A/N – This is my first story. I've only written one shots before. I hope I even get to the second chapter without totally giving up. Without further ado, please do read on.

Disclaimer: Any ideas you recognize from the books are obvious belonging to the gorgeous Ms. Meyer. Any alien ideas are mine, et cetera.


Reincarnation

by Selena

Chapter 1: First Impression

The days drag on and on with Lace. She was either getting measured for new dresses or getting fitted for the already made ones. It was endless. Most girls would kill for her position as she was one of high class and money. Beautiful gowns were made for her by the dozens. By now, she probably has over hundreds; most of which were never worn again after it had served its purpose. This kind of living could barely be tolerated by Lace. What could be done as leisure was to be tortured with "colorful" gossip when paying calls to Lady Denmark and her daughter, Miss Clare Denmark. At times Lord Kelley and his son may call and while he converses with my parents, his son, Ashley, and I take a turn in the garden. As much as Lace was "fond" of Ashley, he could become too clingy for her liking, among many other negatives.

Lace's mother, Lady Irene Booth likes Ashley very much and dubs him the "most agreeable and sweet young man". Lace secretly gags with disgust when she says that. Ashley could be anything he wants, anything but "agreeable" and "sweet" that is. He has a lot more secrets and some of them are ever so disagreeable.

"Lacey, my dear, you do know that Ashley is very fond of you, no?" Lord Booth said this afternoon when he called Lace to his study. Funny he would bring that up; everybody knew that Ashley was fond of every pretty girl he meets.

"Why do you ask, sir?" a confused Lace asked.

"Because, my dear, he has just recently asked me something," he pauses, possibly for dramatic effect.

"Oh, father, just tell me." Lace whined. She could be a daddy's little girl, even at the age of fifteen. "Please?"

Lord Booth cleared his throat. "He asked me for my blessing."

Lace's stomach crashed into an iceberg and sank into the depth of dread. She knew where this was going and did not like it. "Did you give it to him?" Her voice was hoarse.

"Yes." Lord Booth said. "And I expect you to say yes to his request. He can make you happy, Lacey. He has fortune and a good reputation. Most of all, he really likes you. If not, I would never have given him my permission."

Good reputation my foot!

"But," Lace started. Her world crashed down around her. She was to be married to a jerk who obviously did not like her for herself. However much she would like to have protested, she knew that her opinion would weigh nothing. "When do you think he will be asking me, father?" Lace said in a resigned voice.

"I am not sure. Possibly next week. I am sure he will be paying you many visits with presents these few days. After all, he said he wasn't sure if you like him as much as he likes you." At least that was true, no matter how much the understatement. Lace detested him and everything about him with passion. She felt dizzy and her head hurts. She could not accept this reality. It was far too ridiculous.

"If I were to say yes, when will the matrimony take place?"

"Maybe in a year or so. He said he wishes to finish his final year in Cambridge. I have never met a man so dedicated to knowledge; what a fine young man."

Fine? No, father. Actually he is the worst type of man that anybody could possibly think of.

A year or so. Lace saw a glimmer of hope. That would be enough time to actually live her life and travel a little before the dreaded date. If she had it her way, she would spit her answer to Ashley Kelley and curse him to stay away. But no, she has to stay the perfect lady or risk a scandal. The scandal would lead to other subjects she wished to forever forget.

"Yes, sir. I would look forward to it." What a total lie.


Employment as Driver

Must be able to drive a carriage.

Ability to take care of horses an asset.

If of interest, pay call to Lord Booth of Bridshire County.

"Sir, my name is Lowell and I wish to have the position as the driver of Lord Booth." A young man of twenty years or so said.

"Of course you do. You are the first person to come. Good, good. I am going to ask you to wait here." A manservant replied.

The young man by the name of Lowell bowed and sat down in the leather chair. The servant left and left him alone. Lowell stood up again and looked at the sitting room. It was very big and bright. The wall paint was light blue. The furnishings were of oak and cherry. He heard footsteps coming his way.

"Jill, where are you?" a girl's voice called out. It sounded a little shaky and almost near hysterical. The girl stepped into the sitting room where Lowell was. "Jill?"

"Ma'am," Lowell bowed. He straightened out and looked at the girl. She was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen.

"Oh, I apologize. I thought Jill was in here." The girl curtsied. She had the most beautiful hazel brown eyes but they seemed a little wet. Her face was flushed from excitement. Lowell gazed at her a moment too long for there was a sudden awkwardness.

"Emery Lowell at your service, ma'am." He bowed again.

"Lacey Booth, sir." Emery nodded at the name. She was no doubt the daughter he had heard about.

"Your father is the one that needed a new driver?"

"Oh no, sir. My father will not be in town for quite some time and is taking his driver with him. I am the one whom needs a new driver." Lace said. She blushed at being in the same room with a man without a chaperone. He had pretty eyes of shiny emeralds. His hair however was quite a mess of copper strands.

"Mr. Lowell, Miss Lacey." the servant walked in with another accompanying him.

"Mr. Jenkin, I shall take my leave and not disturb your important business." With that, Lace curtsied and left to find Jill again.

"I see you have met Miss Lacey. She is a pretty girl, is she not?" Jenkin said to Emery.

"Yes, of course." Emery said. "I heard from Miss Lacey that I am to be her driver, not Lord Booth's"

"Aye, you've go' that righ'." The crude looking man with Jenkin said. "Too bad she's to be married to Mist' Kelley. That's wot I 'eard jus' now when she was in Lor' Booth's study a minute ago."

Emery felt sudden resentment for her happiness. That was why she looked so excited. She must have been so happy that she could cry. He shrugged the thought away. "I am glad for her."

"Aye, bu' don' go sayin' that I told'ya, eh?" The man laughed to himself. "Back to business now, my lad. I am the stable master and I say you's seem perfect fer the job, no?" The stable master said good humouredly.

"Yes, thank you, sir." Emery said with a smile. Surely he would get the job. "Does that mean I get the job, sir?"

"Why, I don' know. You've to ask Miss Lacey." He said. "Aft' all, she's the one who needs a driver."

"I will get Miss Lacey now, of course." Jenkin said and left.

"Say, laddie, you wanna ge' a drink aft' the lady says yes?" the stable master said.

"Mister –" Emery said, then realizing he did not know the stable master's name.

"Mist' Gerald but Gene to you, good man."

"Yes. Gene, how do you know if Miss Lacey would approve of me being her driver?" Emery asked, confused.

"'Cause I just know, dear lad." He laughs again like he just shared an inside joke and he was the only one that understood. Emery of course pretended to be amused and laughed along.


Lace, of course gave her approval. He seemed nice enough and not to mention incredibly handsome. The second time she looked at him, the hair even looked really great on him. It could not hurt to have him brush his hair more often either. Lace thought. She was still looking for Jill as she is her personal maid and they were the best of friends. They were almost like sisters.

"Jill? Is that you?" Lace called when she saw a shadow in the kitchen. She jumped back when she heard the crash of pots and pans.

"You good for nothing pot, you! Lord, you got dented and not to mention…" Lace hears the cursing and mumbling of Jill and giggled. She is definitely one to cheer her up, whether meaning to or not.

"Jill!" Lace called again and Jill jumped and caused more crashing of the pots and pans.

"Miss! Oh, sorry. I didn't see you there." Jill said, grasping at her heart.

"Were you talking to kitchenware again?" Lace teased and Jill blushed.

Jill was two years Lace's senior but she always acted older than her age. Lace guessed it was because she had to actually work for a living and carry the responsibility of taking care of the Lord's daughter. She had pretty blond hair that was always in a tight bun and pulled back from her face. Jill could be beautiful if she cared more but unfortunately, she couldn't care any less. "It's not my job to be pretty, miss" she once said.

"Oh, Jill, I just got the most dreadful news from my father." Lace cried, suddenly remembered why she was looking for Jill.

"My word! What happened? Is Lady Irene not well?"

"She is very well. Don't you care about her. No, it's me. I still cannot believe it." Lace cried. "How could father and Ashley do this to me? Oh, Jill, I am so depressed!"

"Oh, Lace, I am sure it cannot be this bad." Jill reasoned. Lace, at times, enjoyed exaggerating things.

"No, it really is," Lace paused and blinked back tears, causing a dramatic silence. She sniffed. "I am to be married to Ashley Kelley."

"Mr. Kelley? Oh, poor Lace!" Jill said, trying hard not to laugh. It was quite ironic for Ashley Kelley to want to marry Lace. Lace was never warm towards him, for whatever reason; she was only civil and polite.

"Oh, Jill. Have some sympathy!" Lace whined. "I absolutely detest him. He is disgusting and stupid. It is a wonder at how he managed to get into university and stayed."

"Well, his father does have connections and not to mention, incredibly rich too!" Jill jested.

"Jill, be serious. I cannot marry him." Lace said. Then her tone changed. "In fact I would rather die than marry him."

It was evident Lace knew much more about Mr. Ashley Kelley than the average person. But what else is there to know? He was good humored, easy, relaxed and welcoming. Handsome too with this dark hair and perfectly face.

The whole conversation was heard by the young man of brilliant green eyes and messy hair. He did not mean to eavesdrop but he could not help it. Emery saw something in Lace, something wild and unforgiving. Not to mention spoiled and self-centered too. He thought her very attractive but otherwise felt cold towards her after hearing the conversation. She was the very type of girl that caused him grief all these years. Emery then walked away to the direction of the stables.


A/N – And thanks for reading thus far! I hope it isn't too long. If you are totally confused; Lace is the pre-reincarnated Bella Swan and Emery is the pre-reincarnated Edward Cullen. Everybody else is OC. I know that their personalities are very different but they will develop over time, trust me. This took place in the late 19th century. I'm not so sure when but it was around 1870s and 1880s. Please, please review! It really gives me incentive to keep at it. Thanks so much!

Selena