-Bella-

"Thank you, Bella." Alice thanked me as she gazed at her reflection, looking at her hair from both sides. I styled it just the way she liked it, her hair is very long naturally so during a day she had to have it styled upwards in a specific way. I place down her brush on the vanity and pulled her chair away as she stood up, walking over to her mirror, waiting for me to dress her.

After Alice placed herself in front of the mirror, my lady adjusted the back of her corset as I fetched her dress hanging up on her wardrobe. Alice, unable to find the desire to wear something a little more on the luxurious side wore one of her day dresses; of course she had a vast amount in her collection not due entirely to her family's financial security. That and Alice's love of colour, especially the colours of fabrics – the latest fashion from the City of London. The Duchess never allowed her daughter to be of 'shabby' appearance so of course, bringing her mischievous side out in the company of her lady's maid, Alice found a clause in which she could wear dresses of more simpler design and secretly of less cost as long as they be of the latest fashion trends. The trend in which all respectable City ladies possessed.

"Has mama gone downstairs for breakfast, yet?"

"I don't know, milady." I put the dress over her head, allowing the beautiful fabric to fall to her feet. "Would you like me to ring the bell and inquire her whereabouts with Esme?"

"No please don't trouble yourselves. I can't imagine what the atmosphere is like for all of you downstairs and the rest of us upstairs none the wiser. Besides, knowing mama she will be talking to Rosalie about Grandchildren. Papa will be reading the newspaper pretending not to listen of course, that is his way. Thank goodness there is no conversation like that for me, at least until I get arranged to marry a bore I don't love."

Lady Alice can never deny that she has had admirers and presently still protests to turn them away, many eligible Gentlemen from 'acceptable' backgrounds had expressed their interest in her and the Duke and Duchess obviously and with each occasion rose and were filled with content to hear of such news, however, their daughter was an independent thinking young woman. The kind of woman that does not belong along traditional values that her family maintain. Emmett was allowed to marry Lady Rosalie because of his eligibility to own the estate for himself when the Duke passes away, that and men having more power than women. Edward no doubt will have the same luxuries and so, being the only daughter, Alice's fate lies in her parents finding her the 'right' man. In other words, finding a man before Alice gets too old and 'loses her bloom'.

I got down on my knees and adjusted the hem of Alice's dress, placing her shoes on at the same time, I stood back up and bushed myself down as Alice smiled and thanked me. The same way she had done since she got me the job as her personal maid. Alice smiled at her reflection and took a moment to turn on the spot, admiring the dress from each angle.

At the sudden opening of Alice's door, I stood up, brushing down my apron. The Duchess, un-phased by the no doubt surprised expression on my face looked towards her daughter, looking her up and down before opening her mouth to speak. Her Ladyship was dressed and no doubt full from her breakfast, either that or talking with Rosalie about the expansion of the family and future heirs to the estate and name-carriers to keep the family name and titles alive.

"Alice my darling, are you ready? Your father is expecting you downstairs – there is news to discuss of your brother's arrival?"

"Oh mama…Why must we speak of such things? Edward will agree to come at a particular time and as we have become accustomed to, he will not keep to that time. My brother will make his grand entrance with another unbelievable excuse as to his lack of punctuality. His choice of transport will not be that of the car because he dislikes being driven around. I have made papa aware of this but of course he has sent Jasper out anyway but he will arrive on horse – if I had to pick it will be his beloved horse, Masen, in which we will have to keep in the stables. There is no need for me to come down to talk, even if I am coming down anyway to speak to Emmett." Alice answered; I curtsied on the spot to greet her ladyship, properly and stunned to the spot I bit down on my lip at the sudden unwelcome silence in the room. Alice's mother had been the brunt of her daughter's passionate opinions in the past, however being her mother and having more experience in life to draw on with such 'dramatics', her ladyship always prevailed. I rushed over to Alice's bed and picked up her nightdress and made the decision in my mind to take it downstairs to wash. Before another word was said, I managed to step out into the hall. I didn't have to announce my departure as I would have most promptly been dismissed by her ladyship if I had not chosen to leave. The news of the family is only confided to me through Alice and I would not ever hurt or betray her, as she had become someone who I felt comfortable with. Not my friend, of course. There were not many in this life for which I had ever been able to consider as more than acquaintances, considering my social status of course there were not many who would desire to be seen involved in conversation with me. I held more respectability as a lady's maid than I would as a kitchen maid, but when it comes to it, there isn't that much of a substantial difference.

I gave Alice's dress to another maid as I passed her in the hallway and I was about to step back into the kitchen before Mrs Dwyer's heels made their famous noise on the stone floor signalling for me to halt. "Oh Bella, there you are. Could you be a dear and post this for me? I'm afraid her ladyship has just this moment sent it down with Esme but Esme has already agreed to help Mrs Benton in the kitchen as Lily is still in bed and feeling unwell. So of course she has had to pass it on to me from her Ladyship. When you're in the village could you get some stamps for me, too?"

"Of course, Mrs Dwyer." I did have to stop showing to the housekeeper how happy I was when she sent me on errands. I loved walking around the village, as much as the house is enough to be a treasure for the eyes. I knew of some people in the village. Honest workers and a childhood friend of mine named Jacob Black. No fancy titles or airs and graces, we had both been farmer's children and had to survive mostly off of our fields. Due to our low prospects the only inevitable career for Jacob was a farmer like his father and Grandfather before him and I would do best in service. We had both been labourers as small children, I did not own the hands of the Lords and Ladies in the house, soft, supple and free from strain and graft – if anything my hands held the dangers of what hard labour can do to a person. I, however, did not know any different. I had grown up with hard work and had managed to carry it through into this house and this employment.

"I'll get you the money." Miss Dwyer grinned appreciatively and turned on her heel back to her office. I stood still in the hall, against the wall so as not to cause any collision with another staff member.

"Bella?" I turned at the voice behind me. Jasper, the chauffeur was heading towards me, taking off his cap.

"Hello Jasper, has his lordship gone to the village?" I was a little surprised to see him as I was assured that the chauffeur had already ventured out to the town to wait for Lord Edward on the train. Jasper stopped in front of me.

"His Lordship decided to meet his son personally from the train. I have just this moment come back. The Duke wants to meet with some acquaintances before meeting his son. The train will be coming in at ten so I haven't got long to stay around here."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No I just haven't seen you as often these days. I guess with Lord Edward's coming everyone's daily schedules have either gone out of the window or had to be sacrificed in some way."

"No, the schedules not have done and if they have then we must do our best to correct that mustn't we?" Mrs Dwyer returned, her comment meant with slight humour. Jasper nodded with a mischievous smirk on his face and walked away. "Here we go, dear. Oh that boy, he's either down here talking with you, driving his Lordship around or staring at Lady Alice for hours on end." Mrs Dwyer's comment held some truth. I was no stranger to the fact that Jasper held feelings for Lady Alice, feelings for which I had observed and guessed upon first sight; however Jasper had never disclosed to me, personally, or thankfully anyone else the real depth of those feelings. I was no woman of the world but I had not been brought up in a cave, I knew of gazes of adoration, I had been told of the symptoms, the palms sweating and hearts racing…I just had not had the first-hand experience to draw a conclusion from. So my knowledge and assumptions have been given to me from other people. Other people who had known me since I was a baby.

Alice was a beautiful young woman but as the daughter of a Duke she was to marry someone of equal stature and place in society. As much as she could love someone like Jasper because she is so in tune with her heart and her emotions, her parents would never allow it. The sons could marry their choices; the daughter was a different story.

I took the money promptly from Mrs Dwyer and walked upstairs and out of the 'servants entrance' without another word.

I liked the walk from the house to the village. It was indeed quicker by car but I did not have the advantage of having a chauffeur of my own. After posting the letter I made a small detour to Jacob's farmlands. I had spent most of my childhood up here, before my father had passed away so suddenly and I, needing to make ends meet, went into working for the Duke and Duchess. I didn't have to go up the small path to the front door; I was stopped in my tracks to hear my name bellowed from the distance. Jacob had thrown down his equipment and was hastily running toward me. I couldn't hide my happiness at seeing him, I was as eager to place my arms around him as he was to me when we finally came together.

"Oh Bella." Jacob squeezed me tight and released me, bashfully rubbing down the front of his worker's clothing as we parted. "Sorry, I was taking collecting the potatoes this morning at dawn. How are you? How is life with the rich and beautiful people? I do hope my lovely Bella hasn't changed, suddenly too grand and proper to be conversing with workers like me." I scoffed at his comment. I hoped the day that he has fantasized in his mind does not ever come to light. No matter how high I climb in my working life and no matter how many rich people I serve, I shall never forget where I came from or who have touched my life.

"Lord Edward is arriving today."

"The other son? The house must be buzzing right now, I bet all of you are pulling out everything imaginable to prepare yourselves for his arrival, aren't you?" Jacob grinned, folding his arms.

"I don't have much time, I just had to come and see you. I am sorry I haven't written for a few days, what with your commitments to selling the produce and me trying to make sure Alice's bed is made exactly to her liking, there never seems to be any time."

"Don't trouble yourself darling. Dad has got me working harder than ever, this time of year is the most important for us, not to mention the garden show coming up an' all."

"Let's hope your father wins again."

"Oh he's counting on it. Anyway, what do you know about this Lord Edward? Will he be as ghastly as the rest of his family?"

"They are not ghastly. You dislike them because they are rich, but I have always liked Alice. I appreciate her ladyship's kindness, also, with my being a maid she does not have to acknowledge me however looking after her daughter helps me to improve at my job each day."

"Dad would love for you to come and work with us again, the lads keep asking after you. With the lads' bellyaching I also get your name constantly spoken of by Sue." I felt a small weight sit on my chest at the mention of Sue Pratt's name. Sue had been a second mother to me when my own one had died very young. I had always held a wish in my heart that she and my father would find one another in affection and desire. "Even now, when so much time has passed since you were here with us and Charlie was still alive-" I lowered my head, hearing my father's name still caused my heart to sink a little inside my chest, more so than it had done at my being too busy to contact Sue or at least visit her like I used to on a weekend when the house was quiet. Losing my father was the hardest struggle of my life, he had taught me all I had learnt about working for others, farming, washing, ironing, cleaning…Everything that a working woman needs to know to climb higher in the world, make a living, have a home and a family one day. Dad wanted me to pursue my dreams, no matter how strange or even impossible and I still wanted to make him proud of me and turn into the woman he wanted me to be. I owed him that much.

"I'm sorry, Bella." Jacob cupped my face gently and I raised my head and taking a deep breath, brought my hand up to lightly touch Jacob's before folding both my arms to my chest.

"Don't apologise, I am just not used to hearing his name, still. At the house no one knows of where I have come from only what I can do. Coming back here keeps him alive in all of us." Jacob took his hand away and smiled. "Well I best be going before the staff wander what has happened to me. I only came out here for stamps."

I bid good day to Jacob and walked back to the house.

Before reporting back to Mrs Dwyer and giving her the stamps, I took one look at the clock in the drawing room and realised that there was only now thirty minutes before Edward was due in on the train. I was down in the servant's hall as quickly as I could to avoid any questionable glares as to how long I may have spent in the village. I was a little shocked at how I had managed to let valuable time slip away especially when there was always something to do.

"Oh Bella, I was afraid we would have to send out someone to search for you." Mrs Dwyer appeared in front of me, a little advantage for me so that I would not have to go finding out where she was myself. I handed her the stamps I retrieved instantly from my apron pocket and turned away from her instantly. Avoiding any confrontation as to my 'lack' of timekeeping.

Knowing that the family would have all finished breakfast, I cleared the table with another maid, as Esme had to assist the head cook downstairs. Us maids had to be trained to handle all such jobs in which to be called upon at a moment's notice. Even that work that should belong to that of men. Men of course that were knowledgeable in manual labour. The male staff members here were saviours but they could not fight away sickness – when they became unable to work it was then handed to us ladies. I was no stranger to making up the fires or looking after the horses in the stables. The other maid Gwen gave me a smile as we finished the job efficiently and quickly glancing at the clock, there was another fifteen minutes left. The family will be gathering in the drawing room shortly.

Before the Lord Edward arrived, I had to change my dress.