This chapter is dedicated to Genevieve Blanc. *Hugs to you, my friend*

Chapter 11: What did happen?

Edward stared silently at Bella. He wracked his brain trying to recall what had happened the night before and just how he had ended up naked and apparently married to his boss. His frustration level grew as he realized he was drawing a complete blank.

"I have no idea," he whispered more to himself than to Bella.

The conversation with the gentleman at the door ran through his brain. He had been addressed as 'sir' and with respect as if he had been an employer. Edward paced a little, running both hands through his hair, causing it to stand on end.

A quick movement caught his eye and Edward suddenly remembered he was not alone.

"Bella? Oh, God," he groaned.

Although Edward had no physical evidence to prove it, all signs pointed to the fact that he had slept with his boss. This was bad. Very bad. And worse of all, he didn't remember one minute of it and he was quite certain if he were to have sex with Bella Swan, he would want to remember it.

"What happened last night, Edward?" she whispered, pulling the sheets even tighter around her in a vain effort to cover up.

"I was hoping you could tell me."

Bella's heart began to race. She had obviously slept with Edward and she didn't remember one minute of it which was very, very bad. As her eyes adjusted to the dim room, Bella watched Edward pace around and realized Dr. Cullen without a shirt was quite an attractive sight and she was certain she would want to remember more if she had seen it before. Mentally, she was wracking her brain to find a hint, an inkling of what had happened the night before but nothing came to the forefront of her mind.

"Bella, I…" Edward out to touch her but Bella cowered away and he wisely withdrew his hand.

"He called me your missus. What happened last night? Where are Rose and Emmett and Alice and Jasper? Surely they would have stood with us if we got married. Or at least tried to talk us out of it."

Edward shook his head, unable to answer Bella's questions. He wished he knew what to say but he did not.

"Not that marrying you is a horrible thing, but we've only been seeing each other for a few weeks and that would be jumping the gun."

"Bella …"

"I mean Anthony and Marie got married after only a few weeks but at that time, that was to be expected and …"

"Bella …"

"Marie was only sixteen so what did she know about life outside her little box?"

"Bella …"

"But Anthony, he was older and he should have known exactly what was going on and …"

"Isabella Marie Swan!"

Edward smiled reassuringly at a very embarrassed Bella as she shifted uncomfortably under the covers. Suddenly, the realization that she was completely naked while Edward was half-naked struck. She felt the blush rise up her neck and quickly eyed the floor for her clothing but came up empty.

"Do you happen to see anything I can put on?" she whispered urgently.

"Why are you whispering?"

"I have no idea." Bella climbed up on all fours and peeked over the edge of the bed furthest from Edward. "It just seems like the right thing to do, much like me finding my clothes and us finding out why we woke up in bed together. I certainly didn't drink that much last night."

Edward scanned the floor and discovered pieces of women's clothing tossed hither and yon. The thought that they must have had a hell of a time flickered through his mind, awakening a part of him that the logical side of him found entirely inappropriate.

"I'll…I'll get them up and just turn around and you can put them on."

"Okay," Bella whispered yet again.

"You don't have to keep that up," he whispered back, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Bella barked a laugh, certain she was blushing from head to toe.

"I guess I'm hoping this is all a bad dream and that this won't be real if I whisper."

"Oh."

Something in his response tore at her heart.

"Not that I think having had sex with you would be a bad dream, but I would certainly hope that I would remember something about it. I mean, you're you and I am certain it would be spectac…"

Bella groaned and rubbed her face in frustration. She was experiencing world class word vomit and quickly prayed that the gods of laryngitis would strike her mute.

Edward shuffled his feet as he cautiously approached the bed, a voluminous pile of silks and cotton in his arms. He wisely ignored her ramblings, though there was a huge part of him was thrilled at what she was revealing.

"I'll let you get dressed," he said hurriedly.

Edward spun around and heard Bella rustle out of the bed. He tried very hard not to think about having woken up wrapped around her nude body. She had been so warm, so soft and fit so perfectly in his arms. Were it not the shock of waking up with no recollection of the night before, Edward would have considered it a beautiful morning.

He began to wrack his brain trying to remember what had happened and who had performed the wedding. None of his co-workers were ordained and he was almost certain Maggie and Sweetie were not. Perhaps the kindly couple that were caretakers of Masen Manor had conducted the service. He knew his parents, especially his mother, would kill him for eloping and groaned at the thought of the berating he was going to receive.

Edward's eyes had adjusted to the low light and he quickly began to scan the room for his own clothes. He quickly found a stock, shirt, overvest, and overcoat scattered around the room. It was obvious that he had not undressed normally the night before, rather his clothes had been torn off and thrown about.

"I … I need your help," Bella murmured hesitantly.

Edward turned around to find her standing before him in cream pantaloons and a shift with a corset clutched in her hand.

"I can't remember if Alice wrote that this goes over the dress or under," she huffed, frustration and embarrassment evident in her voice.

Edward's eyes widened ever so slightly at the sight of Bella clad in definitely feminine lace-trimmed undergarments. While by 21st century standards, they were quite modest, there was an innocent beauty that he found quite tantalizing and found himself unable to respond verbally. Other parts of his anatomy had certainly taken notice, though.

The silence of the room was broken when a carriage clock chimed from atop the mantle across the room. As if lit by a spotlight, a piece of parchment tied in crimson ribbon glowed from its spot above the fireplace.

After casting questioning glances toward each other, Edward cautiously approached the missive, taking it in his hands.

"What does it say?" Bella cautiously stepped closer, dropping the corset to the floor.

"It's addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Masen." He held it up to show her.

"Masen? What the … Well, open it."

Edward flipped over the parchment, loosened the ribbon and unfurled it. He quickly read the contents.

"Oh for the love of all that is holy," he muttered, his eyes quickly scanning the lines. Edward's entire body tensed as he continued to read further and further.

"What does it say?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I read it to you," he muttered, holding the paper out to her.

Bella cautiously took it while Edward crossed the room where he found a crystal decanter set and took the lid off of one of the containers. He cautiously sniffed the contents and finding it to his liking, poured a huge swallow's worth of amber liquid into a glass.

He ignored the giggle that escaped from across the room when he coughed after the drink burned the entire way down his throat.

Dearest Bella and Edward,

Congratulations! You two have been selected to right a great wrong.

In 1790, a week after their marriage, composer Anthony Masen and his bride Marie Cygno Masen disappeared from their home without a trace. As a result, the world never knew the passion this great mind could evoke with a mere swipe of his hand.

You have the opportunity to solve this crime and even prevent it from ever happening, for which I will be eternally grateful. Unfortunately, I have very little information to pass on to you as to the criminal's identity.

I do apologize for not asking you two to do this, but this was personal and as often the case when something strikes close to home, the mind is not as clear as it should be and choices are made that are not always the wisest ones.

Anthony Masen was my younger brother. His disappearance drove my parents to an early grave. You can die of a broken heart.

I have waited generations to find the right people to solve the mystery and to develop enough skill to transport the right couple back to 1790.

Your intelligence, talents and dare I say, your budding romance, makes you two the right people.

Unfortunately, it is a one way trip and Sweetie and I will be working hard to find a way to bring you back.

You will know who to trust and who does not deserve it. Rely upon each other and play to your strengths. I have the ultimate faith in you, Bella and Edward.

Your responsibilities are to pose as Anthony and Marie and convince those around you that you are madly in love.

I'm sure it won't be too much of a stretch for you two.

In the library, you will find a printed copy of everyone's report. They will help you remember how things are done in 1790 as opposed to how it is done in 2012.

Thank you,

Magenta Violetta Chartruse Green

"What the hell?" Bella demanded angrily. "What does she mean this is a one way trip? How irresponsible can you be?"

"Bella…" Edward began before being waved off.

Bella stomped and stormed around the bedroom, muttering to herself. Most of the words coming out of her mouth were garbled curse words and try as he might, Edward could not resist a small smile tugging at his mouth.

"What the hell is going on?" she demanded, plopping down onto a chair before dropping her head into her hands.

"I truly do not know," Edward sighed. He was not quite sure what the proper course of action should be. Would it be better to wrap his arms around her and give her a reassuring hug or would it be better to just let her sit there alone?

Compassion won out and Edward pulled Bella out of the chair. She felt so tiny in his arms with her head nestled into his chest. Yet it was the most natural thing in the world to him and he placed a light kiss on her temple. He wanted nothing more than to comfort her and make the world better.

"But we look nothing like them! Although there were no surviving portraits, a love poem Anthony wrote to Marie mentioned her fair hair and olive skin. I doubt there's a wig anywhere around and the eighteenth century equivalent of self-tanner would probably be lead based and prove fatal," Bella sputtered into Edward's chest. "Anthony was described as short with black hair and eyes. It'll never work."

Edward nodded silently as he ran one hand reassuringly up and down her back, earning a small sigh of satisfaction. He placed a soft kiss on top of her head and tightened his arms around her.

"Bella, I …"

Edward ceased talking and released Bella from his arms, taking a step toward the mirror above the mantle, his eyes squinting to take in what he saw. Bella looked at him questioningly before her own eyes followed his to look into the mirror.

"Who the hell is that?" she demanded, not recognizing the two people staring down at her. She cautiously stood behind Edward while studying the woman in the mirror's features. She was short, a little bit heavy by eighteenth century standards, with pale blond hair and light tan skin. A pair of sapphire blue eyes blinked disbelievingly down at her.

Bella poked at her chin and watched the reflection copy her movements.

"I think that's us," Edward replied, watching his reflection mimic his own movements.

"But how?"

"How do we end up transported back to 1790? It must be part of whatever Maggie and Sweetie did to get us here. To everyone else, we appear to be Anthony and Marie but to each other, we still see Bella and Edward."

"Oh sweet …"

A light rap at the door interrupted Bella's train of thought. The knock came again and a light jiggling at the door handle told both Bella and Edward that whoever was waiting was not going to be merely sent away.

"Don't fret. I locked it."

No sooner had the words left Edward's lips when the door flew open. Bella hid behind Edward as a short, petite woman with sharp features brushed passed the couple and immediately shoved the door closed behind.

"Locked?"

"It was!"

"I swear, Anthony," the woman grumbled, her eyes fixing Edward with her steely gaze. "You know I can open locks without a thought. And what was Fritz babbling about you getting married last night?"

"I …" Edward began before the woman dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

"I mean, truly, you did not have that much to drink last night."

Bella's eyes widened, as did Edward's as they took in this impeccably dressed person who looked an awful lot like someone they both knew but could not place.

"So you went ahead and did it, did you not, Anthony?" she demanded, slapping him in the chest.

Edward winced, wondering how someone so small could pack such a punch.

"After being told to wait, you up and elope the moment Mother and Father leave. How could you?"

Her glare quickly softened and she threw her arms around Bella's neck.

"My sister!" She kissed Bella on both cheeks before grasping her hands and pulling back to look at her.

"Maggie?" Edward murmured, more to himself than anyone in particular.

"Who else would I be?" the woman giggled. "Though you know I hate that nickname. But, when you are named Magenta Violetta Chartruse Green, one can only expect nicknames to be used." She turned back to Bella and grinned broadly. "I can tell we are going to be the best of friends. You will need someone to entertain you while this no-account brother of mine goes about composing arias or some such."

Maggie's eyes fell on the bed with its rumpled covers and a stain that looked remarkably like blood. She sighed loudly, casting a disappointed look over her shoulder at Edward.

"Though it looks like Anthony has entertained you quite thoroughly," she remarked, earning a crimson blush from Bella. "Perhaps a child will calm him down, at least that is what Mother says. Sooner the better."

With a wave of one hand, the sheets shimmered ever so slightly and the blemish disappeared.

"Oh!" Bella suddenly felt faint and as if knowing what was going to happen next, Maggie assisted her into the chair.

"Let me get you something to drink," Edward murmured, turning toward the side table and a waiting pitcher of water.

"Wait one minute!" Maggie announced, turning toward Edward. Her forehead creased in a glare as she slowly stepped toward him.

"What is it, Maggie?" he inquired, trying as hard as he could to remain calm as he poured Bella a drink.

"Turn around."

"What?"

"You heard me. I am not speaking in a foreign language. Turn around."

Edward slowly did as requested and felt, rather than heard, Maggie take a step toward him. Suddenly, a fingertip poked him in the left shoulder. It traced a light design, scratching at a few intervals before Edward felt her tug at his forearm for him to turn around.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You look like Anthony Masen. You know who I am like he would, but Anthony Masen does not have a design carved into his skin on his shoulder. Of that, I know!" Maggie took a hesitant step back before straightening herself to her full height and staring unblinkingly at Edward.

"Maggie …" Edward began.

"She is going to think we are crazy if you tell her," Bella pointed out before her stomach let out an embarrassingly loud rumble.

Maggie's face softened ever so slightly as she looked at Bella.

"You are hungry. I am certain you had quite the night," she replied quietly.

"If I could only remember it," Bella muttered under her breath.

Edward's eyes shot to hers, a strange combination of confusion and something she could not quite put her finger on. She felt her cheeks redden.

"I will arrange for something to break your fast with and return in a few moments when it is prepared," Maggie said quickly, the hostess within her overcoming her anger at this man that posed as her brother. "Do not go anywhere. I will know."

"Maggie?" Bella hesitantly called.

"Yes?" She spun on her heel and looked at her.

"How do you put this thing on?" Bella held up the corset and overdress, earning an incredulous look.

"Oh! You are quite serious!" With a shake of her head and a light laugh, Maggie hurried over and took the corset from her.

Edward was unsure as to whether to watch or turn around so he remained stock still while Bella found herself properly trussed and gowned in only a few minutes.

"I will return momentarily," Maggie stated calmly before rushing out the door, leaving Bella and Edward staring blankly at each other.

Both jumped as the lock re-engaged with a loud click.

Bella perched herself upon the edge of the bed, pulling the bedcovers to search for the now missing stain. The oddest thing was that she was not a virgin. She was not a promiscuous woman by any means, but her virginity had been taken years before.

"What are you thinking so deeply about?" Edward murmured, taking a seat across the room from her.

"I don't remember anything about us having sex," she blurted out. "I would think I would feel something, remember something, but I don't."

"Maybe the switch occurred after the couple fell asleep and we merely took their places in bed."

Bella shrugged. She truly did not know but her mind was going a million miles an hour trying to figure out just how things happened.

"It wasn't bad waking up next to you," Bella said hesitantly, almost afraid of looking at Edward to see his reaction.

"No, that it was not," he smiled, remembering just how wonderful she felt curled up against him.

"But that was wrong. We aren't at that stage in our relationship and really shouldn't do that again."

"Really?" Edward stood and took a step toward her. "You think we shouldn't play the part we have been assigned?"

"I …" Bella's throat became suddenly very, very dry as she watched him approach her.

"This is a fabulous experience, Miss Swan. Not every archival historian-in-residence can say they were able to go back in time and experience life as it was at the time. Re-creations can only provide so much. Living histories are merely what we think life was like based off of historical record. You and I have an opportunity to eat, breathe, live and completely feel what life was like at this time. I am rather excited about the prospect."

Bella nodded mutely as he approached. She looked up at his face, a strange mix of passion and concern reflected therein.

"It is not too bad to pretend to be married to me, is it?" he murmured.

"No," she whispered, absentmindedly licking her lips.

His eyes watched her reaction and a slow smile graced his face.

"I want to kiss you, Miss Swan," he said softly, placing one warm hand on her cheek.

She nodded mutely, blinking furiously. If this part was a dream, she certainly did not want to wake up.

"Or should I say, Mrs. Masen," he continued before his lips lightly touched hers.

Bella found herself wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing herself closer to him.

"I …" she whispered, lightly brushing an errant lock back.

"Breakfast!" Maggie announced, pushing open the door and entering with a heavily laden tray.

Bella and Edward jumped apart quickly, earning a curious glance from their interrupter. Maggie shrugged and continued into the room without another thought.

"Now, tell me just who you two are and how you got here. And where are the real Marie and Anthony?"

~HOH~

A cookie to the person who catches the BDB tip of the hat in the chapter. It's teeny, but I love doing that.

Thank you for all of your well wishes on us working on selling our house. We just need more space so keep your fingers crossed it will go quickly because I am NOT a housekeeper and I'm already fretting on keeping this place 'show worthy' for any length of time.

As always, let me know what you think. While I cannot answer every review, I do treasure them!

DeJean