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Courtesan	By : Shelindrea Category: Twilight Series > Het > Jacob/Renesmee Views: 4787 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

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Chapter 31

Emily POV

Things got better after Nessie and I made peace. I opened myself to her charms and found her to be an intelligent, kind, and entertaining companion. She also had the good grace to offer no advice on my situation, unless solicited.

Sam and I had had a rip roaring fight. I insisted he move out of my wing and refused to see him except for meals. I had made it clear that if he was not willing to change then I would return to Cullen Estates with Jacob.

Sam had taken a day to be angry. He ranted about Nessie and had stormed from the house. Jacob had gone in search of him come nightfall, and returned with him somewhere around dawn. Jacob told me he had partaken of a large amount of mead and that his head would not return to normal for some time. I was cheered by that, but confused about what to do with my wayward husband.

JPOV

Collecting Samuel from the local tavern in the dead of night was slightly better than collecting him from the local brothel, although the brothel would have smelled sweeter. I dragged him from the common room and poured him into a rig to bring him home.

"Tell me brother, how is it your happiness must needs kill my own?" he slurred from the bed of the rig.

"Nessie may have pointed out your folly, but twas you who committed the offenses that have incurred my sister's wrath. Better that it happen now, when you still have a chance of mending her pain, than later when she would have departed with me and shook the dust from her feet." I counseled.

"Oh brother, what shall I do? My wife hates me. Hates me for doing what every free man does. How do I mend her heart and convince her that my love has never waned?"

"Dismiss your pleasure slaves for one. I should have insisted you honor her and keep yourself to her well before now, but I too am shamed by my love's observations. If you truly love her Sam, show her. Remember when you wooed her? Think back to how a smile or a sigh was food for your soul. See if it is possible to receive those treasures from her again. Most importantly, though, you must decide that having her in your life is worth giving up all that to which she objects. Decide soon though, brother, because I swear if I see her unhappy I shall scoop her and the children up and set her up in a household of her own. I swear it."

Sam expelled his stomach over the side of the rig for the remainder of the trip home. When we arrived two servants and I unloaded him and deposited him in a guest room. I was ready to wash my hands of him when he croaked out a plea from the bed.

"Do not take her from me, Jake. I would die without her."

"Then do right by her, Sam. Do right by her and she will never allow me to remove her."

Emily POV

Nessie and I had taken to conversing of an afternoon. I found she had a great deal of sense for one so young. I agreed to help her learn things that a woman needed to run a household, but she was afraid she had nothing to offer me in return. I was certain that it was untrue and one day decided to test my theory.

"Are there things you know, that other women are not taught?" I asked one day as we sat on the veranda and observed the children playing. Even Colin, my baby, was lying on a blanket in the sun, under the watchful eye of his nurse.

Nessie turned her lovely face to me, her dark eyes round and cautious. "You mean as a former courtesan?"

"Yes. I mean, you were taught the ways of pleasure, were you not? Does that mean you know ways to keep a man's interest? Have you tips and tricks to entice and ensnare them?" I coaxed. I saw her blush, and then pale. In that moment I realized that I sounded much as I had before we had found a detente. "I do not mean to imply that you, in any way, used artfulness to gain my brother's love. I know he has more than ample reasons to adore you, not the least of which is the goodness of your heart. No, what I seek is knowledge that might recapture the heart of my wayward spouse."

Her eyes softened as she gazed at me, and I saw the kindness that she had shown over the last few days. "I am glad you have not abandoned the hope of reconciliation. I feared my unguarded outburst may have caused a breech that was irreparable. I would have hated that."

"Oh no, that breech was in place long ago. It is simply my fondest hope that it may be mended."

"Perhaps Bella and Alice would have some advice. Perhaps with all those female heads put into play we can conquer the offending male between us."

"What a brilliant idea. I shall send them an invitation immediately."

"They arrived at the town inn last evening. I can send them a message for you. I am certain they would come."

And so it was that we women began a friendship among us. I had known Bella most of my life, for Father had lent his sword to her father. She was more Jacob's friend than mine, but she understood how important family was and I knew she encouraged him to heal the breech between us. Who knew all it would take is an unbiased view of his love to bring that about.

Alice, on the other hand, was quiet and reticent with me. She was gregarious and open with Bella and Nessie, but in my company I noticed her manner altered greatly. After two days in her company I decided to speak with her, in hopes of forging a new friendship.

"You do not care much for me, do you, Alice?" I asked her quietly.

"I do not know you, madam."

"We could eliminate that difficulty were we to converse more," I offered.

She smiled slightly, but her body did not ease its tense stance. "What subject would you converse on?"

"Any you choose."

"Then allow me to make one thing perfectly clear. I view Renesmee as my sister. She has my loyalty and my love, and I would do anything to protect her from harm. As long as I see you treating her as you have these past few days, you and I may indeed grow to be friends. I am at present, eyes and ears for your brother. I am simply trying to see to it that all parties remain what they appear." She did not say it with venom; in fact her statement was matter-of-fact and quite cordial.

I nodded. I knew Jacob was not yet satisfied that I had accepted his choice, and I knew of only one way to ensure he knew my true heart.

That evening, I asked Jacob to walk with me before the evening meal. All our company was to attend, including the husbands of the ladies I with whom I had spent the afternoon. I hoped that welcoming Jacob's extended family would make him see my commitment to making us a family again. The garden was in full bloom and the fragrant aromas of Jasmine and lilac permeated the air.

I led him away from the house and into a small bower where I turned to him and opened his hand. Within it I placed a small leather pouch that I knew he would recognize as the work of our father. Before he could open the parcel I covered it with my hand and looked him in the eye.

"Jacob, Papa gave this to me to keep for you. He said that when you found the woman to share your life I should give it to you with these words. 'This small circle and stones once graced the finger of the woman who gave me the greatest joy I have ever known. It represented our love and commitment to each other, and to you.' I am giving you this because I want to welcome your sweet girl into that family. Place it on her finger and make her my sister." He opened the bag by pulling the strings and allowed the small gold circle to fall into his palm. Our mother's ring was sweet, a deep red ruby surrounded by fine diamonds.

"I thought it might go nicely with Nessie's bracelet."

"Oh Emmy," he sighed reverently, "thank you."

JPOV

All through dinner the ring was burning a hole within my pocket. I wanted to slip it onto Nessie's finger so badly I almost forgot to chew. I looked around the table and realized that I was an amazingly blessed man. Here sat my blood sister, my best friends, my new brother in arms, my Nessie's family, and the love of my life. Sam was here as well, and in the last few days of his official exile from my sister's good graces I had noticed a new attentiveness to her that I prayed was a prelude to full return to his husbandly devotion. I was happy, and healthy, and I was well loved. What more could a man ask for?

As we completed our meal I knew that there was no better time or place to make this declaration. I wanted to do this here with all those we loved about us. I stood and raised a hand for silence. "My friends, my family, I require your silence for a moment."

They all fell silent and Emily gazed at me with shining eyes. I turned to face the beautiful creature beside me. Her copper hair hung in soft ringlets down her shoulders and back. Her deep brown eyes gazed up at me with confusion, and as always, love. I smiled and took her hand in my own.

"Renesmee," I said swallowing hard. "Tonight, before our family and friends I want to declare to all my deep and abiding love for you. I vow to provide you a safe home, a full life, and a warm bed. I promise to daily show you how very much you have made me happy, and to never take you for granted for a single moment. Do me the extreme honor of accepting my heart, my wealth, my ring, and my name. Please, Nessie, will you marry me?"

Then I bent to my knee before her and offered her the ring that had once belonged to my mother. She gasped as her eyes saw the delicate beauty of the small circlet. Her eyes glazed with unshed tears and she nodded holding out her hand so that I could slip on the symbol of our commitment.

After hugs and congratulations all round Jasper pulled me into a manly embrace and whispered into my ear. "You do realize we must away to the capital to seek Aro's blessing, do you not?"

"It had crossed my mind do you think we should depart soon?"

"As soon as ever we may, so that we can return to our women with news of your nuptials. The women will do well on their own for a few days, and they will no doubt have it all arranged by the time we return.

By dawn Jasper, Edward, and I were ready to go and seek the kings blessing. Sam asked to accompany us, and said it was part of showing Emily his commitment to the family. We readily agreed and were all prepared to depart.

I took my love within the circle of my arms and kissed her fully. "I would never leave you, were it not required to apply to the king himself for the honor of your hand."

"How will I bear another separation?" she asked sadly.

"You will plan our wedding feast, and buy your trousseaux, all the things with which I would be useless at assisting." I soothed, kissing her forehead and squeezing her tighter.

"I shall miss you."

"Then stay safe and well until I can rush back to your side and make you my bride."

Caius POV

The house slave from the Uley's estate arrived right on time. He had been well paid to keep me informed of the goings on at the house and I had heard that there was activity there just this morning.

I entered the courtyard to find the man prostrate before me. "Speak," I barked at him.

"The gentlemen travel to the palace for the traditional pleading, your grace."

"So the ladies are alone? That is helpful." I turned to Leah, who had been my partner in this game and she blanched.

"So they are to marry?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Not to fear, they will never make the alter. Now, I expect you to proceed with the plan. Be sure your performance is pitch perfect. I wish to proceed apace. I will not allow her to slip through my fingers again. You know what I need of you?"

"You wish for me to see to it the object is among Alice's things? Would not the strumpet be easier to paint as a thief than a respected lady?"

"What I want as recompense will not be possible if the girl is herself accused. No, it is someone she loves that must be put in jeopardy. See to it."

NPOV

The ladies went about trying to distract ourselves from the loss of our mates. I broached the subject of advising my soon-to-be-sister in any way we could that might bring about the reconciliation with her spouse.

"There must be something that the pleasure slaves know that entices him so," Emily sighed.

"It is not something you are unaware of, madam, it is something you have ceased to employ," Alice explained.

"What do you mean?"

"As a slave we have no right to say no, no expectation of behavior, we know we exist only for his pleasure. It means there are things a wife would do that we never think to do." Alice advised.

"Such as?"

"Scolding for one, should he not behave as we see fit, we do not reprimand him. Wives are known to do this on a regular basis. Men have fragile egos, Emily, they tend to feel like errant youths when told how to behave, and rather than alter their behavior, they seek solace elsewhere."

I could tell Emily had never thought of this. I thought to add something else I had been taught. "The slavers said that wives often forget that they are wives once they become mothers. They said that wives forget the relationship that begat the children and ignore their spouse in lieu of caring for their offspring. That is why they seek pleasure elsewhere, because their wives have become mothers. It was said they often forgot to alter their tone and speech when speaking to their men and that they begin to feel like children themselves."

"Do you believe this?" Emily asked Bella, as the only one among us to have been married for any significant length.

"Esme told me before I wed Edward to remember that the most important relationship I would ever have would be that I shared with my husband. Children grow and leave you if you do your job as parent, a husband should be for life. I live my life trying to always remember that Edward loved me enough to court me and win me. Occasionally I remind him of the chase by being slightly less than compliant. If he needs to win my affection, the result is generally more pleasurable for us both."

"Now, I have a few favors I could expound on, should you be interested. I would wager Nessie does as well, but they are only to be utilized once your husband has proven his devotion to you once more." Alice said sagely.

"Oh, I might like to hear these," Bella giggled.

I blushed. I had never spoken about such things to anyone else, and was not sure it was fitting, but Emily took my hand and said "I would love to hear of these pleasures, but only if you are comfortable in divulging your secrets. I will also promise to ignore that my brother was ever involved in such things, if you promise not to share information I would never wish to know."

I giggled and we all began trading tales of touches and temptations.

On the second day of our abandonment we ventured out into the open air market. There was so much to see and do. Emily and Bella had agreed to teach Alice and I some of the finer points of embroidery and we had agree to teach them some of our pleasure training. It would have been a perfect outing had we not run into Leah.

She was dressed in green satin and had a full entourage carrying her purchases. She greeted Emily and Bella, was introduced to Alice and made pleasant greetings there, but she ignored me completely. It mattered little to me. I simply went about my way.

Leah POV

I embraced Emily and made nice with Bella and their friend Alice. She seemed a lovely lady, and I was sorry to have need of her for Caius' pleasure, but then I remembered that it would remove the strumpet from Jacob's plate and leave him in need of comfort.

I walked with the three ladies for a time. Emily was pleasant, but seemed uneasy. Bella was pleasant as always, and Alice was quiet. As we stopped at a table filled with silks and satins I slipped the broach into Miss Alice's bag and then made my goodbyes. The plan was to bait the trap and then spring it this evening.

I returned to my own home and sent the message to the Duke's estate that his jewels were now in the possession of the lady and that they could be found in her reticule. I was not sure what Caius meant to accomplish by accusing the woman of theft, but he said he had it fully planned. Now we need only wait.
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Courtesan