Only by Moonlight

Chapter 12

Many thanks to my incredible pre-reader and long-distance-shoulder-to-cry-on, ladylibre, without whose assistance and insightful advice I never would have written this stubborn chapter.

Chapter 12

            A second or two later, Rosalie entered my room, seeming relieved that I was awake. She handed me two painkillers and helped me to sit up so that I could swallow them. Then she made me lie back down and follow her upright index finger with my eyes as she slowly moved it back and forth across my field of sight.

            “How’s the pain now?” 

            I shrugged carefully. “It still hurts like heck, but the meds definitely make me sleepy and a little woozy…and embarrassed.”

            “Embarrassed?” Rose frowned.

            “You know how I hate being the center of attention, and you and Em having to take care of me….”

            “Isabella Swan, I don’t want to hear anything like that again, young lady.” Rosalie was both endearing and a little scary when she went into mothering mode. “You know that we don’t mind at all. In fact, you’re giving us excellent practice in our bedside manner. So suck it up, girl.” She winked to soften her words.

            Wincing slightly as I rolled my eyes, I prepared to argue with Rose, but I felt the painkillers starting to kick in. Instead of fighting, I allowed myself to relax into my bed, overwhelmed with drowsiness and a sense of peace. “Sure, sure…” I muttered as my eyes began to close of their own volition.

            “Bella? Bella?” Rose was trying to rouse me—probably to continue making her case about why I wasn’t a bother when I so obviously was.

            But her efforts did no good; I was soundly asleep before I could tell her to stop worrying….

                                                                           -0-0-0-0-0-

         Immediately I was dreaming again that I was in his arms—in Edward’s arms—as he whirled me around a familiar ballroom. My blue ball gown flared around me beautifully with every turn and dip of the intricate dance, and my feet never hesitated as I followed his confident leading.

            I smiled up at Edward, thrilled to see him grinning back almost mischievously as he pulled me into his warm embrace more than propriety dictated. Raising an eyebrow in acknowledgment of his cheekiness, I spoiled the effect by laughing; Edward just made me so happy that our joy was impossible to contain. But the orchestra music drew to a graceful close, and the spinning couples twirled to a stop, applauding the orchestra politely in appreciation. Mr. Edward Masen and I joined them in the muted clapping that our gloved hands created.

            Edward offered me his arm, and I gratefully leaned into him after the exertions of the dance. Realizing how very warm and breathless I felt, either from dancing or from the disconcerting nearness of my very handsome partner, I extended my midnight-blue fan and wafted the too-warm air across my face although doing so offered little relief.  

            Ever-observant, Edward inquired, “Would you like to step out on the balcony for a moment, Miss Swan?”

            “Thank you, yes, Mr. Masen,” I replied, smiling up at him. Responding with a wide grin that was delightfully crooked, adding character to his handsome face, Edward escorted me through the open French doors.  Gratefully, I took several long, deep breaths (or as deep as my tightly-laced corset allowed) of the cool evening air as he guided me to the balcony railing which overlooked the most beautiful gardens I had seen. Despite the fact that they were lit only by the muted illumination of the nearly-full moon and by the light streaming from the windows of the mansion, the gardens were simply exquisite, the spicy-sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine tickling my nose.