Thank you for your reviews and for asking about my shoulder. It was getting better, but then I had to fly and it got a jerk while I was collecting my suitcase from the baggage carousal. Right now I can manage most tasks, but it does hurt a bit. Oh well.

Some family time, some fluff, coming right up!

Chapter-20

( Present )

I sleep well enough, but when I wake up it's still very early. The dull morning light has just begun to steal into the room, making silhouettes of previously invisible items of furniture. Why have I woken up this early?

A strange sound close to me makes me look around in alarm. It sounds almost as if somebody is in pain. I look around wildly, and then I remember that I am not alone in my bed. Edward is there, asleep beside me.

At least, he seems asleep, except that he just groaned. Is there something wrong with him?

Before I can decide whether or not to wake him up, he throws off the duvet to my side. Nothing is clear, but it seems as if his hand is inside his pyjamas…moving in a rhythmic fashion. Is he playing with his tool? Why would he do that?

I watch fascinated as his pace increases and his groans become more pronounced. Finally, with a long-drawn ahhh, he stills and draws his hand back.

I can no longer control my curiosity.

"Edward?" I call out softly, but he jumps as if a shot has been fired.

"Bella!" He sits up hastily, rubbing his hand against his clothes. "When did you…I thought you were asleep!"

I have never seen Edward so flustered since he returned from France. And even though I can't see his face, I can feel heat radiating off his skin. Is he blushing?

"I was," I assure him, "but then I heard you…"

He pulls at his hair. Why is he so embarrassed?

"You did?"

I place my hand on his and stop him from abusing his silky locks. "I am sorry…Should I have pretended not to hear you? I didn't even understand what you were doing at first!"

He chuckles soundlessly. "I—I am not sure what to say. But no, you don't have to pretend anything with me. Ah, do you understand now—what I was doing, that is?"

I shrug. "Not completely. It seemed to me that you were playing with your tool. Were you?"

This time he laughs. "You don't beat about the bush, don't you? To answer your question, yes, I was. It is something most men do some or other time in their life."

"Does it feel good?" I ask curiously.

"Uh, yes. Very good."

"So why were you embarrassed that I heard you?"

He mutters something like 'so curious'. "We don't do it in front of a lady. Or anybody else, for that matter. It is for personal pleasure."

My eyes widen. "So, no woman has seen her husband do this before? Well, I didn't really see anything, but—" I stop as he shakes his head and laughs.

"I suppose some of them must have," he says finally. Now that my eyes have become more used to the meager light, I can see his eyes twinkling. I just know he is going to say something mischievous.

I am proved right as he speaks. "Do you want to see me do that?" He probably thinks I will refuse, but I am not going to back away from the challenge. Also, I know so little about men. If my husband wants to show me something new, I want to see.

My answer clearly takes him by surprise, but he promises to show me tonight. Then he says he has to change his clothes and leaves for his room.

Hmm, I suppose he has to, if he feels as sticky as I do after our lovemaking. Also, unlike me he has nowhere to put that stuff away.

-ATW-

At breakfast, there is a note for me from my mother, asking if I could spend the day with her and my sister, and bring Lizzie with me. I show it to Edward.

"Of course you should visit them," he says, answering my unasked question. "Your mother probably wants to be sure that this marriage has brought happiness to you, and also that it hasn't been a disadvantage."

I tilt my head curiously. "Why would she think that? You are Anthony's cousin, not a stranger."

He shrugs lightly. "That doesn't mean anything. It's true that she didn't know Anthony, but she knew of him, at least. He had been managing the estate for over two years and had a reputation in the village. On the other hand, I am new to everybody except the staff."

If he wasn't sitting across from the table, I would have patted his hand. Instead I tried to reassure him with my words. "My lord, I am sure my mother must have heard good things about you since you have come back to the estate. And the fact that your staff likes you so much is important as well. Word gets around from one household to another, you know?"

It seems to work, for he looks happier. "I would like your parents to think well of me, sweetheart." Then he leans forward and lowers his voice. "Can I trust you to put in a good word for me? Have I made you happy in all the important ways?"

His expression says more than his words, and I gasp that he should refer to our intimate moments at the breakfast table, even though there are no servants close by. A couple of maids are standing near the sideboard, but they are chatting in a low voice and not paying attention to our conversation.

"Edward!"

I bite my tongue at my spontaneity. He makes me so careless!

"Yes, darling," he says, trying his best to sound innocent. Not much chance of that, with his eyes dancing with mischief.

I press my lips but a giggle bursts out. "You are incorrigible!"

He smiles, looking as pleased as if he is a child and has been awarded the prize for being the best student in the class. I just shake my head. What am I to do with him?

-ATW-

Lizzie is ecstatic when I tell her we are going to her grandparents. They dote on her and treat her like a princess, after all. And she likes to ride in the carriage too!

My father has gone out to the fields, but my mother assures us that he will be back for tea. She makes much of Lizzie and presents her with a book that is full of pictures from far-off places. Also, the gardener has a little girl who is only a few months older to Lizzie, and they get along well, so she sets off to find her friend and share her gift with her.

My mother's indulgent smile fades as Lizzie disappears and she turns towards me. It is such a nice day, with the sun warm on our skin and the birds calling to each-other: we have elected to sit in the garden instead of the parlour inside. There are flowers in abundance, and bees are buzzing in the distance. It is very pleasant and lazy.

There are some old chairs and a table set under a tree, so we can enjoy the sun but are protected if it becomes too hot. Mamma has informed me that Angela will join us in a little while. I am sure it is because Mamma wants to talk with me in private.

"How are you, Isabella? Are you happy with your new husband?"

She doesn't sound worried exactly, but there is an uncertainty in her voice. I hadn't thought about it, but it seems Edward was right. However, I can answer her with complete honesty.

"Yes, Mamma, he does, he makes me very happy. And he is such a good father to Lizzie too. She was very attached to Anthony, but I can see that she is not so sad now. She receives a lot of affection from Edward."

My mother smiles, relief written on her face. "That is really good, Isabella. Few men care for children that they have not sired. And these lords…they usually keep their own children at a distance, don't they?"

I nod. "Most of them do, but Anthony still found time for Lizzie, and Edward…you should have seen his face when Lizzie asked him if she could call him Papa. I thought he would burst with happiness!"

This time her smile is wider, a symbol of pure joy. "I must confess it brings me great happiness, my child. I know we met him once before the wedding, but what can we know of someone in fifteen minutes? We had hardly ever seen the man while you were married to Anthony, or heard anything about him. Also, gaining a title sometimes goes to a man's head, so it wouldn't have mattered if we had met him earlier."

I tell her how much the servants look up to him and what plans he has for the estate, and she listens with rapt attention. I also tell her about Lizzie getting a pony, and the name Edward has bestowed upon it because it is Lizzie's favourite dessert. That makes her laugh!

When it is time for lunch, we get up, and she surprises me with a hug. When she pulls back, I see tears in her eyes.

"Isabella, I have not heard such enthusiasm in your voice for years! You always seemed content, but there was something missing in your eyes. Today you look as if you have gained that missing part. Now I can put my worries to rest."

"But you never…" I trail off, but she understands my question nevertheless.

"I didn't want to meddle in your business, dear. I thought if there was something you wanted to share with me, you would let me know. Sometimes things sour between husband and wife, but it is up to them to find a way, you know? If you had come to me with your problem, I would have tried to help, of course."

I nod in agreement, and we proceed towards the house. So she had noticed my unhappiness but decided not to interfere. And what good would it have done anyway? It wasn't as if I could have explained to her what was wrong with my life!

Angela joins us for lunch, which I expected, but so does Aunt Esme. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised though. Of course my aunt would have the same concerns as my mother and would want to set them right as soon as possible.

I repeat my praise for Edward, and both Angela and Esme seem satisfied. Indeed, Angela seems more than satisfied. She is looking at me as if I am showing her a fairy-tale world.

As soon as lunch is over, she begs me to take a stroll with her in the garden. She must have discussed it with Mamma before, for she waves us off with a smile.

I expect her to discuss her wedding dress or something similar, so I am surprised when she keeps quiet and fiddles with her gown. Finally we sit on a bench and I ask her what is bothering her.

She clears her throat and looks at her hands. To my consternation, her face turns an uneven red and beads of sweat appear on her forehead.

"Angela, are you not feeling well?"

She takes a deep breath and shakes her head. Then she says something that sounds like Iwanttoknowwhathappensontheweddingnight.

I blink at her, not sure if I heard her right. She looks at me expectantly.

"You want to know what happens on…" I can't bring myself to complete the sentence. My younger sister is asking me about sex.

She bites her lower lip. "I can't ask Mamma, can I? You are a married woman and even have a child. You can advise me better than anybody else." Her eyes grow wide and her face pales as she thinks over something. "My friend Betty—she got married three months ago—said that it hurt a lot. She cried for hours and forbade her husband to touch her for a week!"

"And her husband agreed?"

She giggles. "Yes, they have known each other since they were children. I suppose she scared him with her crying and all." Then her face falls. "But I don't know Mr Cheney. He has been here a couple of times, and we have spoken a little, but he still is a stranger to me. I can't imagine refusing his advances, even if it hurts. What did you do? Was it that bad for you?"

Her eyes are pleading for reassurance. I guess she knows what to expect, at least to some extent. She doesn't need advice from me, only my understanding.

"No, it wasn't that bad, although it was awkward at first," I say slowly, thinking back to that time. "Anthony was really gentle with me, though I wish we had talked more. It can make so much difference. Now that Edward—"

My face heats up and I clamp my mouth shut. I am not going to discuss our intimate moments with my sister!

She doesn't give up easily though. "Does he make you happy? Do you talk with him?"

I admit that yes, he makes me happy, and we do talk. Angela squeals loudly.

"I have never seen you blush like this! He must be very good at it."

I blush some more and laugh at her enthusiasm. Of course she doesn't know about the barren years in between, but she is right. My earlier experience was all right, I suppose, but now I am learning to actually enjoy our coupling.

We talk on various matters. Finally mother calls us to come inside and have tea.

My father is back from work, and Lizzie is back from her friend's house. She is chattering away, telling all of us how wonderful her day has been. My parents and aunt smile at her and encourage her through questions and exclamations.

We have just begun our first cup of tea when there is the sound of a horse's hooves coming to a halt outside. We look at each other questioningly.

A moment later a maid enters and announces that Lord Edward Masen is here to see my parents. My mother gives me a knowing smile, and she and my aunt exchange looks.

"Well Jenny, don't make him wait in the drawing room," says mother. "Bring him inside so he can join us, and set another place for tea."

"Isn't it unusual for a lord to come without prior invitation, or at least intimation?" wonders my father. Mother hushes him quickly.

I can feel my ears burning, but then Edward enters the room, and I forget why he shouldn't be here without notice. All I can see is his eager smile.

All of us rise to welcome him, though Lizzie runs straight into his arms, of course. I wish I could do the same.

He apologises charmingly for the interruption, but adds that he wanted to meet my parents properly but without too much ceremony. The one meeting before the wedding was too brief to be counted.

Soon he has everyone at ease and smiling at his words. I can see that my father likes his down-to-earth manner, and they earnestly discuss some crops-related problem. Edward also explains his plans to breed horses on the estate. But he also listens attentively when Lizzie prattles about her pony.

When tea is over, he looks at me and asks playfully if he can see my childhood room. I am surprised but agree gladly, for I want to be alone with him.

It seems he wanted the same thing, for as soon as we enter the room he shuts the door and pulls me close for a long kiss. I try to remember that my parents are in the other room, but it is difficult when I am surrounded with his heat and want. His arms are around me, his perfect body pressed against mine while his lips nip and suck mine, then move to my neck and shower kisses there. I feel like I am burning for him.

"I missed you," he murmurs finally, resting his chin on the top of my head.

"I missed you too," I answer into the soft fabric of his shirt, and feel him smile as he kisses my head.

"I hope you didn't mind my dropping in like this. I just had to see you."

How can I mind when he is being so sweet?

"I don't mind, but…"

"But what?" He sounds a little anxious as he loosens me so that he can look at my face.

"Angela is going to tease me so much. And it will be embarrassing to face my parents when we go back to the parlour."

"I think it will be more embarrassing for me," he says in a strained voice, making me laugh.

"Maybe you should actually show me your childhood room until my…problem goes away?" he suggests. Of course my eyes are drawn to his breeches.

"It goes away by itself?"

He groans. "Not if you keep on staring at it, but otherwise yes. It just takes a few minutes."

"Will it come back at night?"

"Bella!"

A.N. : Did Bella just give Edward a taste of his own medicine? ;)

Do you want some details of Edward's demonstration to Bella or shall I continue to the more important things in the story?