Perhaps one has to be very old before one learns to be amused rather than shocked.
Robert Browning
EDWARD'S POVThe pilot announced we would be landing in five minutes. With the earlier than scheduled departure, we arrived an hour early. Bella had mentioned something about a car meeting us, and I wondered how long she and I would have to wait.
Snapping my book shut, my gaze drifted over to Bella. The blanket I had wrapped around her was on the floor and her cheek rested on a thin disk pillow. The pillow bent in the middle and molded to the shoulder and head. The co-pilot had helped me secure it around her when we were in the air.
Bella was still asleep and, much to disappointment, she hadn't said a word the whole flight. I didn't like the idea of waking her, but I had to try.
"Bella," I whispered, shaking her gently.
She grunted, nothing more.
"Bella, we're here," I said, shaking her again.
"You'll not be able to wake her," the pilot said, coming out of the cockpit before lifting his arms above his head, stretching. "This is my third time bringing her here and each time she has fallen asleep. I learned, after the first time, there's no waking her."
Sighing, I decided to try once last time. "Bella, please wake up."
Nothing. Not even a grunt this time.
The pilot chuckled. "No worries. Someone from the security detail Malcolm McCullough sent will carry her. They're used to it."
That wasn't going to happen. "No need. I'll carry her," I remarked, unbuckling her.
"I don't think that's a very good idea. The only person outside her security detail that can is her godfather."
I shudder to think what would happen if this young man tries.
The pilot went to the open door and wave for a guard.
Shortly, a lean Scottish gentleman, I would say in his early forties, addressed me, "Weel, laddie, ur ye gonnae carry 'er ladyship, ur dae Ah need tae dae it?"
"Wait"—I was confused—"are you saying I can carry her?"
"Aye, Edward," the lean gentleman said, chuckling. "Charlie called an' said thaur be nae reason nae tae troost ye."
I could hardly wrap my mind around what I was hearing. "Charlie really said that."
"If Ah wasnae th' a body fa be takin' 'at caa, Ah be nae believin' it either. But 'tis true, an' Charlie be nae a body tae be givin' his troost easily especially whaur Isabella be concerned," he said with all seriousness.
His accent was heavy, and it was a little strange that I understood what he was saying.
"Noo come, laddie, we need be makin' tracks. Thaur be a fierce price tae pay if we be late fur th' forenicht scran."
I gathered Bella into my arms, and her arms went around my neck of their own accord which was quite interesting. She snuggling into me.
"These be aw th' baggage?" the Scottish gentleman asked.
I looked over at him and nodded.
I followed him out of the shuttle and to the waiting… limo.
Limo?
I glanced down at the sleeping beauty in my arms—a security team and a dark windowed car. I was missing something.
"Be thaur somethin' wrang, laddie?" the lean gentleman asked over his shoulder.
"I wasn't expecting …" I paused.
What wasn't I expecting? The limo?
Well yeah, but I could deal with that. I planned to ask Bella about it later.
"To be so well received," I finished, leaving it at that.
"Weel, if th' truth be knoon, nae aw th' clan supports whit th' cooncil be forcin' 'er intae. Aw 'er security be believin' they be a bampot fur nae believin' Annabella. 'at be th' lass' grandmother. 'Tis a stoatin sham 'at Annabella be nae longer wi' us. Isabella was sorely torn when 'er grandmother died—the tois bein' huir uv a close. Isabella coods barely function as it was an' she 'en finds it whit plans uir hen cooncil hud fur 'er an' aw. Ah was thaur, an' it wasnae a bonnie secht. She ran frae th' Gillpatrick's close efter she be meetin' 'er future …" he trailed off, probably not wanting to say the word husband. "She disappeared fur three days wi' nane bein' able tae fin' 'er. Nae 'spikin a single wuid when she returned. But aw coods teel, she be seethin' an' hidin' it deep doon. 'Twoods be a sorry secht when she eventually let's free aw she has built up."
My eyes move to look at Bella again, wishing with all my might to just be able to read her thoughts. She was so strong yet so fragile.
"Laddie," he said, opening the door for me after setting the bags on the ground.
Carefully, I climbed in, not wanting to disturb Bella and the door closed behind us. I couldn't help but stare down at Bella.
I replayed what she, Charlie, and the lean gentleman told me, adding the state she was in the first time I had met her. Silently, I questioned whether the two events were connected in some way, but it was impossible. Washington was miles away from Scotland. There was no way she could be in two places at once. Then again, she had been so distraught that day. Running my fingers through her hair, I brushed a stray strand off her face and tucked it behind her ear.
With my light caress, she nestled further into my chest. Ever so slowly she began to open her eyes.
BELLA'S POVOh. My. God. I'm on Edward's lap. Or am I dreaming?
I felt the sudden rush of blood to my face and that told me otherwise. I was awake.
"Uh, Edward, why am I on your lap?"
He smiled down at me. "You fell asleep on the shuttle, and I didn't have the heart to wake you. You looked so peaceful."
My blush deepened. "You mean you couldn't wake me." I knew better than to believe he didn't at least try. I also knew what a crabby person I was if I was woken before I was ready to wake up.
I saw the humor dance in his eyes. "You got me there. I did try and the shuttle pilot told me to just leave you alone and one of your guards would retrieve you."
"So, who do need to thank for carrying me from the shuttle?" I asked.
He chuckled lightly. "Me," he replied, brushing my check with the back of his right hand. "I carried you."
From the tingling heat, I knew my face was an even deeper shade of red.
"You didn't have to. One of the guards would have carried me."
"I know, but they trusted me with getting you into this very spacious car," he said, indicating with his hand the interior.
I didn't need to look around to know we were in the backseat of a limo, but I did.
"Is there something you would like to tell me before we get to our destination?" Edward asked.
I hid my face against his shoulder, momentarily forgetting he was holding me. I was immediately confronted by his mouthwatering scent.
God, he smells like the first snow of winter.
Stop it, I mentally shouted at myself.
I had to get off his lap before I kissed him, and I desperately wanted to. Deciding it was better, for the time being, if I didn't kiss Edward, I slid off his lap and instantly missed the feeling of being held against him. Stalling a little longer, I picked up the phone and rung the driver. Speaking in Gaelic, I asked when we would reach the main house. The driver told me about twenty minutes.
Edward gave me a questioning look as I hung up.
"I just wanted to know how long I had to explain." I paused a moment. "I told you that my grandfather was a dignitary, didn't I?"
He nodded and I continued.
"I also told you that I was the clan's heir."
His eyes went wide, reminding me of a deer caught in headlights.
"No, I don't think so," he answered.
I blew out a breath. This was going to be difficult. "You don't remember what I said about Jacob and his reaction to me being named heir?" I asked.
He shook his head, and his forehead furrowed.
"My grandmother was The McCullough. Meaning she was the head of the clan." I bit my lower lip, letting him process that.
"So, that would make you sort of like a princess in line from the throne?"
I was relieved, he understood.
"Exactly," I replied. "When my grandmother died, my grandfather became the acting McCullough. You see, I'm my grandmother's heir."
He looked confused again, and I felt I knew why.
"Clan leadership is passed down from grandmother to the eldest granddaughter. The only reason my grandfather is leading in my place is because of my age. When she died, it was decided that my grandfather continue as laird until I graduate from college or marry, whichever comes first. I agreed, well, after speaking with Grandfather at length about it."
Why didn't I think to explain before now?
Edward slumped forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and buried his hands in his hair. He was silent.
I knew it was a lot to take in and allowed him the time to process everything.
He turned his head, looking at me. Before he could say anything, his phone rang. He dug it out of his pocket, staring at the caller id a moment before giving me an apologetic look as he answered.
EDWARD'S POVBella dropped a bombshell when she told me she was future head of the McCullough clan. It was hard to believe, not that I didn't believe her. One day, I saw her as my wife but with the bombshell… I didn't know what the future held. I needed to get away, gather myself. I was still processing leaving for a bit when Alice called.
Poor timing, pixie.
"Hello, Alice," I said irritated.
"Have you arrived?" she asked, ignoring my tone.
I sighed. "Yes, and we're almost to the keep."
"Keep?"
"You heard me right, Alice. Is there a reason for your call?" I asked.
"Of course there is. Why did I just see you leaving? Bella is going to need you tomorrow. You can't leave." Alice sounded mad.
I sighed again, running a hand down my face. Damn it. I didn't think Alice would see that. "I'll have to get back to you on that" I said.
"You better, Edward," she replied, hanging up.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket. "Sorry about that, Bella. You know how Alice is. She's always asking difficult questions."
It was her turn to look at me confused. Oops, she doesn't know that about Alice. I was saved from having to explain that statement as the car came to a stop.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked, glancing out the window.
I swallowed hard. Whether I was ready or not, the door opened and I got my first look at the Keep. The gray stone structure looked older than me, much older. There were three towers visible and, if I leaned forward a little, a fourth could be seen. A short set of sets led up to a half-wood, half-glass door. An elderly gentleman stood unmoving on the top step, a bored look on his face.
Bella took hold of my hand. "Come on, Edward, you have nothing to be afraid of. No one will bite," she said with a melodious laugh.
That didn't help my nerves. I was the one that could bite. She squeezed my hand, and I look over at her. My half-made decision to leave left my mind the moment I gazed into her chocolate-brown eyes; they seemed to be saying "trust me." I flashed back to two other times her eyes said the something to me: the day I found her in the woods and the day of tryouts. She was the same girl. There was no way I could leave her. Alice would be happy.
"Ah, Mr. Cullen and my lady, welcome." The elderly gentleman spoke in near perfect English and bowed. "Let's get you settled in. This way, please. Of course, Isabella, you know where your room is," he said, leading the way inside, up a flight of stairs, and through a maze of halls to another flight of stairs.
If it wasn't for my eidetic memory, I would have trouble finding my way back to the entrance without a map.
"I want to make sure Edward's accommodations are to his liking, Aengus," Bella replied, when Aengus looked over his shoulder.
So, I don't get to know where Bella's sleeping.
The conversation continued between her and Aengus for some time, and I had no clue what they were talking about. Aengus' thoughts were in the same incomprehensible language they spoke.
"Edward, you're awfully quiet. Is something wrong?" Bella asked.
"No. I just wish I knew what you were saying," I said.
"Oh! I didn't realize I was speaking in Gaelic. I guess I slipped into it. You should have said something. Forgive me?"
She was blushing again. I loved it.
"There's nothing to forgive," I said as we stopped in front of a room that I figured was I mine for the duration of the visit.
I braced myself for whatever awaited me on the other side of the door, figuring it would be ostentatious and stiff. Aengus opened the door and stepped aside. I was surprised by the modesty of the room.
[Describe the room a little]
"If you don't like the rooms, I'm sure Grandfather could arrange something else."
"No. This room is fine, Bella." I said.
When I looked over at her, she was smiling warmly. There was something a little different about her. She was relaxed in a carefree way.
"Someone will bring your bags up soon," Aengus said, leaving us standing outside the room.
BELLA'S POVThe moment Aengus disappeared I grabbed Edward's hand, pulling him. He didn't budge.
"Come on, you should at least know where my room is," I said.
"Wait, Bella. What's come over you? I have never seen you so… laidback. You were tense until we walked into this house and now you're smiling. Talk about a three-sixty."
He smiled, the left side of his face hitched a little higher. It made my heart swell.
"I don't think I have ever seen you smile other than when you sing then it fades once you are done."
I stared at him, mouth agape. By the spirits, he was right. The weight I've had on my shoulders for the past few weeks was… gone. There was only one explanation.
"It's this house, the air, the land. All my problems vanish when I'm here."
Or with when I'm with you, my mind added. Shut up.
"Now, come on, we really don't have long before we have to meet Grandfather for dinner," I said.
When I pulled at his hand, he let me drag him away.
A maid gave us a strange look as we rushed by, but I ignored her.
"My room is just down this hall," I said, turning right.
He didn't need know the two doors we passed were a part of my room, too, or that he was staying in the room behind mine. One of my requests to Grandfather when I informed him Edward was accompanying me. The other was to hang heavy drapes to divide my room to make it appear smaller than it actually was. Opening the door, I let him enter before me. I followed, leaving the door open, not that anyone would read anything into my having a boy in my room.
His jaw drop as he took in the simplicity of my room. [describe a little]
"Bella, I don't think I should be in here."
He suddenly sounded like he had stepped out of another century. A century in which gentlemen didn't go into the rooms of ladies they weren't married to.
"It's okay. The door is open. What do you think?" I didn't know what made me ask the question.
"I honestly didn't except to see rooms like this," he answered. "When you told me that you were like a princess, I thought the rooms would be lavishly decorated."
My face fall a little and he noticed.
"Don't get me wrong, Bella, I love how wrong I was. Your room is very much like you, reserved and modest."
I was reaching up to touch Edward's face when one of the butlers brought in my bags.
"I better leave, so you can get ready for dinner." He turned to leave.
"Edward," I called.
"Yes," he said, turning back.
"I'll meet you at the top of the stairs in fifteen minutes. There's one more room I want to show you before dinner. And there should be a copy of the itinerary on the desk in your room."
"See you then," he said with a bow that made me smile.
EDWARD'S POVAs I bowed, confusion lit Bella's eyes, but she smiled. As I walked back to my room, I took out my phone and dialed Alice. As I waited for her to pick up, I found the itinerary and read through it.
"You're staying," she said, answering.
"And hello to you too, Alice."
I quickly related why I had almost decided to leave and what made me changed my mind.
"I knew you weren't listening when she told us," Alice said. "It serves you right. Whoa! That's just mean, and I didn't mean it that way."
I chuckled. "I know you didn't. I have to go. Dinner. That's going to be interesting."
"Be prepared for more surprises. I'll call if I see anything."
"Thanks, Alice." I hung up and pulled out a dress shirt and tie.