Part XIII

EPOV (Edward)

"Merci, Mr. Masen."

"De rien, Miss Delaflote." I had deluded myself into thinking that this woman could erase the memory of the woman I yearned for. I was sadly mistaken, Miss Delaflote was beautiful, enough to make men envious of me but I was not satisfied.

She reached up kiss my cheek, a bold move on her part. "Pardon me, I…"

"It was nothing." I assured her.

"Is something wrong?"

"Not at all, your kiss is kindly appreciated."

She smiled softly. "Not that, I mean you seem interested in something else."

"No, nothing else."

"Are the rumors true, the rumors of the maid?"

"We are not commoners, let's not discuss the town gossip?"

She cleared her throat. "Fair enough, Mr. Masen."

"I didn't mean to offend you."

"Neither did I. We both know why I am here."

She made me ponder over her purpose here. Her father was a wealthy man who was an acquaintance to my brother and he asked if his daughter could stay a few days. It seemed odd to me but I concluded that there was no conspiracy. I am beginning to think that perhaps I was wrong.

That afternoon, prior to dinner, Robert pulled me aside. We walked through the gardens and he began to speak of irrelevant things.

"Where exactly is this conversation leading?"

"Mother and I have concluded that you are in need of a suitable wife. I understand that the maid was important to you but Miss Delaflote is a worthy woman. The maid seems to be quite interested with the Spanish man. His parents are the Marquess and Marquessa of Santillana del Mar."

"The place we used to go to as kids?" He nodded. "I remember him, vaguely but I do. Why has he told no one he's of Santillana del Mar."

He shrugged. "I wouldn't have the slightest idea, what I do know is that they will soon arrive to see their son wed."

"You mock me."

His face was stern and unmoving. "Not in the least." I took off ahead of him but he followed. "You're a fool." He called out.

I came to a stop and so did he. "I'm a fool for having my own will? Perhaps the concept is foreign to you. You've always done father's will and you have none of your own."

"Don't be insolent brother, it will not benefit you. You'll never receive your inheritance without a wife, our father declared it so."

I trotted forth, not knowing how to respond. He was telling me that I had to marry a woman that could very likely make a suitable wife. The problem was that I saw misery in her future and my own. It was clear that I was never to have the woman I desired but that I was to be unhappy without her. Genevieve Delaflote is a woman that I would have fawned over a few months ago but my eyes do not see quite the same.

I humor her with my company but she can sense that I want to be with another. Robert left me believing that I would do as he commanded. I was not yet sure if I would, if I did it would be because I have decided to not because he has commanded me to. One day or another I would have to marry and move on with my life without her, I suppose Genevieve is as good a wife as any although we are destined to fail, as are all my relationships, it seems.

I arrived home late that afternoon and I walked around the back to avoid encountering my mother and father. Instead, I came across Emmett and the object of his desire, Mrs. Rosalie Dunbar, who I might add nearly fainted when she saw me. "Mr. Masen…I…please, Nathaniel cannot know of this, I beg you. I'll do as you please but he cannot know."

"At ease, Rose, he'll not say a word." Emmett interjected calmly. I did in fact owe him for getting Bella home the last night we spoke to each other.

I sighed. "I don't care for scandals, do as you please for you are the only one who will suffer the consequences, I hope."

"Wait!" She said in a hushed whisper. "I am not some harlot, he is a terrible human being. He beats me and asks of me what I cannot give him. I have never been truly loved by any man until I met Mr. Wilfred, do not judge me for this."

"I am no judge, do not explain yourself to me, you waste your time." I gave her a curt nod and proceeded through the kitchen door, surprising the cook and the maids.

Emmett followed in behind me. "What's happened?"

I shrugged. "She's to be wed to Jacob of Santillana del Mar."

His brow arched. "The Santillana del Mar."

"His one and only son has chosen his wife, as we speak the Marquess and his wife are on their way to meet her. I, on the other hand, have to propose the French girl."

"Under whose command?"

"My brother and my mother have plotted against me."

Just thinking of how they plotted against me kindled a fire within me. My mother meant well and only desired to fulfill my father's wished but Robert seemed to enjoy all of this.

"Will you marry her?" Emmett asked.

"I've lost her, Emmett. Bella is far beyond my reach, perhaps she does not feel for me the way I feel for her. In any case she's obviously accepted Santillana's proposal, an action which speaks for itself." I retreated to the library, everyone was attending to their business and I was alone. I began to play the piano. I hadn't done so in months. Music brought me a great joy. Unfortunately, it was not a joy that could overcome my grief.

"You play beautifully." A soft whisper said behind me.

I cleared my throat. "I've lost practice." I replied to Miss Delaflote. She stood at the doorway gazing dreamily at me. Her hazel eyes seemed to melt with my notice. This was definitely one sided, she was far too enthusiastic.

"My brother informed me of the purpose of your visit."

She blushed and dropped her gaze from me. "My father thought it a good match, I was not one to object to it, I'm glad he chose you."

"Oh?"

"You don't remember me, I know but we met on many occasions, dinners, parties, things of that sort. Obviously you don't want to marry me but you have been told that you must."

"Come." I gestured to the empty side of the piano bench. "The only woman in the world I wish to marry has accepted to marry another. This has nothing to do with you, you are pleasant and beautiful."

"It's not enough." Her voice cracked and tears ran down her cheeks. Crying in general made me anxious and nervous, I did not know how to handle it. The worst part was that in this situation, I was the cause of it. "I have fancied you from the beginning and I deluded myself into thinking that you would feel the same way. I suppose it is too much to ask for, I have been trampled by the maid."

"Do not call her that." I interjected angrily.

"What now, what are we to do?"

"I'll marry you if you'll have me."

"You've settled for me, I see."

"I will not press the matter any further." I stood and began to walk away.

She followed me out. "You speak as if it were a choice. My father has told me that this has already been arranged. I'll marry you whether I wish it or not."

"I have one condition. We will leave England and live in the place of your choosing."

She looked up at me puzzled. "You want to leave England."

"As soon as it can be arranged."

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I despised Havenport, I despised my family for coercing me to ask Genevieve Delaflote to marry me. I did not have any options. I wouldn't acquire my inheritance if I did not marry. I would be dependent on my brother and my mother and that would be worse than anything. I would be miserable, there was no way to avoid it but I would pleasure Robert and stay to let him witness my sorrow.

I wanted Bella to tell me that she had chosen to marry Santillana. I wanted to hear it from her lips and that way I wouldn't feel as rotten for marrying Genevieve. It turned out that I still felt horrible for what I was doing and nothing would change that. Bella spoke to me briefly and said nothing of note. She said she'd marry Santillana and that was that.

Even with Genevieve at my side, there was a void that she would not fill. I decided to try my hand at another woman. I was already wretched person, one more or one less would not make a difference.

Her name was Emily Johnson, she lived in Hayrick. I had found comfort with her, for months I saw her more than I saw my own brother. I could find peace with her which was something I could not find at home with Genevieve. The peace was only momentarily but I very much enjoyed it.

"Edward, my love, you'll not leave me tonight, will you?" Emily whispered.

I shrugged. "It's late but I've nothing left to go home to."

She smiled and laid her head on my bare chest. "It gets so lonely here at night." She pressed her lips to my chest. "I wish you were always my companion."

"I wish you were mine."

"Don't play."

"I say this earnestly."

"What about the French girl?"

"There's nothing beneath her beauty, no depth…nothing but disillusion, I fear."

"Yet she will be your wife?"

I took a deep breath. "I suppose so."

"Soon you'll leave for France, you'll abandon me."

"Don't worry. I'll leave you something to hold you up for a while."

She sat up and brought her knees up to her chest. "I don't want your money, I seldom accept anything from you, and you know that to be true."

"Why is that?"

"You don't feel for me what I feel for you, your money taints my love. I'd rather scrub floors and wash laundry till my hands bled than take your money."

"You're a fool."

"Does she know about me?" Emily asked abruptly. I inquired as to who she spoke of. "Both of them."

"Genevieve knows me well enough, she knows but never speaks about it. As for Bella, she is no longer part of my life. She will soon marry Santillana and I shall leave for France never to see her again, I suppose by the time I return she will be gone to Spain."

"Your heart yet beats for hers." She whispered softly.

I did not answer.