Chapter 6

Edward tried to hide his pleasure at hearing such news from Isabella. He was himself inclined to spend as little as was possible in the Swan household, but he was afraid that were he to express such feelings, his fiancée would change her mind and decide to prolong his suffering. In the end they didn't leave the following day, but in the morning of the third day.

Although he himself had nothing to part from, he noticed with a frown that Bella seemed only the shell of the girl he had met. She still seemed determined, but somehow hollow. Her farewell even to her beloved Alice was quick and aloof, and to the other members almost mechanic. She hadn't shed any tears.

The carriage had been set at dawn so they would have an early start. Bella put on her gloves and went into the carriage aided by one of the servants.

As she was settling herself as comfortable as she could for a three day trip, she bore witness through the window of a whispered conversation between Edward and her father.

"Can I count on you that everything has been taken care of?" Edward didn't notice her as he was staring directly into her father's eyes.

"You have my word," Charles responded shaking hands.

She didn't say anything as Edward came in and took the bench opposite her. He took out a book almost immediately, then he looked up suddenly, "Haven't you brought a book yourself? How will you be entertained?"

"Oh, do not fret, I can find ways to occupy my own mind," she said dismissively as she turned her attention towards the window. Just then she caught eye of Jacob's figure. He was standing near the gates, and as she looked at him carefully, she saw that his eye was blue and his cheek swollen. He dropped his head during their brief eye contact and retreated limping.

She gasped and turned towards Edward, who was already watching her.

"What happened to Jacob?"

"Do you mean the stable boy? I believe he suffered an accident while attending the horses yesterday."

"What did you do to him?"

"I didn't touch him or he wouldn't have been alive now. I hope you realise you have a concerned father who wanted to understand why that boy had given you hope of engagement."

Apparently he didn't, Bella wanted to say, but she swallowed her words. Somehow she seemed reluctant to admit the rejection in front of the man who had been so intent on marrying her. Perhaps she was indeed only a shallow girl who wanted to be worshipped by someone, even if that person was someone she despised.

As they were now facing each other, Edward was still watching her carefully as he continued, "He is a lucky fellow, since he will soon be a father. Apparently one of the servant girls wasn't as fortunate as you and she is with child. Your father took pity on the girl."

He looked for a reaction, but Bella just turned around towards the window. The last part was another blow, but she will not cry for Jacob in front of Edward. She will give neither the satisfaction. And thus they succumbed into silence.

As the day drew shorter, Bella did regret that she had not brought her own book, and became fidgety. There was so much she could think about without going around in circles.

Edward noticed immediately and interrupted his own reading, "Would you care to stop for supper?"

"Only if you intended to at this point. Do not change your plans for me."

Stubborn, he smirked. But he could play the game too.

"Very well, I thought you were hungry, please excuse me for interrupting your musings. We can stop in five miles as planned and the horses can rest as well."

He thought he heard a curse, but hid his smile under the book. Without looking at Bella, he pointed to the collection of books he had next to him, "Please feel free to take any if you feel so inclined."

He expected she would refuse, but he heard pages turning, and then it was Bella's time to interrupt, "But they are all war books!"

"If they are not to your satisfaction, you should have made sure to bring your own."

To his surprise, she said nothing, but picked up one of the old books and started reading De bello Galico, by Caesar. Time seemed indeed to pass quicker this way, as they were stopping far sooner than Bella had expected.

"Would you prefer to stay in the carriage and continue your reading?" Edward was asking while at the same time extending his hand to help her out.

She didn't take it, but got out by herself, "I am sure that my interruption will not change the outcome of the war," and strolled off towards the inn, Edward left laughing behind her.

The inn was small, but clean, and the keepers had been alerted about the upcoming group. Bella and Edward were seated at a table, while his men were scattered at others. Bella could not help but devour the food in front of her.

"If you were so ravished, you should have told me to stop before," Edward scolded her.

"And interrupt your reading? I would not dare! And by the looks of it, you were hungry yourself," gently pointing to his own empty plate.

"I still am, but not for food," he told her while looking intently into her eyes.

She blushed. Bella was not used to this sort of conversation. She grew up around the banter between her parents, and she could do the same well. Jacob had always been more of a listener than talker. And now she was sitting face to face with this outspoken audacious man who spoke his mind regardless of the subject. She didn't know how to handle that.

She didn't need to respond, as the innkeeper took that moment to take the plates and ask, "Could I offer you some dessert?"

"I'll have it in my room, please," Edward replied with a bright smile.

As Bella only shook her head, the woman left them alone again.

"Are you not hungry anymore? Or would you like to share mine?" he inquired with a smirk.

"I… I believe you said you are having yours in your chamber, and as we are not sharing the room, you can enjoy it by yourself," Bella stumbled.

"Oh, but I do not see the need to hide between conveniences. Since you have already admitted you are familiar with a man's flesh, and we are to be wed very soon, I believe the formalities can be foregone."

Bella looked around at the men surrounding the dining tables, "Sir, I may not be a respectable woman to you, but I will not condone such behaviour! If you please, I would like to return to the carriage at once."

Edward's laugh boomed around the room, "Indeed, you would prefer to sleep with the horses than with me! Fear not, my lady, I have sent messages ahead to prepare two rooms for our journey! I would not dare compromise our arrangement," then he continued in a low whisper, "but you will not be able to escape with such excuses after we are wed."

With that, he left the table, while she remained confused and wary. Why did he always make her feel uneasy? Was he the charming and pleasant conversationalist, or just a conniving man? She realised she had yet to see the real Edward Cullen.

A/N: Thank you for all your support! This was an easy going chapter, but wanted to have a little banter between them ;) The next one will have more action and should be up by the end of the week, enjoy!