A/N: I have decided to change the first name of my main character, from "Chelsea" to "Rose". Thanks for the reviews!

1859

"Lord hear our prayer. Please god bless…" the Priest's prayer echoed in the cemetery. Many gathered around a tombstone, crying softly as a crisp breeze blew against their coats. Standing by herself, stood a little girl with long, dark curls. Not a single tear escaped her eyes as she watched her father's coffin slowly enter the hole that would shield her from her precious father, forever.

"Never cry for me, Rose. Never be sad for me. God has chosen me to be one of his angels now. Your mother and I will be together again. We will always be with you," A shaking hand lightly poked his daughter's chest where her heart was, "right there. I will be your guardian Angel."

The words of her father still sung in her head, reminding her of why she must not cry. So Rose stood still holding back the tears, not noticing people leaving. Finally when she could hold it back no more, she sunk to her knees and cried in the snow. "I promise, Father. I promise," She whispered to no one.

1868

A girl of the age of fifteen stood before a grave at a cemetery in Paris, France. She had features beyond her years that would stop a man by one glance. Her dark brown, smoldering eyes, her small, but luscious lips, a medium size nose, that was not too big and not too small, and her brunette ringlets that flowed just below her largely shaped breast, made her breath taking. She was young, but had a maturity that would surprise many and yet she still had her childish ways. She was the blooming Rose Isabel Porter, future countess. A crimson rose was held firmly in her hands until she let her fingers slip from the stem to fall on the dirt ground. She wore a ruby dress that matched masterfully with her brown hair and eyes. She had the appearance of great wealth. She had been raised to be a countess, but her heart taught her otherwise. She had three professions or what she preferred to call it "her three different lives"; the granddaughter of the Countess de Cherbourg, a chorus girl at Opera Populaire, and her latest profession, a courtesan.

It had been two weeks since her deal with her singing teacher, Marius, to trade her body for her singing lessons. It was a price no one in his or her sane mind would make, but Rose knew that singing was the only thing that made her truly happy. Rose had nothing to loose. Not only did her grandmother disapproved of Rose's career as a chorus girl, but also the singing lessons her father permitted her when he was still alive, so asking her to pay for her lessons was most definitely out of the question. She had not lost her innocence yet, but would to a man she had not met yet. Marius had said he was willing to pay more than the asking price and she would be the only man she would have to attend to unless there were certain occasions where she was needed. Rose was not scared. She understood perfectly what took place behind close doors, alone with a man. Scarlet never painted her cheeks when the older chorus girls talked of previous experiences with their lovers. Her heart though was beating rapidly for an unknown reason.

Rose was not like the other girls, everyone understood that. She was more rebellious than any of the young wealthy daughters who were too worried pleasing their mothers and finding a husband. Rose thought all the girls who were part of the ton were rather dry and snobbish. She preferred her carefree friends at the opera house. She spoke her mind while other girls held their tongues. Her imagination always got her into trouble and her adventurous streak made her grandmother have a tantrum. Rose never got along with her mother's mother, she despised being controlled and treated like some porcelain doll. Fighting always took place between the two and there were always promises of taking Rose's inheritance away and leaving her with nothing, but her grandmother never did.

"Rose… Rose" the frustrated cries from a man rung in her ears! She turned to find a rather large man in perfectly clean clothes heading towards her. His face was plump like the rest of his body and an orange beard consumed his chin. "Rose we can not be here all day crying over lost memories, say your goodbyes and lets' depart. We must hurry back and get you ready for tonight."

"Yes, Marius, just a few more minutes, please," her smile was irresistible.

Her teacher sighed, "Alright, you have five minutes."

She crouched down, her hands lightly caressing the picture of her father and mother. "Please watch over me." Reluctantly she stood up and left unsure of what waited for her that evening.

"The first time always hurts, but after awhile it will subside," Rose's nurse said. Marie had been Rose's nurse since the day she was born. She was an older lady of five and forty with no children of her own. She had come from a poor family in southern France, looking for any ways of shelter and food. Her love for Rose had been right from the beginning; always caring for her and protecting her. Rose had been a difficult child to raise, leaving Marie endlessly breathless, but Marie loved her all the same. When Rose's sweet mother passed away when Rose was only an infant, Marie had take full responsibility of being a mother. When Rose's father had died it had been harder since Rose's attachment to him was intense.

"I know," Rose gulped. Her eyes would not meet her beloved nurse, but focused on the image in the mirror. She looked the age of twenty with her hair pulled up in a bun with escaped curls kissing her bare neck lightly. Her dress was lower than appropriate, but was meant to gain the attention of men. A rose like the one she had brought to the cemetery was tucked behind her hair giving her a dramatic effect. She stood in a huge dressing room at Opera Populaire, a gift given by her new protégé. The walls were red with pearl white drapes. The furniture was also red matching the wall and the white marble floor. The room displayed an ancient Greek theme. The room had been astonishing when Rose had entered it. No suitor or any man for that matter ever bestowed such an extravagant gift to her. With a few finishing touches, Rose was ready. The sadness in Marie's eyes was evident. Rose squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'll be fine, Marie. I promise."

Marie sat down in a chair and put out her hands for Rose. Rose sat down on her nurse's lap, never growing tired of the plump woman holding her. "Oh my blessed child, I know this man will be good to you. I mean look at the size of this room and you haven't even met him yet. Besides Marius would not allow just any man have you. This deal that the two of you made does not meet my approval, but I am just the nurse. You are good girl; a smart one too. I always knew you would be a pretty one and look at you," Marie squeezed Rose's cheek, "an angel from heaven." Rose smiled. "But I guess you are not a little girl any more. You are now a young woman. That is why, I am giving you," Marie grasped a heart locket that was clasped around her neck. She gently pulled it off and put it in Rose's hand, "this."

"Marie, I possibly can't, I…"

"Yes you will." She firmly said. "When I was your age my mother gave me this and now I am giving it to you. Though you may not be my birth- child, you are still my daughter that I love and cherish more than anything." She planted a kiss on Rose's cheek. "Tonight if you do become frighten remember your mother and father will be with you. They are your guardian angels Rose. Don't forget that."

"Thank you Marie, for everything." The two sat there smiling warmly at one another when a knock interrupted them. "Come in."

Marius came bursting in looking nervous. His cheeks were flushed as if he had run all the way to her room. "Marie is the girl ready!"

The two giggled before Rose stood up with more confidence than before. "Yes, I am ready Marius." Rose looked down at Marie, who gave her an encouraging smile, before finally stepping towards Marius. "Where shall I meet him?"

"The roof."