A/N: So, this is my new story, Red Ribbons. I've had this planned out since last month, and i've had this chapter saved for some time. I thought i might as well publish it and make it a story , since it's been bugging me for a while. I wont be able to update as much because I need to work on A Cup of Coffee and A Secret World as well as this, so the next chapter will be out as soon as I can manage. Enjoy!
Disclaimer for the whole story; Unfortunetly, I do not own Twilight, it belongs to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
July 1845
Dear Diary,
Father is leaving, again. I feel that this time it shall be for real, and that he shall not return. He had left me this, this small leather bound book with empty, ivory pages. My father was always the compassionate one, taking interest in the arts. My mother was more logical, always thinking of the future. She is hard on the outside, but soft underneath.
My mother has taught me many things, such as to expect 'Good Morning, Ms. Swan' from every gentleman and lady that passes by, as happens to all the wealthy in this small town in England. To court a man with a heavy purse was recommended, and almost required in my case. We go to exquisite parties wearing hefty, uncomfortable gowns so my mother can find me a wealthy man. I do not try to tell her I do not want to get married; she would tell me I was being ridiculous, or that I had been struck by an unfathomable illness.
We live in the center on London, on a large white house near a lake. We have three servants who work here; Neva, Falon, and Dina. Neva is my personal maid, who escorts me to the village and helps me dress, Falon helps mother, and Dina aid the others with household duties .
As I am perching on my window sill I watch the wind swirl by. Two small children run by, chasing one other. Sometimes I wished I had been born into a less fortunate family, so I could be free. The gowns and parties held no interest for me. I had always wanted to become a painter, creating beautiful works of art in front of a sunset by a beach. This is, of course, forbidden for women of such high stature as me.
I can hear my mother calling for me from below.
"Isabella! Isabella, we shall be late and you have not yet changed! Isabella, can you hear me? Isabella! Neva, go get her ready, what are you waiting for? Isabella!" My mother can become so hysterical at times. My little sister must already be changed and ready to leave. Alice is only sixteen, and though she is three years younger than I, she has a mind as strong as mine.
Alice and I are best friends with Rosalie, a family friend of ours. She is already married to Emmett, the gentleman who moved here from his stay in Scotland. Their small daughter, Evana, is quite mischievous. We shall be meeting them at the ball tonight. This ball was being held by a man by the name of Jasper, his last name I cannot recall. He has recently moved here with his family friends and resides in the colossal house by the outskirts of London. Mother and Alice are excited, I am not. Masked balls are no much more exciting than any other ball.
Neva is calling me to get changed now. The sun is getting close to the horizon and the ball will start soon. I suppose it is time to put my pen down and continue my act as a noble maiden.
For another time,
Bella Swan
I sighed, shutting the book and hiding it under my thin mattress. Mother would be furious if she found out. I beckoned for Neva to bring me my clothing so I could change quickly without irritating Alice or mother. Neva brought me a long sleeved velvet dress the colour of the sky at night. Mother had said that this dark blue looked best with my skin; I just liked the colour in comparison to the bright stars. Neva helped put on my corset and slip on the dress. She tied my hair up and wrapped it with a red ribbon. She took some lotions from mother's cupboard and managed to loosely curl my tied up hair. I had always refused to wear makeup, and so she left once she was done with my long, brown hair.
"Isabella, I'm coming up, and you must be ready!" My mother wailed from below.
"I'm coming, mother!" I lifted up the front of my dress and slipped on my black satin shoes. I grabbed my small mask that was elegantly coloured in blue and red, and half ran down the marble staircase.
"Isabella, you take so long to get ready. Tell me you weren't writing again," She pleaded with me, her eyes scorching into mine.
"No, mother," I lied feebly, as I walked past her to stand next to Alice. Her short black hair was lightly curled at the bottom and her long maroon dress created a small trail behind her. Her mask was black and red, but you could recognize her by her chiming laugh and small petite lips. She nudged me towards the carriage that was waiting outside. Mother, Alice, and I got into the carriage, and the driver soon got the horses moving.
"Now, Isabella, you've past reached the age that it is now time to…" I groaned loudly. "To get married." she finished roughly.
"Mother, I do not want to be married to a mindless man with a large purse."
"You are insane, child. That is not the purpose of marrying wealthy. You will need someone to support you as well as my grandchildren! There are plentiful intelligent, wealthy men as long as you keep your eyes peeled." She said, in a whiny voice. "And if you won't look for one yourself, I shall end up choosing one for you!" She added, icily, staring out the window of the small carriage. Alice was nervously playing with the hemming of her dress and I too, ended up gazing out at the sunset, praying I would find someone soon.
That is when I realized it, I would never find an intelligent man who would both like me and fit my mother's standard. I looked again at Alice, at a small age she was already one of the most beautiful and intelligent girls in town. I was just plain, and stubborn, as my mother had told me quite often.
The carriage hit a few bumps along the unpaved road as we headed towards the large white house only a short ten minutes away now. It had large pillars at the front, making it look even larger than it is. I saw a few other carriages in front of us, carrying other wealthy maidens and gentlemen.
What I hated most about balls was the dancing. It was so insufferable. Though I am quite clumsy myself, I get the odd man stomping down on my thin satin shoes. My small feet are usually red and bruised at the end of the night.
We approached the house and I mother started to become frantic. She fixed the collar of my dress and adjusted the string around my neck. It had been a present from father. On one of his travels he had found a small ornament, looking exactly like a book. He tied it onto a string and made it a necklace for me. Since then, I had never taken it off. Alice has one that is similar, but from her neck hangs a small crystal-like heart, scattering the light into wonderful rainbows during the day. The carriage came to an abrupt stop, and I flew forward. My mother gave me a stern look as she opened the door and beckoned Alice to leave first. Alice slipped through the door with grace I wish I had.
"No mistakes, Bella, this could be your last chance!" She reminded me, as she too, left the carriage with the grace of a swan. I rolled my eyes and tried to imitate their gracefulness. Let's just say they can do it better than I. I put my mask around my face, and hurried to catch up with mother and Alice.
The large doors opened and the scent of roasted potatoes and chicken wafted through the air. I had just realized how hungry I was, too.
I stepped through the doors onto the shiny, marble floors. I could hear the sounds of loud conversations, the clinking of glass and shoes against marble, as well as the sound of dishes and plates being passed around. The room was fairly large, with half of it dedicated to people dancing, and the other half with long tables full of food. I headed towards the food when my mother grabbed me by the hand and shook her head at me. I blushed lightly, and walked behind her as she made her way through the crowd.
"Ah! Mr. Hale, so pleased to finally meet you," My mother said, curtsying to a blonde man in front of us. He mumbled a reply, but wouldn't take his eyes off Alice. I smiled and saw Alice quietly giggling too.
"These are my daughters, Isabella and Alice." My mother continued.
"I see," He said, smiling warmly at mother. "Would you, like to dance with, Alice?" Alice nodded, and they both disappeared into the laughing, cheerful body of dancers. Mother smiled, somehow proud of her own self, and then regained composure.
"I am serious, Isabella!" My mother whispered to me. "Tonight, maybe?" she added, questioningly. I glared at my mother before sharply turning around to walk away. In my rush, I had bumped into someone.
"I am greatly sorry," I said, wiping the dust off my dress and looking up. This man was wearing dark blue and white, and though the mask was covering his face, I could see his mess of bronze coloured hair, and his warm green eyes, and a gorgeous crooked smile.
"It's no problem, ma'am." He replied, in a voice more velvet than my dress, itself. "Would you like to dance?" He said, extending a hand towards me.
A/N: So, what do you guys think?? Please read and review and give me some feedback... I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible!