It was bad of me to leave that cliffy. I also am still guilty. Warning: This chapter will be a little dark.
I could hear Bella's voice, shouting, mixing with the voices of my family. Snarls and growls filled the air. But I was in shock, unable to move. The pulsing evil that was James's thoughts still surrounded me, choking me and pulling me down.
He walked up to the two ladies, and bowed, introducing himself. "I am James Rochester," he pronounced grandly. "And who might I have the pleasure of addressing?" The plain one curtsied hurriedly, but the beautiful one merely glanced at him. He guessed that the plain one was some sort of maid, and the beauty was her employer.
She glanced at the maid wryly, then turned back to him. Was he mistaken, or did he see disapproval in her wide, lovely eyes? Finally, she gave the slightest of curtsies, and replied, "Isabella Swan."
He vaguely remembered hearing that the Swans were a wealthy family that lived nearby. Charles Swan was supposedly of his rocker, a real crazy. Everyone was just waiting for him to kick the bucket.
He was distracted for a moment, as he thought, Isabella Swan. So she was unmarried..
A fog surrounded me, impossible to penetrate. I struggled silently, inside my own mind. Bella needed me. But I was paralyzed, immobile. Bella..
The Swan house was very grand, indeed. He looked admiringly at the crystal chandelier. And it would soon be his. Of that, he was quite certain. He had asked around the village, and apparently, Isabella (Bella, her nickname) had quite the temper. She was a headstrong, willful thing. Highly improper.. Her father must really be mad.
A maid bustled into the room, casting him sidelong glances. "Master Swan will see you in the study now…" She trailed off.
"Excellent," he stood up quickly. Yes, a handsome house, and a lovely wife, all his. But something would have to be done about her temper..
He followed the servant to the study. She opened the door, and curtsied before scuttling away. He entered the study, and was shocked. Charles Swan didn't seem like any crazy he'd ever met. His brown hair was graying, and his eyes were brown like Bella's, but they were flat and unhappy. His manner was cold and austere.
"Good day, sir," he said. Charles Swan simply stared at him coolly. He shifted nervously. Maybe this was a mistake. This man didn't seem to be the type that would let his daughter run wild. "I understand that you have a very beautiful daughter.." he trailed away. Swan's blank eyes were more than a little unnerving. Maybe he should leave..
"Go on."
I dragged myself forward. Each step was an immense struggle. Bella..
He sat upright, watching eagerly as each course was laid out. The Swans really were loaded. He glanced up the table, where his old fool of a father sat. He was so much cleverer than William Rochester. William had squandered away the family's money on drinking and gambling. But he, James Rochester was going to build it up again.
An opening door tore him from his thoughts. He turned eagerly. Isabella was dressed in an elegant, pale blue gown. Even with her eyes puffy and red, she still was lovely. He stood, and offered her his arm. She glanced at him, her pale face filled with fury, and ignored him. She sat down stiffly, her arms folded as she glared at her father. The message was clear in her eyes. 'You can make me come, but you can't make me be pleasant.' Charles's eyes narrowed, but Bella stared back defiantly.
His temper wore thin as the evening passed. He tried to make polite conversation with her, but she would not reply. He was nearly glad when it was time to return to his home. Charles and Bella came to the door to see them off. He smiled at Bella concealing his impatience. "I hope we shall see each other soon," he said calmly.
Bella's eyes were frosty. "I hope that you will be struck by lightening, you stupid, ugly, swine. You are an insult to humanity." She turned, and stalked away. He stared after her. Never in his life had he been scorned, nor insulted so thoroughly. He would have to do something about that temper.
I had to pry my eyes open. I felt sick. Something bounced against my foot. I looked down, into the eyes of Laurent's severed head. I heard screeching noises from where Rosalie and Alice had Victoria backed up against the wall. And in the center of the room, a blizzard of motion that I guessed was James and the rest of my family. Everything was confusing, a muddle. I searched the room, but the person that I wanted, needed, wasn't anywhere to be found. Bella..
The house was empty. He glanced serenely around the place that would soon become his home. In just one day, in fact. Everything he had ever wanted would be his tomorrow. A sound alerted him to the presence of another. He turned, and saw his soon-to-be wife. Impossibly, she had grown even colder towards him in the past weeks.
She gave a soft hiss when she saw him. Her muscles tensed. "Get out of my house," she ordered him. He nearly smiled.
"My dear Isabella, in just a few hours, this will be my home as well. When we are joined together in marriage, everything the two of us own-"
"I know that, you stupid fool." she snarled at him.
He was really getting sick of this. "Watch who you insult, wench," he growled. "I can make your life a living hell."
"It already is, you bastard. It will only be worse when I'm forced to be near you everyday, see your lying, arrogant face-" He was shocked at this, but it quickly transformed into anger. In a rage, he stepped forward, and wrapped his hands around her throat.
Bella..
Her eyes widened in fear, as he began to squeeze. "You foolish child," he whispered calmly. "You stupid bitch." He was squeezing tighter now, his anger turning into adrenaline. She was clawing at his arms, kicking him. He felt none of this as he stared into her terrified chocolate eyes.
Bella..
He saw the life leaving her eyes. As his fury faded, he felt slightly annoyed. His plans were for naught now. If he had to kill her, there were less messy ways to do it. A vial of poison, slipped into her wine, a convenient accident in the town.
It had been worth it, though, to finally see her cower away from him. She now lay limply where he had dropped her. He knelt down, and whispered in her ear, "For you, my lovely bride." He dragged her up by the collar, and mashed his lips against hers.
Bella..
He stared dispassionately at his dead fiancée, then glanced around the room. They had been renovating the main room, and his eyes alighted on a piece of rope. He glanced back at Isabella's corpse, and the saw the bruised rings around her neck..
BELLA!