A/N: A huge thank you to Tiff n Sher.

I have hopefully managed to message you all now and thank you for your awesome reviews. If I have missed you, then I am really sorry. xx

Chapter 16

Not that long after Tiffany had left there was a knock on the door. Isabella wasn't in the mood for guests, and she certainly wasn't presentable enough to entertain one either. Goodness knows how puffy her eyes probably looked, and her hair was in now a tangled mess.

She decided it would be best to ignore whoever was on the other side of the door, perhaps they would think she wasn't in her room and leave her alone, but the banging only got louder.

"Isabella," Edward shouted from the other side of the door. He knew she was in there, and he was concerned about her. Tiffany had just come to see him and had informed him of everything that had happened to the poor girl. He fully intended to deal with the staff, and Alistair Stewart too, but first, he wanted to see Isabella. He felt terrible for shouting at her before. If only she had told him she was having such a hard time, but then he hadn't been paying her enough attention, so why would she bother?

When Isabella eventually opened the door, Edward looked her over, grateful that she seemed to be in one piece, albeit a little tousled. He ducked under the doorframe and walked into her room. "Dinne be so upset Lass, I dinne mean to frighten ye before. In truth, it was Jasper's fault for not staying wae ye."

Isabella nodded, for she was unsure what to say. She was surprised when Edward grabbed her and pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest. "Ye'll be alright Lass, I'll protect ye and do a better job o it too."

Isabella enjoyed being Edward's arms, more than she should have, for she knew that they could never be together and to think otherwise would be foolish. Edward may be kind to her, and he may try to force his people to accept her, but they never truly would. She was their enemy.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Edward released Bella and turned to face the door. Emmett was standing there, and Edward could tell that whatever brought him here wasn't good news.

"Whit is it?" Edward asked, motioning for him to come into the room.

"It's the English," Emmett said, ducking under the doorframe. "We've been sent news that they've entered the Highlands, looking for Lady Swan. They don't know where she is, but it's only a matter of time before they do. Baron Segrave is furious. He wants his bride back."

Edward hissed, turning to look at Isabella. She looked terrified. He rubbed her arm. He had no mind to give her back. He didn't want to, but what action should he to take? He had so many problems, and all of them centered on Isabella. The staff was mistreating her because they felt they didn't truly need to respect her. Alistair Stewart, getting too friendly with her because she was unclaimed, and the English is coming for her to bring her back to England. He knew his men wouldn't lay their lives down for an English woman, but they would for one of their own.

Aye, he knew what to do. He knew one way to solve all his problems. "Go and tell Tiffany to postpone the evening meal and then bring Father Brennan to the main hall. There is going to be a wedding tonight."