Just a quick history for you… We begin Chapter one a year and half after the preface ends. If you read Twilight in the Highlands, you know that Rosalie is the nursemaid for Edward and Bella's daughter, Esme Alice. Emmett is Edward's brother; Alice is Bella's sister who married the Englishman, Jasper, in An English Twilight. Carlisle and Esme are Emmett and Edward's aunt and uncle, and raised them after their parents died in an epidemic. Now that you've got the history I'm working with, on to the reading!

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Rosalie straightened to a stand, stretching the muscles in her back. She'd been bent over picking herbs and mosses for the healing lady for hours. Victoria had given her a very specific list of things to gather for her potions and poultices. Rosalie didn't trust the fiery-haired wench. There was something about her that set her teeth on edge, and made her stomach churn.

How dare I be so untrusting? If anyone shouldnae trust someone tis they that shouldnae trust me! This whole clan ought to throw me out o' the keep and send me on my way. Rosalie's thoughts of herself were always less than flattering.

She knew she was pretty, but she felt that was a curse put upon her from the time of her birth. Rumors had abounded marking her the most beautiful in all of Scotland. Whenever she'd get wind of those rumors, she would roll her eyes and shake her head. She'd even had a visit from the King- he too had wanted to see if the rumors were true. All it took was one look in her frosty eyes to make most men cower and flee. The King was not as easily put off, but he suspected she would be less than pleased to be the Queen of Scotland. She was the only lass that suffered that affliction.

Rosalie's long hair hung past her waist and the color was of spun gold. Her eyes were the deepest blue with swirls of gray throughout the midnight depths. She had high cheekbones and perfectly bowed lips. Her skin was silky smooth and the ivory color had not a blemish upon it. She'd often heard men remark on her figure; she had a high bust, slender waist, and perfectly curved hips. And her legs were never-ending, or so she'd been told.

She cursed the day she'd been born mightily. She'd only ever caused the people she loved pain and heartache. It was getting close to time to move on from the MacCullens' before she became the cause of their demise.

"Hello, there, Rosalie! I see ye're still out here gathering the herbs for the crazy Victoria," a booming voice interrupted her self-chastising.

"Aye, I am. I fear I'll ne'er finish with it, Emmett! That wench has a list a mile long. And I ne'er heard o' some o' them. I thought I'd leave those be and she can find 'em herself," Rosalie said, as she stretched again.

Emmett couldn't help but let his eyes travel the lengths of her body. He'd never seen such glorious perfection. The clearing of her throat brought his thoughts back to the task at hand, "I came out to escort ye back into the keep. Edward and Bella have a proposition for ye." He could tell by the look on her face that she suspected the worst. Before she could voice her fears her rushed to reassure her, "I ken ye think they mean to send ye on," he said quickly when she gasped, "But they dinnae. I dinnae ken what it is, but I ken it isnae that."

"Weel, I probably should be moving on soon though, ye ken. I ne'er have stayed long at any one place. I like to wander free, ye ken," she lied to him. She dreamed of nothing more than calling Cullshire her home, but she didn't dare.

Emmett looked aghast at her intention of leaving. "But Rosalie, surely ye ken we want ye to stay, lass. Everyone here loves ye dearly. Weel, exceptin' o' course the two lads ye caught trying to see ye bathe," he chuckled. "But I think ye ken they'll nay be doing that again!"

"I ken ye all want me to stay, but I cannae, Emmett. Tis time for me to move on," she finished as she bent to gather her basket full of offerings for Victoria.

Emmett took her basket in one hand and offered his arm to her. They strolled in silence, each lost in the thoughts of her impending departure. He couldn't fathom Cullshire without her even though he'd survived many years before she'd come to stay, and she couldn't imagine leaving the only family she'd known for far too long.

They found the healer in the herb shack. She was working on creating some foul smelling poultice, "to draw out poisons in putrid wounds," she'd explained. There was also a curious smelling potion in a glass. Rosalie picked it up and smelled it. She was shocked when Victoria shouted at her for touching it, "If ye spill that I'll ne'er be able to make one just like it again. I cannae recall what all is in it, but tis perfect for ridding hair of lice."

Rosalie and Emmett shuddered at the thought of having bugs crawling through their hair. They were both very clean people.

Rosalie caught Victoria admiring the hulking form of her escort. Emmett was tall. He towered above almost all he met (all she'd seen except for Jacob the Black). His body was rippling with muscles upon muscles. His tanned skin made the green of his eyes pop, Rosalie likened them to emeralds. His dimpled cheeks framed a boyishly charming grin. His head was topped with a shock of dark curls. He was definitely easy to spot in a crowd.

As Rosalie returned her focus to Victoria, she noticed the woman glaring at her. To her knowledge she'd done nothing to cause Victoria to dislike her. It was something worth looking into.

Her thoughts again were interrupted by Emmett's booming voice asking her if she were ready to continue on to the keep. At her nod, they were off again. She had to remind Emmett many times that her legs were much shorter than his otherwise she was running through bailey with him dragging her at his side. She was sure it was quite comical to see.

As the couple entered the keep, the smell of lamb stew for the evening meal filled their noses. Rosalie's stomach growled in appreciation. Emmett motioned to a serving lad to bring her some bread. "Are ye hungry, Rose?"

"Aye, I forgot to break my fast this morning, and just realized I missed the nooning meal as weel," she answered and then thanked the lad for his attentiveness.

"Weel, brother, what did ye want with our Rosalie?" Emmett asked, not caring if it was his business or not.

Bella glanced at Rosalie and then told Emmett, "I think that she and I will discuss that without ye, men. Trust me that it isnae bad a'tall."

Rosalie stood when she'd finished chewing her bread. "Lead on, my lady, I'd be happy to talk with ye now, if that's acceptable."

"Aye, weel just go to the ladies' solar and be comfortable there." Bella turned on her heel and marched to the solar with Rosalie following quickly behind, leaving the Edward and Emmett to stare after them.

Once they were seated in the cushioned chairs, Bella began, "Ye ken that Esme Alice has been weaned, for ye took care o' that for us. And I ken that ye are thinking on leaving us. We dinnae want ye to leave. We want ye to stay on and help us with the children until the time ye decide to wed, or forever, if ye like."

"Bella, I thank ye…" her words trailed off as she thought over what Bella had said, "Wait… Children? But ye only have Esme Alice…" Rosalie's eyes lit up and she gushed her congratulations to Bella.

Bella laughed joyously, "Thank ye, Rose. Now will ye stay and help me? If we continue at this rate, the nursery will be filled to overflowing in the next five years."

Rosalie's happiness dimmed a bit. She shouldn't stay. She'd already been longer than anywhere else. Her heart ached at having to leave. "I would love to, Bella, but I cannae," she whispered out.

"But why cannae ye? Esme Alice adores ye as does our entire family. And I believe ye'd be breaking Emmett's heart if ye left now. Please, take a few days, even a sennight or fortnight to decide. We dinnae want ye to leave," Bella laid her request out before Rosalie. She could see that Rosalie was fighting an inner battle as to whether she should stay or go. "Whatever ye decide to do, ye ken that we will still love ye, and if ye go, please ken that ye can always come back," she told her softly. Then, Bella stood and walked out of the solar, leaving Rosalie alone with her thoughts.

Rosalie battled back and forth within herself; I should go afore someone else ends up hurt because of me. But I love them, they're my family. I cannae leave them; they need me. Which is why I must go, I shouldnae stay any longer. She waffled back and forth, unable to decide that day. She was giving herself a headache with the inner- war raging in her mind. She decided a short rest was in order.

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Her nap had been a farce. All she could do was lay there and replay the conversation she'd had with Bella over and over. When she finally did manage to close her eyes, the terror of her dreams would have her bolting upright and gasping for breath as she tried to calm her racing heart.

She gave up on trying to rest. Rising Rosalie picked up a tapestry she'd been working on. The bold greens and subtle browns depicted the village she'd spent the first years of her childhood in. A lonely tear escaped as she thought of her loving mother. Always working endlessly to make sure their home was cleaned, laundry done, and meals ready for the hungry brood of six children. She'd been the only daughter. Her mother had doted on her and depended on her, even at only five years old. Laying the picture down lovingly she began the regime she'd slipped into since coming to Cullshire to ready herself for the evening meal.

Finally dressed for dinner, Rosalie descended the stairs. She'd dressed in the gold dress with the navy braided belt to cinch it to her waist. Bella had had it made for her, and no amount of arguing from Rosalie would sway her, and she'd tried every argument at her disposal.

Emmett met her at the bottom of the stairs and bowing slightly, kissed her hand. She tried to ignore the tingle that shot through her arm at the feel of his warm lips. She smiled up at him and took his offered arm. He led her to the high table and ignored her protests that she should eat in the kitchens.

"No lady dressed as fine as ye are should eat in the kitchens," he told her with a waggle of his brows.

She gazed at him, fighting down the chuckle. I don't deserve to be happy. She acquiesced finally and sat down in the chair beside his. Rosalie glanced at Bella who had an eyebrow raised and a knowing smile playing upon her lips.

Rosalie tried not to listen to the conversation going on around her. She was trying to distance herself from this family, to see how much it would hurt when she left. She ate in silence, only answering when she was directly spoken to.

Emmett noticed her sullenness, and leaning over whispered in her ear, "Why so glum, Rosie Posie?"

She glared up at him, hating the nickname he'd coined for her. "I am nay glum. I am tired and suffer from a headache. I think I shall retire soon," she told him.

He laughed at her look, then dawned an expression of concern, "Did ye overdo it in the sun this morning, lass? I'll help ye to ye're room so that ye can sleep. I'm sure Bella will care for Esme Alice this night, if ye're ill."

"Nay, Emmett, I am nay ill. Just have a headache. I'll be fine. Ye stay and finish eating. Goodness knows ye have a massive stomach to fill."

His laughter thundered throughout the hall and everyone looked at him curiously. She stood and fled to her room, while he continued to laugh. She could hear the gaiety from the supper party in her room. The minstrel was playing and singing and the mead and wine flowed freely. The raucous group was surely having a good time.

She dressed in her night rail and slipped in between the cool blankets a top her bed. She was asleep in minutes. It didn't take long for the nightmares to plague her again:

The fire was burning hotter and she couldn't get the door opened. She tried to rouse her parents, but they were covered in blood. The smell of burning flesh had her retching in the floor. She ran to her siblings to try to get them to flee with her. But it was to no avail. The fire was growing closer and so the small blonde-haired girl escaped through the only window. She ran to the shrubs at the edge of the clearing where her family home was. She tried to suppress her coughing and tears. It would help nothing at this point.

She stared at the flames licking higher and higher into the sky. Peering between the leaves that surrounded her, she glanced toward the rest of the village. The whole of it was going up in flames as the riders with the red and blue plaids slayed the entire town. She couldn't close her eyes to the horror.

She finally fled deeper into the forest, to try to get to the secret door that led to the laird's keep. She stopped when she was almost there and hunkered down behind the huge fallen tree. Peeking over top of it, her heart almost exploded. Even the laird's keep was on fire. The reivers had killed her whole family, including her hero, her uncle and laird.

Silent tears streaked through the soot on the child's cheeks as she sobbed out her pain. One big hiccupped sob escaped just as one of the enemy's guardsmen walked past. She opened her eyes to see a big, meaty hand descending towards her.

The rapid knock at the chamber door had her sitting upright, a scream stopped in her throat. She slid her feet into her slippers, pulled on her robe, and quickly tugged open the heavy door. The sight of the distraught man before her had her wishing she'd already moved on. "What has happened, Edward?"

"It's Bella."

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A/N: So sorry that I am late posting! It's been quite a doozy of RL lately... :) But its up and hopefully now I will be back to weekly postings, if not sooner. :) Please review! I love to hear your thoughts!