Disclaimer: I don't own Edward and Bella, just the idea of this story.
Summary: This is a version of Twilight that would have taken place in the 1800s. But there's a twist: Edward is no vegetarian. Not by a long shot.
Lady Bella's POV
"Look. Look there." Mabelina Weston whispers. "That is him. Count Edward Cullen."
I look up and see a man entering the ball room, wearing a dashing suit. He is not like the other men I see around me. While they are flushed and already bobbling under the influence of wine, he is calm and cool.
"The one who was on holiday in Scotland last season?" I ask Miss Weston. She nods. I've heard not much about Count Cullen, only that much scandal was aroused when he did not return to London for the summer season.
"He's quite dashing," I murmur to her. She smiles.
"Then go over that way and sit nearby him. Perhaps he may ask you to dance."
"Oh, but Mabelina-." I start. She gives me a light shove in his direction. Grudgingly, I walk to chaise near where he stands watching the dancers. I am taken aback when I see his eyes. They are blood red and watch the crowds in an almost hungry manner. But to me, strangely, they are one of his most alluring features. I perch myself on the lounge and note with pleasure the way his eyes follow me.
To my surprise, he does indeed approach me. "Miss, might I be so bold to I inquire if a man has already asked your hand for the quadrille?" His voice, like his demeanor, is as smooth as the velvet of my gown.
I bat my fan lightly around my face and casually glance at my dance card. I scrutinize it for a moment, even though all its slots are empty of partner's names. "Why, I don't believe I do." I say coyly. "It's just starting now," I say, getting to my feet at leisure."
He places his hands on me and they are cold, but of course, he has just been outside in the London's frosty winter air. However, I cannot hold back a shiver. I make a weak attempt at conversation, "So, I hear you have been in Scotland recently." I curse myself for not having Mabelina's conversational gifts.
But he responds anyway, "Yes indeed. The country was quite a soothing reprieve from all the bustle of London. Have you been?"
"Yes!" I say, excited to find a topic I can speak of with a little knowledge for once, "My father was born there, in Edinburgh. But we visited cousins in the countryside many times. Indeed, that is where I shall retire this spring, until the summer season." Oh, no, now my incessant babble will not stop. I clamp my mouth shut and bite my lip to keep it from opening once more.
But he looks interested. Oh, Count Cullen, you cease to amaze me! "As am I. Perhaps we may run into each other. Where are you keeping residence, pray tell? Not Bennbow?"
"Yes, indeed." I murmur, trying to keep my answers short, "Perhaps you might call on me during the spring."
"Yes, perhaps." Now, as I look at him, his eyes look distant. There is a big finish as the quadrille comes to an end.
"Thank you, that was quite a pleasant dance." I murmur to him. I turn to return to my chaise, but he catches my wrist. I should be offended by his boldness, but instead I am thrilled by his eagerness to dance with me again. I glance at my card. A minuet is next.
I put my hands in position to dance but he stops me. "Why don't we… go play a game of cards?" Cards? I can't play cards to save my own life, but if its what I must do to be alone with him, I must make such a sacrifice.
And so I make no protest as he leads me into the darkened billiards room, where no one can see us.