Chapter Thirty Four

Edward

When I got back Nathaniel was making himself at home chatting with Emmett and Carlisle while Esme and Alice were outside with Rosalie who was still in a state, no surprise there then. Esme got up and came over to me worried about Bella.

"Do you think you should have left her so soon Edward? She must be petrified."

"Bella's fine Esme. I told her that we would sort out the situation and there was nothing for her to worry about. Looking at our guest I'd say I got it about right wouldn't you? What's Rose's problem? As if I didn't know."

"Edward, be kind to Rose, she's just worried that our guest might say something to someone about us having a human friend."

"I knew Carlisle would work his magic, I see he's got Nathaniel eating out of his hand."

"What's he thinking though? Can you tell?"

I looked at Esme a little scornfully, of course I could tell what he was thinking, I read minds for God's sake!

Leaving her to return to Rosalie I joined the guys who were discussing the merits of animal hunting as opposed to man hunting. Of course Nathaniel saw no reason to change his diet although he seemed genuinely interested in Carlisle's point of view. When I joined them he smiled at me.

"You have a beautiful instrument in there, I don't think I've heard such a tone in centuries. I hope you don't mind but I had to try it out."

Carlisle smiled at me,

"It seems Nathaniel is something of a piano player himself. You should hear him Edward. We finally discovered he was a court appointed musician to Charles II of England. He played the virginals and the spinet."

I looked at him with more interest, they were notoriously difficult instruments to play so the piano must have seemed simple to him.

"I've never tried either of them, they aren't easy to get hold of these days."

"True, I was lucky when I was in Volterra, they have both in their collection along with various other largely forgotten instruments. You should visit, they would welcome a musician, Aro especially loves his music."

"How long were you in Volterra?"

"Oh, about eighty years on and off but I prefer the nomadic life in general. There is a certain tension in Volterra that isn't good for a creative soul like mine. I haven't been there in many years and I have no intentions of going back."

His thoughts echoed his words so he wasn't lying which meant we were safe.

"So where is your friend Edward? You decided I might scare her? I would never take advantage of my hosts hospitality. She must be a very brave human to trust herself in a whole coven of vampires. I suppose your diet helps with that. I must have been something of a shock. Please give her my apologies when you see her next. Its most unusual but fascinating. I have often wondered if there were any chance of us living among humans in time but I had never seen an example until now."

I wanted him off the subject of Bella as quickly as possible so I asked him if he would play something for me.

"Of course. On the piano you mean? Or do you play any other instruments?"

"You mean like the guitar? I find that too simplistic."

"Really? Well I hear that from a lot of pianists, they are rather a snobbish breed, nothing is as good as a keyboard. Personally I find learning a new instrument an exciting challenge."

"You play many?"

" Quite a few but then I have time on my side and it's lonely as a nomad, my music is my companion."

"So what do you play as you travel? You can't carry much."

"Music is in my head and my heart or whatever a vampire has instead. I carry a harmonica but I often find places to play, churches looking for an organist, an empty house with a piano or a guitar, museums after hours. There are plenty of opportunities if you look for them."

Rosalie refused to enter the house while our guest was here so Emmett made his apologies and joined her leaving us with Nathaniel and finally he agreed to play for me. I was astounded by his versatility moving from heavy classic to jazz, to rock, and even swing before playing a request for Esme who loved Annie's Song. When he finished he asked me to play for him so I pulled out all the stops to impress and I think I did that, at least he applauded and his thoughts were flattering to my ego.

"Now I really should go, I don't wish to outstay my welcome but I would like to visit again some time if that is acceptable."

"Of course, friends are always welcome and I'm sure I don't have to ask you to be circumspect about our other friend."

"No, of course. I have forgotten already. It was very nice to meet you all. I hope your daughter will calm herself when you tell her I mean no harm. Just a traveler passing through."

I walked with Nathaniel to the other side of Forks making sure he kept well clear of the Quileutes. He had heard of Guardian tribes although he wasn't aware of the one here and might well have wandered inside their boundary. Then he shook hands and turned walking slowly away until lost to view round a bend in the road looking slightly eccentric in his long trench coat and wide brimmed hat. After he was out of sight I decided to visit Bella and tell her he had left but then realized the time.

We had talked for so long it was now Sunday evening and I had promised to take her to breakfast! I hurried to the Swan house only to see the cruiser parked outside, great Chief Swan was home! He was not my greatest fan. I strode up to the front door and knocked hoping it would be Bella who opened it but of course it was the Chief.

"Edward."

"Chief Swan, could I speak to Bella?"

"Nope, she's not here."

"Oh, could you tell me where she is?"

"I'd have thought you'd a known. Alice picked her up about fifteen minutes ago. I assumed you knew."

"No, I haven't been home yet but thank you."

I was furious and ran home quickly only to find Bella sitting with Esme and Carlisle in the lounge laughing.

"I went to find you Bella."

She turned to me still smiling,

"Alice came for me, she rang earlier to tell me everything was OK and that once Nathaniel had left she would pick me up. As I never heard from you I was pleased to hear from her. I didn't sleep much last night, I was worried."

"I told you everything would be fine, and I was right."

"Edward, that's no way to speak to Bella, she had every right to be worried and I'm ashamed of you for not thinking of phoning her to let her know."

"Thank you Esme for reminding me of my shortcoming."

I suppose my sarcasm must have been a little too obvious because Carlisle looked at me sharply,

"Don't use that tone of voice in here Edward and please don't treat Bella in that cavalier fashion."

Having had enough I turned and went upstairs to my room shutting the door a little louder than necessary just to let them know I was upset but I was still listening in.

"Bella I will apologize on Edwards behalf, he has been acting very strangely recently."

"It's OK Esme, I think perhaps he and I aren't right for each other. I mean I like him but I guess we just don't really fit together as well as we did."

"I see, well that's a shame but I do hope it doesn't mean we can't still be friends Bella, Carlisle and I are very fond of you, Emmett and Alice too and I'm sure Rose will come round in time.."

"Thank you, I'd like to keep in contact with the family, you've been very kind to me and please don't think Edward and I splitting up makes any difference to my promise to keep your secret."

So Bella and I were splitting up were we? And I was the last person to find out! Well we'd see about that!