Chapter 3
As Isabella was rushed by her mother, she couldn't help wondering whom the handsome stranger was. She berated herself for calling him handsome, but then she thought that predators sometimes hide under the most exquisite camouflage. For with all her youth, she recognized in him a predator – a selfish man taken with himself and considering all others below him.
"I can't believe you did this on the day Edward arrived, you knew how important this day was to me!"
Isabella had muted her mother as she was scolding her, but now the subject piqued her attention.
"Edward, you mean Alice's betrothed?" she asked in amazement.
"Of course, silly, who other? Oh Bella, I don't know how, but you must be on your best behavior tonight! You know he is our last chance of happiness, just behave for your sister…"
Bella, as she preferred to be called by her family, scoffed.
"Alice would rather live in poverty than marry that brute! He has no respect for women whatsoever…"
Renee turned to her menacingly, "How would you know that? Why would you say such a thing?"
The girl realized her mistake. She didn't want to confess to her mother the scene from the lake (she would later convey it to Alice) as it did not put herself in a good position. She would need to explain why she had stolen the servant's clothes and gone bathing by herself, possibly having to tell how often this had happened. In a house where her father was lost in his own head (not that she would blame him) and the mother was more concerned with worldly possessions than the education of their daughters, Bella discovered she had free rein as long as she did not abuse it.
"Have you seen the way he was looking at me when I arrived? That is no way for a gentleman to behave," Bella continued nonchalantly.
"How dare you, you were the one who was indecent! What mortification! Do not blame Edward for it," and her mother left her with clear instructions as to what to wear and when to arrive for dinner.
Bella threw herself on her bed. Sometimes she felt so lonely. Alice was her closest friend, and a kindred spirit, but she was not even half as adventurous as Bella, and therefore they would spend the day quite in different ways, only to recount the events of the day in the evening. Where Alice had to make stories up to keep up with her sister, Bella usually had to leave things away. Their other sisters, Jessica and Lauren, were a mystery for her. Sometimes she wondered if they were really related by blood since all they could talk was about ribbons and jewelry, the latest fashion and eligible suitors. When they were little, they all told Bella she would understand them and be like them one day, but as she grew, she understood the truth was they were never going to be alike.
Her best friend in the world was Jacob, the stable boy, but again, as they grew older, their interaction was cut short by their parents. She believed Charles would not mind it, but Renee was adamant she would not spend time with the servants. Hence the scandal she would create were she to find out exactly the amount of time Bella was actually spending with them. She also thought of the cook Mrs. Cole as more of a mother figure. Not that she did not love her own mother, but she found that as with the middle sisters, they did not have much in common.
As she was wondering about what Jacob was doing and whether he would take her mushroom-picking the following day, she almost missed the time for supper.
When she came down, she was met with a troubling sight. Edward was in the middle of her family, flanked by Jessica and Lauren on each side, with Alice remaining thoughtful a bit further. He seemed cheerful and entertaining, although it was only when he met Bella's eyes that he actually smiled. She turned her look away, still upset over their encounter. But he was their guest after all. Only a week to keep this act up, and she will probably need not be in the house that much if she convinced Jacob to keep her company.
Her mother, though, had other plans. She apparently thought Jessica and Lauren would eclipse Alice, so she decided to move them at the other side of the table, insisting Bella sit next to Edward, since the former was no menace. If Renee could read Edward's thoughts at the time, she would have thought twice.
"Isabella seems a better fit than what I had been calling you in my mind all day – beautiful nymph," Edward turned towards Bella as soon as it was proper to speak, as to not have anyone partake in their conversation.
Bella decided to detract from the compliment.
"You may call me Miss Swan."
"Oh, but surrounded by three other sisters, that would get confusing. I do believe I would recognize you nonetheless."
She did not deem his comment with a reply.
"I must say you look lovely in this evening dress, Miss Isabella. But I am partial to you in your other outfit," he murmured.
"It is not proper for a gentleman to point out such things," the girl remarked quietly, although blushing.
"What is there to speak?" Charles was uneasy all of a sudden.
"Oh, my dear, Bella appeared in front of Edward in a most unusual outfit… She was all drenched when she returned!" Renee cared to explain while Lauren and Jessica snickered.
"Oh, that explains the puddle in the hall. But, my dear, there was no rain!" Charles seemed intrigued, but seeing Bella's mortification, Edward decided to change the subject.
"I saw you have many woods surrounding your property, would you care to take me hunting?"
"But of course, choose your weapon and let us be entertained," Charles smiled. He enjoyed a good hunting game.
"What would you say, would you join us?" Edward went back to Bella.
"I do not care for hunting, and I believe you are asking the wrong girl."
"Why would you say that?"
"Alice is to be your betrothed, not me. I am engaged to be married myself."
Bella smiled with her full teeth, and Edward frowned at this, he wasn't sure why. His only intention was to flirt and get some reaction from the beautiful girl. Spending the night and quenching his desire with her was out of the question now that he found out who she was. But he had still been happy to meet her again and to resume their interaction even just to bring him mirth.
The conversation lulled after that. Bella seemed to remain stubbornly quiet and she retired the first moment she could without being considered impolite. Alice stayed a little longer, but with a sad forlorn look, eventually being dismissed by her mother and following Bella in toe. Jessica and Lauren tried to stay longer, but it was their father who ushered them away. They left jealous of Alice, but entertaining the idea that after the latter would marry Edward, they would enter his world and meet men even more distinguished than him.
As Edward remained with the parents, he realized it was time for him to speak. Renee was overly excited, but Charles put her hand on her shoulder as to keep her in check and let Edward gather his thoughts.
He eventually started, "I cannot express how entertaining it has been to meet your daughters. I… I know what the expectations are. I spoke a little with Sir Charles before dinner, but now it has become clearer. I am afraid I will disappoint you both."
Charles was smiling, having expected this. He did not mind at all, since the happiness of his daughters was his paramount, but he knew Renee had to hear this for herself. She was still dumbstruck, not managing the form a reply. But Edward had not finished.
"I had come here with all intention to deliver myself and my men to your disposal and even suggest a business arrangement of a sort. After examining the extent of your problems, I am not sure my help would be sufficient as such. But I have a proposal for you."
The terrifying man was revealing his face, as Charles frowned and Renee got excited all over again, without knowing what to expect.
"I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage. But I only mean Isabella's."
Charlie rose from his chair and Renee gasped.
A/N: Things are starting to be set in motion. Just as a word of caution, Bella is 16 in this story as it refers to a time in which this wasn't a huge issue. I can understand if you have a problem with that and stop reading. In this story it will just serve to explain some of her rash decisions.