CHAPTER 2

'You have my thanks for the dance Miss Swan, I find great pleasure in dancing with you.' Mr. Newton bows, then leaves Miss Swan where he had originally found her to ask for the dance. He happened upon her after she was returned from dancing with Mr. Cheyney and Mr. Yorkie.

'I thought that jig would never end, Izzy.' Alice approaches alone.

'You may have little patience for Mr. Newton, Alice, but I for one do not object to him. He is kind, well educated, and all things he is supposed to be.'

'I know, I can't even say what it is about him that I find fault with, I just pray he never makes me an offer for I am determined to refuse no one.'

'Oh Alice, for your sake I pray the man who makes you an offer is the man you truly love.'

'Well Izzy, I pray for the same every night and extra on Sunday. Oh look, father approaches with the Cullen's', I haven't enough acquaintance with them yet to truly make out their character, but they appear to be all things gentlemen are supposed to be.'

'And I noted that you were lucky enough to stand up with both of them, they both appeared to cut a fine figure.'

'Yes indeed, they are both amiable dance partners, quite the contrary to Mr. Yorkie and Mr. Cheney, might I add.'

'Come now Alice, they are not so very bad.'

Any further discussions between them about dance partners had to cease however, for the trio is upon them. Miss Swan and Miss Luci both stand and curtsy to the men.

'Merci Papa, but allow me to make the introductions. Miss Isabella Swan, Captain Cullen and Mr. Cullen.'

'Good evening again Miss Luci, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Swan, I've heard a great many things about you.' Mr. Cullen, a handsome fellow bearing dark red hair, addresses the young women.

The second, Captain Cullen bows dutifully, 'Miss Alice, Miss Isabella.'

'Delighted, so how are you gentlemen enjoying our small town, is it too your taste?'

'Yes, quite, Edward and I can't give Forks enough praise. It is small enough to know all in society, but large enough to hold assemblies.'

'Quite right brother, there is also great estates close by, I believe you're situated at Swanfield, are you not Miss Swan?'

'Yes indeed,' she replies easily.

'And pray tell, what is it like, for you see, I like to hear ones opinion before forming one of my own, but only when it comes to properties of course.'

'Well sir, it is not so very large as to impose or intimidate, but not so small to be called mediocre.'

'That is hardly a descriptive opinion but I suppose it will have to do until I can acquaint with Swanfield myself.'

The quartet hired for the night resumes playing after their brief pause of silence, prompting couples to form two parallel lines on the floor, once again. 'I believe we have some dance partners to find, brother.'

'I believe you are correct, Edward. Please excuse us now, but I hope to further our acquaintance in the oncoming weeks.'

'Enjoy your dance, sirs.'

'I daresay papa will wish to leave sooner rather than later, but I will call on you tomorrow and we may giggle over the nights festivities all day when we have no one to bear witness to our silliness.'

'That would be divine, dearest Alice, I look forward to your arrival.'

The four leave and Isabella is left to observe the nights festivities, so she retakes her spot on the bench seat and meditates on the joys of laughter and hapiness in the air.

'Bella my dear,' she cranes her neck to see her father approaching from the small entry way to the gentlemen's card room.

'Father,' she nods. 'Are you enjoying yourself this evening?'

Sitting himself beside her, his reply is quick. 'Oh quite, yes. There really should be more balls though… perhaps we should throw a ball.'

'Perhaps,' she replies noncommittally.

'And did you hear Isabella? We have a new neighbour in town. Capital fellow, a doctor I think.'

'Yes, here with his sons and cousins I believe father, so how did your game go? did you play so very poorly tonight?'

'Oh quite, quite. You know I have no natural talent for the game, I merely enjoy the company. Have you danced yet?'

She smiles brightly, 'yes father. Three very fine dances, one with Mr. Cheney, Mr. Yorkie and one with Mr. Newton.'

'Three dances! I am all astonishment. That is hardly enough dancing for a fanciful creature such as yourself, I must find you a partner immediately.'

'Oh please father, I beg you wouldn't.' She stills him by grabbing his arm.

'Very well, but introductions must be made to our new neighbour, he is to be calling on us tomorrow so it is best to introduce you now.'

'Okay father, but I will hear no mention of dancing.'

He places his daughters arm on his and escorts him to an area along a side wall where Dr. Cullen speaks animately with one of his cousins. 'Dr. Cullen, may I introduce my daughter, Isabella.'

She curtsies as she should and he bows with an ethereal grace, just as he should. 'I am very pleased to meet you, sir. I trust you have been treated amiably since your arrival.'

'As I am you, Miss Swan. Every one has been quite welcoming, thank you.'

'And are you all together pleased with the neighbourhood?'

'I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing much of it as yet, I have mostly been cooped up in my study attending to some urgent matters. I'm hoping that will change in the forthcoming week, however.'

'All to your credit, I'm sure. Business must be settled before one can be runaway with by enjoyments. I trust your affairs are settled now though? you are coming to call on us tomorrow, are you not?'

'Indeed I am Miss Swan, your father was most kind with his invitation.'

'Oh dear, it is the last dance of the night Bella, please excuse me, I must find Ms. Winterbourne, I promised her my last dance you know.'

Miss Swan would have normally thought very little of her fathers saved last dance, but you see, Ms. Winterbourne retired to Bath for a few months and isn't currently in attendance.

'The last dance already?' Dr. Cullen says, 'then Miss Swan, if your last dance isn't already taken, may I have the honour?'

'Oh, thank you,' she had already resolved with herself the disappointment of only standing up thrice for the night. She doesn't fight the smile that beams from her face, or even remove her gaze from the man she owes her one last enjoyment to, for the night.

'The pleasure is all mine, Miss Swan, so how are you enjoying the ball?' He escorts her toward the other couples.

'I find great pleasure in dancing Dr. Cullen, and we don't hold balls as quite so often as we should, so I am enjoying tonight quite well. And how are you finding this evening? Smaller than most assemblies you are used to I assume, but hopefully just as amiable.'

'Indeed, though I find little pleasure being in an over-crowded room, this suits me far better.'

'That, Dr. Cullen is one thing in common we share. I too feel oppressed when in the presence of far too many, 'tis one of the reasons I rarely often venture to town.'

'Yes, Edward and Jasper quite often venture into society and not once had they heard of you, it seems they are quite out of sorts with you.'

'Oh?' her eyebrows raise in question, 'how so?'

The doctor chuckles, 'they can't comprehend how someone with your status and beauty doesn't venture into the same society as they.'

'How curious, why, I wonder they think my fortunate birth has anything to do with my likes or personality?'

'Indeed, which is why you befuddle them.'