Part XXI

EPOV (Edward)

I returned back home which was quickly losing residents. William was gone and his brother was soon to follow. My uncle and his wife were gone. Fortunately I had heard that Jane, Emmett's father and mother were making arrangements to have my uncle annul his marriage. It seemed rather complicated but somehow he was going to give my uncle a house about two days from London. If I remember correctly, that house was given to him by his father's brother who had no heir. He was buying her, so it seemed but I don't think she cared.

That afternoon a letter arrived from Hayrick. It read:

Edward,

I received word that you did not marry and that you returned. I want to see you, I've missed you. Please come meet me. It's important.

Emily Johnson

I wasn't sure how to react to this letter. I knew that I couldn't keep traveling from one woman's bed to another's.

Just as I finished reading the note I spotted Santillana at my door. "Is there something you need?"

"I'm here to see the Duke."

I nodded curtly. "Claire will escort you up to his study."

He remained for over an hour and he left rather quickly. I attempted to ask Robert the reason for his visit but he refused to say anything of it. The mystery would not allow me think properly. I was consumed by it. My only focus was to find out why he had been here.

Robert didn't allow me to touch the matter any more. He didn't come down to eat with the family instead he met with my uncle. His wife was not with him. He went directly up to his study. No one knew why he was here.

I brooded while I drank tea, I was desperate to know. I took Charlotte aside, she must have some idea. "You know why he was here."

She sighed. "Edward, those were private matters. I know nothing of it."

"You must know something."

"I'm only the Duchess, he won't trust me with things of that nature."

"All you have to do is ask, I'm begging you. I will do anything."

"He will not discuss the matter."

I groaned in frustration. "She's slipping away and I cannot do anything. I cannot go on without her. Ask anything of me and that shall be my command. Just find out what Santillana told my brother."

"He's genuinely troubled by the situation. It's rare but he's almost worried and anxious. I will ask, Edward but I cannot guarantee anything."

I was satisfied with just that. The next morning she took me aside and spoke to me of the matter. She said that Robert was angry that she asked but a maid told her it was something very delicate. It was something dealing with his return to Spain. It was something he had to handle with the king.

Two nights after Santillana's visit a storm blew through, it was terrible weather but we still managed to have a visitor. My uncle suddenly showed up with his wife at tow. She was drenched and very sick. "My intention was to bring her here and leave. She is no longer my wife. Fortunately I have influences with special people and I've rid myself of her. I do humbly ask to spend the night, the storm is horrendous."

I scoffed. "I've told you that you are not welcome here." In the meantime his wife, or rather former wife was escorted upstairs to a room.

"You are no one to make decisions here, you're an arrogant nothing. You're merely bastard who shouldn't be here."

"Nathaniel, this is not the occasion." My mother said pleadingly.

"Uncle," Robert hissed. "This is inappropriate."

He disregarded everything and looked directly at me. "Robert you are the only heir, he should be put out on the streets. You are proof that your father was an abomination and your mother as foolish as they come."

I did not flinch at the way he spoke of my father, it was all true but what he said about my mother enraged me. I lunged at him toppling him to the ground and one desiring to hurt him. I was pulled back by two guards.

I shook them off and stormed out. What he reveled didn't make me as angry as what he had said about my mother. Robert followed out after me. "Edward, wait."

"I'm in no mood for lectures. Let's not make this a big ordeal, it's not."

"He just said you're not my brother that requires some sort of explanation."

I shrugged. "I don't think it does."

"Is it true?" I sighed heavily. I wanted to avoid this conversation at all costs but it seemed as if I would have to talk to him about this. "Well is it?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm a bastard."

"That's not possible. You are more like our – my – our father was than I am."

I rolled my eyes. "Did you hear what he said? He said our father was an abomination and our mother foolish. What do you think that entails?"

He seemed utterly confused.

"You're right I'm more like our father than he ever liked to admit. I grew up doing the same atrocious things that he did. He flattered many women, they loved him for his name he was Robert Masen, heir to Duke of Havenport and eventually became the Duke. No woman would dare deny him, your mother never dared to put a halt to his behavior."

He began to realize what I was saying. "Don't tease me, just say it."

"My father was a ruthless, irresponsible man who impregnated a young girl who didn't know what to do. After being a few months pregnant she came here and demanded that he take the kid upon its birth and he refused. He didn't want it but his wife overheard and she demanded that he take charge of it. She locked herself in a room and pretended she was with child."

He was speechless.

"That's it, that's the story."

"What happened to the girl, to your real mother?"

I scoffed. "My real mother is in there, the woman who gave birth to me is dead. She tried to run off with me they found her dead with me in her arms."

"I'm sorry."

"It's too late for that."

BPOV (Bella)

"Mrs. Santillana it's been very long."

I smiled. "Yes, Mr. Hale, I heard that you have a daughter."

He smiled. "Yes, I have a beautiful daughter."

"Congratulations. May I see your wife?"

"Of course, she's missed her best friend. Her recovery has been long, she's been ill but it seems you have shared her condition."

I blushed. "I don't think it was quite the same."

"You look thin, that's all."

"Is she upstairs?"

"Pardon my imprudence."

"It's quite alright." I assured him. "I'm here to say goodbye. My husband and I are leaving for Spain tomorrow."

"I bid you a good trip."

"Thank you."

He called over a maid. "Take Mrs. Santillana to my wife and bring her the baby, it's noon." He turned to me. "I'm on my way out but it was nice seeing you."

I followed the maid up to Alice's room. She was in bed reading. "Bella!"

"May I come in?"

She giggled. "Of course, I know that you've been upset with me but I had a baby and you –"

"It's a long story and it involves adultery on his part and mine, I suppose."

"What?"

"I kissed Edward and he turned into a drunk who took comfort in whores. It's complicated."

"Isn't Edward married?"

I shook my head. "No, the French girl called it off and he came back and I fell in love all over again. I spent weeks after the ball crying and hoping that somehow I could be with him again. Edward is here and soon I'll be gone. He's taking me to Spain." My tears could not be contained. "The worst part is that he's regained his true character and he is polite and courteous. I can't hurt him, I can't."

"You're so unhappy."

"I don't know what to do. I'm going to miss out on a life with the person that I've always loved. What do I do?"

She frowned. "I can't decide this, for one, this is your life and you're living it. Besides I can't choose between one friend's misery and another's heartbreak."

"I truly don't know why I'm even deliberating this, it's not like I can chose to stay with Jacob or not. It's just hard to face the truth. I guess I considered being an adulteress for him but I can't, I can't. This relationship has caused so much turmoil. My parents and I aren't the same, you and I aren't the same, and I'm not the same."

"I'm sorry, I don't have much experience in this."

I wiped off my tears. "I can't believe I'm doing this to you. I came to fix our friendship. I came to see your daughter."

"Here she is." The same woman who I followed up came in with a baby in her arms. She took her to Alice. "We named her Ismene after Jasper's mother." I approached her and saw her small baby snuggling into her chest.

I yearned for a child of my own and I suppose it would happen but I would always wonder what could've been. It will be a memory that will haunt me forever.