Cade

She could practically see his brain churning. "Very well, my dear. Anything for you."

Bella smiled. "Good. I hoped you'd agree. While I waited for you, I arranged for a preacher to marry us. He's at the church now, waiting for us."

"Then let's not keep him waiting," Edward said, tucking her hand beneath his arm and striding toward the church. "I'm sure this is goin

g to be a day we'll remember for the rest of our lives."

Bella cast a glance up at the hotel window as she passed. Yes, she thought, it definitely will.

Chapter 7

It was done. The vows were said.

The preacher stood at the front of the church, his face solemn. "I hope you'll both be very happy."

Bella tried to smile, but the nerves fluttering around in her stomach made it difficult to do anything but concentrate on not being sick.

Edward's hand rested on the small of her back, and he ushered her forward toward the door leading otuside. "We can head back to Silverdale first thing in the morning," Edward whispered in her ear once the preacher had moved away. "I have some urgent business to take care of. But I want to spend tonight alone with you."

The world spun, and for a few moments, she thought she might actually faint. Before they reached the door, she sucked in a steadying breath and stopped. "Before we go back to the hotel, I have to tell you what happened."

"Really, Isabella, now isn't the time."

She lifted her chin and met his gaze. "Actually, it is. You need to know everything."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Did he … attack you … you'll be sorry if you married me under false pretenses. I expected a virgin—"

"No. I am …" She found it difficult to repeat the word. "Pure. But I want you to know the rest."

"It can wait." He grinned, leaning closer until his lips grazed her ear. "But I can't."

Isabella's knees trembled. "The man who kidnapped me was Cade Morgan."

Edward stepped back. The muscle in his jaw tensed and his face blanched. "Really," he said, his lips curling in a smile that didn’t' reach his eyes. "I thought he'd be dead long ago."

"He's very much alive," Isabella said. "And he told me some things …"

Edward's eyes narrowed. "What things?"

She took a deep breath, then blurted it out. "For one, that you murdered his mother."

Edward began to laugh, a cold sound that made Isabella's skin prickle. "He's been saying that for years."

"Is it true?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he spat out. "Why would I kill Bessie Morgan?"

"Then why would he accuse you?"

"I have no idea. His family has always had a grudge against me. For no good reason, I might add."

"So you didn't go to the Morgan house that afternoon?"

Edward sighed. "Isabella, this really isn't anything to concern yourself with—"

"Please, Edward, tell me the truth. I guarantee nothing you can tell me will change how I feel about you …" At least that wasn't a lie. "I do want our marriage to be completely open and honest," she went on, smiling sweetly even though inside her stomach was roiling. "You did kill her, didn't you?"

"Shut up, Isabella. This is none of your business."