A/N: Hi! So, new story to , (my others are on my galaxy69uk profile), but written several years ago for my friend Kels. This is an AH story BxE Canon, but it will be a rocky road! This Bella and Edward act rather OOC to SM's, so be warned! Other SM characters pop in, but are non-canon in form. Lots of mature situations, so if you're underage, or that's not your thing, please don't read. All recognisable characters belong to SM, the rest are mine! I've basically taken the Bella and Edward pairing and put them in to a completely new world. This story is completely prewritten, so I will update regularly.
The prologue is split into two parts, as it's more of a back story. Bear with me, it's necessary to the story! I hope you enjoy the ride! ;)
Prologue
(Part 1)
Oh hell! Thought Bella staring at the huge wrought iron gates in front of her, I'm really working here?
All Bella Swan wanted was to enjoy her summer while deciding what to do next with her life. Having just finished her A-levels, all she wanted to do right now was try to relax and have fun while she waited for the results that would decide the rest of her life, but unfortunately for her, her grandfather had other ideas. When she'd been orphaned as a baby, her grandparents had happily taken on the task of raising her in their small two-bedroom flat in south London, and whilst the love from her grandparents was abundant throughout her life, it was also pretty strict. Since her beloved Nan had passed away two years before, her Granddad seemed to be stricter than ever in an attempt to overcompensate for the loss, so whilst she had planned a lazy summer with friends at the local pool, her Granddad had other ideas and arranged this job for her through a friend of a friend working at this imposing Devonshire mansion that now stood before her.
Through the gates, a long gravelled driveway led to the Elizabethan mansion that loomed menacingly against the blue spring sky, the multitude of large dark windows seemed to watch her as she made her way up the driveway making her stomach broil uncomfortably with nerves.
Reaching the enormous wooden double door entrance to the property, she took a deep breath for courage before ringing the bell, which clanged loudly inside reminding her more of Big Ben, the famous London clock tower, than a simple doorbell. The door swung open silently to reveal a tall gentleman, his short neat blonde hair tinged with distinguished silver reminding her a little of the actor Robert Redford. This English Redford look-a-like however was smartly dressed and looked somewhat haughtily down at her from his vantage point one step above.
"Can I help you Miss?" he asked, his accent the clipped tones of upper class English society.
"Umm, hi" whispered Bella, nerves causing her throat to dry out "I'm Bella Swan, the new maid?"
Instantly the man relaxed his stiff posture and ushered her inside "Well come in then" he said brusquely "Don't you know that the staff should only enter via the staff entrance round the back of the house?"
Bella barely heard him as she took in the foyer she'd entered. Grand just did not seem to be the word to justify it, breath taking was more like it. All expensive marble tiled floors, mahogany walls and ceilings so high, she could barely see the detail of the elaborate chandelier hanging way up there. The sweeping staircase, carpeted in luscious rich burgundy, seemed to climb forever. She shut her drooping jaw with a snap. "Oh, I'm sorry" she said breathlessly "I didn't realise there would be another entrance"
"It's ok this time, but let's get you through to the staff quarters and settled before Sir and Madam see you. Not the greatest impression on your first day, being in the main part of the house without a uniform"
Bella frowned briefly as she hurried after him through a maze of hallways and doors "Sir and Madam?" she asked
"Your bosses Miss, Lord and Lady Masen. They don't enjoy seeing their maids lounging around their house in their regular clothing, best you learn that straight away!"
Wow, thought Bella, They sound as strict as Granddad! "Okay, I'll remember that" she answered brightly, not wanting to continue on the wrong foot after her entrance faux pas.
The man, who she now assumed to be the butler, threw a brief warm smile over his shoulder "Your grandfather said you were a sensible girl"
Finally, after dragging her heavy suitcase along too many corridors and staircases to count, somewhere toward the back of the house she thought, they reached a hallway with a number of doors leading off it, the butler stopped and using a strangely shaped key, which she later learned to be the skeleton key to the whole property, opened the door to her room.
"Here's your quarters" he announced, ushering her inside "it's small but bright and comfortable enough"
Bella looked around what was to be her home for the next three months, seeing the room was an attic room with part of the sloping roof on one side, it was sparsely furnished with a single bed, side table, chair, drawers and wardrobe, but pleasantly decorated in pale blues and white. But what Bella appreciated most was the light – a huge double window was fitted into the sloping roof, making the room bright and airy. Her artist's fingers itched to make use of the light, but she knew there'd be little time for her painting this summer if she was going to be working the whole time.
She smiled warmly at the butler "It's lovely" she said, depositing her luggage on the floor by the drawers.
He laughed back at her "Well I wouldn't go that far" he joked "but glad you like it. I'll leave you to unpack and settle in. If you come down to the staff room to the rear of the kitchen in say an hour? I'll introduce you to the rest of the staff and we'll sort out your duty roster" He swung the wardrobe door open to reveal three plastic wrapped black and white uniforms "Here's your uniforms, you're expected to keep them perfectly clean, neat and pressed at all times, Sir and Madam are very specific about that". He made to leave the room, before stopping and turning back to her with a grin "Oh, and I'm Carlisle Cullen" he said, finally introducing himself. "You must call me Mr Cullen in front of the family, but in private you can call me Carlisle"
Bella smiled and shook his outstretched hand "Nice to meet you Carlisle"
"You too Bella. See you in an hour" he said and hurried off back to his duties.
Bella flopped onto the bed somewhat stunned at her surroundings. It was a far cry from the rough housing estate she'd grown up on, that was for sure. She needed to get over her nerves and quick if she was going to last the summer here and not disappoint Granddad.
Quickly she unpacked her suitcase into the drawers and wardrobe, lovingly placing her sketchpad and watercolours in the bedside table for safe keeping, sighing again at the thought that she'd not be able to use them as much as she would usually. She changed into the traditional black and white maid uniform that would be her main wardrobe for the next three months and examined herself in the floor length mirror fixed to the back of her door. Not bad I guess, she thought with a slight frown, but maybe a little shorter than it's supposed to be with my height? Ah well, not much I can do about it now!
She quickly ran a brush through her long dark brown hair then hurried out the door and began retracing the path to the staff room. Before long, she was hopelessly lost, and didn't see a figure in sight to ask directions. Damn it! She thought, checking her watch. This is so not giving the best impression of me! Ah there, isn't that the door?
She grasped the doorknob of the possible culprit door she'd been searching for and pushed her way through, only to find herself in some kind of games room, complete with a snooker table, pool and tennis table, indoor bowling and a young couple getting hot and steamy on the sofa! They broke apart at her entrance and sat up to stare at her. Bella was stunned. Not because of the scene she'd just witnessed, but because she didn't think she'd ever seen such a stunning specimen of man. Dark bronze, scruffy hair and slight stubble painted him a rough and ready figure, possibly a member of staff being caught out, but as she gazed at his face, the shockingly green eyes, aristocratic nose, prominent cheekbones and firm jaw alongside an almost arrogant `I belong here' posture, she knew this to be had to be Lord Masen's son. She felt mesmerised as he stood to walk over to her, probably a good four inches taller than her own five foot ten and with shoulders so broad she felt alternately intimidated and thrilled as he came toward her with intent.
He stopped just in front of her, his face a mask of bland politeness, until it suddenly cracked into an amused grin of delight. He waved a hand in front of her face, as if to check she could see.
"Hello? Anyone there?" he asked cheekily, his voice almost as intoxicating as his appearance.
Bella jumped "Ah, I'm sorry. Excuse me" she said, apologising for disturbing his privacy, she made to turn away and leave quickly.
"No wait" he said "I've not seen you before, who are you?"
"Um, my name's B-Bella. I'm new here"
"And you got lost huh?"
A smile hovered round her lips at his flirty tone "Yeah I guess I did. Sorry to interrupt you and your er, friend" she said.
He laughed "Ah don't worry about that" he said, earning an indignant huff from the girl still sitting on the sofa "I'm Edward" he introduced himself, holding out his hand for Bella to shake.
She took it and almost melted at the softness and strength of his palm. Damn, was anything about him not hot? She thought to herself.
Edward cocked his head a little, looking at her intently as still his hand clasped hers. She tried to figure what he could be thinking, but couldn't help meeting his gaze full on for what seemed like an eternity until she heard the girl on the sofa get up and come over towards them.
"Edward darling" she purred, wrapping her arms around him from behind and stroking his flat belly through the t-shirt he wore "send the girl away back to her… duties" she said haughtily looking down her nose at Bella "so we can get back to having our fun"
A look of annoyance crossed Edward's face as he disentangled himself from the girls grasp.
"Look Tanya, this girl is new. It wouldn't be nice of me to just leave her to roam the house lost for who knows how long. I'll see her to where she's going and I'll be back in a bit ok?" he asked, effectively dismissing her.
Tanya shot Bella a quick look of pure venom "I'm sure the help can help herself and find her own damn way back to the kitchens Edward" she spat angrily.
Bella's temper boiled and she drew herself up to her full height, towering over the spoiled princess in front of her. How dare she talk about her that way?
Meanwhile, Edward just raised an eyebrow and smoothly returned "And I'm sure you can find your own way out of my pocket and back into Daddy's can't you Darling! I think you'd best be on your way"
Tanya's face flushed so red with temper, Bella wouldn't have been surprised if she'd stamped her foot before gathering her purse and pushing past the pair of them out of the door.
Bella swung an apologetic look up to Edward "I'm so sorry about that. I really didn't mean to cause any problems!"
Edward laughed "Oh don't worry about it. It'll do spoiled little Tanya some good to come down a peg or two"
Bella smiled "Thanks, I appreciate it"
"I'm afraid you'd better get used to that attitude round here" he said apologetically "so you'd better figure out how to deal with it without losing your temper if you want to be here for a while"
Bella sighed "So much for moving into the 21st century huh? Thanks for the advice; I'll try to keep it bottled!"
Edward moved an infinitesimal amount toward her and said softly "We're not all class-ist round here, and I think it'd be a great shame to lose such an incredible…" his gaze slipped down to pause on her long stocking covered legs before raising back to her eyes "maid" he finished.
Bella narrowed an eye at him "It's my first day and I still haven't found my way to work yet, I doubt you can call me incredible just yet"
Edward laughed again at her sass "Okay, okay" he sighed "come on, I'd better get you there before Carlisle sacks you on your first day!" He placed a hand in the small of her back, sending a small thrill through her at his warm touch, and guided her through the door and down another maze of hallways and doors.
Bella sighed, hopelessly disorientated "I'm never going to figure this place out"
Edward's thumb grazed the back of her neck in a brief caress "Maybe I'd better appoint myself your personal guide?" he asked
Her stomach fluttered a little, annoying her. She'd had her fair share of attention from guys, but not one so far had managed to affect her internal organs the way Edward did.
"Perhaps you'd better spend your time making up to your girlfriend" she said smartly.
Edward made a gesture of impatience "Tanya's no-one's girlfriend, she's only ever attracted to the richest guy in the room"
"So you're the richest guy" cheeked Bella
"I was the only guy in there!" laughed Edward.
Bella couldn't help herself giving in and liking him a little. He was obviously way too charming and cocky for any girl's peace of mind, but my god he was so hot he could get away with it!
They finally reached the kitchens and then the staff room. Bella was a little nervous that she'd be in trouble for being late, but Edward breezed in like he spent a lot of time in the staff quarters and said "Carlisle man, how could you let this poor girl try and find her way round this mausoleum without a map and survival pack?" he joked.
Carlisle looked over at Bella apologetically "Oh sorry Bella, I can't believe I forgot to give you directions back down here, I was about to send out a search party"
Bella grinned, relieved she wasn't in trouble, "Oh don't worry, if I get lost again, I'll just light a fire and send out smoke signals"
The staff in the room at the time laughed and began introducing themselves to Bella, who slowly went cross eyed from trying to differentiate between the scores of maids.
"So many of us" she exclaimed finally, utterly lost in the sea of black and white uniforms.
Edward laughed shortly "Well that's my parents for you" he scorned "some just use property and material possessions to show off their wealth. My parents use hoards of badly paid staff"
"Now Edward, don't get into this again and scare the poor girl off" said Mrs Cooper, the matronly Head Housekeeper.
Edward sighed fatalistically "Yeah I know" and shrugged. "Anyway, Bella" he said, turning to her again "It's great to meet you. I'm hope I'll be seeing more of you, and remember, if you ever want a tour guide…?"
Bella grinned "Thanks, but I reckon I'd better figure out the layout pretty quick if I'm gonna work here all summer!"
"You're only here for summer?" he sounded disappointed.
"Yeah, just until I decide what I'm doing come September, but I'm here for some time yet"
Edward nudged under her chin with his knuckle "Well I'm sure I'll be seeing you around shorty" he joked and left the rooms before she could respond.
Carlisle laughed at her slightly dazed look "He's a charmer isn't he?" he teased.
Bella snapped herself to attention "What? Oh! No! I'm just grateful I found him; I thought I was in some twilight universe of halls and doors before I found his! I was beginning to wonder if I were the only person left alive on earth!"
Carlisle laughed, knowing full well his new maid was falling under Edward's charming spell, just like all the other young women who came into contact with him. Carlisle wished he had half his charm.
"Well, I guess we'd better get you to work!" he said.
Her work roster was shortly in order and she was shown by one of the other maids, Alice, to the four guest suites she would be responsible for maintaining.
"Is this it?" asked Bella quizzically. "Don't get me wrong, but I honestly thought I'd have a lot more to do here than four empty guest quarters! Do they get used often?"
Alice, a petite pixie like girl with short spiky black hair, laughed "Don't knock it" she grinned "Some girls I know have had some awful assignments at other houses! The Masen's really do hire way more staff than are actually needed, simply as a piece of one-upmanship to their stuffed shirt peers! Relax and enjoy your summer is what I say!"
Bella laughed "Serious? I just have to clean these four quarters, which are almost never in use, daily? That's my summer job?"
Alice nodded "Yup!"
Bella punched the air "Yes!" she exclaimed, earning another laugh from Alice. "So what do we do round here for fun Alice?" she asked, linking her arm through the other girls and wandering back to the staff areas.