The Promise
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 7:
Bella strolled along the boardwalk, a beautiful parasol over her shoulder, a feeling of accomplishment filling her as she considered all she’d gotten done during the day.
She’d gone to the bank and gotten her finances in order first thing, pleased with the fact that she was now quite comfortable in that respect, bless her grandmother’s departed soul.
She’d then gone to a lovely little seamstress shop and purchased several ready-made day dresses and been fitted for a few more formal ones that she’d be picking up later. She’d also purchased all the underthings that she needed too, plus shoes, boots, gloves and hats.
She glanced to the side at poor, bedraggled looking Mr. Whitlock and nearly laughed out loud as he struggled under the load of boxes and paper wrapped packages he now carried—by his insistence. With a smirk, she spoke. “Are you certain that I can’t at least take some of that from you Mr. Whitlock? You look weary.”
He shuffled things around in order to see her. “No Ma’am. I’m just fine. Just let me know when we’ve reached Mrs. Cuthbert’s.”
Bella stopped in her tracks, a hand on her hip, scowling as he struggled not to drop anything. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever met a more stubborn man in my life! What’s wrong with me carrying some of that?”
He shuffled everything again, peeking around the stack in his arms. “It’s not gentlemanly to have a lady carryin’ packages when there’s a man to do it Miss Isabella, and my Mama raised a gentleman.”
She hm’ed and continued walking until they’d reached Mrs. Cuthbert’s steps. “We’re here Mr. Whitlock, now how in the world are you going to manage the steps?”
A muffled “I’ll be just fine Miss.” was her only answer as she climbed the few steps to the door, opening it and standing to the side to allow him to pass. Amazingly, he did do fine with them and she closed the door behind them as Mrs. Cuthbert walked into the foyer from the parlor. “Oh my! Looks like you done bought out the stores Miss Isabella!”
Bella smirked as Peter groaned quietly as he stood there. “Yes, well I did need a good amount. Mr. Whitlock was kind enough to help me with it all.”
Mrs. Cuthbert tsk’ed. “You poor boy, why your arms must be about to fall clean off! Go on with you. Take it on up to her room and we’ll wait on you down here. I’ll fix you up a cool glass of lemonade.”
He answered with a muffled “Much obliged Ma’am.” before making his way carefully up the stairs.
Mrs. Cuthbert eyed Bella for a beat before Bella grinned at her. “He refused to let me pay him back unless I agreed to him escorting me around town.” She shrugged a shoulder and Mrs. Cuthbert hooted.
“Why, don’t you have an ornery streak! That poor boy don’t know what he’s got himself into.”
Bella placed her parasol next to the coat rack and went into the parlor, taking a seat on the sofa as Mrs. Cuthbert walked in with a tray of refreshments, setting it on the low table in front of the sofa.
She poured glasses of lemonade for each of them just as Peter walked into the room. He took a seat on the sofa next to Bella, placing his hat on the side table.
He still looked a little worn out and the two women watched as he picked up the glass of lemonade, draining it quickly before his gaze met with the two slightly smirking women watching him.
Bella finally had mercy on him. “Thank you for your help today Mr. Whitlock. I hate to think what this day would have been like if you hadn’t gotten there when you did.”
He set his glass back on the tray. “It was my pleasure Miss. With that reminder though, I have some work to get done back at the office, so if you ladies will excuse me, I’ll be going now.”
He stood and grabbed his hat. “Miss Swan, I’ll call on you tomorrow evening, six o’clock, to escort you to dinner, if I may?”
She smiled up at him. “I’d like that very much Mr. Whitlock. Thank you.”
He tipped his hat. “Mrs. Cuthbert. Thank you kindly for the lemonade Ma’am.”
“You’re very welcome Mr. Whitlock.”
He turned and left as Bella stared after him, her eyes lingering for a moment on his handsome form.
The subtle clearing of a throat startled her from the dreamy trance she’d fallen into and she turned to a smirking Mrs. Cuthbert.
“I’m sorry, did you say something?”
The woman chuckled. “I did. I asked about your dinner plans for tomorrow night. It seems the young Mr. Whitlock isn’t wasting any time in the courtin’ of you young Miss.”
Bella sipped her lemonade. “No, I suppose he isn’t.” She glanced at her hostess. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Oh, no indeed child! I do believe it means he’s serious.” The expression on Mrs. Cuthbert’s face lost all humor. “I would caution you against leadin’ him for a chase sugar. He’s a fine young man and if you’re not looking for a husband, then you should make that clear to him and let him be on his way. Plus you haven’t recalled anything about family or why you’re here have you?”
Bella coughed on a sip of lemonade, the word husband startling her. “I would never lead any man on a chase Mrs. Cuthbert, but husband? We just met! And no, I haven’t recalled anything yet.”
The woman eyed her shrewdly. “Pardon my forthrightness child, but this ain’t some big city back east. This is the west and things are done a bit different ‘round these parts. When a man finds a woman that catches his fancy, he don’t waste much time in the courtin’ and they don’t hold for long, fancy engagements ‘round here neither. Even been some that have sent away for brides through the mail and they marry the minute they arrive, with no more that a letter or two exchanged between them.”
Bella sat back in a daze. “Shit.”
Mrs. Cuthbert gasped, her brows reaching her hairline and Bella slapped a hand over her mouth looking at her with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry Mrs. Cuthbert! Please forgive my language?! I was a bit shocked I guess.”
She chuckled, her head shaking. “You are an odd one child, I’ll give you that. Can’t recall ever meetin’ anyone quite like you.”
Bella nodded and picked up her satchel. “Well, I’m pretty tired from my day. I think I’ll go on up to my room. I’m not really hungry either, so don’t bother calling me for dinner. Thank you for the lemonade. Good night.”
Mrs. Cuthbert nodded., eyeing her speculatively “Good night child. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Bella got to her room and after putting all her purchases away, sat on her bed as her mind wandered to Peter Whitlock.
There was just no denying that she was attracted to him and she could safely say that the attraction was even stronger than what she had felt for Edward, which surprised her. She’d thought that Edward’s supernatural pull would have had more of a sway over her than that of a mortal man, but now she knew differently.
There was just something about Peter Whitlock, something that felt so right and they hadn’t even kissed yet!
Sighing, she glanced around her room, knowing that despite being tired from the day, she’d never be able to sleep at the moment. She felt too wound up, her mind going from thought to thought, restless.
What she really wanted to do was go for a walk. She’d done that a lot in Forks after she’d recovered enough from Edward’s leaving and the walks always helped ground her so that she could at least get to sleep.
Mind now made up, she rose and made her way out of her room and down the stairs, hoping that she could make it out of the house with none the wiser.
She sighed in relief as she closed the door to the boarding house, making her way down the steps and onto the boardwalk.
At least she now had basic knowledge of the layout of the town and wouldn’t get lost if she stayed on the main streets. She smiled softy to herself as she breathed deeply, the cool evening air soothing her as her thoughts calmed.
She was just passing an alley when a noise caught her attention and she glanced around in the deepening shadows.
The sight of a man accosting another man had her breath catching and she froze as she stared. The man doing the accosting was blond, a very familiar shade of honey blond and her heart picked up speed just as he glanced up from his victims neck, his red gaze meeting hers squarely.
There was just no mistaking that face and hair, even though his eyes were very different. “Jasper.” she whispered, dread filling her.
He heard her loud and clear though. There was just no mistaking his furrowed brow as he released his now dead prey, facing her fully. “How do you know my name? We have never met.” He smirked, taking a deep breath. “You smell good though darlin’. A shame I already had my meal.” He tilted his head as if hearing something and looked back at her. “I’ll be back around, don’t you worry.”
The next thing she knew, Jasper had vanished from sight and she cried out in fright when hands grabbed her.
“Miss Swan? What are you doing out here alone?! Good lord woman, are you trying to get yourself hurt or killed?”
She looked up into the concerned and somewhat angry face of Peter Whitlock and relief filled her as she clutched to him tightly, her whole body shaking. “Oh god, I thought… I thought…”
She laid her head against his chest and squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t very well voice who or what she had thought grabbed her, so she shut her mouth, doing her best not to fall to pieces yet again that day.
“Miss Swan? What has you so scared? Did someone hurt you? Did something happen?”
She shook her head as his partner began to walk into the alley and she panicked, holding a hand out to the man. “No! Don’t go in there! Please! You might get hurt!”
Peter cupped her cheek, tilting her face up toward him gently. “Hey now Miss, this is what we do. If there’s a problem, we need to check it out. Now what did you see?”
She shook her head and looked back toward the alley, his partner now just about where she supposed the body to be. When he kept walking without finding anything, she looked down, backing up to lean against the side of the building, weak with shock and relief.
His partner was back a minute later. “Find anything Ray?”
Bella looked up, catching Ray’s glance as he answered. “A little fresh blood on the side of the building, but that was it.”
“Miss Swan, you sure you didn’t see anything?”
Bella sighed. “I saw a man beating up another man, but I can’t describe either of them. I’m sorry.”
Peter shook his head. “Ray, I’m gonna escort Miss Swan home. Save me a biscuit at dinner.” He smirked and Ray grumbled as he walked away.
He turned and offered Bella his arm. “Shall we?”
She took his arm and they began walking. “Now, I ask again, are you intent on seeing yourself harmed? ‘Cause it sure seems that way to me.”
She bristled, releasing his arm as she turned to face him. “I appreciate all you’ve done to help me Mr. Whitlock, but what I do and why is really none of your business. I don’t have to answer to you. Good night.”
She turned and began walking away and he caught her arm. “Wait just a minute. Don’t go gettin’ a bee in your bonnet there Miss. I’m askin’ ‘cause I care what happens to you.”
She stared up at him, her eyes looking into earnest hazel before moving down to those tempting lips and back again. She lost herself to her want, rising up as she pulled him down, her hand behind his head as their lips met for the first time. She could tell that he was shocked as he hesitated for the barest moment but then he was pulling her close, their lips parting as the kiss deepened.
She buried her hand in his sandy hair as their tongues met, languidly tasting, exploring, foreshadowing the intimacy that their bodies now hungered for, their passions flaring within moments.
A gentleman clearing his throat in disapproval as he walked by was like a bucket of ice water and Peter broke the kiss, setting her away from him as he tried to control his breathing and body’s response.
He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair as he glanced at Bella who smiled widely at him. “Good night Peter. I’ll see you tomorrow at six.”
She turned and made her way into the boarding house without a look back, completely missing the shocked look on his face which quickly morphed into a smile as he slapped his hat on his leg, turned and walked off, whistling a happy tune.
Bella strolled along the boardwalk, a beautiful parasol over her shoulder, a feeling of accomplishment filling her as she considered all she’d gotten done during the day.
She’d gone to the bank and gotten her finances in order first thing, pleased with the fact that she was now quite comfortable in that respect, bless her grandmother’s departed soul.
She’d then gone to a lovely little seamstress shop and purchased several ready-made day dresses and been fitted for a few more formal ones that she’d be picking up later. She’d also purchased all the underthings that she needed too, plus shoes, boots, gloves and hats.
She glanced to the side at poor, bedraggled looking Mr. Whitlock and nearly laughed out loud as he struggled under the load of boxes and paper wrapped packages he now carried—by his insistence. With a smirk, she spoke. “Are you certain that I can’t at least take some of that from you Mr. Whitlock? You look weary.”
He shuffled things around in order to see her. “No Ma’am. I’m just fine. Just let me know when we’ve reached Mrs. Cuthbert’s.”
Bella stopped in her tracks, a hand on her hip, scowling as he struggled not to drop anything. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever met a more stubborn man in my life! What’s wrong with me carrying some of that?”
He shuffled everything again, peeking around the stack in his arms. “It’s not gentlemanly to have a lady carryin’ packages when there’s a man to do it Miss Isabella, and my Mama raised a gentleman.”
She hm’ed and continued walking until they’d reached Mrs. Cuthbert’s steps. “We’re here Mr. Whitlock, now how in the world are you going to manage the steps?”
A muffled “I’ll be just fine Miss.” was her only answer as she climbed the few steps to the door, opening it and standing to the side to allow him to pass. Amazingly, he did do fine with them and she closed the door behind them as Mrs. Cuthbert walked into the foyer from the parlor. “Oh my! Looks like you done bought out the stores Miss Isabella!”
Bella smirked as Peter groaned quietly as he stood there. “Yes, well I did need a good amount. Mr. Whitlock was kind enough to help me with it all.”
Mrs. Cuthbert tsk’ed. “You poor boy, why your arms must be about to fall clean off! Go on with you. Take it on up to her room and we’ll wait on you down here. I’ll fix you up a cool glass of lemonade.”
He answered with a muffled “Much obliged Ma’am.” before making his way carefully up the stairs.
Mrs. Cuthbert eyed Bella for a beat before Bella grinned at her. “He refused to let me pay him back unless I agreed to him escorting me around town.” She shrugged a shoulder and Mrs. Cuthbert hooted.
“Why, don’t you have an ornery streak! That poor boy don’t know what he’s got himself into.”
Bella placed her parasol next to the coat rack and went into the parlor, taking a seat on the sofa as Mrs. Cuthbert walked in with a tray of refreshments, setting it on the low table in front of the sofa.
She poured glasses of lemonade for each of them just as Peter walked into the room. He took a seat on the sofa next to Bella, placing his hat on the side table.
He still looked a little worn out and the two women watched as he picked up the glass of lemonade, draining it quickly before his gaze met with the two slightly smirking women watching him.
Bella finally had mercy on him. “Thank you for your help today Mr. Whitlock. I hate to think what this day would have been like if you hadn’t gotten there when you did.”
He set his glass back on the tray. “It was my pleasure Miss. With that reminder though, I have some work to get done back at the office, so if you ladies will excuse me, I’ll be going now.”
He stood and grabbed his hat. “Miss Swan, I’ll call on you tomorrow evening, six o’clock, to escort you to dinner, if I may?”
She smiled up at him. “I’d like that very much Mr. Whitlock. Thank you.”
He tipped his hat. “Mrs. Cuthbert. Thank you kindly for the lemonade Ma’am.”
“You’re very welcome Mr. Whitlock.”
He turned and left as Bella stared after him, her eyes lingering for a moment on his handsome form.
The subtle clearing of a throat startled her from the dreamy trance she’d fallen into and she turned to a smirking Mrs. Cuthbert.
“I’m sorry, did you say something?”
The woman chuckled. “I did. I asked about your dinner plans for tomorrow night. It seems the young Mr. Whitlock isn’t wasting any time in the courtin’ of you young Miss.”
Bella sipped her lemonade. “No, I suppose he isn’t.” She glanced at her hostess. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Oh, no indeed child! I do believe it means he’s serious.” The expression on Mrs. Cuthbert’s face lost all humor. “I would caution you against leadin’ him for a chase sugar. He’s a fine young man and if you’re not looking for a husband, then you should make that clear to him and let him be on his way. Plus you haven’t recalled anything about family or why you’re here have you?”
Bella coughed on a sip of lemonade, the word husband startling her. “I would never lead any man on a chase Mrs. Cuthbert, but husband? We just met! And no, I haven’t recalled anything yet.”
The woman eyed her shrewdly. “Pardon my forthrightness child, but this ain’t some big city back east. This is the west and things are done a bit different ‘round these parts. When a man finds a woman that catches his fancy, he don’t waste much time in the courtin’ and they don’t hold for long, fancy engagements ‘round here neither. Even been some that have sent away for brides through the mail and they marry the minute they arrive, with no more that a letter or two exchanged between them.”
Bella sat back in a daze. “Shit.”
Mrs. Cuthbert gasped, her brows reaching her hairline and Bella slapped a hand over her mouth looking at her with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry Mrs. Cuthbert! Please forgive my language?! I was a bit shocked I guess.”
She chuckled, her head shaking. “You are an odd one child, I’ll give you that. Can’t recall ever meetin’ anyone quite like you.”
Bella nodded and picked up her satchel. “Well, I’m pretty tired from my day. I think I’ll go on up to my room. I’m not really hungry either, so don’t bother calling me for dinner. Thank you for the lemonade. Good night.”
Mrs. Cuthbert nodded., eyeing her speculatively “Good night child. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Bella got to her room and after putting all her purchases away, sat on her bed as her mind wandered to Peter Whitlock.
There was just no denying that she was attracted to him and she could safely say that the attraction was even stronger than what she had felt for Edward, which surprised her. She’d thought that Edward’s supernatural pull would have had more of a sway over her than that of a mortal man, but now she knew differently.
There was just something about Peter Whitlock, something that felt so right and they hadn’t even kissed yet!
Sighing, she glanced around her room, knowing that despite being tired from the day, she’d never be able to sleep at the moment. She felt too wound up, her mind going from thought to thought, restless.
What she really wanted to do was go for a walk. She’d done that a lot in Forks after she’d recovered enough from Edward’s leaving and the walks always helped ground her so that she could at least get to sleep.
Mind now made up, she rose and made her way out of her room and down the stairs, hoping that she could make it out of the house with none the wiser.
She sighed in relief as she closed the door to the boarding house, making her way down the steps and onto the boardwalk.
At least she now had basic knowledge of the layout of the town and wouldn’t get lost if she stayed on the main streets. She smiled softy to herself as she breathed deeply, the cool evening air soothing her as her thoughts calmed.
She was just passing an alley when a noise caught her attention and she glanced around in the deepening shadows.
The sight of a man accosting another man had her breath catching and she froze as she stared. The man doing the accosting was blond, a very familiar shade of honey blond and her heart picked up speed just as he glanced up from his victims neck, his red gaze meeting hers squarely.
There was just no mistaking that face and hair, even though his eyes were very different. “Jasper.” she whispered, dread filling her.
He heard her loud and clear though. There was just no mistaking his furrowed brow as he released his now dead prey, facing her fully. “How do you know my name? We have never met.” He smirked, taking a deep breath. “You smell good though darlin’. A shame I already had my meal.” He tilted his head as if hearing something and looked back at her. “I’ll be back around, don’t you worry.”
The next thing she knew, Jasper had vanished from sight and she cried out in fright when hands grabbed her.
“Miss Swan? What are you doing out here alone?! Good lord woman, are you trying to get yourself hurt or killed?”
She looked up into the concerned and somewhat angry face of Peter Whitlock and relief filled her as she clutched to him tightly, her whole body shaking. “Oh god, I thought… I thought…”
She laid her head against his chest and squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t very well voice who or what she had thought grabbed her, so she shut her mouth, doing her best not to fall to pieces yet again that day.
“Miss Swan? What has you so scared? Did someone hurt you? Did something happen?”
She shook her head as his partner began to walk into the alley and she panicked, holding a hand out to the man. “No! Don’t go in there! Please! You might get hurt!”
Peter cupped her cheek, tilting her face up toward him gently. “Hey now Miss, this is what we do. If there’s a problem, we need to check it out. Now what did you see?”
She shook her head and looked back toward the alley, his partner now just about where she supposed the body to be. When he kept walking without finding anything, she looked down, backing up to lean against the side of the building, weak with shock and relief.
His partner was back a minute later. “Find anything Ray?”
Bella looked up, catching Ray’s glance as he answered. “A little fresh blood on the side of the building, but that was it.”
“Miss Swan, you sure you didn’t see anything?”
Bella sighed. “I saw a man beating up another man, but I can’t describe either of them. I’m sorry.”
Peter shook his head. “Ray, I’m gonna escort Miss Swan home. Save me a biscuit at dinner.” He smirked and Ray grumbled as he walked away.
He turned and offered Bella his arm. “Shall we?”
She took his arm and they began walking. “Now, I ask again, are you intent on seeing yourself harmed? ‘Cause it sure seems that way to me.”
She bristled, releasing his arm as she turned to face him. “I appreciate all you’ve done to help me Mr. Whitlock, but what I do and why is really none of your business. I don’t have to answer to you. Good night.”
She turned and began walking away and he caught her arm. “Wait just a minute. Don’t go gettin’ a bee in your bonnet there Miss. I’m askin’ ‘cause I care what happens to you.”
She stared up at him, her eyes looking into earnest hazel before moving down to those tempting lips and back again. She lost herself to her want, rising up as she pulled him down, her hand behind his head as their lips met for the first time. She could tell that he was shocked as he hesitated for the barest moment but then he was pulling her close, their lips parting as the kiss deepened.
She buried her hand in his sandy hair as their tongues met, languidly tasting, exploring, foreshadowing the intimacy that their bodies now hungered for, their passions flaring within moments.
A gentleman clearing his throat in disapproval as he walked by was like a bucket of ice water and Peter broke the kiss, setting her away from him as he tried to control his breathing and body’s response.
He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair as he glanced at Bella who smiled widely at him. “Good night Peter. I’ll see you tomorrow at six.”
She turned and made her way into the boarding house without a look back, completely missing the shocked look on his face which quickly morphed into a smile as he slapped his hat on his leg, turned and walked off, whistling a happy tune.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.