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Chapter Seventeen
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Not a light could be seen from the dark silhouette of Plimouth Colony as Bella approached the sleeping town. A few faint wieps of smoke floated from the chimneys from fires not entirely banked, like sighs of breath against the cloud-cloaked skies.
Bella stopped by a the foot of large oak tree and with an easy jump, she swung herself up into the crook of a branch where she had stored the bag of women's clothing.
She stripped off Edward's breeches and shirt, down to her bare skin, and began the difficult process of tugging and tying all of the layers of women's garb in place. she wriggled into her shift, pulled her bodice over head and then laced on her sleeves, finally pulling on the skirt and petticoats. Bella grimaced as she tugged her stockings on over her dirty feet, but that couldn't be helped - she wasn't going to spend the time to stop for a wash.
As she donned her boots, she had a memory of the delicate dancing slippers she'd worn one night after Elizabeth's coronation. Bess loved to dance and would sometimes wear out several pairs of soft kid slippers in a single evening. Even with her supernatural stamina, Bella would often be tired at the end of the night, but Bess would still be full of energy, her dark, sparkling eyes sweeping the crowd of courtiers for another partner.
Bella tied the laces of the plain leather boots at her ankle, and gave a faint smile. Her dancing days were done. The colonists did not dance, frowning on such frivolity and contact between unmarried persons. But once in a while, Bella remembered what it had been like to glide across polished floors in Edward's arms, her skirts swirling around their legs.
She wound her braid onto the back of her head and stuck a wood pin through it before covering it with her linen bonnet. Silently, she dropped down from the tree, an English lady again. She headed for the village, holding her skirts up almost to her hips to keep them out of the snow. The precious pouch of medicine was clutched in her hand. She still wasn't sure how she was going to talk Carlisle and Esme into letting her take over Alice's care. But one way or the other, she couldn't give up now.
There was no movement from the town as she approached. It seemed even the palisade guards must have surrendered to the bitter cold and retreated indoors. She hopped he fence and threaded her way through the small knot of buildings toward her own home. Her heart lifted as she approached it, and she realized she did think of it as home now. She no longer missed the long corridors of Cullen Hall, nor even the rich comforts of the Dower House. Here was where her heart lived. Here was her family and the man that was the other half of her soul. Bella approached her door and hoped Edward hadn't locked it. She had no key and didn't want to rouse the house with a knock.
She tried the door and sighed with relief when it opened with a soft click of the latch. She crept inside, trying not to drag more snow in with her than could be helped. She closed the door as quietly as she could to shut out the blast of cold air and hiked up her skirts to brush off the snow that was caked to her stockings and shoes. She gave a small smile at the woven rush mat beneath her feet as the snow piled up on it. Alice had been horrified at the stains on the rug by the door. The colorful woven wool had been intended for velvet slippers in drawing rooms, not muddy boots from unpaved streets. Alice had scrubbed the rug with pickled cabbage to try to lift the stains, and then argued that the rugs should be rolled up in storage and only put down when important visitors were expected. Bella had refused. What was the point of having rugs if they weren't used? So Alice compromised and made some tightly-woven rush mats to lay over the carpet and spare them the worst of the dirt in the main traffic path.
"Bella."
She whirled with a start at the sound of her name. Carlisle sat by the fireplace, a mug of ale in his hands. He had his head turned away and a hand up to his face as though to block his view of her legs.
Bella dropped her skirts and smoothed them down. She took a deep breath and walked over to him. His eyes were wide with surprise and he looked at her with a slight shake of his head, as though he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. His bewilderment was understandable - no decent English woman would be out after dark, alone, especially in this weather. There was no possible excuse Bella could make.
She bit the corner of her lip. "Is there any more warm cider?"
Carlisle nodded. He had a small bottle warming in the embers and he lifted it with a cloth to pour Bella a mug of the steaming brew. She accepted it with a nod of thanks and took a sip.
Carlisle resumed his seat, reaching out like an old man to steady himself before he sat down with a heavy sigh. He rubbed his forehead with his palm, and he opened his mouth to speak several ties before seeming to lose the words. He finally seemed to sort through questions in his mind before settling on the most important. "Does Edward know?"
Bella nodded. "He knew I was going to get medicine for Alice. Is she -?" The words stuck in Bella's throat, and she felt a sudden dart of fear at what Carlisle's wakefulness could indicate.
"Sleeping, though fitful. Her fever is high." Carlisle glanced at the mug in his hand as though he'd forgotten it and set it on the table beside the bench. "Esme is with her. I couldn't sleep, and so I came down here." He lifted his hands and dropped them with a helpless motion.
Bella bit the inside of her lip. Please let there be time to save her, she begged, though her people didn't believe the gods worked that way. Still, she couldn't help but send up the prayer. Perhaps living among humans all this time had more influence on her way of thinking that she wanted to believe.
Carlisle poured himself another cup of warm cider. "Where do you go?"
"To trade for herbs."
"Herbs." Carlisle wrinkled his nose as though Bella had said, "Twigs and pebbles."
They both turned at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Edward peeked around the corner, and relief washed across his strained features at the sight of Bella. "Oh, thank God, thank God."
With a few bounding steps, he crossed the room and swept Bella into his arms for a deep, hard kiss, uncaring that his father was watching. He stroked his hands over her shoulders and back as though he could hardly believe she was really there, and she realized how terribly worried he had been. He knew how strong she was, knew what she could do, but he couldn't help worrying when she was somewhere he could not stand at her side, facing whatever was to come.
He kissed her again and smiled, his green eyes glimmering with joy. "My beautiful wife. Safe and home again."
Bella laid her hand over his. "I'll always come home to you. Always."
Carlisle stood. "Son, I know not what to say at this moment. It defies my imagination to believe you would allow your wife to go out alone, in the dark no less."
Edward gave a small smile. "She is far stronger than she looks, father."
"Your duty as a husband is to see to her protection, and you have failed in that."
"You can chide me for it later, father, but first we must see to Alice."
Carlisle gave a small shake of the head. "She's under a doctor's care, son, and he is doing all that can be done."
Bella's hands clenched, hidden by the folds of her skirts. "Carlisle, will you let me help her? She is your daughter and I cannot force you to allow me to give these to her, but I am begging you, Carlisle. Let me help her. The doctor has made her no better. In fact, she's worse."
"He said she might appear worse before she gets better." But his words held no force. Carlisle was losing hope.
"If she gets any worse, we'll be storing her corpse in the shed until the spring thaw when we can bury her."
Both Edward and Carlisle flinched at that, and exchanged glances. He seemed to be waiting for Edward to take his side or downplay Bella's words, and when he didn't Carlisle blinked rapidly, as though with the pace of his thoughts. "With whom did you trade? Weymouth?"
She hadn't expected him to go back to that. She should lie, Bella thought. Lie and let him think she had gotten these herbs from fellow Englishmen, but she couldn't. "No, not Weymouth."
"Then who - ?"
"What matters is they will save her life," Bella said. She stood and went over to the hearth and saw the kettle hanging on its hook was empty. The water in the pail by the door was slushy from the chill of the house. Bella poured some into the kettle to rinse it before filling it and setting it back into the embers to heat. "I love Alice as a sister. You know that. And I would not have gone to get these herbs if I did not believe with all my heart they would do her good. Will you let me save her?"
"Only God can save her."
Bella bit back an angry retort. She forced herself to pause for a moment before she responded. "Aye, that may be, but God granted us wisdom to use the fruits of the earth. If she were drowning, Carlisle, would you stand and watch and say God would save her, or would God want you to throw her a rope to pull her ashore?"
"Of course." He sighed and rubbed the back of his hand against his brow. "I just have little faith that some dry plants can do her good where sound medicine has failed. We may have to accept it is God's will ..."
"I'll accept it if I know I've done all I can. I've seen ailments like these in my home village, and I've seen these herbs used to good effect."
The wind rattled the shutters and Carlisle glanced over at the window for a moment before giving a small nod. "Aye, then, try it if you feel you must. The doctor will be unable to come tomorrow anyway, if the weather does not clear."
Bella could have kissed him. She smiled at Edward and opened the bundle of herbs to make her selections. "I'll brew this and head upstairs." She murmured to herself as she sorted them. Some were similar to varieties she had used in Europe. Others were new to her, but she trusted the wisdom of Jacob's people. She mixed up a brew to cool fever and one to stifle cough before heading up the stairs with the two steaming mugs in her hands.
Behind her, she heard the murmur of the men's voices, and she knew Carlisle was probably chastising Edward for allowing her to go, but she would have to trust Edward to handle it. Right now, she had Alice to save.
~.~
Bella carried the mug up the steep stairs, her skirts bunched in one hand. She pushed the door open with her hip. Esme looked up from her spot beside the bed. Her cheeks were wet. Bella froze, her eyes widening with horror. Oh no, oh no ...
Esme saw Bella's reaction and stood quickly as she shook her head. She crossed the room with quick, light steps to whisper in Bella's ear. " 'Tis not that. I'm sorry I alarmed you. She's sleeping now. It's just, I'm afraid ..."
Esme pinched her lips shut and looked away as her eyes filled with tears again. "She's worse, Bella. She has not even the strength to cough, but she cannot breathe clearly. She sounds like she's drowning."
"I have something that may help her," Bella said. "We need to keep water hot so I can keep brewing medicine for her. Can you help me with that?"
"Of course!" Esme seemed relieved to have something productive to do. She gathered up the other kettle and headed for the stairs. "I'll put another pot on now."
Bella watched her go and gave a small shake of her head. Esme was so eager to grasp at any hope, she hadn't even asked Bella what it was she had that might help Alice.
Bella sat down on the side of Alice's bed and put the mug on the stand beside it. Alice's sleep was shallow and fitful. She made small, harsh grunts as her weakened body tried to cough, and Bella could hear a deep gurgle from within her chest. Her grayish skin was slick with sweat and her blue-tinged lips twitched as though she were trying to speak in her sleep. For a moment, despair washed over Bella. Perhaps it had all been for naught. But she had to try. If there was even a thin thread of hope, she had to try.
"Alice, I need you to wake up now." Bella gave her a small shake and Alice gave a soft gasp.
She looked over at Bella, but it was a moment before she could focus her bleary eyes. "Bella?" she whispered as her gaze sharpened and clarified. Her voice held the hush of awe. She blinked a few times and Bella saw Alice's brows crinkle together as she stared harder.
"I'm here."
"You ... you're shining," Alice whispered. "You glow, like the moonlight on snow."
Bella felt a spike of cold fear jab into her stomach. Alice's fever had lifted some of the veil that blinded adult humans to the different beings that walked among them. "Your eyes are strained from the fever. But I have something here that may help."
"No." Alice gave a tiny shake of her head. "You're ... different."
"I'm the same as I always was."
But despite Bella's assuring words, Alice was seeing her clearly, perhaps for the first time, and couldn't be distracted from it. Her voice trembled as she spoke, and Bella didn't think it was from weakness. "What are you?"
"I'm your sister," Bella said. She sat down on the bed. "As I have always been and will ever be. I have something that may help you. Sit up." She slipped an arm beneath Alice's shoulders and helped prop her up into a sitting position. Alice was as limp as a bag of wheat. Her head lolled back against Bella's shoulder. Bella tilted the mug against her lips. "Drink this. I warn you, the taste is bitter, but 'twill make you right as an adamant."
The corners of Alice's lips lifted as she recognized the phrase. She sipped at the warm brew and grimaced, but returned to drink more. A small stream of liquid dribbled past her lips and she choked, turning her head away as a cough racked her. "Sorr- Sorry."
"Never you mind. Drink."
"I can't." Alice's eyelids drooped lower and her head sagged downward. Bella jostled her sharply and Alice blinked as she was wracked with more of those aborted coughs.
Bella put the mug to her lips again. "You must. Come now. We'll take our time, but you must get it down."
Patiently, she coaxed Alice to continue sipping until it was all gone. Alice fell back to the pillow, exhausted, but her gasps were not as interrupted by coughs as before. She fell back to sleep almost instantly. Bella pulled the covers up around Alice's chin. She pressed a kiss to Alice's temple, and hoped it wasn't her imagination that Alice seemed a bit cooler. She would let her sleep for a few minutes, Bella decided, and then try to get another cup of the herbal brew into her.
She smoothed her hands over the quilts, straightening out the wrinkles. It was something she had seen Esme do, one of those helpless little gestures of love done by those who could do nothing else, but felt compelled into action of some kind.
She thought back to a warm spring day in 1592 when she had sat by Alice's bedside as she was departing this world. Alice had been ready to go, her body worn out by a long wasting sickness none of them could explain. Outside, the birds twittered in the branches of the thick ropes of ivy that grew over her little cottage. A family of wrens had built a nest right outside the window, which Alice wouldn't let the gardener disturb, because she was hoping to see the hatchlings. But by the time the chicks emerged, Alice was too weak to rise from her bed to go to the window and watch them. But she could hear them, and it made her smile every time wings beat against the leaves and the babies began to screech in their eagerness to be fed.
"Tell me how many there are," she'd asked, and Bella went over to peer through the cloudy diamond-shaped panes to count.
"Three," she announced, turning back, but Alice never heard her. She'd slipped away in the few moments it took Bella to cross the room, but she still had that soft smile on her face.
"Bella," Alice said now, breaking her from her reverie.
"Aye, I'm here," Bella said. "Will you have some more?"
Alice nodded. Bella took the clay mug and refilled it from the kettle. She helped Alice raise up again. She lifted the mug to her lips and Alice sipped, her nose wrinkling at the taste. But she drank it down before falling back with a small gasp. Bella laid her down and tucking the covers around her, every tender motion a gesture of love.
Alice closed her eyes, even as her lips curved up in a smile. "Bella, you're so good to me."
"I love you, Alice. My own sister. I've loved you for longer than you know."
"I had a dream," Alice murmured. "A dream of you and I ... but it was strange. we were together, but in another place. It didn't feel ... There was something different about it. it didn't feel like a regular dream. It was clearer. More real."
"I understand. I have those too."
Alice's eyes bored into hers. She gave a little nod. "I think you do. You wore velvet with diamonds and pearls sewn to your skirts. And there was another woman, one with long red hair and eyes as black as coal. I told her she was too selfish to ever fall in love. Do you remember?"
Bella rinsed out the cloth. Esme had added lavender to the water, a soothing scent. She dabbed Alice's temples, but they were no longer as sweaty as they had been. "I remember. Bess laughed and said she was going to keep you, but there's no way I ever would have let her take you from me. I needed you, too. Do you remember those long afternoons when we would go out with a basket full of the things you knew the villagers needed? We would travel around to Jasper's parishioners, and you would deliver pots of soup, bolts of fabric, pairs of shoes, seeds for a garden, whatever you had heard they needed. There were those who might have frowned on it, but you took me with you, and who could question it when you emerged from the duchess's litter with her grace right beside you? Edward would be so irritated that we were gone all day when there so many other things that needed our attention, but you insisted this was much more important."
"Jasper," Alice whispered. "... Always so many doubts." She gave a chuckle that changed into a tiny cough.
Bella felt tears sting her eyes, but she smiled. "Yes, if I could have given him one gift, it would have been to be confident in his decisions. He always was susceptible to doubting himself, doubting whether he'd made the right choice. But he had, Alice. We all knew it. You were meant to be together in that life ... and in this one."
"This one." Alice's voice was faint. "I wish ... I don't think..." She opened her bleary eyes and Bella saw they shimmered with tears, too. "I don't think that will happen."
"It will." Bella gave her a confident smile. The confidence was feigned, but she didn't want Alice to know it. "You will feel better soon now that I have something in you to quell your fever. You will see. Rest now."
Alice gave a small nod. "Tell me more."
"Bess used to come to stay with us at the Dower House. She always complained because it was so small - at least, compared to the palaces she usually inhabited. I think she expected Edward to enlarge it. Sir Thomas Lucy had built a huge new house shaped like a letter 'E' in her honor when she said she was going to visit him. But Edward would just give that crooked smile of his when she complained and offer her another goblet of wine. Her court would fill up every building in the village, save the poorhouse, and then spill over into tents on the green."
"What was green?" Esme asked as she pushed open the door with her hip, her arms occupied by a fresh bowl of water.
Bella jumped slightly. "I was just telling Alice some tales of the court to lull her to sleep."
"It seems to have worked."
Bella looked down at Alice and saw that even in her sleep, she had a small smile.
~.~
The sun was streaming brightly through the windows when Bella tromped wearily down the stairs, the empty kettle in her hands. She saw Carlisle by the fire, and to her surprise, he was tending one of the kettles. Bella had shown Esme how to mix and brew the herbs, but she hadn't expected Carlisle to pitch in and help.
"What news?" Carlisle demanded. His features were strained and dark circles pooled below his eyes. Bella didn't think he'd slept since the night she'd returned with the herbs. How long ago had that been? Three or four days now? She had lost track of time, counting the hours only by the rounds of kettles and steaming mugs.
"She's faring better," Bella said, and she saw some of the lines of anguish in Carlisle's features ease. "Her lungs are clearing a bit, and her fever is low."
"God be praised!" Carlisle whispered. "G-God b-b ..." His shoulders began to shake and he brought his hands up to cover his face. The sounds of his harsh sobs echoed from the walls.
"Shh." Bella crossed the room and took him into her arms. Carlisle stiffened for a moment and then collapsed against her, wrapping his arms so tightly around her that Bella's bones creaked. Both of them shook with the force of his sobs. He dropped his forehead against her shoulder as Bella rubbed her hands over his shoulders, whispering soothing nonsense against his hair.
"I t-thought s-she w-was lost." Carlisle straightened, rubbing the cuff of his sleeve across his sodden cheeks.
"God was merciful," Bella said. "She still needs tending, but I believe her to be on the mend."
"I- I have another pot for her." Carlisle sniffed and straightened his shoulders, tugging at his jacket to ensure it wasn't askew. He took out his handkerchief and dabbed quickly at his eyes, turning away from her as he did. When he turned back, he was his usual self, solemn and composed.
"I thank you." Bella took the kettle and headed for the stairs.
Carlisle's voice stopped her. "You never answered my question. If you did not go to Weymouth, where did you go for the herbs?"
Bella turned slowly and met his eyes. "I went to find Jacob's people, the Wôpanâak."
Carlisle's jaw dropped and he stared at Bella as though waiting for her to retract her words. When she didn't, he blinked and brought a hand up to cover his lips. "I cannot believe ... James had said ... But I didn't believe him. I thought he must be lying, that you wouldn't -" He stopped for a moment and closed his eyes. "I thought they were gone."
"They are. They're far from here."
"Within a night's walk," Carlisle said, and his eyes narrowed. "For a woman, at that. How did you know where to find them?"
"I didn't. I had to search for them."
She could tell Carlisle didn't believe her. His eyes were hard and flat.
She tilted up her chin. "Whatever James may have told you, this was the first I have seen of Jacob since he and his people left this region. He is a good man who wants only peace between our peoples and he knows I wish the same, and so he was willing to trade with me."
"What did you give him?"
"What?"
"For the herbs. What did you give him in return?"
Bella hadn't expected that question and wasn't prepared with a quick answer. Carlisle saw that and gave a small huff. He turned away just as Esme came down the stairs. "This kettle is empty," she said, her eyes darting between her husband and Bella. "Shall I ...?"
"I'll make her some more," Carlisle said. He held out his hand and Esme went over to hand it off.
Bella bit her lip, and headed up the stairs to Alice.
~.~
Alice lay dozing in a chair in the front yard in a pool of warm spring sunlight, her feet propped on a cushion laid over a stool. She had a book in her lap, a finger tucked between the pages to keep her place. There was a soft smile on her face, so Bella supposed whatever Alice was dreaming must be pleasant.
Alice woke when Bella's shadow fell over her. Alice gave her head a little shake to clear it and smiled up at her.
"Are you ready?" Bella asked.
"I've been ready for a long while," Alice replied.
Bella helped her to her feet because Alice was still a little weak and unsteady from the terrible illness she'd suffered this winter. The sunbathing Bella insisted she do for a few minutes per day had given her back a little of her color, but Alice still had a ways to go on the road to full recovery.
"Do you really think she should marry now?" Esme had asked a few weeks ago after Jasper had visited and told them that he and Alice had set a date.
"I see no reason why not," Bella said. "Jasper said they'd spend the first few weeks just lazing around the house, to give her more time to recover before they set to full-time housekeeping. There's a couple of weeks yet before we start planting, and he has no problem in helping her around the house until - "
"Nay, housework is not what I meant." Esme's cheeks were blooming pink. "I fear ... that is, I think she shouldn't ..."
"Esme, please just tell me."
"She shouldn't get with child yet," Esme blurted. "She's too weak, and a babe would drain her of what strength she has."
"Oh!" Bella blinked She hadn't thought of that, but her own species had none of the problems with bearing children that humans did. "I'll speak with them."
"Them? You mean, Jasper too?"
"Why not?" Bella shrugged, and hid a smile at Esme's flaming-hot cheeks.
It had been an interesting conversation, Bella reflected, as she helped Alice gather her things. Though Jasper was not completely inexperienced, he was unaware of methods which would reduce the chance of a child, or other methods of giving and receiving pleasure that didn't involve possible conception. He'd walked away from the conversation looking slightly dazed, but with a bright gleam in his eyes. Her talk with Alice had been easier, because Alice had no hesitation in asking questions and seemed thrilled by the endless possibilities. Life would be a lot simpler, Bell thought, if humans could just get past their silly notions and be direct and honest.
They walked slowly toward the meeting house, and Bella watched Alice as she took in the sights of the budding trees and clouds against the bright blue sky. She took a deep breath and smiled, and Bella smiled too. She didn't need to be able to read Alice's mind to know she was thinking of how grateful she was to see another spring day.
The men were already standing by the door when they arrived. Carlisle was smiling, and he put his hand on Jasper's shoulder as Alice approached. Edward looked positively gleeful and when Bella came to stand beside him, he slyly reached for her hand, hidden behind the folds of her skirts and gave it a squeeze. His eyes were shining, and Bella's heart seemed to swell within her to see that look on his face once more. She had missed it so badly. Happiness. Life gave them so few of these precious moments when they could all gather together with joy, these few precious moments when all was right with the world.
Alice and Jasper smiled at each other, And Bella saw him stroke a fingertip over the skin inside Alice's wrist. She shivered in response. Their grasp lingered for a moment before they parted, she and Bella and Esme to the women's side of the meeting house, and the men for theirs. Bella ducked her head so Alice wouldn't see her grin, but she didn't think Alice saw much of anything at the moment, her gaze was so dazed and distant.
All throughout the service, Alice seemed a thousand miles away, off dreaming somewhere in her imagination. Bella bumped her with her elbow when it was time to rise and Alice blushed as she stood and seemed to try to pay attention, but Bella was pretty sure her mind wasn't on spiritual matters.
When the afternoon break came, Alice sprang to her feet and rushed to the front of the room where the register was held, more energy in her steps than Bella would have believed possible. Bella laughed as she followed, gathering up Rose into her arms as Esme went to fetch little Emmett from the men's side. They all gathered around as Jasper and Alice signed, and now clasped hands as man and wife.
Tears streamed down Bella's cheeks. Sometimes joy became too much to contain, she supposed. She kissed Alice's cheek as they walked toward the tavern. "Be happy," she whispered.
"I know I will be." Alice slipped an arm around Bella's waist and gave her a squeeze before darting over to walk at her new husband's side.
Edward held the door open for them and the family filed inside. They were immediately swallowed up by a crowd of well-wishers. Jasper was slapped on the back so many times, Bella thought it would knock him off his feet. She hung back against the wall as Edward went over to the counter to order them some dinner and ale.
"Well, if it isn't the savage's whore."
Bella whirled and saw James lounging against the pillar, his face askew with an ugly smirk.
"Goodman, I will not ask you what you just said, but -"
"Don't pretend righteous indignation," James snarled. "Everyone knows now."
Bella felt her forehead wrinkle. "What?"
James gave a genuine smile at her confusion and it chilled the pit of her stomach. "Carlisle felt it his duty to warn us the savages were near. We've been sending out patrols for a couple of weeks to search for them. He didn't want to tell us how he knew they were close, but ..." James tilted his head. "In the end he had to. By now all of the colony knows of your trading. I've made sure of it."
Bella glanced around the room. She hadn't noticed any difference in the way she'd been treated lately, but she hadn't been out of the house much, spending her time taking care of Alice and the children. Esme had done the necessary trading, and she hadn't said anything of hearing ill gossip. But being so occupied with what was going on at home, would she have noticed sly glances and pointed whispers?
"Your husband will never be an Elder now," James hissed. "That much is certain. And you? You will be fortunate if the people do not spit on you when you venture out -"
"I do not know why you are presuming to speak to my wife, Captain Hunter, but I do know I do not like your tone." Edward's voice was sharp enough to cut glass, but James was not going to pretend deference any longer. He gave Bella one last smirk before turning to Edward. He didn't bother to speak to him. He just gave a disdainful snort and sauntered away.
"Why -" Edward stared after him, his green eyes blazing.
"Stop," Bella said. "He was telling me he's been spreading poisonous gossip about my trading with Jacob."
"How did he know?"
"Carlisle."
Edward closed his eyes. "God's bones," he said, echoing one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite oaths.
"Whatever comes, we will weather it." Bella waited until he opened his eyes to meet hers. "We will."
"Bella, it could get ..."
"We've faced worse." She knew he didn't remember much of those dark days, and she was grateful for that. The burden of terrible memories something she didn't wish to share with him fully.
There was a laugh, and Edward's shoulders stiffened as he looked around, searching for the source of it, wondering if it was malicious.
"Stop," Bella said. "This is a happy occasion, remember? Do not let him spoil it."
"Aye." The barman on the opposite side of the room raised his hand to let Edward know their food was ready, and Edward gave Bella's hand a brief squeeze before setting off to fetch it. "We'll let nothing spoil it. Nor this." He indicated their joined hands.
"Nothing could spoil that." Bella smiled at him, and watched as he crossed the room, threading through the crowd of colonists. she took a deep breath and went over to the table to join her family.
