Disclaimer: I don't own twilight or any of its characters. If I did, I'd have made it a little darker. But damn that SM owns them. :P
A/N: Since plot took centre stage in the last chapter, I'm giving this chapter to character development and interaction. And I must thank each one of you lovely reviewers for the awesome responses. Due my hectic schedule, I'm unable to reply to them all. I'm going full-on on writing, so I hardly get any time left out of RL. I hope you guys understand. :)
Edward descended the stairs quickly, an attempt to stop himself from going back to Isabella while she dressed. A maidservant was sent to her room to assist her lest she hurt herself again. Also, the presence of an outsider provided enough of a deterrence for him since morning wasn't a very appropriate time for seduction.
An uncertain smile formed on Edward's lips as he crossed the grand hall.
It was hard to concentrate on the thoughts around himself, distracted as he was. Controlling his lust was taking almost as much effort as fighting his blood thirst.
Restraint was hard to practise, especially knowing that Isabella wasn't going to reject his advances, but he didn't want put strain on her. She was human, and she was injured as well.
Besides, there was the nagging worry… of Isabella's blood. What if she bled again? Would he be able to stand it this time? Would he be able to enjoy the intimacy with her the way he wanted to?
Alice had reassured him through her thoughts. She was particularly focused on Isabella's safety, even though it meant seeing some rather private visions of her future. Obviously, Edward had felt very exposed and embarrassed under his sister's constant scrutiny.
Yet, there was no other way for Alice to ensure that Isabella's future held no trouble. It was the usual way with Alice since she was very protective of her family. Nothing was hidden from her, just the way nothing could be kept from Edward… except for Isabella's thoughts.
Edward shook his head ruefully as he thought about his inability to read Isabella's mind. How he'd love to have a mechanism to listen to her thoughts when he wanted, and then go back to the welcome silence when he was done.
By the time he reached his study, a middle-aged man was already waiting for him, alongside Charles. Edward gathered his particulars from his mind—Arnold Warren, a man in the know of the real estate of both Clallam County and the neighbouring Jefferson County.
His thoughts, which had been confident up till now, became abruptly nervous as Edward approached him. Being near a predator doesn't make one feel very comfortable.
Arnold had been summoned here by Charles, on Edward's demand. Clallam County, especially the area around Big Prairie, was a dull place, and Edward wanted to explore the lands beyond it.
To a vampire, all this effort was needless, but to Edward, it was something he couldn't just leave aside. Ever since he parted ways with the Cullens, there was nothing left with him that would keep him stable. And he didn't want to become an aimless wanderer the way some of his immortal acquaintances were.
Being a proprietor gave him the satisfaction of being more than just a bloodsucking immortal. It filled the void of his solitary existence, much like the other material things he had acquired throughout the century.
And now his charade of being an enterprising landowner was helping him in another way. Edward could pretend to be human enough for his wife, providing her with a home and all of its luxuries. He wanted to give her more…
"Yes, gentlemen, let us begin," he proposed as he sat down in his chair, his ears still fixated on Isabella's movements upstairs.
"Sir, there is this particular region close to the county perimeter that y-you might be interested in. I was thinking—I mean… perhaps, you'd like to take a tour," said Arnold in a shaky voice.
Edward observed the locale in his thoughts and recognised it immediately. He had often gone out for a hunt in the region.
"I thought you were going to suggest me something from the Jefferson County, perhaps?" His eyes narrowed, and the two men cowered into their seats.
"Y-Yes, of course, Sir, but we thought that this was worth suggesting," Arnold stammered, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.
"Then why not suggest Lake Pleasant to me?"
Arnold's nervous mind had let slip a sliver of information. The Fords, a wealthy landowning family of the area, were already coveting Lake Pleasant. And Edward couldn't resist throwing the gauntlet.
"Lake Pleasant?" Arnold repeated in surprise. "But Sir, that is—"
"I know that it is available," Edward smiled knowingly, "and I am keen on buying the entire locale, regardless of whoever else is eyeing it."
"But the Fords have been given the word…"
"Not on paper. I want to tour the lands."
The discourse didn't last long. Edward was suggested a few locales from the neighbouring Jefferson County as well, which he decided to consider in the future.
He decided to observe Lake Pleasant during the day, with the intent of having its possession by the time darkness fell.
Edward entrusted Charles with the charge of overseeing the various formalities of the purchase while he would tour the land.
Isabella had eaten her breakfast by then, so he hurried upstairs to inform her of his departure.
She was sitting by her window, looking out into the back gardens. He pulled her up and made her sit on the window frame. His lips dragged across her cheek while he explained his designs to her.
"Lake… Pleasant?" she asked dazedly as he shifted to her neck, taking in her sweet fragrance slowly, achingly. "Why would you want to acquire a lake?"
He moved back and shrugged, rather surprised at her question. "It's a beautiful location."
"Would you plant orchards there?" Her face lightened up then, and he surmised that she was fond of orchards.
"Would you like me to?"
Isabella gave him a curious look. "Well, orchards are pretty."
He nodded and then proceeded to kiss her in earnest. The burn and ache of her tantalizing scent didn't bother him any more, for it was forgotten in her inviting softness and warmth.
Soon, Lake Pleasant was to be shrouded with orchards. It wasn't a profitable venture, but it was what Isabella desired.
Isabella regarded the maidservant, Margot, as she changed the bed covers and fluffed the pillows on her bed. She was systematic and efficient, well-groomed to become a charwoman.
Isabella wondered how Edward had procured her services, and those of the rest of the house staff, in this godforsaken place.
"Margot," she called softly, summoning her attention, "how long have you been working at the manor?"
Margot gave her a questioning look but answered her all the same, "For about two months now, ma'am."
Isabella nodded, deep in thought. "And the rest of the house staff, if I may ask?"
"Of course, ma'am. All of us had been hired from Seattle," the maid supplied, "by Mrs. Whitlock."
"Hmm…" Isabella tapped her fingers on the ledge, her thoughts focussed on the past. "Do you happen to know the fate of the previously hired staff? I don't see any of them lately."
Margot frowned in concentration, and Isabella had to wait a minute for an answer.
"I never got to interact with them. I am presuming that they were relieved of their services." Margot smiled apologetically.
Isabella left Margot to her work then and picked up the book she had been reading since morning. Reading reminded her of her late aunt's script, which she had left at her uncle's home.
A part of her wanted to ask Charles to bring the draft to her, but then she felt uneasy in asking for it. He didn't need a reminder of the pain of his wife's death. Isabella felt hesitant about broaching the subject.
Moreover, her subconscious became unquiet every instance she tried to read it through.
Margot left the room shortly after, informing Isabella that she would be in the next room doing her routine tasks.
In inquiring her, Isabella had wanted to know about Edward's general habits, long before she had acquainted herself with him. His mystifying persona left her curious, and his proximity often had her stunned. She was suddenly having the urge to know him better, but in indirect ways.
She had originally sought Alice, but she only gave her vague answers. And then again, Edward sometimes interrupted… which made her only more curious.
Isabella sighed and put the book back in its place because she certainly wasn't able to concentrate on the print. It surprised her that she could be interested in a book.
Lately, Edward had gained precedence over all of her usual distractions. Now, she even found his temper as entertaining, the pout of his lips and the crease of his brow being the most prominent.
And then the way his hands brought her intimate pleasure…
A rush of heat flowed to her cheeks as she thought of his attentive mannerisms and his ardent, lingering touches. Isabella clutched the sides of her dress and closed her eyes; an attempt to distract herself from the thoughts of her husband.
Waiting for him to return was going to be a tedium.
This chapter is continued in the next chapter heading. For submitting a review, click review for the next chapter, not this one. There's some glitch in this one. Sorry.