Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and alerted this story. I can hardly believe I finally had the courage to post it, but you have all made me glad I did!

I should probably also say that I own nothing, but that Edward definitely owns me.

So…. Let's get to know Bella a little better….

BPOV

I woke to bright light streaming into the room from the window. This could only mean two things. The first, that it was not raining for the first time in days, and the second, that I had certainly overslept. I sat up and looked around the room in the morning light. Small chest in the corner with a wooden bowl and pitcher perched on the top. One wooden chair in the opposite corner with a faded floral pillow resting on the seat. I rarely used this chair as it wobbled horribly when sat upon. Though it did balance out the room well, as aside from the chair, there were only the chest and my small bed to decorate the room.

I rose from bed dressing quickly and heading into the main room of the cottage to tend the fire. Putting on a pot of water for tea, I cut a few slices of bread and placed them on a plate with some dried apples. This would make a simple breakfast for my father while I gathered the eggs and readied myself to go into town. I emptied the bucket of the rain water that had leaked into the cottage overnight and replaced the bucket to the cupboard. Picking up my basket, I made my way to the barn.

It was definitely getting colder as fall was quickly passing and winter would soon be upon us. I wondered how many chickens we would lose this winter. They seemed to be hearty, but we had lost nearly half last year. Of course, I was getting better at this life. Mrs. Webber, the pastor's wife, had taken pity on me that first year and taught me how to do the most basic of things. Things that our household staff had always done for us – starting and tending a fire, baking bread, planting, tending and harvesting a simple garden, and how to put up vegetables and fruits for the winter months. She also taught me how to mend clothing and to care for the chickens. I believe we would have certainly perished that first year if not for Mrs. Webber's guidance. I will always regret the tantrums I had in response to her efforts at first. I was preparing for my first season and thinking only of the formal balls and parties that I would never be part of because of our change in social status. I am ashamed to admit that I behaved so selfishly toward her when she only wished to help us survive. I am forever in her debt.

"Well, what have you for me today, little chicks?" I reached under the hen closest to the end and began our morning ritual. I would lift them from their warm perches with my cold hands and they would protest loudly.

Once all the eggs were gathered, I set the basket on the floor and tossed out a few handfuls of feed. I would need to purchase enough to last us through the winter while in town later. I picked up my basket and headed back into the house. I would need to hurry to make it into town and back before dark.

My father looked up from the fire as I entered the house. His brow furrowed and a stern look crossed his features. He leaned one hand on the mantle and put the other in his pocket when he spoke. "I do not know what it will take to get you to stop doing the work we pay others to do, Isabella! Let the staff do their jobs. It will not do for you to labor so if you wish to ever catch a husband."

"Yes, Papa." I had no other answer for him. In his mind, he was still living in our manor and could not comprehend of his daughter doing manual labor. It was as though something in him snapped and his mind dimmed to the reality around him when our circumstances changed. I wished that I had that escape as well.

"Papa, I am heading in to the market. Will you be alright if I have lunch set out for you?"

"Of course. I am not helpless, my dear. Are you off to find new ribbons or perhaps a new gown for the Winter Ball? Take one of the staff to help you carry your packages."

"Yes, Papa."

The Winter Ball was an event I had looked forward to my entire life. As a child, I watched my mother prepare for the Ball and create the most beautiful floral arrangements from flowers grown in her own garden. She attended to every detail and nothing escaped her notice. I could hardly wait to reach an age to attend. The very year we lost our estate was to be my first season in society. My father was nervous and worried about it all. My mother had passed away as a result of a sudden illness only two years earlier and he was certain he could not oversee me properly into society without the help of a woman. He had asked Mrs. Mallory to see to it that I had the proper attire and etiquette to ready for the events of the season. Her daughter, Lauren, was my closest friend. She was to have her first season that year as well. It was only a few weeks later that the creditors had taken our home, as well as my hope for the season.

Well, it would do me no good to dwell on those memories now. I gathered up some bread, cheese and some dried fruit and left them on the table under a cloth for my father's lunch. Gathering the rest of the eggs, I placed them in the basket with the others and placed the basket by the door. Walking into my bedroom, I closed the door behind me and opened the top drawer of the chest in the corner. Picking up the bundle of handkerchiefs, I unwrapped the items inside. Laying aside the sapphire and diamond pendant that belonged to my mother, I held the only other item in my hand. It was a ruby hair comb that belonged to my grandmother on my father's side. It would be much easier to part with than the pendant that had so often adorned my mother's neck. They were all I had left of the few items I had taken from the estate when we left. Each year I sold one item to a merchant in town. It would make up the difference in what we needed to survive the winter. Eggs would only afford us so much.

I wrapped up the comb and placed it in my basket with the eggs. Gathering my shawl and my basket, I left for town. The four mile walk was not so bad when the sun was shining as it was today. Perhaps I would even have enough time to see Pastor and Mrs. Webber before needing to head home.

* * * A H R * * *

"I am afraid it will not bring as much as you desire, child," Mr. Banner held the comb gently in his hand as he looked it over. He leaned in closer before adding, "but I will give you more for it than it is worth if you promise not to tell Mrs. Banner."

"I could not ask that of you." I whispered.

"You did not ask, I offered. Now, tell me what you need and we will make our exchange."

I told him of my need for grain for the chickens, oats and flour and various other kitchen staples and nails for the necessary roof repairs. He gathered the requested supplies and gave me the remainder of my income from the eggs and the comb. It was then I realized that next year I would have to trade my mother's pendant and would have nothing else of hers or anything to tide us over for the winters following. A moment of panic set in and I knew Mr. Banner was worried by his wide eyes and slight gasp.

"Are you well, Miss Swan? Shall I get Mrs. Banner to attend you?"

"No, please. I am well. I just need some air. Thank you."

"I will have my man deliver your order to your home this afternoon. Will you need any assistance getting home?"

I assured him I would not and after thanking him again for his kind generosity, walked out into the sunlight. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves. I gazed out across the street and saw Mrs. Mallory and Lauren. Lauren smiled and waved. Mrs. Mallory immediately took notice and turned to Lauren and spoke furiously, waving her hands in the air around her. I could not hear her words, but I could guess given her countenance and the sadness with which Lauren glanced my way. Looking down at the ground, I turned and began to stroll down the street toward the Webber home. Stopping to allow two children to pass in front of me, I glanced in the shop window nearest me.

It was the dressmakers shop and was easily the busiest shop on the street today. Many ladies and young girls were inside, no doubt looking for dresses for the Winter Ball. In the window was the most lovely blue gown. The exact color of the sapphire in my mother's pendant. I allowed myself a moment to dream about what it would be like to wear that gown and pendant to the Ball. To have my dance card filled for the evening. To sleep until noon the following day to recover from exhaustion. To have a gentleman caller after that to compliment my father on successfully bringing his daughter into society and to seek a chaperoned audience to further our acquaintance….

I took a deep breath to clear my head and looked up to cross the street. However, the breath left my body in a rush as I looked up and saw a gentleman exit his carriage in front of me. He was the most handsome man I had ever seen. Stunning green eyes scanned the street in front of him and as he looked my way, I turned my head slightly to watch him in the window. He had a strong jaw and the most beautiful bronze colored hair that was in a windblown disarray. He was tall and had broad shoulders.

I was immediately embarrassed and I am certain I flushed bright red. I had the irrational fear that he would somehow learn my thoughts and know of my attraction to him. It was then that a profound sadness washed over me. He was completely unattainable to me, socially. It would not have been so only a few short years ago, but now, there was no hope that I would ever have a husband, or that it would be someone like this beautiful stranger.

I no longer felt like visiting with the Webbers, so I turned and started the long walk back home. If I made good time, perhaps I could patch the roof before nightfall.