Mail Order Bride

A/N So, a few of you were angry that Tanya never reported James, and that Kate acted like it was no big thing to have him in her home. I am trying to keep this Historically Accurate. That being said, back then men, especially men of high standing in society, could and did get away with what James did. Very rarely were they punished for their actions. Kate letting him into her home is merely self preservation. She has to invite him. He comes from a wealthy family. To "cut him" would make her lose social standing as well.

Anyway, on to the story. Some of you aren't going to like me by the end of this next section. Fair warning….

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 22

"What the fuck is going on here?" Edward roared.

James pulled back with a smirk on his face. Bella struggled in his arms. Releasing her, she ran straight to Edward. He, however, pushed her aside, his focus on James. Bella stood in the corner, watching them both.

"Well hello, Cullen. Beautiful night, isn't it?" James questioned innocently.

Edward's eyes narrowed. "Don't play innocent with me, Hunterson. What the fuck were you just doing with my wife?" he growled. James' eyes lit up. He laughed loudly.

"Your wife? I have it on good authority that particular statement is not true." He winked at Bella. Edward's gaze shifted to Bella.

"He accosted me, Edward. He tried to rape me," she cried. James tisked loudly.

"Now, now my dear. You were starving for it. You know you wanted to taste more. Hell, you never complained before."

Bella gasped loudly. "That's not true," she cried plaintively. Edward glared at her. "He's lying, Edward. I've been faithful to you."

"Now dear. The gig is up. You shouldn't lie to your husband," James said, baiting Edward.

"I'm not lying! He's lying!"

"ENOUGH!" Edward bellowed. "Bella, go inside."

"No, I want to stay here."

Edward rounded on her. "GO INSIDE!" Bella jumped and ran back inside. She slammed into Kate.

"What is it? What happened?" Kate asked Bella, her face a mask of concern. Bella pointed hysterically at the Patio.

"James….attacked…..Edward….found…." was all Bella could get out. Kate's eyes widened. Surely he wouldn't…. Kate raced for the Patio Door. Outside, the terrible sound of flesh meeting flesh could be heard.

Bella inched back toward the door, wanting to make sure Edward was alright. Kate held her back.

Outside, Edward landed an uppercut to James' jaw. He reeled back, but came back swinging. He caught Edward in the stomach, causing him to "oomph" loudly. James took advantage of this and pulled Edward up by the hair, glancing a blow off his right eye. Edward kicked out his foot, hitting James in the knee. James buckled to the ground, howling loudly.

Edward stood over James, his foot braced against his crotch. He pushed hard, and James cried out. "Stay the fuck away from my wife, Hunterson, or next time you lose them," he spit out. James curled into a ball, cursing Edward.

Bella stood by the door. "Edward…" she started, but he cut her off.

"Don't! Let's go. We're done here," he said, grabbing her arm roughly. She cried out, but he relentlessly pulled her forward. The crowd had stopped dancing and were watching the two of them. Several people shook their heads sadly. The butler rushed to get their coats. Edward tossed Bella hers and pulled her out the door.

Once they were outside, he jerked her roughly against him. "How long?" he growled. Bella shook her head.

"Please, Edward. I've been faithful to you. I haven't broken my vows. I wouldn't do that. I…"

"Save it. Let's go," he said, pulling her roughly again. Bella sobbed. She tried valiantly to keep up with Edward, but his stride was so much longer. Several times she lost her balance. Edward finally picked her up and carried her. He shook with barely contained rage.

Entering their home a while later, Edward set her down roughly. Bella immediately raced for her room. She could hear Edward's pounding footsteps behind her. She made it to her door, opening it and entering quickly. She was throwing it closed, when Edward's hand blocked it. She backed up as Edward came into the room. His face was bloody from where James hit him. His eyes were on fire. He walked intently toward her.

"Edward, please! Please, don't do this…" Bella sobbed. Edward wasn't listening. He was pulling off his coat. "Edward…I'm begging you…."

"Has he been here? In your bedroom?" Edward fumed. Bella shook her head wildly.

"NO! NEVER! He's never been here. He was lying, Edward. I've never been with him. I wouldn't do that to you. I love you!" Bella burst out. Edward scoffed.

"Love? Is that why you let James put his hands on you? Why his tongue was down your throat? HUH?"

"He forced himself on me! I didn't let him. I couldn't stop him. He was too strong!"

"I thought…."Edward started, but stopped. "Never mind what I thought. I want you out of my sight. I can't look at you right now."

Bella curled into herself. "Where will I go?" she asked quietly. Edward glared at her.

"Never mind. I'll leave. Don't be here in the morning. I never want to lay eyes on you again." With those words, Edward stormed out of her room, slamming the door loudly. Bella jumped at the sound. She began shaking violently. Bella felt her stomach churn and quake. Downstairs, she heard the front door slam loudly, the sound vibrating off the walls. Bella lurched to the bathroom, and emptied her stomach.

Edward furiously walked Main St. His rage was still swelled, causing several people to give him a wide berth. Edward barely noticed. His mind was replaying what he had seen. Could she be telling the truth? No! I know what I saw. I saw her in his arms. I saw his lips on her. His hand caressing her breast. I know what I saw, damn it!

Edward turned down a quiet side street. Toward the end of the street, a medium size building stood out. Edward could faintly hear music from inside of it. Intrigued, he walked toward the building. Approaching the door, he noticed it was slightly ajar. Now that he was closer, he could also hear laughter, male and female. He stepped in slightly, for a closer look.

Several men sat around a make shift bar, drinking whiskey. A few scantily dressed women made their way around the men, laughing and caressing them.

This must be a speakeasy. Edward had heard of them, but had never visited one. Why the hell not. He walked up to the bar. The bartender eyed him, taking in the cut above his eye, which had since clotted. He nodded once and said, "Name's Felix. What can I get ya?"

"Um, whiskey?" Edward asked, glancing around him. Felix nodded again, and filled a glass. He passed it to Edward, who said, "Thanks," and knocked it back. The liquid seared his throat, but he didn't care. He gestured for another.

For about an hour, Edward sat and drank. His mind still raced with what he had witnessed. Maybe….maybe Bella was being truthful. She's never lied before. Maybe he did try to force her. Maybe, I was wrong.

Edward stood up, ready to pay his tab, when wild red hair blocked his vision. He turned his head.

"Hey there, sugar. Buy a gal a drink?" she said, her eyes undressing him. Edward looked her up and down. Her hair was red as a flame, and flying in all directions. She had on a corset and lacy pantaloons. Her breasts swelled over the top of the corset, and Edward forgot what he had been going to do. He smiled at her.

"Sure, doll. Hey, Felix," he called to the bartender. When Felix looked up, he said, "A drink for my new friend here." The red head giggled, and draped herself around Edward.

"So, sugar. What's your name?" she asked, playing with his shirt front. He glanced down, and got an even better view of her cleavage.

"Edward. And you are…?"

The red head giggled again. "Name's Victoria, sugar. And I think you and me are gonna have lots of fun tonight." She glanced toward the stairs. Edward followed her eyes.

"Why the fuck not. Lead the way." Tossing back his drink, Victoria grabbed his hand, and they headed upstairs.

Bella was curled up on her bed. She had been crying ever since Edward had left. Where did he go? Was he alright? Those thoughts tormented Bella. Other thoughts tormented her, as well.

She thought back to the confrontation with James. Could she have changed what happened? Had she done something to entice him? Had her dress been too low cut? Had he interpreted her words as flirting? No! She had made herself very clear. He had misinterpreted the situation. If Edward hadn't shown up….

Thinking of that confrontation made Bella queasy again. She had never seen Edward that angry. She had actually thought he meant to pick up where James had left off. When he had yanked off his jacket, Bella had been sure that he would rape her. She realized then that she really didn't know what her husband was capable of. That thought alone made her question why she had agreed to all of this.

For Nessie. It's always been for Nessie. Bella wondered what Edward would tell Nessie, come morning, when she discovered Bella was no longer in their home. Maybe I should write her a letter, telling her good-bye. As quickly as she thought it though, Bella decided against it. Edward would probably find it first and rip it up. She looked around the room. Thankfully, she hadn't brought many personal items. She would be able to pack relatively quickly.

As they entered Victoria's room, Edward was already kissing her and fondling her breasts. Victoria laughed and wrapped her legs around his hips. They fell back on the bed, and Victoria immediately began unbuttoning Edward's shirt. He growled, and grabbed her hands.

"This doesn't work well, unless all our clothes are off, darlin'." Victoria said with a laugh. Edward stared down at her. Instead of seeing Victoria though, he saw Bella. Edward shook his head, trying to dislodge the image. Victoria looked up at him, confusion on her face. "Second thoughts, darlin'?"

"No. Just…never mind." Edward once again started fondling Victoria, as she started letting out breathy moans. Edward started on her corset. He had it partially undone when, once again, he was assaulted by an image of Bella. Edward groaned, and sat up in the bed. Victoria followed him up.

"It's your wife, isn't it?" she asked him. His head swiveled in her direction, shock on his face. Victoria laughed. "Had a fight?"

Edward nodded, the liquor he had drank starting to hit him. Victoria was talking, but he couldn't understand her words. The world was fading into a comforting black.

"Bella…" he said, before he lost consciousness.

Bella finally gathered herself together. Edward wanted her gone, so that was what she would do. She started packing her bag, fighting the tears that kept threatening to fall. The clock in the hallway chimed midnight. Edward had been gone for 4 hours. Bella wondered again where he had gone.

After her one bag was packed, Bella started on the second. The enormity of her situation finally hit her full force. She collapsed onto the floor, and curled into a ball. Emotionally and physically exhausted, Bella fell asleep there, believing that Edward hated her.

The next morning, Edward opened bleary eyes. He looked around, seeing that he was in an unfamiliar room. Sitting up, he groaned loudly. His head was pounding, and his mouth tasted like cotton. Edward grabbed his head, trying to stop the spinning. A woman giggled behind him. Edward turned swiftly, and felt his stomach roll.

"Morning, sugar. I'll bet that's quite the hangover you have going there," the woman said. Edward vaguely remembered her saying her name was Victoria.

"What time is it? What am I….did we?" Edward stumbled over his words. Victoria regarded him, a knowing look on her face.

"Little after 9. I could say "yes, we did," but, I won't lie to you. We started too, but you kinda passed out on me before we got to the grand finale."

"I'm terribly sorry. I hope I didn't do anything stupid. I honestly don't remember," Edward told her. Victoria chuckled.

"Nah. Compared to the other men that come up here, you were a real gentlemen. Wish every guy was like that."

"I need to get home. I'm sorry," Edward said, lurching toward the door. Victoria's next words stopped him cold.

"Your wife is lucky to have someone like you. Most married men don't even give a shit. You must be one of those rare ones who honestly loves their wife."

"How'd you know I have a wife?" Edward asked her, suspicion on his face. Victoria held up her hands.

"Relax, tiger. You told me you two had a fight. And, just before you passed out, you said, "Bella." I'm assuming that is your wife?"

"Yes. She is."

"Well, I hope everything works out for the two of you. Come back anytime, sugar. Even if it's just to visit."

Edward stared at her. He smiled slightly. "Thank you."

With that, he ran downstairs. Please let Bella still be there….

Bella awoke with gritty and swollen eyes. She sat up, surprised to find herself on the floor. How…? Then, the events from the night before assaulted her mind. Looking out the window, Bella realized that the sun was high.

"Oh, no!" she said to herself. Edward was probably back by now. He would be furious if he found her still there. Quickly, she packed her other bag, tossing things in haphazardly. Once that was done, she scrubbed her face fiercely. Opening her door, she heard no sounds or movement. Swiftly, she descended the stairs.

Halfway down, Bella heard the front door open. She froze, and saw Edward stop as well. They stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, Bella descended the rest of the way. She stepped in front of Edward, and set her bags down.

"I'm sorry. I meant to be gone by now. I'm leaving now, though. You'll never have to see me again, just as you asked. I won't contest an annulment. Good bye, Edward," Bella said, fighting tears. She reached for her bags, and was surprised when Edward fell to his knees in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and held tight. Bella stood there, utterly shocked.

"My Bella…don't go. I was an idiot last night. I didn't believe you, and I should have. Please…stay with me. Don't leave us. Don't leave me," Edward begged.

Bella wrapped her arms around his head. "I won't. I won't leave you."

Edward stood up, pulling Bella into him. "I thought for sure you would be gone. I realized what an ass I was when I got drunk last night. You've never lied to me before. I jumped to a very inaccurate conclusion, and I'm so sorry for that. Can you forgive me?"

"I tried to tell you. You were so angry though. I can forgive you, but, I need to know one thing?" Bella asked. Edward nodded, reading her mind.

"I wasn't unfaithful to you, either," Edward said, as he leaned in to kiss her.

Bella sighed as his lips covered hers. He pulled her even closer, and she felt the evidence of his desire for her. He chuckled, pulling back slightly.

"I'm so very sorry, my Bella. No words will ever make up for the hurt I caused you last night."

Bella thought, "I know three words that would." Again, they silently stared at each other, anticipation strong as tension in the air. Finally, Edward grabbed her bags, and together they made their way back upstairs.

A/N 4 chapters to go. Let me know what you think. Next chapter, they deal with James.