I cannot believe how much time has gone since I updated! A thousand apologies, university never gives you enough time to update or have any enjoyment in your life. I hope to continue updating a bit more of this story over the next few months as I have been working hard on developing where I want the story to go. Thank you to all who have continued to follow and support me with this story. It's definitely my most challenging one so far!

-Bella-

I felt a surge of relief as I walked the short distance to Sue's home. The farmland on my feet made me realise that I had finally made it home, suddenly the Duke and his family seemed many miles away. I breathed in the air, unable to stop my nose from wrinkling at the manure placed on the crops to make them grow more, with a smirk I approached two men who I readily recognized.

"Bella?" Jacob grinned widely once he saw me, his smile was always something that ignited my own and I was lifted into his strong arms instantly. I rested my head on his shoulder when his scent overtook me. He smelt of home, my home.

"Hello Jake." I breathed at the strength of his hold and he placed me down.

"Bella, are you well?" He touched my shoulder briefly and I nodded. I knew that I had much to tell him and he was clearly ready for me to start the conversation. However, now was not the right time, I would wait. Wait until nightfall.

"Yes I'm well, Jake. Is Sue in?" I watched as Jake's face went solemn, the grin disappearing from his face as if he had been stung. "What is it?" I took hold of his arm.

"Calm yourself, Bella. There's nothing to worry about. Sue has been a little ill recently but nothing serious." I frowned and gritted my teeth, looking at him and the other farmhand Stefan.

"None of you thought to write and inform me of this?"

"We didn't want you to have to come home before your holiday days, Bella. We know how consuming your work is and how important it is to you."

Stefan was trying to reason with me, justify his and Jake's decision but I was not listening. How could they have kept such news from me? When they both knew how much Sue meant to me?

"I would have come home from work in a heartbeat if I had known. The concept of losing her may be slim but I do not want to have to endure that. It was bad enough losing my father."

Jake lowered his eyes, shame resting over his features. "You're right, I am sorry, Bella."

I sighed and walked the rest of the way to the house, not wanting to say another word to him right now. I did not think him capable of concealing something like this from me, I knew that he had always wanted to protect me since my father died but this was not the way things needed to go between us.

With a slight weight on my heart I knocked on Sue's door, the case that I was holding had started to shake from the shakiness of my hand as I anticipated what may be behind it. I took a deep breath, mentally telling myself that everything would be okay in the hope that it would be. A few seconds later, the door opened.

"There's my darling Isabella." Sue smiled and immediately opened her arms, I did not know how fast I landed in them until the smell of her dress hit my nose. I held her tightly, as if not wanting her to disappear from me. "There, there my love. What has happened?" The same soothing voice washed over me, relaxing me instantly, I pulled away and wiped the tears from my face, I hadn't even known that they had fallen at all.

"Sue, I didn't know. I didn't know that you were sick, if I had then I would-"Sue cut me off with a soft touch to my lips with her finger.

"Now, Bella. There was a reason why Jacob didn't tell you. It was because I asked him to. I know how protective he is of you and I am aware of how quickly he would have told you had I given him permission. Bella, I know you're new to your workplace and I didn't want to risk you losing it."

"It wouldn't have mattered…" I whispered, truthfully, nothing was more important than the family I had left.

"It would have to me." Sue smiles and strokes my face. "As you can see I am well again and there's no need to worry anymore. Now, come sit and tell me all your news."

I was reluctant to tell her what had occurred in London, about how I had seen a somewhat emotional side to Lord Edward, having always believed that he had an imprudent manner about how he presented himself to people. The only person aside from me who had seen this was probably Lady Alice as the two did have a stronger bond than Lord Edward and his brother did. I sat down on the lounge chair and put my hands in my lap, not really knowing where to start. "I have just returned from a trip to London, I went with Lady Alice and the Duchess and Lord Edward."

"London? Goodness that sounds wonderful." Sue was boiling the kettle by the stove to make tea and was prodding the fire a little more to make the flames larger. "I have never travelled outside of this town. Was it as beautiful as everyone says?"

"I believe it was. I did not see much of it but I did attend a party at Lady Alice's insistence. There were many suitors there wishing to court their potential future wives." I lowered my eyes, my low status was not lost on many people and being in London was more than enough to convince me that I may never be welcomed among good society such as that.

"Oh Bella, did that make you feel uncomfortable?" She sits on a stool in front of mine and takes my hand in hers.

"It did a little." I muttered lifting my eyes up to hers slowly. "I just didn't belong there, Lady Alice wanted me there and I met Lord Edward's betrothed and she was nice to me but I am only a maid, Sue. I belong here, on the farmland, working hard ploughing and harvesting crops."

"You will always be a country-bred woman, Bella. Nothing will change that no matter who you marry one day. You cannot close yourself off to the possibility of future happiness just because of how you were born, you should be proud of who you are, how hard you work and how strong you are." Sue smiled softly, her warmth heightened by the luminous glow on her face from the fire.

"Sue, what if you were involved in something, a family circumstance and didn't know what to do about it?"

"That depends on what the situation is about… Can you give me a little more detail?" Sue asked as she stands up and makes the tea once the water has boiled.

"Lady Alice loves …. A servant in the house. This is instantly something that her mother would frown upon. I've seen the way he looks at her, the love is definitely reciprocated. However, what stands in the way of my lady's happiness is her parents, I know about this and Lord Edward was so concerned about Alice the other night-"I stopped myself, realising that I was talking so fast I was almost becoming incoherent. "Alice left town earlier than expected to go back home, Edward wanted to know why and … I told him."

"Surely that doesn't mean that you will get into any trouble, Bella."

"You don't know the Duchess." I broke her off, my eyes becoming glossy. "I stayed there only one night, hidden away from everyone before coming here. Lord Edward is close with his father and I cannot fathom whether he would inform the Duke where the information came from. How I was his source. I have betrayed Lady Alice in telling her brother, it was the way he looked, he looked so worried for her and I could not bring myself to keep it from him. He said he wouldn't tell the Duke but how am I to know that he definitely would not?"

Sue smirked a little and placed the tea down in front of us both. "Lord Edward was probably appreciative of you telling him Bella. You did the right thing and Lady Alice will have to speak with her parents eventually if she wants this to continue. Did you tell Lord Edward who the man in question was?"

I shook my head. "I know about how Jasper Hale has been treated before, he was not always a welcomed member of the house because of how his father acted. His father delved in bad choices and bad people, mostly money scamming and gambling."

Sue hums in thought, "well all I can say Bella is that you're welcome to stay here as long as you want but you will have to go back at some point. It's probably not as horrible as you make it out to be, you have to stop concocting situations in your mind before they happen it's not healthy. Now, I have some food left over from yesterday that I am heating up. Would you like some?"

"Yes please." Admittedly I was very tired from the five hour train ride and was running low on energy.

"Fantastic." Sue exclaimed and walked out of the house to tell the men outside to come in and wash themselves up before eating. "Now Bella, you can go into your usual room and unpack and I will bring in the tea."

About twenty minutes later, I had managed to unpack all my clothes. I sat down on the bed and undid my hair, letting my long brown curls fall, I ran my hands through them before taking time to brush them. I was so used to having my hair up for work that having down was something that felt good whenever I came home.

I looked through the mirror when there was a soft knock at my door. Jacob suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about earlier."

I placed the brush down. "There's no need to, Jake."

"No I want to Bella." Jake sits down on the bed next to me and rubs my back gently. "You're right, I should have told you but I was torn, you know I think highly of both you and Sue and I didn't want to have to upset both of you. Please say you forgive me, Bells."

"I forgive you, Jake." I no longer had the energy to be mad at him, or anyone else. I lay back on the bed and placed my hands on my stomach.

"What's happened Bells, in your note it sounded like you really needed to talk…" Jake laid back next to me and stared up at the ceiling. "I am not leaving this room until you tell me something."

I giggled softly and sighed. "I'm starting to wonder whether I could be working in better places than at the Duke's estate as a maid. Not that I am not lucky to have the opportunity but have you ever thought that there was other jobs out there?"

"Not really." Jake answered with a shrug. "Then again, I've always like this life and … I thought you did, too."

I sighed, knowing instantly that he was talking about how I left town for work. "Jake please don't bring this up again. I couldn't stay here, I couldn't be here constantly reminded of the fact that I will never see my father again. I thought you understood."

"I tried, Bell but I miss you. I miss having you around." Jake strokes one of my curls and I sighed, he has always been a good friend and a great support to me but there were some times where I felt that he wanted more.

"Jake … Please don't do that." *I stand up and walks over to the window and look out to the farmland.

"Don't do what? Touch your hair? You've never had a problem with it before." I could feel him come up behind me and I turned around.

"Except now I'm starting to feel that there is more behind it. Jake, are we friends or do you still have feelings for me?"

I had known that Jacob had wanted to marry me for a long time, my father had wanted us to marry one another so that I may have a chance to keep the land that he had worked so hard to build. He left the land to Jacob in his will and he will take up residence in Sue's house once she leaves us. I, on the other hand did not see Jacob in the way that he wanted. I did not even attempt to try because I knew that marriage to him would be one of out of convenience. In my mind, Jacob was always welcome to land because he meant so much to my father and he does not have a lot of family of his own. I wanted to marry a person who may have allowed me to keep the land but at this moment of time, he could keep it.

"I will always want you to be mine, Bella. I said that I would wait for you and I am." He whispered, emotion in his voice which caused a weight in my heart.

"Jake you need to stop waiting for me, there is a girl out there for you who will love you just like you deserve." I turn around and face him. "I'm sorry but I can't be enough for you. You deserve more."

"Bell-" Jacob reached his hand out to touch me but the sound of a horse alerted me to the window, I looked out and gasped when I realised who was coming. I recognized Edward's horse and rushed outside the house to meet him.

Edward's horse came to a halt and he climbed off of it, coming towards me. I took in a deep breath and ignored the sound of Sue and Jacob's voice asking me what was going on.

"Lord Edward?" I curtsied to him without realizing that I didn't have to.

"Isabella. I apologize for this unexpected call." He stopped and looked at Sue, Jacob and Stefan behind me and nods his head once, acknowledging them. "Jasper has changed jobs and has told Alice that he cannot marry her."

"What?" I whispered, unable to register what was happening. "How is that possible? They love one another?"

"Bella, please can we continue this inside." Sue's voice interrupted us. "It's a pleasure to have you here Lord Edward, I have just put some food on the table if you would like some. You must have had some journey."

I watched as Lord Edward thanked her and walked past me to the house, I felt myself overcome with shock and concern for my lady. I was unable to move for a good few minutes before Sue fortunately came and walked me into the house. "Now, Bella, calm down love. Deep breaths."

I sat down in the living room, unable to make sense of how Lord Edward had travelled so far to see me, why had he gone to so much trouble? Was there anything else he wasn't telling me?

"Now my Lord, would you like some tea to warm up?" Sue asked as she walked around the dining area.

"Please call me Edward and I would love some, thank you." Edward smiled the famous crooked grin and leaned closer to me.

"Isabella, my father and mother know about Alice's intentions, suffice to say my mother is not upset to see Jasper go. My father has tried to comfort my sister but she will not be seeing anyone. I do not want to do this to you when you have holiday but you were the only one I could think of who could talk to her…"

Jacob suddenly appeared between us as he warmed himself by the fire. "Bella has only just started her holiday time that she is owed. Already you're asking her to go back?"

"Jake." I muttered sternly. He knows how much I disliked him getting involved, especially since I was more than capable to handle my own situations. "Please do not involve yourself in this."

"Jacob." Sue called for him from the kitchen and with a huff Jake left the room, I was suddenly very grateful to Sue for breaking up what would have been an incredibly awkward situation.

"Look Isabella, you have every right to tell me to leave right now and I will go back but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to come and get you, myself."

"It's okay my lord. I understand. Is Lady Alice very upset?"

Edward frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "My sister won't leave her room. She won't eat and all she does is reside in her bed. You know my sister, Isabella and you know that she is not usually prone to this kind of behaviour. No one can help her at the moment and Jasper has already left, it seemed he had the other job lined up before all of us went to London."

I sighed again and run my hand through my hair, butterflies fluttered in my stomach when I realized that Lord Edward was seeing me in something other than my maid attire. I bit my lip and clipped my hair up loosely.

"You don't have to do that for me, Isabella. You have b… Nice hair." He stammered and smiles nervously. "So what should I do?"

"Tell Lady Alice that I will be back at the house tomorrow, if she does not want to talk then please put a note under the door to let her know."

A sight of relief fell from Edward's mouth and he smiles brightly at me. "Thank you Isabella. I know you're the only one to stop her from doing something stupid. I worry that she will follow Jasper and who knows then what might happen."

"I understand." I smile a little not wanting to let go of my defences or professionalism too much. "I am sorry you have had such a journey."

"There's no need to apologize." Edward stood up and warmed him hands by the fire and leant by the mantelpiece.

"So how is Miss Stanton?" I asked wanting to talk about something else and avoiding the awkward silence that may occur.

"She is well, I believe. Father is eager at making arrangements at my mother's insistence. They want me married by the end of the year." I could sense a lack of enthusiasm from Lord Edward about his upcoming nuptials, I lowered my eyes a little confused about why he would be so. Anastasia Stanton was so wonderfully nice it seemed like a perfect match.

"Are you looking forward to that, my Lord?" I bit my lip after the words had come out of my mouth and I lowered my eyes, afraid that I may have crossed a line.

"Of course." He looked at me, sternly and I nodded straight away, staying silent. "Why would I not be?"

Sue came in suddenly. "Food is served."

Edward walked away from the fire without another word and I continued to sit in the chair. A few hours ago I was happy at coming home for the holidays and suddenly I was going back again, with no idea how I was going to tackle the newest development.

Jacob had many attempts at trying to stop me from going back in the morning, I, on the other hand could not get Edward's expression out of my head. I had not been able to sleep because of the worry that I had been unprofessional to him. I grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the house.

"Well Bella, I am sure you can make it back soon. I think you will be needed more there than you would be here."

With a sigh and glossy eyes I wrapped my arms around her and rested my head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Sue."

"Now Bella, there is no need to apologise. It's very clear that you are a very important part of that house and Lord Edward seemed to want you back there, too."

I doubt that he wants me back, now. I thought as Sue released me. Leaning in slowly, she kissed my forehead softly and rubbed my arms, "take care Bella and write to me to tell me that you've got back safely."

With a nod and a sad smile I declared to her that I would and started to walk the long route to the train station. I didn't see Jacob after he had walked out that morning and I was saddened at the fact that we had left one another on such bad terms. I needed him to stop being so protective of me and to stop waiting for me. He needed to live the life he deserved and we would both be bored if we were married to one another.

As I got on the train I wondered what was waiting for me back at the house. It was something that stopped me from the possibility of getting some much needed sleep for the long journey. I sat watching my home town disappear and let the tears roll down my face.

"Thank you, George." I smiled at the footman when he unloaded my bags from the carriage and carried them inside. I smiled at the Duke as he sat in his library, he gave me a nod of acknowledgement in return before I went downstairs to unpack my things.

"Oh Bella, how are you?" Esme asked as she saw me in my room.

"I'm okay Esme." I answered, pinning my hair up and brushing down my maid's uniform.

"You came back very early. Why so soon?"

"Lord Edward came to get me from my home. He said Lady Alice isn't doing very well since Jasper left."

"Yes things haven't been nice around here, luckily there is some good news, Lady Rosalie is with child which means that the hope of a son can be restored again. The Duke seemed in good spirits when he received the letter from Lord Emmett this morning."

"That's great to hear." I smile softly and turn towards her "I am going to check on Lady Alice and then I will come back and report for my duties for the day."

Esme nodded "of course, Bella. Lady Alice needs you right now and she needs all the comfort she needs. Please send her my regards if you do get to talk with her."

With a final nod I told her I would and made my way back upstairs to the main house, greeting other maids and servants as I passed by. After reaching the main foyer, I went up the stairs and approached Lady Alice's door slowly. I stepped over the untouched breakfast trays and knocked on the door.

"I am indisposed." I heard Lady Alice's voice from inside the door and taking a deep breath I opened the door and saw that she was buried beneath the duvet.

"Hello my lady." I spoke, instantly watching her re-emerge from the sheets, she gasped and climbed out of bed and ran over to me. I was swept into her embrace in seconds and I wrapped my arms around her, knowing that she needed it right now.

"Lord Edward came to fetch me from my home. He is so concerned about you, my lady." I whispered.

"Oh Bella, thank the lord you're here."

At the emotional tone in her voice I took one arm off of her and kept one wrapped around her shoulders and led her to the bed again and sat her down.

"Now I am going to get you something hotter to eat for breakfast and you will have something whilst you tell me everything."

I suddenly had a long day ahead, however, for once … I was prepared.