Within a month, Mary Alice's despair was all-consuming. Her travel instructions were due to arrive any day. Exhausted with her continued emotional outbursts, Charles demanded that she accompany him to town and seek counsel with the priest. If he could not convince her to set aside her selfish desires, perhaps her friend Father Peter could. This recent development lifted her spirits, and Mary Alice was more than willing to go.
As she dressed for the outing, Mary Alice revealed to Bella that the young new priest was Jasper's closest friend and unlikely to be very helpful. Before leaving, she whispered, "Perhaps he can help me escape." She grabbed Bella's hands and squeezed them tight in her excitement. Her eyes were wide and wild as she contemplated, not truly looking at her sister. "What if I could hide there? Take sanctuary in the church until Jasper returns?"
"Do not make rash decisions, Alice," Bella said, attempting to calm her sister. "Everything will work out. You will see."
Mary Alice groaned in frustration. "You sound like Father." She turned and stomped down the stairs.
Emmett sought refuge in the woods with his weapons, avoiding the conflict since Charles refused to see reason. No one expected to return until nightfall.
Not long after they departed, a parcel arrived addressed to Col. Charles Swan. Bella risked his wrath by opening the attached letter. It detailed the terms of a marriage contract and the exchange of a sum that should keep the Swan family financially afloat for the next twenty years if Charles lived within his means.
Provided the union takes place, all members of the Swan family could visit the grounds with unlimited accommodation. Charles would receive overflow goods from the orchard at each harvest, which he could do with as he pleased. The agreement and the generosity within astounded Bella. The marriage contract was to be signed by Charles, signed again by the intended bride, and returned in person. An included map directed the safest travel routes and where to find the entrance to their expansive property. Instructions stated that, once inside the gate, one of their many huntsmen would escort the intended to the house.
Inside the parcel was a long, golden, luxurious riding cloak with a large Black family crest embroidered on the back. The inner lining was made entirely of soft pelts that were warm and russet. The cape had been a thoughtful edition. She hoped it represented kindness and welcomeness. Bella glanced around at the lightly falling snow, knowing that such finery would not have thawed Mary Alice's heart on the cold journey. Instructions tucked inside the hood explained that the bride must arrive wearing it, signifying her importance to the many men and wolves guarding their lands.
Though she had heard of the wolves. Having never seen wolves in person, she silently prayed she would not have to up close. She hurried the parcel inside the house and out of sight. With one more glance at the falling snow, she was confident her family would remain away until she was long gone.
Filling out the contract and forging signatures were simple after months of keeping his ledgers. Bella packed as lightly as she could for the trip before filling a trunk with other items she would have Emmett send later. Bella left her brother a letter on his desk. She had warned him something such as this would come if she could figure out how to offer herself in Mary Alice's place. It seemed the best solution to their predicament.
The parcel could not have arrived at a better time. Mary Alice would get to marry Jasper if Bella succeeded. Bella dared even hope the Blacks could place him among their guards someday so she could keep her sister close.
Written well in advance, her letter to her father begged forgiveness for giving Mary Alice the freedom to choose. She promised she would try to visit soon.
Bella packed food and water for her journey at the last moment. Fresh fruit and vegetables could tide her over well enough. She hoped there would be an inn or two where she could relieve herself and rest her horse. It would take the rest of the day to reach their land and another to cross it. The prospect of hiding in the forest with only a strange man for protection and company did not thrill her. It would be an uncomfortable ride. Charles and Emmett had taught Bella how to prepare and pack her horse for an emergency. Both would probably kick themselves when they returned to find her gone.
Within a few hours of receiving the parcel, Isabella Swan was in her finest riding habit and boots, with the heavy hooded cloak settled comfortably around her shoulders. She was wonderfully warm and protected from the cold as she set out on her way.
At her first stop along the route, the welcome she received despite her lack of funds bewildered her. The man laughed as Bella showed her empty pockets, and he whispered directions toward somewhere to relieve herself. Bella politely declined a room or bath, asking only for a moment to stretch her legs near the fire in the main hall.
The gold-colored fabric of her cloak dried swiftly, shining in the firelight like silk. She became lost in thought as she wondered what lay in store for her when she saw her family again.
Looking up from the enormous fireplace, Bella was suddenly hyper-aware as patrons moved closer and now watched her every move. The dark room and low ceiling seemed to move in on her, and she swallowed through the rush of anxiety she felt. Bella hurried back out the front door and waited for the stable boy to bring her horse.
The snow grew heavier as she traveled, leaving her more grateful than ever for the thick, soft fur against her body. Sooner than expected, the second Inn was in view.
Bella felt much more at ease at The Denali. The second innkeeper had thick blonde ringlets and a youthful face. She was friendly and accommodating, though she seemed somewhat confused by Bella's presence. Once led inside, she introduced herself as Tanya and served Bella a snifter of Brandy with the promise of warm toes. Sure enough, the drink warmed her belly and sang through her limbs with a delightful heat that pinked her skin and flushed her cheeks.
Tanya politely asked to take the heavy cloak from her to let it dry. Again, she remembered the crest on her back and wondered if it would allow her dealings in other places.
Such wealth would better suit Mary Alice. Did the innkeepers receive a warning that Jacob's bride might appear? Was it the reason the woman was so hospitable? She sighed, wondering if her father was right where the Black family was concerned. Then again, how introverted is too introverted when the family is rumored to be reclusive? It did not make sense.
Bella politely declined to remove the cloak. She carefully draped the dry fur over the back of her chair as she sat, not wanting to lay the damp outer material against the wood stain. Tanya complimented her riding habit underneath, though she could not stop touching the soft, red fur.
Fitted to Bella like a second skin, the deep green riding habit enhanced the red tinge in her mahogany hair and the creaminess of her complexion. It emphasized her figure, creating pronounced cleavage that would not exist without a corset. His first sight of it made Charles's face go sour. Renee had chosen it for Bella's debut and then ran away before it could take place. It seemed there were many happenings in her children's lives that Renee would miss.
Per the contract, Isabella would receive counsel, get examined by a physician, and then wed. Having endured many uncomfortable conversations between Mary Alice and their harebrained mother, Bella had a good idea of what to expect. For the first time, she found herself grateful for that knowledge. Books had taught her many things about anatomy. It seemed her mother's experiences must bear some teachings as well. She did not look forward to the doctor's evaluation nor the foretold pain of her wedding night. Bella hoped her soon-to-be husband would be gentle and kind, but for many women, that was not the case.
Lost in thought, she noticed her cup refilled and thanked the Innkeeper before sipping the rich liquid. Finally looking around, Bella bit her lip to keep from gasping. For the second time that day, the many eyes on her were alarming, and she prayed no one had recognized her somehow. Bella caught one man as he waved and gave her a smirk before bolting out the door.
The Innkeeper shuddered as she watched him leave. "Do you know him, Miss?"
"No." Bella shook her head with a laugh.
Tanya frowned at Bella. "Well, he seemed to recognize you."
Had anyone known Jacob's intended was Mary Alice? Others knew her socialite sister everywhere she went. Someone would have revealed the deceit by now if the engagement was public.
Then again, some may overlook the differences. While their faces were similar, Bella's mahogany hair shone red in the sun, and Mary Alice's was nearly black. At a mere five feet tall, Mary Alice's shoes were custom-made to exaggerate her height and spare her gowns. Charles proclaimed ripped hems the new bane of his existence since Mary Alice's society debut. New dresses were too expensive, and many passed to Bella. Bella had never minded, of course, even remaking them to suit her tastes. At nearly four inches taller than her sister and with a tendency to trip, Bella welcomed the shorter hems.
Mary Alice wouldn't get caught dead in a dress she made herself. Bella chuckled at the very idea. Judging by Mary Alice's poor needlepoint work, Bella could not blame her.
She stared around the room, slowly taking in the other patrons. A man caught her eye as he sat alone in the opposite corner. Like her, he warily observed their surroundings. His large, dark eyes filled with amusement as he caught her staring and blatantly avoided her gaze. A high, firm brow, high cheekbones, a somewhat flat nose, full lips, and a square jawline filled the rest of his face. He had not shaved recently, and his long hair and stubble were nearly black against his tanned skin. A firm, heavy build suggested he was used to hard work, though he was not as bulky as Emmett.
His clothing had looked to be expensive once. While the shirt and breeches were clean, they were now well-worn and tight-fitting. Bella vaguely wondered about the muscular thighs underneath and promptly blushed. He slowly turned toward her and raised his head. His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. She remained utterly still as the stranger stared at her yet would not meet her gaze.
Bella was unsure if it was acceptable to refer to a man as beautiful, but he was. He looked away as he downed the rest of his cup and stood. She openly gaped at his height, easily rivaling the tallest men she knew. She could have sworn she saw the corner of his mouth tip upward in a smirk before he playfully winked at her and walked out the front door.
Ludicrous. He could barely see her face with her hood up, and he must have noticed the attention the crest on her back had drawn. Still, watching the pull and clench of his muscles as he walked away unexpectedly stirred something in her. It tempted her to follow him outside.
Bella silently berated herself for her ridiculous fancy, dismissing the attraction as a sudden surge of cold feet. She could only hope she felt even half as attracted to her soon-to-be husband.