Chapter 2 – Dinner Guests
EPOV
The clock inside chimed 6 p.m. "Oh my goodness," Mrs. Swan was shocked, "Is it that late already?" Bella looked just as embarrassed as her mother did, "We're so sorry for taking up your evening." My mother and I smiled at each other, "Don't be. This was a wonderful afternoon." Bella smiled, taking up the tray of tea, "Excuse me a moment." The tray wobbled in her hand and I stabled it with my own, "Allow me." Her eyes stared into mine for a brief moment and I was already lost in hers.
She blushed, probably from our hands touching underneath the tray, "Thank you." "Excuse us." I followed her into the kitchen, "Just put it there," she gestured to the counter. She went over to the kitchen island, beginning to fold napkins. Under the bright chandelier lights, there was something different about her hair. Bella had some red coloring to her hair.
"Isabella?" She turned and looked at me, smiling, "Please, call me Bella." It came to me I was calling her by her full name. I chuckled at her nickname. In Italian, it meant beautiful, and that she was. "Bella?" "Yes, Edward?" she smiled sweetly. "Is there something different about your hair, in the light I mean?" She giggled, covering her smile, "Yes. I have a hue of red in my hair. It's natural. I'm told I get it from Gran Swan." My eyes looked at the shade of red, "It's lovely." "Thank you," she blushed again.
We went back out to the veranda. I held the door for her and she smiled, "Has anyone ever told you that you're a gentleman?" I smiled at her, "Not lately." She looked away from me, "Well, I'll be sure to remind you as often as I can." I watched after her as she walked back to the table. Bella was very interesting, indeed.
"Please, I insist. It's your first night in your new home. Your kitchen is unpacked yet. And my husband would love some time with you since he missed this afternoon." My mother looked at me, as Bella went to stand by her mother, "We've been invited for dinner." I glanced at Bella and she nodded to me, smiling, "We would love to." Just then, Lauren spoke from inside the house, "Welcome home, Mr. Swan."
"They're still on the veranda with the Masens." I went to stand by my mother, not before pulling out Bella's seat again. Lauren showed Mr. Swan and another man out to us. He had dull red hair and dark blue eyes. He was looking straight at Bella. When she looked up, her smile had fallen slightly. "Dear, I've invited Damon to dinner." Mrs. Swan smiled, "Alright. Bella and I have invited the Masens for dinner." I looked at Bella from the corner of my eye. Her eyes were cast down and she was clutching her hands in her lap.
Bella sighed deeply, "I will let… um, Lauren know to set extra places." She got up, walked to her father, kissed his cheek and rushed into the house. "I'm sorry, this is Damon Chambers." Chief Swan gestured to his guest. "He works in the law firm by the station." Mr. Chambers was slightly older than I was, possibly in his mid-20s. He shook my mother's hand, then mine.
Bella was back, coming out of the door on the other side of the veranda, "Lauren said dinner was ready." She turned back into the kitchen, as if she were hiding. This afternoon, she was light and sweet, but now, she was resigned and shy. During dinner, I sat with her and Damon sat on her other side. She was sandwiched between us, but she was leaning towards me. I was glad about that.
"Mr. Chambers, how did you meet Mr. Swan?" my mother asked. He smiled at her, "Chief Swan helped my grandmother when someone was breaking into her house. She spoke highly of him." Everything was delicious. "Would you like some more pasta?" Bella offered me. Damon looked back to her, almost scowling, "I'd love some. Thank you, Bella."
She smiled and continued to eat quietly. Suddenly, she flinched and closed her eyes. "Mr. Chambers, would you care for more pasta too?" she woodenly turned to him and he smiled brightly, "Thank you very much. Everything has been wonderful." She sighed, "Thank you."
My mother looked at her, "Bella, you made dinner?" She smiled, "Yes, actually, I prepared everything and Lauren cooked it." She gave credit where it was due; another kind quality. Mr. Chambers asked about over lives in Chicago. "Edward Anthony Masen? Senior?" My mother nodded, "My husband." Mr. Chambers' fork slipped from his fingers, "I've always wanted to meet him." Of course Mr. Chambers would know about my father. His reputation reached as far as Philadelphia.
After dinner and dessert, which was a delicious strawberry shortcake, my mother and I departed for the evening. "Bella, you must give me the recipe for the cake." My mother loved to bake. "Of course. I can also give you my recipe for chocolate cream pie." My mother was falling in love with Bella.
"It was lovely having you here for this evening," Mrs. Swan saw us to the door. Bella was tending to the flowers in the window boxes. Of course, they were her handiwork. She hummed lightly as she tilted a watering can over them. She smiled at us, "Please come again soon."
From the light of the front hall, her eyes were lightened, becoming deep pools again. "Good night, Mrs. Swan," I kissed her hand again. She smiled, "Please, you must come again. I would love to hear you play the piano." I nodded, "Whenever you like." Bella giggled as she looked at us.
While our mothers said good night to each other, I went to bid Bella a good night. "Good night, Isabella." She scowled; had I offend here? "Edward, I've asked you to please call me 'Bella.'" I shrugged, "I know. Good night, Bella," and I kissed her hand. "Edward," I looked up at her, "have a good evening."
We smiled at each other, "And you, as well." The two of us looked at each other, until my mother called me. As when entered the house, I saw Bella was still on her veranda, tending to the flowers.
BPOV
The wind blew lightly through the garden. I inhaled the scent of all the flowers. No matter how many times I sat on my bench, that smell was still so sweet to me. "You are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst; But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation."
Taming of the Shrew was such a wonderful story. Romeo & Juliet was my favorite, but this story was a classic in its own right. Here in my garden, on my bench, I was truly in my own world. The rhythm of Shakespeare's' words was so moving to me. "Kiss me Kate, we will be married o' Sunday." The book suddenly disappeared from my hands. I looked up, to see my mother looking at me, "Isabella?" I apologized quickly, seeing that she wasn't alone.
My mother looked at the book she took from me, "You and your Shakespeare." Our guests smiled at us, well, at least woman was. The young man with her just stared. It made me feel awkward as he looked at me. The mother and son, which I assumed they were, both had bronze hair, but she had with green eyes. This young man couldn't keep his eyes off of me. They were Mrs. Elizabeth Masen and her son, Edward Jr. They moved here from Chicago. My mother, trying to get to know our new neighbors, invited them for tea.
I'd better go help Lauren prepare. Excusing myself, I went to the house, away from the staring green eyes. I looked back at the garden from the veranda. Why was Edward Masen staring at me? "Bella, is everything alright?" I nodded, "Yes, Lauren. I was just coming to help you get the tea ready." Lauren tucked my loose strand of hair back into my bun, "He's very handsome."
My head turned slowly back to Lauren's smiling face, "That doesn't impress me… much." She chuckled as she went back into the kitchen. Lauren knew me so well. She's been with our family since I was 4 years old. She bought me the teacups and I set them on the table. I couldn't stop my eyes from looking up, waiting for my mother to return with our guests.
After a few moments, their voices were coming from the garden. My heart jumped a bit, which was curious. During tea and getting to know our neighbors, I learned that Edward was a gentleman. He held out my chair and stood when I stood.
During tea, we found out that Edward was the son of a wealthy lawyer. That would make my father happy. But I didn't care about all that, I was more interested in what kind of person Edward was. As the afternoon progressed, I began to like Edward and Mrs. Masen. Finding out he could play the piano, I would love to hear him play. He even wrote his own compositions.
The hours passed into the evening without any of us noticing. As the clock chimed, we realized it was late. Lauren was already preparing dinner. My mother apologized for monopolizing their entire afternoon and evening. Hastily, I tried to take in the tea set. The tray almost fell, when another hand caught it, "Allow me."
My skin blushed as I realized his hand was on mine under the tray. "Thank you." Edward followed me into the kitchen. I began folding the napkins for dinner. The light from the chandelier cast my shadow on the counter. "Isabella?" Oh, I hated that name. "Please, call me Bella." It was what Gran called me and it's what I preferred.
Edward commented on the red in my hair, "It's lovely." Edward really was a gentleman. He held the veranda door for me. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a gentleman?" He smiled a crooked smile that was attractive, "Not lately." His sarcasm was attractive as well, "Well, I'll be sure to remind you as often as I can." Why did I say that? I practically threw myself at him and I just met him.
Going back to the table, my mother was inviting them to dinner and Edward accepted. Edward and I sat by our mothers again, when I heard Lauren greet my father. Coming onto the veranda, I saw my father wasn't alone. Oh no, not Damon. He's pursued me relentlessly. Damon Chambers worked in the law firm downtown and was close with my father. My father has subtly shown his preference for Mr. Chambers.
"He would be a fine match for you, Bella," I remembered my father telling me. My stomach churned when Dad informed us that Mr. Chambers was staying for dinner too. I sighed, "I will let… um, Lauren know to set extra places." In the kitchen, Lauren was preparing the trays for dinner. "Could you please, set three more places at the table? Mrs. Masen, her son and Mr. Chambers are staying for dinner." I leaned against the counter, folding my arms.
"Bella, dear, are you alright?" I shook my head, "I was having such a good day." I groaned, "I don't want endure another meal with this man. I don't like Mr. Chambers." She patted my arm, "Why is that?" I looked up at Lauren from underneath my eyelashes, "I don't like the way he looks at me. And it's painfully obvious my father wants me to be with him." Lauren kissed my forehead, "He only wants what's best for you."
I shook my head, "No, he wants what's best for him. To use his daughter to climb the social ladder." Lauren handed me a glass of water, "This is the life we women face." The cool water was soothing, "Well, I hate it." Lauren patted my arms, "Dinner's ready. Go." Avoiding being close to Mr. Chambers, I took the kitchen door to the veranda. "Lauren said dinner is ready."
At the dinner table, Edward held out my chair for me again and I sat with him during dinner. I tried to remain objective as Mr. Chambers, as he sat at my other side. I felt like I was a prize they were competing to win. It was sort of sweet. Our parents talked and Mrs. Masen asked Mr. Chambers about his work, comparing it to her husband's. Damon knew of Edward's father. This conversation was so boring.
"Would you like some more pasta?" I offered Edward. He smiled at me, "I'd love it. Thank you, Bella." I was placing the bowl back, when someone kicked me under the table. My mother was looking at me with angry eyes and pursed lips. Her eyes darted to Mr. Chambers, then back to me quickly. "Mr. Chambers, would you care for more pasta?"
I turned to him and he smiled at me, "Thank you very much. Everything has been wonderful." His hand brushed mine and I tried not to cringe. "Thank you," I turned away from him. Mrs. Masen was smiling at me, "Bella, you made dinner?" I laughed once, "Yes, I did. Actually, I prepared everything and Lauren cooked it."
Damon was enjoying the cake I made, claiming it was his favorite. Ugh, this man was insufferable. After the meal, I helped Lauren clear the table and went to tend to my flowers in the window boxes. My flowers took me back to my world. My mother was saying goodbye to the Masens. Edward bent to kiss my hand. I tried to hide my excitement. He was a very handsome, talented young man. "Please, you must come again."
I remained on the front porch as the Masens crossed the street to their home. "Isabella?" my father called me. My hand tightened on the handle of the watering can. "Coming." He was in his study, with Mr. Chambers, smoking. The smoke billowed in my face, making me coughed. "Sorry darling," my father opened a window. I coughed again, walking over to the open window.
Clean air blew in and I inhaled at it. "Mr. Chambers wanted to thank you again for a lovely dinner." I smiled, almost grimacing, "That's not necessary." Mr. Chambers stood up, "No. It was wonderful, as usual. You're a magnificent cook." He took up my hand and kissed it, looking at me. I tried to keep my face composed, as I took my hand back, "Thank you." My father chuckled, "Isabella, perhaps you could play something for us?" He was gesturing to the piano. I bit my lip, "Umm, actually…." My father looked at me, "I think it would be lovely if you did." I knew that tone. It was a 'do it or you're in trouble' tone.
I nodded, "Of course, Dad" and I went to sit at the piano. My fingers glided along the keys, playing a somber tune, expressing my annoyance. "Dear, please something lighter?" my father requested. How I wanted to bang my head on to the piano. "Of course" and I began to play Blue Danube. They applauded and my mother had joined them. "Thank you. If you'll excuse, I think I'll retire for the night." I walked out of the room, after kissing my parents and smiling at Mr. Chambers, telling him good night.
From my room, I heard their conversation. My dad's study was nearly beneath my room, "She is such a lovely girl," Mr. Chambers remarked. "Oh yes, we're so proud of her." Always could count on my mom to brag about me, "She's been accepted to the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota, Vassar and Barnard College in New York." My mom wanted me to go to college. She wanted me to get the education she wasn't able to receive herself.
"Yes, well, she has plenty of time for college. First Isabella needs to focus on more important things," my father interjected. What could be more important than getting a proper education? From my dad's opinion, he thought the most important thing for me to do was get married. Groaning, I went to lay across my bed.
Chief Swan wants me to marry and be submissive. To be one step behind my husband, maintain his home and have children. Besides the first bit, that sounded wonderful, but I wanted more. Frustrated, I went to sit at my window. It looked out to the street. Countless of times I stared at this road, wondered where it went, where it ended. More than anything, I wanted to my own life. My father will have me marry a wealthy young man, who will only care about the way I look. That's not enough. I want my husband to care about my mind, my opinions, but that was a fantasy.
I didn't know what the big deal was about me getting married. I wasn't that pretty. My redeeming qualities was that I was a great gardener, a wonderful cook, I cared about animals, knew how to keep a home and a fairly good musician. And yet, there was something that young men found so appealing. Maybe it was the allure of the forbidden. I was Police Chief Swan's only daughter, his only child. To get me was a true challenge.
Who would dare cross the chief of police to get his lone daughter? In Cicero, my reputation was flawless. I was top in school, well-dressed and well-mannered. I was quiet, reserved, stylishly dressed, as my parents raised me that way. One of those few young men that my father accepted was Damon Chambers. He was 26 years old and up & coming lawyer in his firm.
Lost in my thoughts, the lights from the top floor window of the Masens house turned on. Moving across one of the windows, a silhouette moved to open a window. Edward sat at his sill, taking up a book. I mimicked him, with my copy of Taming of the Shrew was in my hands. I tried to maintain my concentration. He was nice to look at, after all. From the corner of my eye, I would glance at him. I wonder if he knew I was here. Finishing the chapter, I closed the book and looked up. My neck rolled, trying to loosen the stiffness. Looking out the window, Edward was looking back at me. I smiled and waved; he did the same. I closed my curtains, still smiling. My father may not approve, but Edward Masen was accepted by me.