A/N:
This story is inspired by some of my favorite books from Austen, Bronte, and Gaskell.
Enjoy,
iv
Prologue
Bella stood there looking down at her hands held in his. When she looked back at Edward, he patiently awaited her reply while looking at her affectionately.
All Bella wanted to do was embrace Edward and tell him a thousand times yes that she would marry him, but the threat from this morning's discussion with her grandmother made the decision for her.
Bella pulled away from Edward and lowered her eyes. She couldn't see the disappointment in his face as her own heart broke.
"I cannot marry you," she whispered her simple, but painful reply.
Edward took a step back as if he had been punched in the chest. He shook his head disbelieving the words Bella had spoken. "I do not understand. You led me to believe that you shared the feelings I have for you."
Had someone else stolen her heart during the time that he was away from Maple Hurst, Edward thought. Surely, he hadn't been away for that long, and wouldn't have Emmett warned him if that were case?
"I'm sorry, but I cannot marry you," Bella repeated herself, refusing to lookup. This was not what she wanted, but she couldn't tell him the truth, he wouldn't understand.
As much as Bella's rejection wounded him, he needed her reason. Maybe there was something that he could right. "May I ask why?"
She shook her head.
"Bella," Edward said softly and approached her. He brought his hand to her chin and slowly tilted her head in order to lookup at him. When he made eye contact with her, he saw the threat of tears and pain in her eyes. "Please, tell me your reason."
Bella turned her face away and closed her eyes, her tears finally spilt over. "I cannot!" she cried.
"Please," Edward whispered, brushing her tears away.
His plea couldn't be ignored, even if it did hurt him and bring finality to their acquaintance.
"Y—you—You are—n—not…" she couldn't say the word because in all honesty she didn't care—she loved him.
"Of title," Edward finished for her. He quickly dropped his hand away from her face.
He thought that the love they shared for each other would overcome their social status, but now he knew the truth. Although Edward received her brother's blessings to their engagement and believed Edward a good match for Bella, it matter little because this was something Bella couldn't overlook.
"Very well, I understand," Edward said coolly. He stormed towards the door of the sitting room and addressed Bella before he left, "I had my opinions about you, Bella, but I was led to believe otherwise by your family and acquaintances. For a moment I believed them and went against my better judgment. It only proved me the fool, for my initial opinion was correct. You are spoilt, selfish, conceited of your position, and deceitful. I pity any man's heart you play with."
Each venomous word was a lashing on her heart. "Please, you do not understand. I must explain myself," Bella cried out, attempting to stop him. She couldn't let him leave with such a poor and false opinion of her. "I lo-"
"There is nothing to explain," he said, abruptly cutting her off, "I have heard enough. Goodbye, Isabella." Edward pulled the door open and stormed out without a second glance.
Bella crumpled to the floor as sobs over took her. Edward was gone and he was never coming back.
"I will always love you, Edward," Bella wept to an empty room.
A/N:
So what do you think? I promise it won't always be this sad, but I do promise a lot of drama and romance in this once.
I will post the first chapter in a week or two.