Hello, everyone!
Sorry this took so long, life is getting ahead of me...but, the second chapter is nearly up and running, just need to send it off to be Beta-d then I'll have another update for you!
For now, here is Chapter 1 :D
Thanks again to my wonderful Beta, Arya Nuanen, without whom none of this would be possible. As always, you are awesome! Appreciate her, everyone!
Disclaimer - I own nothing...but then, who does? There's a riddle for you all ;)
Read on, my brave warriors!
Bella's POV
"Isabella!" the woman behind me shrieked, as loud as were possible as she attempted to catch me, running through the long grass on my tail, "Isabella, come back here!"
I giggled to myself, wanting to shout back, "It's Bella!" But I didn't. Instead I ducked down low, imagining to myself that I was a snake – I'd found a giant heavy book on animals in the library yesterday, and after poring through it, discovered a whole new plain of imagination, most of which included roaring like a tiger, or a ferocious lion, as my little sister, Alice, squeaked and laughed whilst I chased her through the endless halls of our home.
I ran swiftly through the long grass; very near to thirteen, I was young enough and small enough to still be hidden by their waving threads. Escape was the only thing on my mind, as I had places to go and someone to see.
After all, I thought, I'm practically thirteen now. Old enough to go by myself. Who needs silly governesses?
I took my secret path, winding through the grounds, sure to lose Victoria, as suddenly I remembered her name was.
I followed the beaten track up the hill, the long grass shrinking as I ran, my hair whipped out of its tidy – and very uncomfortable – bun. I could see the waving field of blue ahead of me; just on the edge of the Swan estate, and the flowers became clearer as I approached, the solid blue separating into millions of different strands.
I reached the flowers, turned around to make sure no one was following, then danced across the meadow, feeling light and graceful – the only time I ever felt light and graceful. I twirled my arms in the air, running, turning in circles, the flowers obscuring my feet so I looked as if I was dancing on air. I laughed happily.
Then I tripped over something soft, yet sturdy, falling straight on my face, the laugh catching in my throat and turning into a squeak of surprise. The being on the ground and I ended up entangled amongst the flowers.
"Edward!" I moaned, rubbing my head as I propped myself up on my elbows, finding myself resting across his chest - he was much taller than I, "Must you sit in the middle of the grass and trip me up every single day?" I twisted, rolling off him and blowing my hair off my face, aggravated.
"Obviously I must," my fifteen-year-old best friend murmured, swaying upright, blinking a little; he'd been lying with his eyes closed, as always. All the more reason that I should trip up over him if he couldn't see me.
"Honestly, Edward," I huffed, brushing at my skirt, "Mother told me to keep this clean!"
"You have dirt on your head too," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling familiarly as he leaned forward and poked my forehead; I swatted at him.
"Leave off!"
He tutted teasingly, "Now, now, Lady Swan, that is not ladylike behaviour," he said in his poshest voice, imitating my incredibly rigid aunt.
"Not amusing," I replied, glaring at him then crossing my ankles, leaning back on my hands and staring up at the sky.
"Very amusing, and you know it," he chuckled, pulling on the tips of my hair, a sensation he knew I hated.
"Edward, stop it!" I swatted him again, catching him on the arm, and he yelped.
"Alright, alright, Bells, there's no need to beat me."
I smirked at him, "Oh, believe me, there is a need." He narrowed his eyes at me, and I repeated the gesture; after a few seconds I couldn't hold back a giggle, which set him off too. "Truce?" I laughed, holding out my hand, and he shook it, smiling widely.
"Truce."
He crossed his legs together, leaning back on his hands as I was, throwing his head back and closing his eyes, "So, who did you have to escape today?"
I sighed, "Victoria."
He opened one eye, smiling teasingly again, "There's no wonder they all leave, Bells; you are positively vile to them!"
"Am not," I defended, "I behave in my lessons, don't I? They just don't know when to let me be."
"That's because young daughters of lords shouldn't be running around in the fields all day," he reasoned, "They're only doing what your father has told them to do."
"My father would never tell them to stop me from going out," I said knowingly, "he knows how much I love it out here." That, at least, was true. My father, Lord Charles, was, in my opinion, the best father that had ever lived. If I was being honest, I loved him more than I did my mother. Only slightly.
I would never tell anyone that other than Edward, and that was only because I told him everything. He understood me better than anyone in the world, apart from father and mother, when she wasn't engaged in some sort of business. My mother was much more interested in society than my father, even though he always succeeded in coaxing her away from any gathering simply through one smile in her direction.
"That's true," he agreed, "but what about your mother?"
"She doesn't mind either." I shrugged, "Either way, I would rather not to have a governess at all. I still don't understand why I can't just have a tutor instead."
"Because daughters of lords shouldn't be running around in the fields all day," Edward repeated, "and you know it. Governesses are meant to turn you into a lady."
I simply gave him a sceptical look, pulling up flowers as I did so, gathering them in my hands. Turning away, I focused on them, weaving whilst he was silent. I felt no need to argue it out with him, as we were so inclined to do. I knew if Edward wanted to say something, he would say it eventually.
"And ladies shouldn't be spending all their time with the gardener's son, either," he murmured after a few minutes of tense silence.
I looked up then from the forget-me-not chain I had been making – Edward taught me how last year – and sighed. "Do you think I care?" I asked, as I always did when Edward brought up the issue of our social differences, "I would much rather spend time with you than be a lady."
"Your mother cares."
"No she doesn't," I huffed, "she knows how good friends we are. Besides, we've known each other since I was seven, you're hardly the 'gardener's son' to me." I looked down again, "And you know it, Edward Masen."
Our fathers were great friends too. Edward had been talking about this kind of thing lately – it not being good for me to be friends with him – and it confused me no end. I didn't see what he was talking about, the only other good companion I had was my younger sister, Alice. The other girls who lived in the local village I found dull and boring. All they were interested in were dresses and ribbons, and, lately, young men, who, in my opinion, were hardly men at all; they were still boys. Not anything like as interesting as Edward.
And, in my opinion, Edward was much more handsome than any of them.
I just didn't understand why Edward cared so about our differences. It wasn't as if anyone else in the world cared.
"Really, Bella?"
The way he was smiling at me when I glanced up at him made me blush, and I looked down; it took me a second to remember what I had just said, then I sent Edward the most reassuring smile I could muster, "You're Edward. My best friend."
He smiled, "And you're Bella. My best friend."
Picking up a handful of petals I made my hands into a little bowl, put my mouth in between and blew them all away, watching them float in the wind. Keeping my eyes on the disappearing flecks of blue, I said, "That's all we need to be."
*
"Isabella Swan! Where have you been?" my mother shrieked, racing in to apprehend me as I skipped through the front doors, sliding to a halt as she appeared in front of me.
"Nowhere," I responded at once, making to step around her and escape to my bedroom, but she caught my arm, her sharp eyes taking in the green stains on my newly washed dress. She gasped.
"Isabella! You've been out in the fields again, have you not?"
"No..." I said, knowing she saw straight through me, but reluctant to admit the truth all the same.
"Don't lie to me, Bella," she said, "I know you were with Edward." She sighed, exasperated, "Bella, I just had this washed clean for you." She gestured to my dress, "What have you been doing?"
When I silently said nothing, she sighed again, "Bella, why did you run from Victoria?" she asked gently, "She's been worried sick about you."
I dropped my gaze, already feeling ashamed of myself – my mother had that effect on me, "She wouldn't let me out, Mama."
My mother looked at me with her deep blue eyes, exactly the same shade as my sister, Alice's. I felt my face begin to burn under her scrutiny, before she said, "For good reason too. Bella, you know I disapprove of you going out alone. You must understand; when Victoria says you cannot go out, you cannot go out."
"But I am with Edward!" I retorted, "Nothing would happen to me."
"I am not worried about that, Bella, you know I know Edward would not let anything happen to you. I am worried because you know this behaviour is not suitable for a girl of your age. You needn't be running the fields – you should be here, with Victoria and Alice."
"But Mama, I don't like staying inside! Father doesn't care if I go out."
"Your father," she knelt down beside me, "Does not understand that this behaviour is not becoming."
"How is it not becoming?"
She sighed, "Why must you always question me?"
"Because I do not understand! Why can't I see Edward?" Our earlier conversation flashed through my mind, "Is it because he is our gardener's son? He said people would disapprove because he is not like us."
Something flashed across her face before she shook her head, "No, Bella; that has nothing to do with this. You know we consider Edward and his family as some of our closest friends...it is just that..." she heaved a deep sigh, then stood, "Know that I am not forbidding you from Edward, sweetheart; you two are good friends, and I would not have you lose him. But, be careful, Bella. There are those besides our family who would not approve of your friendship."
"Why?"
"I cannot explain to you now, Bella; you are too young." She took hold of my shoulders, "But, promise me you will be careful, and you will try to obey Victoria from now on. If I must, I will tell her to let you after tea only, and you must do that; understood?"
"Yes, Mama."
"Good. Now, your father has requested you meet him in his study." She smiled then, the gesture lighting up her whole face; I felt my sullen mood dissipate – my mother also had that effect on everyone. When she smiled, no one else could help but smile with her. That quality was what made her one of the most well-loved women in the whole of Derbyshire. "Go on, off with you."
"Thank you, Mama!"
I threw her a wave as I dashed up the main staircase, skidding a little on the marble floor, my hair flying out behind me. I headed down the familiar route to my father's study, my shoes clapping loudly as I ran, throwing a wave at Elizabeth, Edward's mother, as I flashed past. She was Alice and I's tutor. Victoria, whilst skilled in the art of buttoning our dresses and shoes in a matter of moments, was not so skilled in languages or literature; this was where Elizabeth played a pa t. She was immensely shrewd and clever, and she had read more books than I had even heard of. She knew everything and anything, and she was a wonderful teacher.
Father had employed her, along with Edward Senior, my Edward's father, to tend to us, his children, and to his gardens, respectively. Edward Senior was also a remarkable gardener – he could name any plant we cared to point out to him, which entertained us all no end. He and my father, as I already knew, were very good friends, so much so that they ate with us on Sunday afternoons. They really were enjoyable company, nearly as interesting as Edward. But, again, no one could compare to him; my best friend, I thought, was definitely the most interesting person in the whole world. There wasn't anything Edward couldn't do, as he'd demonstrated, many times.
"Father!" I called, sliding in through the doorway, nearly falling straight onto my face, "I'm here!"
My sister, standing in front of his bureau, shot out a practised hand to catch my arm, steadying me as I coasted to a halt; my natural clumsiness was well-known in my household, and everyone was always on the lookout, lest I fall and manage to dangerously injure myself. I smiled at her and she giggled, her coal black curls swinging as she turned to face my father, who had simply raised one eyebrow. "Ah, Bella," he said, his deep voice reverberating throughout the room, "How nice of you to join us."
"Good afternoon, father," I said politely – dignity at all times, as my mother said.
"Your mother told you I had need of you?"
"Yes, father."
"Good," he steepled his fingers, his eyes twinkling warmly, "Alice, you may go."
"Thank you, father," she grinned at him, and he winked.
"I'll see you later; make sure you bring your cap!" he called after her as she turned, racing out of the room – I heard her affirming shout, her voice drifting away as she left. "Now, Bells," my father looked at me, "Where, exactly, have you been? You missed lunch."
"With Edward," I answered, as if that explained everything.
"Ah. How is he?"
"He is well."
"Was there any reason Victoria returned from your walk together enraged and upset?"
I squirmed a little, twisting my fingers together in front of me, "I'm sorry, father."
"I know your mother has talked to you about this, so all I will say is that you should apologise to Victoria as soon as we are finished."
"Yes, father," I replied, relieved he would say nothing more on the matter. My father could be terrifying when he wanted to be, even though he was naturally genial. "Is there something else you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked, more comfortable now that I knew the worst was over; he nodded, gesturing me to him. I wandered round the desk and sat on his proffered knee, wrapping my arms around his neck. He jiggled me a little, making me giggle, then sighed.
"Bells, I have something to ask of you."
"What?" I questioned, tilting my head, watching as his expression darkened a little, "Is something wrong, father?"
He was silent for a minute, then he said, "Bella...your Uncle has requested you come to stay with him for the summer."
"S-stay...with Uncle? Uncle Marcus? And Aunt Theodora, and-"
"And your cousins, yes." He sighed, "I take it you do not want to go?"
"Not in the slightest, father," I said, not afraid of speaking the truth; our families did not get along – my cousins and I were not the best of friends.
"Good," he replied, "I was just making sure. I must tell Marcus something."
"Why did you ask if you already knew?"
"In case you did want to go to stay with them."
"How likely would that be, father?" I asked, leaning back and giving him an arched look; he chuckled.
"Not likely at all, my rosebud."
"Why would he want me to stay?" It made no sense. Clumsy, uncoordinated, misbehaving me? What would my Uncle want with me for an entire summer?
"It's complicated, petal," he said, rubbing a hand over his face, staining it a little with ink from his hands; I giggled and pointed it out to him.
"Father, you have ink on your nose."
He raised a brow, then turned, dipping his finger into his ink pot and quickly tapping the tip of my nose, smirking, "There: so do you."
I slapped his hand away, rubbing at the ink on my nose, then asked again, "But what would he want with me?"
"It's complicated, Bella," he repeated, "You would not understand; I do not completely. In short, he wishes you to be educated as his daughters have, and finds it appropriate to ask if he can take my children away from me and raise them how he wishes." His eyes darkened, and I bit the tip of my tongue, worried.
"Uncle does not like how we have been raised? Is he trying to take Alice and I away from you and Mama?"
Father blinked slightly, then shook his head, "No, no; nothing like that...he is just...concerned, is all." His following smile did not reach his eyes, "Well, Bella, run along, I have things to do."
"Father?"
"Go, Bella," he said firmly, "And if you see your mother, would you please tell her I wish to speak with her?"
"Of course," I replied, getting up off his knee, confused again. Everyone around me seemed to be talking in riddles today.
"You may go and see Edward, if you wish; I give you my permission."
"Really?" all my confusion vanished as I sprang towards him, hugging him round the waist, "Thank you, Papa!"
He laughed, "Just be careful, sweet. And would you ask his parents if they would join your mother and I for dinner tonight? Edward can come too, if he wishes."
"Alright, Papa, I'll tell them!"
"Slow down!" he called after me as I raced back out of the room, down the stairs, stopping for a second to inform my mother that my father wanted her, then across to the servants quarters.
We didn't have that many servants – my father, who was incredibly different from others in his views, as was my mother, did not view having endless ranks of them as a complete necessity. So, we had a cook, a housekeeper, a butler, two maids, a visiting physician, Victoria and Elizabeth, and a gardener, Edward's father. Our housekeeper, Mrs Turner, was a fearsome woman, with a fearsome temper to match. But, you could never meet a better darner in the whole of England – she had saved many a good pinafore from becoming a tablecloth.
They did not live separate from us; instead, my father had furnished their rooms beautifully, making it so their wing of the house resembled a modest town house than the base floor of a country estate. Edward and his family lived there too, in a three-roomed suite – two bedrooms and a small living room – with a garden filled with Mr Masen's wild flowers, surrounded by a white picket fence which my father and he had built together.
In reality, they had all become more than servants – to me, they were family.
"Edward!" I called, as I reached the west wing of the house, "Edward, where are you?"
"Slow down, Miss Bella!" Georgina called, as I skirted round her, carrying a wicker basket filled with freshly cleaned sheets, "You will do yourself harm!"
"Sorry, Georgina!"
I carried on regardless, hurrying down the sunny corridor, greeting people as I passed, finally reaching the Masen's door. I was about to knock, when Elizabeth appeared in the doorway, pulling it out from under my fist, "Oh, Miss Bella!" she smiled warmly, "What a pleasure to see you again."
I smiled back, "Good afternoon, Mrs Masen."
"I assume you came to call on Edward?" I blushed as I nodded, and she laughed, "Don't you two see enough of each other?"
"My father asked if you would dine with us this evening," I said quickly, changing the subject, which only made her gentle smile widen.
"I will go fetch Edward, and you can tell your father that we would all be delighted, as we always are. I have a question for you too, Bella, before I go."
"Yes?"
"Spell hyacinth for me."
My eyes widened – that was one of our spelling lessons this morning. I gulped, any letters I knew quickly fleeing from my mind. "Erm..."
"H, Y, A, C, I, N, T, H, mother," Edward suddenly appeared behind her, his green eyes sparkling; she laughed.
"I was quizzing Bella, Edward."
"Well, she didn't know. I was helping," he smiled at me, "Hello."
"Well, now you're here, I may as well go help your father tend to his hyacinths." She winked an eyelid at me then disappeared back inside with a, "Don't go far, Edward! And learn your spellings, Bella!"
I blushed as Edward grinned at me, "You're lucky I was here."
"I would have been fine," I countered as we both set off back up the hallway, "It just escaped me for a second, is all."
"Right." I glared at him and he smiled genially back, and as we entered the main hall he stopped me with a hand on my arm, "Bells."
"What?"
"You have ink on your nose."
"Oh," I coloured, "Yes."
"Here," he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed my skin, holding me still with one hand, his eyes nearly crossed in concentration. I felt myself blushing even more as he rolled his eyes, pulling me closer as the ink spot stubbornly remained. Somehow, I began to feel a little dizzy, even though my feet were firmly placed on the floor.
This...strange feeling had never happened before.
I bit the tip of my tongue, deciding that today was definitely the day of strangeness. I could not understand anything today. Maybe it was the sun.
"There," Edward clarified, letting me go, "Gone."
"T-thanks," I stammered uneasily, taking a breath to steady myself. Edward tiled his head, raising a brow at my obviously flustered state, then took my hand.
"Come on, let's go to the lake!"
And with that we hurried out – my mother was not happy when we both came back, soaked to the skin; Edward had pushed me in.
That bad Edward!
Heehee...I find I am sincerly enjoying 1700's Edward...thoughts? Am I getting the style of the time right? Any ideas, thoughts, opinions, would be appreciated in a REVIEW! They make me like this :D, which in turn makes me more quick in mon writing of le next chapter!
Love, ATO xxx
