A/N: The title of this story, Rueful Relict, can mean regretful remnant of the past as was originally intended, but it is very open to interpretation.

To my old readers, I apologise for not completing Odyssean Love but the writer's block is no good. To my new readers, please take a look at my other story, Pursuit of Gaiety? This story is fairly different from my other two but I do hope you will all give it a try.

That is all. Enjoy and review, please.

Lolly

THEY ARE ALL HUMAN.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight Saga but I do own this plotline.

Rueful Relict

Chapter One (1)

My Lady

Isabella Swan yawned genteelly as she stretched her long and slender arms above her head. She veered her delicate head to glance at the window from which brilliant sunlight was beaming through. Isabella has always appreciated the simplest of things, despite her decorous upbringing as a respective lady.

Lady Isabella Marie Swan was the beloved daughter of Sir Charles William Swan and Lady Renee Shavelline Maria Warner who were, to say the least, strict and uptight members of society with a reputation to uphold. Although Isabella possessed a natural gentleness and goodwill, it was arduous not to allow her parents' demeanour to affect her a little; after all, she was a haughty woman with a title and much wealth at her disposal.

(Isabella)

"Eric. ERIC!" I called to my hand servant who also acted as a bodyguard. It was routine for Eric to bring me a basin of warm water and towel to cleanse my face with every morning.

Eric did not rush into my chamber as he usually did. This startled me a little as Eric had always been a dependable servant who has never, ever been late before. I did realise that a friendship with a mere servant was greatly tabooed but I did have a soft spot for my ever trusty bodyguard. However, that was not the case today.

"Where in the world is he?" I muttered to myself as I started to climb out of my grandiose bed.

Just as I was about to place my foot upon the exotic rug imported from Persia, a petite girl with a slight frame and roughly cut hair in plain grey attire, a maid most definitely, faltered in.

"Lady Isabella. My name is Alice –" The maid mumbled as she focused her eyes, which were the same shade of grey as concrete, on the ground.

"Oh, spare me the useless details." I cut the maid, Alice, off as I eyed her fidgeting figure. My head was starting to throb for no apparent reason so I began mildly rubbing my temples as I closed my eyes. "What do you want?"

"Butler Jasper told me to come here to inform Lady Isabella that Eric Yorkie is unwell today and I am assigned to serve Lady Isabella today," Alice recited. It was clear as anything that she was intimidated by the prestigious Lady; after all, I was renowned for my great beauty – or that was what my Mother always said, anyway.

With my porcelain doll features and shiny mahogany curls, I was often sought after for my hand in marriage by many a man but they were all graciously refused with the reply that I was only seventeen and was not ready to wed and take upon wifely duties. My short temper did concern a few suitors but it was overlooked as my name and title was a greater lure. My hand in marriage was even more of a temptation due to the fact that I had a demeanour about me that instantly enabled people to feel at ease around me and relate to me, and naturally, I made full use of that certain charm and linked myself to many valuable connections.

"Oh, well, alright then, Alice, is it? Being me a basin of lukewarm water with frangipanis. I believe that General Mason has sent Father a batch of frangipanis a few days ago from the New Land. Ah, they smell most delightful," I smiled sweetly as I instructed the new maid. "And a damp towel too, please."

"Yes, Lady Isabella," Alice nodded once as she scurried off to prepare my request.

Once I felt refreshed and clear-headed enough, I passed the tray with the basin and towel back to Alice. Alice helped me into my corset by pulling the stings that held together the whalebone and dressed me in one of my many dresses. She carefully combed and structured my hair and painted my face lightly with powder. Any more make up would be deemed inappropriate as only prostitutes and the women in brothels cake on excessive make up.

When I felt that I was presentable, I made my way downstairs for my morning meal with Mother and Father. I rarely see Mother and Father as they were both much occupied people and the only time that I do see them is when we share their morning meal together. My older brother, Sir Emmett McCarty Swan, was present too today, which was, quite frankly, unusual.

Emmett was almost always out of the Manor, choosing to spend most of his time in his private Villa. I conjecture was that he wished to be away from the prying eyes of Mother and Father to suit his lifestyle, which consisted of women, luxury and more women. Who knew how many ladies had succumbed to him. With his tight dark coils of hair which were a shade darker than his sister's, his stalwart body, and his delightful characteristic, women were naturally drawn towards him.

I pondered why he was here today. Ever since the day Father spoke to him sternly about reigning in his ways and causing fewer rumours to be spread amongst the higher society as it would lessen his chance of becoming a Duke or something of the sort, he had been nothing short of rebellious and even had the nerve to move out.

"Ah, my beautiful Isabella. Come, join us," Father did not lift his head from the morning paper as he greeted me.

Mother and Father looked strange today, strained, but I could not exactly put my finger on what it was so I chose to ignore it.

"Of course, Father," I lowered myself onto the chair that Alice had pulled out for me next to Emmett. I turned to greet the other members sitting at the table. "Mother. Brother."

Mother nodded curtly at me as she continued to eat with her silver spoon but I did not mind. I had already been accustomed to her austere manner a long time ago. However, Emmett's response was by far contrary to hers.

He grinned at me widely and turned his chair a little to face me. "Hello, little sister. How have you been while I was away?"

"Oh, well, I am very well, thank you," I picked up my own silver spoon and began to eat. Once I had a spoonful of the omelette, I turned to Emmett and lowered my voice. "Mother employed a new governess for me when she decided that Mary's hairline was receding thus no longer fit to be a governess."

Emmett guffawed loudly whilst I chuckled mildly. This caused disapproving glances from both Mother and Father so he quickly quietened down.

I had not seen Emmett ever since two years ago but I remembered that we had not been very close as he was always training and being pressured and he trained some more. He seemed lighter now; happier.

We chattered on for a while as we ate and I learned that he was very well off in his Villa, mixing with important members of society and had made a small fortune already from his many taverns. When our plates were cleared and the servants took away our used dishes, I excused myself as it was time for me to attend my daily lesson with the governess.

"Lady Isabella, the Governess is a highly respectable lady, and she is very much in demand. Although the Swan household holds a high rank, it was still very difficult to employ the Governess," Jasper, the butler, filled me in as he led the way to the book room. Alice was following wordlessly behind us. "And, Lady Swan asked me to kindly inform you that you are not to meddle with the Governess. You are to come of age soon and are required to hold the skills that the Governess will be able to teach you."

I turned around sharply to glare at him.

"Quote, of course," Jasper mumbled softly and we continued walking.

Jasper pushed open the elaborately engraved door to reveal the most breath taking woman I had ever seen. Her corn silk hair and piercing blue eyes startled me. Her face was motionless and her cheekbones were prominent. Even without a corset, her figure would be flawless. She was rested upon a couch before we entered but straightened herself promptly as we approached her.

"Lady Isabella Marie Swan," she curtsied gracefully. It saddened me a little when I realised that I can never be as elegant, despite my status. "I am Governess Hale. But you may refer to me as Rosalie. It is my great pleasure to be your Governess, my Lady."

"Rosalie," I greeted her with a nod.

I dismissed Jasper when all introductions were finished and Alice followed closely behind, shutting the door behind them.

"Now, Isabella. Let us begin."

Once our lesson was over, Alice was waiting by herself outside the room, waiting for me. We immediately made my way towards my chamber where I expected tea to be waiting. Eric usually took care of my requirements and ensured that I was promptly on time and presentable. It seems as if Alice will take his role from now – or today at least.

Governess Rosalie – or just Rosalie, as she prefers it, seemed like a proud yet learned woman. It was clear that she had an impressive education and I discovered that her upbringing was not bad at all. Her father was an Earl and her mother was a lady-in-waiting to the Queen before she married her father. She only took the occupation of a governess because she was to be wedded, against her will, to a wealthy but elderly Viscount with three wives already. Instead of escaping to a nunnery like most women who did not wish to be wedded did, she escaped and became a governess. She told me that she educated the Fourth Princess.

It is undeniable that I greatly admire this independent woman despite her stringent exterior. I briefly wondered what I would have done if I were her in that situation.

"Alice, are you married?" I asked, suddenly curious.

"Why, no, Lady Isabella," she replied, she sounded a little baffled as to why I asked her that. It took her a little while to gather the nerve to ask me a question in return. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, a pretty girl like you should be married, or betrothed at least," I smiled gently at her.

Her eyes clouded over. "I was betrothed when I was six years of age. To a butcher's son. But then my father and mother passed away, leaving all their inheritance to my two older brothers. They both went their own ways with their money and I was left alone. The butcher called off my engagement immediately as I was penniless, no better than a beggar."

"Oh," I was speechless. I had never given much thought to the lives of the servants. When I did ask, it was not out of genuine interest but to fill in some chatter in the uncomfortable silence when time was plentiful. All the servants did not reply with a sentence that could continue the conversation so it ended before it even started.

Anyone with even half an inch of a heart would feel for Alice and her situation. I promised myself silently that I would attempt to act kinder towards her. I was content with my decision and Alice and I continued walking.

I slipped off my slippers and laid on my bed as soon as we reached my chamber. Alice immediately began cleaning the furniture.

"Lady Isabella," Jasper greeted me as he always did and made his way into the inner room in my chamber. A young man with a strange hair colour was following closely behind him. "This is Edward Cullen. He will be replacing Eric Yorkie as man servant and bodyguard of Lady Isabella."

"I beg your pardon?" I was surprised. I had always expected Eric to be there, never giving a thought of when he might be replaced.

"Now, Eric is becoming a little, uh, too frail. Lady Swan is worried that he may not be up for the important job of protecting Lady Isabella." Jasper explained carefully.

"No. I will not hear of it. Bring Eric here immediately," I refused; I was known to be stubborn when I wish to be. Yesterday when Eric was still here, he was in perfect health and condition and now they expect me to believe that he was a frail old man? He was thirty-six years old, for goodness sake! This was utterly absurd.

"Eric Yorkie has been taken care of, Lady Isabella," Jasper averted his look away from me. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"What do you mean by that?"

"He has been sent home last night. To work in his homeland," Jasper shifted uncomfortably. "Do not worry, Lady Isabella. We paid him adequately and he will be set for life."

I was furious. Eric was one of the only people here that I felt like I could trust, even a little, and now he was to be replaced by a stranger with odd copper hair.

I turned my head a little to look at the man behind Jasper – Edward Cullen.

He looked younger that I had originally thought, perhaps nineteen or twenty years of age. He had been looking down at the carpet the entire time until I called his name. 'Edward Cullen?"

He instantly looked up. His green eyes were like sparkling emeralds – stunning. His face was carefully chiselled with prominent and masculine cheekbones. He looked strong, but not burly, like Emmett. It was not hard to realise that he was pleasant to look at, despite his obvious discomfort. He would be considered handsome by any standards but wearing the Swan guard uniform, he was intimidating.

"My lady."

Edward Cullen has replaced Eric Yorkie as Lady Isabella's man servant and bodyguard but it is clear that Isabella does not favour him. What will happen when Edward must follow Isabella around in order to fulfill his duty? Will Isabella childlishly attempt to make his job harder?

Please review! They make me ever so happy and give me the inspiration and motivation to continue writing. Anything - comments, questions, suggestions - I WANT TO READ THEM!