A/N: Right I'm going to do this as a one-shot (I MIGHT change my mind, it all depends on whether you guys like it or not). I am currently under the influence of Tic-Tacs (woo I passed my 300th without passing out!) and I'm putting off writing an English essay and finishing my other fan-fic (to all of you who have read it, I'm sorry but this helps me to gather more ideas, I'll be back up writing more tomorrow). This is set in the nineteenth century, in either England or New Hampshire (I'll have a vote if I'm carrying on with this).

Disclaimer: I own none of the Twilight characters, only whatever situations I dream up in my head.

Bella's POV

I was pulled sharply by Ms Coote pulling my corset tight. She heard my sudden intake of breath and began to torment me.

'Well Miss if you kept with your exercise and not hole yourself up in your library, then maybe you would fit.'

I sighed quietly and returned to holding out my arms. Ms Coote had been my maid for most of my life and she is the only servant who addresses me so directly. During my recent move from my mother's house to my father's estate, we developed a closer bond. Because of her position as my maid, she is of higher placement than the other servants. She is stricter than the kitchen maids but she is more understanding. It was in her that I confided my reasons for choosing the decision to come and live with my father. She, and only she, knew of my inner secrets.

Today was my third day of residence in my father's estate. Traditionally, I should have had a introduction dance yesterday but my father knew of my dislike for all things social. He had invented a brilliant excuse of I taken ill on my first night. He had given me two days to do as I pleased as long as I kept out of sight of the visitors.

I had spent my time exploring my new surroundings. I had sneaked out of the east wing in order to see the endless gardens. My father was lenient with his servants and some of the farther corners of the estate were is disrepair, a sight my mother would have loathed. I fell in love with everything that the estate had to offer, from the overgrown secret havens, to the simply but lavishly decorated rooms, to my own personal area on the third floor of the east wing. To me, I had made a good choice.

I winced as Ms Coote pulled me out of my train of thought. She pulled the final strings tight and tied them neatly. She reached over, behind the dressing screen, and pulled my new, midnight blue, dress for me to see. I examined the embroidery detail on the bodice and the fine quality of the lace that fringed the cuffs. It was one the most finest dresses that I have ever encountered.

She pulled it around me and fixed the ties at the back. I examined my reflection in the window and noticed an improvement in my appearance. I had always been pale, a complexion either loved or loathed by today's society, and my hair was a deep brown, my eyes matched my hair apart from the red tint that appeared in my hair on sunny occasions. I twisted my body around so as I could examine the dress properly and noticed how my new corset made my body more prominent. I had turned seventeen a few months ago but my mother refused to buy me fitted corsets and bodices until I was twenty-one. My father on the other hand, was all too happy to buy me whatever I wished.

Ms Coote pulled my hair back and pinned it into place. She glanced over my dress and fixed the hem and how it hung immediately.

'Now Miss. Today is important for you. You are nearly of age and you need to think of settling down. The young men at this dance are prime candidates for suitors and your father would be delighted if you found one quickly.'

She patted my cheeks firmly, to try and recover some co lour to them without the use of powder. She sighed and waved her hands in the air.

'You'll have to do Miss. I've done my best with you today. 'Tis up to you to make a good impression now.'

She flashed me a smile but warm smile and helped me out of the door. I could not help but notice the change in atmosphere around the house. The air was charged with a sense of anticipation. I recalled back Ms Coote's words and thought about their meaning more deeply. Suitors, to me, it was a word used to describe a young girl's life being bargained off to the highest bidder. I knew my parents well enough to know that they would never let me be pushed into a life where I am not happy. I stepped through the doors leading to the Great Room and kept that thought in my head.

The Great Room was the only room in the house that was off limits at all times to everyone except my father and the senior servants. The room was filled with exquisite tapestries and antiques. The floor was made from marble imported from far away countries, on the ceiling hung a large, crystal candelabra that gave out the most magnificent light when fully lit. The room was empty when I had first seen it all those years ago, but now it was teeming with most of the area's occupants.

As I crossed the room to where my father stood, I could pick out some familiar faces that I had met over the summer's that I had spent here. I could see the Weber's and their daughter Angela, who had grown remarkably since I seen her last. I also spotted the Mallory's chatting politely to the Stanley's, their daughter's Lauren and Jessica stood with Angela and met my gaze as I spotted them. I acknowledged them politely and hurried on. I caught up with my father as he started a conversation with a fairly young, blond man.

'… Well I would have called for you but she seemed fit enough. Never one for crippling illnesses was my Bella. There she is! Isabella, this is Carlisle Cullen. He is the doctor of the area. And this is his lovely wife Esme.'

I shook hands with each of them in turn. Their touch was cold but I thought nothing of it. The weather outside was enough to turn anyone solid. I greeted them politely and followed my father around as he introduced me to his many guests. I turned to walk in the direction that I imagined my father taking when he stopped me. I turned around to face him and waited quietly for him to speak.

'Now Bella, there is something that you should know about the Cullen's before you find yourself another young gossiping lady to talk to. They are respected in the area but two of their sons got into a spot of bother a while back. Nothing too serious in my opinion, but Carlisle insisted that they be punished for their actions. The two sons are now under my employment until they come of age or Carlisle asks for them to be removed. You may see them around the estate sometime. In fact, come to think of it, yourself and the youngest are about the same age… In other words, I wished for you to know the truth before you wander off, filling your head with girl's tales and what not. You may socialize if you wish, I have to run to ask Margle to check the kitchens.'

Margle was my father's butler, the oldest servant under his employment. He was the keeper of keys and was the other servant allowed into my father's personal quarters.

I thought of what my father had just said and could not help but wander, why the two boys had ended up here. Was their crime larger than what my father thought?

One look around the room told me that socializing was a horrific task at this point. All the young girls around me were staring at me and making snide remarks behind their hands to one another.

'… If she steals my Henry then all Hell will break lose…'

'… I heard that she got thrown out of St Catherine's Finishing Academy…'

'… I bet she will end up with Michael…'

The only people who seemed enthusiastic to have my presence were the mothers and the young men. Neither of whom I would like to spend too much time talking to. I looked around again to see if there were any other people that I could chat to without regretting the decision. I spied my father coming out of the servant's door, followed closely by Margle and another young servant who I did not know. He was quite big, his muscles were more pronounced than other young men of his age. I noticed that his face seemed to remind me of Dr Cullen and his wife, I guessed that he was one of their sons. He seemed older than me, by about a year or two. My father caught my gaze and confirmed my suspicions when he gave me a nod. I turned to search the room once again when the Cullen servant went rushing past me.

'Ooof!'

I tripped over my own two feet as he knocked me sideways and was about to hit the hard floor when someone grabbed me. The person had come from behind so I could not see their face, only their concerned voice,

'Are you alright? My brother did not hurt you, did he? He can be such a ghastly person sometimes.'

I turned to face the person when I noticed what he had said. His brother, this was the other Cullen brother. I turned to fill my curiosity and was greeted by a glorious sight. The young man was my age but seemed older. His body was not as big as his brother's but was still muscular. His hair was a shiny copper, bronze color and his face looked like an angel's. I stood there opened mouthed while he stood looking at me curiously. He regained his composure faster than I could.

'I do apologize profusely for my brother's behavior. Are you not Isabella Swan, the master's daughter?'

I jumped slightly when he mentioned my name. I have not known anyone in my life who could recognize me from my father's appearance alone. I flushed and looked down, unladylike, and mumbled,

'Yes. How do you do?'

The young man stood there taking in my appearance more than any of the other young men. This made me more uncomfortable. I met his gaze again and noticed that his was smiling.

'My name is Edward by the way. The boulder that just knocked you over was Emmett. Feel free to call for him to do your outside jobs and other hard labor.'

His comment was made to be a joke but I could not help but notice the seriousness he put into his words.

'I had better help downstairs. I hope to see you soon, Isabella.'

He was turning when I mumbled what I had been mumbling for most of my life.

'It's Bella.'

I could have sworn that I heard him chuckle as he walked away. He was out of hearing distance when I spoke but I swore that he had heard me. I walked back to where my father stood, awaiting my arrival, and thought about his words. Yes, I would like to see you again.