Author's Note: Hey everyone! This is my first fic for this account so I hope you all like it. Please read and review with any comments, bad or good. I really don't mind ^.^ I reply to all comments, every single one, so if you give me a bad one expect a rebuttle, other than that I hope you enjoy it :)

Disclaimer: No I don't own Bella. Yes I own Edward. He's mine... No just kidding, I dont own him (sadly)

Chapter 1

"I don't understand why I have to wear this bloody outfit," Bella muttered bitterly as her maid tied up her corset. Her breath left her in an audible gasp of discomfort, a brief pain flaring through her chest, starting in the center of her breasts.

"Miss Swan, please watch your language. It would be most unfitting for a young lady such as yourself to curse in front of a suitor." The young maid had a gentle smile on her face as she finished dressing Bella, the gentle reminder0 like annoying pinpricks.

Bella knew she was being ridiculous but she just couldn't stop her bitterness from overflowing, bubbling out of her like ominous storm clouds rolling in on a sunny day. Barely in her season and already her father was playing matchmaker, having the wealthiest of men call on her, adorning her with flowers, jewels, and silks in an attempt to sway her to marry them. She hated it.

The memory of her last suitor was still fresh in her mind, a man who couldn't have been much younger than 45 who apparently was a famous lawyer. They had danced during the Chast Family Ball and through out the whole thing he continued to pinch her behind in a most undignified manner, and she helpless except to say, 'My, I had no idea the law could be so very fascinating Mr. Chast. But when you put it that way, why, it's just like reading my favorite novel! Oh please, do tell me more.'

Finally the maid left, slipping quietly through the door without another word, leaving Bella to study her reflection in the body length mirror. Her warm brown eyes appraised her appearance, her porcelain skin shimmering in the light and her lips stained a pale pink, full and seemingly inviting though at the moment they were turned down in a frown. Silky, long chocolate hair was coiled in a tight bun at the base of her head, the pins scraping harshly at her neck.

Her dress was extravagant to say the least, a silken gold that glittered in the light, small beads embroider along her breasts. The collar was unusually low, borderline scandalous, and made her wonder just what was so different about this suitor that compelled her father to choose this particular dress.

"Miss," the maid from before said softly, peeking into the room, "He's arrived."

"Thank you Julia," Bella sighed before putting on a polite smile, the kind all young women should wear. No doubt this man would be like all the rest, respected, wealthy, and believes women should seen, not heard. We're just ornaments, pretty things to look at.

"Would you be so kind as to show me to him, you shall be my chaperone after all," She said to the maid, her tone blatantly bored.

"Why, of course Miss Swan. This way." She followed the maid, only a few years older than herself. It was a shame Julia was a maid, she was quite pretty what with her fair blonde hair and light blue eyes. Such a waste that she wasn't wealthy enough to be suitable for marriage.

"Oh, he's quite handsome Miss," she said with a slight blush and small smile, a brief giggle escaping her lips. Bella smiled, knowing Julia was only telling her this because of long they had been together. Julia had been Bella's maid since she was 7.

"Well maybe you should marry him then," came her wry suggestion.

"Oh no Miss. He deserves a respectable lady such as yourself," she said quickly. Bella merely sighed, not bothering to break the heavy silence that fell upon the two. The click of her heels, devil of things that crunched her toes together, was the only sound heard in the still, stone halls.

"Right this way Miss," Julia said, leading her into the drawing room. She curtsied to not only Bella but to the man standing with his back to them as well. Walking over to the warm fire the young maid sat down and began to work on her knitting, pretending to not be watching the two though it was obvious she was, that's what she was there for after all. A chaperon.

"Ah, Miss Swan," his melodic voice said. He turned around, striding up to her and taking her hand, bending down to press his icy lips to it. His skin was as, if not paler, than hers, his golden eyes smoldering. She looked up at him for a second, significantly smaller than him in both frame and height.

His wild copper colored hair curled slightly at the ends and his smile was dazzling, though she couldn't make herself look away from his fiery eyes.

"Mr. Cullen," she said politely, slightly breathless, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Author's Note: Go on. Press the review button. You know you want to. I promise it doesn't bite... Much ;)