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Chapter-7

Happily Ever After

"Isabella Newton!" shrieked James, his face red with some long-pent-up rage. Both Lauren and Jane placed themselves in front of Bella, trying to protect her from the mad man on the huge black horse. James responded by jumping down and drawing a short, broad sword from his belt. Jane screamed, but did not budge.

"You have been nothing but trouble to me, you she-devil!" he ranted, dancing around the two women in his attempt to get to Bella. "First you bewitched my brother so he left all his business and property to you—as if you would know what to do with any of it. Then, instead of marrying me quietly like an obedient wench, you run away with some twopenny apothecary and live with him in sin. And now that bloody liar Jenks tells us that you are having a baby who will inherit half the estate. Never! I will not let your bastard have a single penny from what is rightfully mine."

"I do not want anything, James," pleaded Bella, torn between the desire to protect her child by running away and stay and reason with him. Not that running would be any use. He would catch her in a jiffy. "You can have it all—the estate, the money, whatever you want. Just leave us in peace."

"And it is not a bastard but your brother's child," defended Lauren valiantly, even though she was terrified of this crazed version of the James she had seen only at the wedding. When he snarled at her to keep out of his way, she tried to appeal to his better sense. "James, calm down. There is no need to quarrel with Bella. Just think how pleased your parents will be when they hear they are going to be grandparents!"

Evidently it was the wrong thing to say, for James raised his sword and lunged at them, his eyes burning with hate. The women screamed, sure at least one of them was going to die. But then James stumbled and collapsed on the ground, the broadsword falling from his hand. Behind him, they saw an enraged Ben, panting with the dash he had made. In his hand was a heavy cudgel. Bella remembered he kept one in the coach, saying they never knew when they might require to defend themselves from any rogue while out in the village. Well, it had certainly come in handy!

She realized how bad it could have been and suddenly felt faint as the shock hit her. Lauren sensed her slipping to the ground and hastily supported her. Jane, who was crying now that the scare was over, helped her mother with Bella. Slowly they moved towards the house.

By then Angela, Mary and Shelley Cope were there too. Shelley hugged Bella, shaken by the sight of James and his sword. Angela shocked herself as well as Ben by throwing herself in his arms. Mary hollered for Tyler, who came running from the vegetable garden where he had been inspecting the newly planted cabbages.

"What—what happened here?" he asked with wide eyes as he took in the scene. Then he pointed to James. "Who is this man?"

"Get some rope first, Tyler," said Ben quietly, trying to hush Angela who was trembling in his arms. She had seen James raising his weapon and could not get the implication out of her mind. James could have killed Bella, or he could have spun around and killed Ben if he had heard him. It was a miracle none of them was hurt.

Tyler got the rope, and in no time James was trussed up nicely. Edward walked in while Ben was tying the final knot. Almost at the same time, Eric Swan got down from his coach. The shaken-up coachman had rushed home to fetch him after he had seen Ben and Tyler had things under control. Edward was puzzled as he had never seen James before, whereas Eric was furious.

As soon as Tyler told Edward what had passed, Edward flew to the house. He found Bella resting in the living room as Mary stoked the fire and Angela rubbed her feet. The motherly housekeeper was trying to make Bella drink some hot milk, but Bella kept on shaking her head, silent tears flowing down her cheeks. Lauren and Jane were consoling each-other on another couch.

"Bella!"

"Oh Edward, I was so scared!"

He had her in his arms faster than an eye could blink, and she didn't mind the audience. In fact, she didn't pay them any mind. Edward was there. Everything was all right.

They remained wrapped around each-other for minutes together. Finally Bella allowed him to loosen their arms so he could look at her.

"I am so sorry I was away from home, Bella. This should never have happened." He stroked her sweaty hair, her face and then wiped gently below her eyes. "Art thou hurt in any way? Is there any pain in thy lower abdomen?"

He took her wrist and counted her pulse while Bella assured him that there was no pain of any kind anywhere. "He did not even touch me, Edward. Aunt Lauren and Cousin Jane were so brave. They stood right in front of me, even though he had a wicked sword in his hand."

Edward turned to Lauren and Jane, now joined by Eric. He still looked shocked and kept on asking them if they were unhurt. Jane was still a little tearful, but Lauren seemed strong and calm. Edward thanked both of them with the utmost gratitude.

"She is like a daughter to me, Edward," answered Lauren. "I could not allow anybody to harm her. I cannot believe that James turned into such a beast. He seemed to be a nice lad when we met at Bella's wedding."

"He looked almost mad," added Jane with a shudder. "I have never seen a body look like that. I do believe he was not in possession of his senses."

"He should still be punished for his villainy," declared Ben who had just entered the room with Angela. She was still pale with fear, but in her eyes shined a pride for her brave man. She kept on stealing little glances at him even when she went and sat near Bella.

"Where is he now?" asked Edward, still not letting go of Bella completely, although he allowed her to sit back and be comfortable. His thoughts were running in a thousand directions. Why would James arrive all of a sudden and attack Bella? Did his parents know he had been aiming for Masen Estate? And of course, every few seconds he would silently thank providence that Ben had been nearby.

"Oh, we have left him where he fell," reported Ben, sounding happy and satisfied. "Tyler has hidden his sword, and he has gone to find the village constable. We will see him hanged for this, Master Edward. Attacking a defenceless woman—one who is with child—he deserves to die!"

Edward had his doubts about that, but he let it go for the time being. He was sure James' father would pull strings to save him. He was their only son now, after all.

The constable arrived shortly, spoke with all persons who had been present at the time of the incidence, and took the unconscious man away from the house. A message was sent to his parents, and the next day he was sent to a prison in London.

Edward, Ben and Eric Swan went for the hearing, as did the Swans' coachman. It turned out that James' parents had no idea of his crazy actions. They had however, received a message from Jenks the lawyer, informing them that Bella was expecting their grandchild. They had immediately begun to plan a visit and reconciliation, if she would forgive them. Perhaps that was what had triggered the attack.

The lawyer they engaged to defend James tried to prove that James was of unsound mind and should be released to his family so they could care for him. Unfortunately, James could not keep his mouth shut and announced that he was as sane as the judge himself. He also spewed venom against Edward and Bella, threatening to kill both of them as soon as he set foot out of the court. That sealed his fate, and he was sent to prison for life.

The twin weddings had been postponed until the hearing. They took place the next day itself, and Edward and Bella gave very generous gifts to both the couples. When Ben hesitated, Edward explained that he could never thank him enough for saving Bella's life. He was not paying him for his actions, but it would please him a great deal if Ben accepted the gifts. He also hoped that they could be more like friends and less like employer and employee for the rest of their lives. Ben was moved to tears, and accepted the gifts with thanks.

Bella had her baby on the last day of June—a healthy boy with Michael's blue eyes and blond hair. When he was a month old, his grandparents appeared at the Masen Manor, very hesitant and very apologetic. Bella, kind soul that she was, told them that she understood why they had abandoned her in London and forgave them. However, she made it amply clear that whether the Newtons left their estate to the boy or not, he would not go and stay with them until he was at least eighteen. They were, of course, welcome to visit him as many times as they pleased to do so. Mistress Newton wept a little at her firm words, but conceded they had no right to expect otherwise.

It was the beginning of September when Bella and Edward got married. They kept the wedding simple and the guests few—just the Swan family, and Ben and Tyler. Eric gave her away, and Lauren and Jane, who had helped her getting ready, cried with happiness.

However, when they returned from the church, they found that almost the whole of the village had turned up at their house to wish them well. Luckily Mistress Cope had anticipated it and had been preparing food and drinks since the day before, ably assisted by Mary and Angela. The guests were encouraged to eat and drink, and there was singing and dancing. It was a merry, merry day.

End Note: And that, my friends, is the HEA for this sweet couple, separated by fate and family. Though I enjoyed writing this story, I am keen to return to the current day and age, so my next one would be very much in the present.

After seeing so much of Europe, I have to bring it in a story, right? So yes, as soon as I finish writing my travel blog, I will start posting the new fic.

Summary: Bella is running away from her too possessive ex-fiancé, and joins a group of tourists in London. Edward, their coach captain, thinks she is a nuisance. Will he help her when Jacob chases her to Europe by pretending to be her boyfriend?