A/N: Thanks to team Sheiffy. :*

I know all of you are anxiously waiting the lemon. It's coming, just not yet.

Chapter 19

Eat? Edward wanted her to eat. He may be hungry, but food was certainly the last thing on her mind. However, she took his hand and let him lead her to the table, like a dutiful wife. She was given the seat to his left, the highest place of honour, apart from his. She had to admit, part of her liked it.

As everyone else took their seats, the food was quickly laid out on the table, and their cups filled. Isabella immediately lifted hers and greedily gulped down the mead. She was in desperate need for something to soothe her nerves. When a servant stepped forward to refill her cup, Edward positioned his hand over it. "My wife has had enough to drink, for now." He then leaned in close to Isabella and whispered. "I want ye to be able to remember everything that I do to ye later."

Isabella's face flushed. She quickly turned away from him, hoping to find something to distract her.

Edward found her reaction amusing though he hoped she wouldn't always be this shy with him. "Eat wife," he said, sliding her plate towards her. "Ye'll need yer strength."

Isabella really wished he would stop being so forward with her. He wanted her to eat, but what he was doing was making her feel sick with nerves. She did, however, do as she was bid and picked up some bread and slowly began to nibble at it.

Edward was satisfied that she was making an effort.

"Mistress?" someone called a short time later.

Isabella turned around to see Lindsay, the kitchen maid, standing at her side. "Yes?"

"I wanted to apologise fur my behaviour before. I shudnae hae treated ye the way I did. I hope ye can find it within yer heart tae forgive me and keep me on in the kitchens. I have been serving the Laird for years and I hate tae hiv to leave the castle. It's ma home."

Isabella nodded in response and the girl turned and left without another word. At first Isabella had been surprised by her words. She hadn't really thought about the new role she would be taking on as the Laird's wife. Of course, she would now be responsible for the household and its staff.

"Ye should go easy on her," Edward said, making Isabella jump. She turned to face him, surprised by his reaction to the girl. Did he have a soft spot for her? Was she something to him? "The English soldiers killed her brother. What she did was wrong, she sees that now, but she didnae do it without reason."

The English soldiers had killed her brother? How awful. No wonder she hated her. Isabella wondered how many others in the castle had been mistreated by her countrymen.

"Are ye finished?" Edward asked, sometime later.

Isabella nodded. She had barely touched anything, but she had eaten her fill.

"Good," Edward said, standing up and offering his hand.

The colour drained from Isabella's face. He wanted to go, now? Why was he so eager to take her to his bed?

"Come wife," Edward ordered, flexing his hand. He didn't like her hesitation. He had no intention of hurting her, and it was an insult that she thought otherwise. She was his wife now. She should trust him completely.

Isabella took his hand, and reluctantly let herself be lead to the back of the hall.