really needed to get it together.
Once dinner was- praise be to God- over, I decided to head up to my room. The Captain had complained about my dress. Perhaps there was something I could do tonight to alter it and make it less abominable. As I was about to head up the stairs, the front bell buzzed.
The "old butler," as he had introduced himself to me, went and opened the door. Who could be calling at this late an hour?
"Ah, Jasper." He said in obvious recognition. "Good evening."
"Good evening, Herr Crowley. I trust everything is under control."
"Yes, yes," the butler, or should I say Herr Crowley, nodded. "Are there any developments?"
"Perhaps, is the Captain at home?" At the question, Herr Crowley swallowed deeply. I might have been imagining it, but he seemed almost nervous.
"He's at dinner," came his response. Why would he lie?
"With the family?" Jasper pressured.
"Yes." Herr Crowley responded certainly, but I saw the corners of his mouth dip into a frown.
"Please give him this telegram at once." Jasper reached into his messenger bag and pulled out a small envelope.
"Certainly." Herr Crowley took the post, his hand slightly shaking. He turned, closed the door, and locked it. How could a small letter cause so much agitation? I was certain I saw fear flicker across the butler's face as he dead bolted the door.
I started to make my way back up the stairs, realizing I had paused halfway up to listen to the conversation, obviously eavesdropping.
"A telegram for you, Sir." Herr Crowley knocked on the Captain's office door. I slowly took another step forward, not wanting to rush and miss what the fuss was over a piece of mail.
"Hmm," the Captain grunted. He took the letter, and quickly opened and unfolded it.
"Herr Crowley, who delivered it?" Alice suddenly popped out of the dining room, a sheepish look on her face.
"Young Jasper Hale, of course," the butler answered. But both he and the Captain missed the spark that suddenly lit in Alice's eye. Whoever this Jasper Hale was, he was much more than a postman to Alice. Maybe she needed a mother more than I thought.
"Father, I'm going to go for a short walk. I don't believe I was breathing deeply enough when we marched the grounds earlier today. I think the extra exercise would do me good." Alice explained. Her father, clearly distracted by his letter, simply nodded his head and was completely oblivious to his eldest daughter slipping out the door into the night.
"What is it, sir?" Herr Crowley asked when it became clear that the Captain had finished reading the letter. He wiped his brow and glanced at his butler.
"In the morning, I shall be going to Vienna."
"Not again, father!" Angela and Jake exclaimed at the same time as they stepped out of the library and into the foyer. Bree stood close behind them, looking close to tears.
"How long will you be gone this time, father?" She whimpered.
"I'm not sure, Bree." He answered. My heart broke for her. I wasn't aware that the Captain was gone so often. He at least seemed to grieve having to leave his children.
"Are you going to visit Baroness Rosalie, again?" Jane accused, having joined the group, with Michael, from the dining room.
"Mind your own business," Michael stage-whispered.
The Captain looked affronted. "As a matter of fact, yes, Jane."
"Why don't we ever get to see the Baroness?" Heidi questioned. Her face looked puzzled.
If the Captain was visiting the Baroness for the reasons I suspected, I could see why the Captain was hesitant to introduce them. The children didn't seem to realize that the Captain had been widowed for a significant number of years without remarrying. Especially with seven children. My stomach churned a little. For some reason, having the Captain leave to visit this mystery woman, Baroness Rosalie, had my insides in knots.
"Why would she want to meet you?" Jake teased his younger sister. I watched the Captain take a deep breath, clearly not prepared to discuss the conversation at hand.
"It just so happens, Heidi, that you are going to see the Baroness." The whole room stood still. "I'm bringing her back with me to visit us all… and Uncle Emmett"
"Good!" The children exclaimed, clearly excited to meet their father's friend. Considering how much they fought a governess, I doubted they all realized that they were likely about to meet their new… stepmother.
The thought jolted me to my very bones. If they had a stepmother, where would that leave me? Didn't I want this to happen, so I could go back to the Abbey? Why did my heart feel as if it was a little shattered. Nothing was making sense.
Silently, I continued making my way up the stairs feeling evermore out of place. I approached the last stair and took one last look down at the group. I turned to look away, but not before a pair of stunning green eyes caught mine. I could have sworn I recognized the feeling I saw there. Regret.
Edward's POV
That night as I packed my bags to head to Vienna, I felt haunted. I hated leaving my children, even for a little while. I knew they were excited to meet Rosalie, I had visited her many times in the last year, but I knew they were most excited about once again seeing their dear Uncle Emmett.
Emmett had long been one of my closest friends. He had been there when Tanya was sick, and helped take care of the children when I could scarcely take care of myself. He was the one who had helped keep me going when I felt certain I had nothing left to give.
To be fair, Emmett was everything I was not. He was the light and laughter to my dark and sullen persona. I couldn't blame the children for their excitement over his impending arrival. What I did blame myself for, was what was haunting me tonight. As the thunder raged and the lightning struck, I wasn't haunted by the prospect of leaving my children to head to Vienna. I was haunted by the dark brown eyes that caught mine at the top of the stairs. I could have sworn I recognized the feeling I saw there. Hurt.
Note:
Thank you to those who have reviewed! You have kept me going. If you would like me to keep writing, please leave a comment. I am having fun seeing where this story takes me.
