Part VIII

BPOV (Bella)

I fell into a deep peaceful sleep that night. It was serene and the best night I had had in a while. As I dreamt of sitting by a silent river I was rudely awaken by Alice herself. "Bella, Bella!"

She turned on a candle and I saw her frantic face. "Is something the matter?" I asked.

"Bella….the Duke of Havenport has just died… the former Duke of Havenport." She corrected herself

A panic swept over me, not only because a good man had just died but because I knew what it meant for his family, for Edward. It troubled me that he would be upset.

"We must return for his burial, it is customary and he was a good man, in his later years as Duke. He led his people the best he could."

I nodded eagerly. "His family."

She caught it, she knew what was going through my head. I saw it in her face. "Bella, may I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Does Mr. Masen appeal to you?" I wasn't ready for that question. "Bella, tell me. I'm your best friend."

"I don't know. By all means he shouldn't but what am I to do? I told you what happened that night and the more I think about it, it bothers me less and less."

"Edward is quite dashing." She smiled compassionately. "I understand. He's such a handsome man."

I blushed lightly. "Alice, that's not it. You'll think I've completely gone insane but…that's not all I like. He's shown me a part of him that I don't think anyone has ever seen. He went to my house and he was such a gentleman."

"I suppose that was the point."

"This is mad but I want to know that he is well."

Again she smiled. "Very well, the burial is at noon and Jasper and Jacob will be joining us. Jasper must pay his respects to the family as well. We should begin packing if we want to make it in time."

I nodded and got out of bed. She returned to her room and I began to put my clothes on for the day but realized what I had on was not for the occasion. Alice came in as if she already knew I had nothing to wear. "Here you go."

"Thank you." She left me to change into a subtle dark dress. I had a bit of trouble putting it on but I managed. I picked up my unruly wavy hair into a bun and let a few pieces free to frame my face. On our trip Alice had bought so much stuff she insisted that I take some that she'd never use. She gave a couple pieces of jewelry. I picked up a pair of silver earrings and set them in place and the matching necklace around my neck. I walked over to the small mirror and looked at my self, the dress exposed far more than I was used to and honestly the image I saw didn't look like my own.

I walked out to join Alice and her parents. They were waiting to have breakfast before we returned to town. I was relieved to find out that I wasn't the only one who was late to the table.

Everyone in the table was dressed just for the occasion. "The poor woman, Elizabeth must be devastated." Esme said compassionately.

"Yes, it is truly a tragedy. Though the death was inevitable it must still be difficult to understand." Carlisle added.

I slid into my seat midway through their conversation. "I wonder if they have left London. Marie, do you know?" Esme asked the maid as she began to bring out the food.

"Yes, I heard Sir Robert and his mother left early this morning."

"And Sir Edward, what about him?" It came out without me thinking. I didn't realize I had said what I said out loud.

She, like everyone else, was stunned by my interest. "He wasn't with them. They say he left at the break of dawn….alone."

I let my eyes drop to my empty plate. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. There was no justification for my reaction. I managed to look up to Esme. I was surprised by her warm smile. It was as if she knew something.

The awkwardness was interrupted by Franz, Jacob's friend. "Good morning, everyone, Jacob should be on his way soon.

I heard foot steps down the hall, they became closer and closer. "I apologize for the tardiness. As it seems the trip has taken a toll on me." Jacob appeared at the table and took his seat across from me.

"Good morning, Esme, Carlisle, Alice, a very good morning to you Bella." He flashed me a smile.

"Good morning." I replied politely.

The trip to Havenport was extremely long. It seemed longer now then when we were first going. Esme, Alice, and I rode in the carriage while Jacob, Franz, Jasper and Carlisle rode on horse back along side.

The sun was high above us by the time we arrived back to town. The town was crawling with family, friends, town's people, and people from towns outside this one. The Duke of Havenport led not only Havenport but four small surrounding towns. It was a pool of black and gray, not a single dared to dishonor the family. The people were gathering outside the Duke's estate.

Alice, Esme and I stepped out of the carriage. We made our way to where it would all begin. As I walked through the crowds I was nearly run over by a servant from the great house. "You are Isabella."

I was confused and stayed still for a second. "Uh…yes." I replied uneasily.

"His grace requests your presence, now." He was a breathless man on a mission.

"I'm sorry, I think you're mistaken."

"The Duke of Havenport has requested you, I assure you I'm not mistaken. You and his brother have been heard to have been…involved."

Well there it was, I was the right girl alright but I still didn't get why he wanted me. "Oh."

He led the way and I excused myself from the crowd. He took a back entrance to the house and hurried into the main room where the Duke and the Duchess waited…apparently for me. Beside them was a woman with a strong resemblance to the Duke

"It took you a bit." The Duke commented.

"I apologize your grace, it was not an easy task, there was a crowd."

The duchess smiled. "I'm glad you found her, thank you." She excused the man. "Bella, I'm Charlotte or more commonly known as the Duchess."

"Your grace"

"I am Elizabeth Masen." The woman stood to greet me with a hug.

"We need a favor from you. As you can see Edward does not join us and the people await the burial. He is locked in his room and refuses to speak to us. We need you to convince him to join us."

"Pardon my boldness, your grace, but why would I be any different?" I asked.

This time the Duke answered. "Because he likes you, his eyes all but shine with joy at the mention of you. He crosses me to defend your honor. I'm sure you are capable of what we ask."

Elizabeth looked cautiously over to Robert. "Bella, I have heard my son has an infatuation with you. That has never happened before. He cares for you. Please take care of my son, he needs you, I can see that he is not unrequited." Her words somehow meant so much more than I expected them to. She motioned for me to walk with her. I complied. "He is grieving, understand that but he must face his town, you must help him. You are a maid, I'm aware but he doesn't care about that."

"Mrs. Ma–"

"Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth, I truly don't believe that I am of any use."

"I do. Robert said you were, Emmett agreed. That in one is close to impossible. You are special to him. Do this for him. I don't care what you are or what you have, I care for my son and so do you. I promise in the future it will not be I who stands in the way of your love." She spoke with far more knowledge that I thought she had.

"As you wish." I agreed.

"Third door on the left." Whether its unfortunate or not, I do not know but I already knew which room belonged to Edward. I knocked lightly.

"I already gave my answer." He hissed. "I will not go." His voice was icy cold.

"It's me." I managed to choke out. "It's –" Before I finished my sentence the door opened.

"Bella." He breathed. He looked at me for a minute as if trying to take me all in.

I smiled weakly. "Edward."

We looked at each other for a long time. "What are you doing here?" He finally asked.

That was a good question. I knew why I was sent to his door but what I was actually doing was in doubt. "I….I came to pay my respects." It seemed like the most logical answer, the most truthful I had to offer.

He looked away. "You didn't know my father."

"Neither did all the towns people." I pointed out. "They are at your doorstep to pay their respects, why shouldn't I?"

"True. My brother sent for you, I know him well, so much I can almost read his mind." I was sure that was sarcasm but his saddened voice made it hard to define. "I knew he was going to send for you but I didn't know if you were here, if you were going to comply." He smiled triumphantly.

"That doesn't mean a thing." I lied. It meant everything.

"If you say so but I think it means you care." He wore a cocky smile but he was full of sorrow, I knew it.

"I would be cold hearted if I didn't do your mother the favor." It wasn't a complete lie because it was hard to resist a woman like Elizabeth but he was mostly right.

"I'm glad you are here, whether you care or not."

"He was your father. You should be there with your family." I began. "They need you as much as you need them."

He scoffed. "I need to be alone away from them all."

"Does your father not deserve your presence?"

"No." He answered quickly and bluntly. He meant it. He was definitely upset but I was beginning to think it didn't have much to do with his father's death. He was upset about something else.

"Did something happen?"

"My father died." He spoke with hard words.

"Something else is wrong." I stated.

He turned on his heel and walked inside. I didn't think twice about entering his bedroom to go after him. "Edward?"

"Not now."

"Not now meaning: not ever or sometime not now?" I asked. I had tried too hard not too care but I did and I wanted to know what had him acting this way.

He picked up his hat. "Not now meaning...not now. I have a proposition, I'll join my family if you join me."

"What are the people going to say?"

"What they always do. If you don't join me I won't set a foot out of this bedroom." He threatened. Even in this state there was an unnatural beauty about him. His odd shade of hair in contrast with him glimmering green eyes.

"You must tell me the truth of what troubles you."

"You shall know at the appropriate time." It must be a really bad thing. It must be something he wouldn't dare to tell anyone else. I took a moment to look at him intently.

He soon noticed my eyes on him and I quickly tore my gaze off. "What?"

"Nothing, come they await your arrival." I began to walk towards the stairs he was at my side by the time we reached them. In a swift slight movement his hand caught a hold of mine. He never quite let go.