A/N: Thank you too all who reviewed the last chapter. I am glad to hear your input. Those reviews are the fuel that keeps me going, and this story has a lot to go with it. Now, on the the next chapter. Enjoy!

Two

Edward's steps quickened as he walked down the echoing hallway and descended the great staircase. His mind began to wander back to the young woman he had just encountered moments ago. Surely she was a plain looking thing, and obviously not very proper in her mannerisms. The way she gazed upon Edward as he approached her made him believe that she had never been in a male's pressence before now. However, though her features were very plain, there was something about this Isabella Swan that had Edward intrigued.

From their brief greeting, he was able to take in many details about the young girl. She seemed familiar, in a way, as though he had met her before. But Edward knew no one from the states, except for Jasper, his soon to be brother-in-law, and his southern accent was different from that of Miss Swan. Her chocolate brown curls, though messy from her travels , were a thing of beauty in themself. Edward resisted the urge to run his fingers though them, years of practice for maintaining a good image for society. Her body was smooth and slender, but beneath her bodice, Edward noticed her full breasts. Her lips, though seemingly to big for her face, were somehow perfect in their rose red colour. She was a diamond in the rough indeed, but should Edward even give it the time of day?

"Get it together, Lord Cullen." He mumbled to himself. He slowed his steps as he approached his place of business. The stables were quiet and on this particular evening, Edward knew why. His favorite mare, Annabelle had been in labor for the past ten hours, and Edward feared that her and her foal may be in trouble.

"How is she?" Edward asked one of the stable boys assisting the mare.

"She is becoming quite weak with the labor, my lord. However, she was able to get the legs pushed out." James said in a haste. Edward walked slowly over to Annabelle, bringing with him a cloth to wipe the foam from her mouth.

"Annabelle, love. Come now, you don't want to hurt your baby." Edward started, whispering softly. "I know that you are tired, but you must try and find the strength in yourself to get it out." With a final pat to her sweaty neck, Edward made his way to her back end, the legs of her baby clearly visible. Pushing the sleeves of his shirt up as far as they would go, he looked to James and with a nod, James began working of getting the foal's head out. The nose came first, as the rest of the head followed.

"Alright Annie, almost there now. Just one good push now, and it will all be over." Looking to James again, Edward grasped the foals legs and pulled, encouraging his tired mare to push again. After three attempts, a newborn foal graced the whole stable with it's pressence. Seeming to get an extra boost of strength, Annabelle turned to clean off her baby.

"He is a beaut, my lord." James smiled as he and Edward both watch the foal slowly come to its senses.

"That he is," Edward half mumbled to himself. He turned and gave James a pat on the shoulder, leaving the helpful stable boy to finish up his duties. With a goodbye to his prize mare, Edward made his way back to the house to get cleaned up for dinner. A small part of his mind wondered if their new guest, this Isabella, would be joining them.

"Get a grip. She is nothing but a simple American." If only he could make himself truly believe that about Miss Swan, for there was so much more than meets the eye.

Back at the manor...

Bella stepped into the large room, letting Carlisle gently lead her by the arm. Coming back to this planet from her brief encounter with Edward, she slowly began to take in her new surroundings. Her attention was caught instantly by the large windows looking out into the land surrounding the front of the house. Again, her breath caught as she got a glimpse of Edward walking, hastily across the lawn toward the stables. She was vaugly aware of the fact that Carlisle was still speaking, pointing out certain details about his home. He noticed the way she seemed to be distracted easily and just blamed it on the long journey.

Smiling, he decided to bring this introduction to a momentary close.

"Will you be joining us for dinner, my dear?" Carlisle asked as he made his way to the door to give Bella some privacy.

"Oh you must! I simply want to know everything about you." A very cheerful and bubbly voice rang its way through to Bella's ears. A small, pixie like woman made her way into the room, dancing across the floor and coming to a bouncing stop infront of a suddenly stunned Bella.

"My daughter, Alice. Please forgive her, the girl doesn't seem to have a calm bone in her body." Carlisle added with a chuckle, kissing his black haired daughter.

"Oh father, stop it. I am simply curious is all." She giggled, the sound of tiny bells. "Besides, eating in a large room by yourself is no fun, love." She added touching Bella's arm lightly. She could not help but to smile at the small girl's enthusiasm for her pressence. Alice's laughter was contagious, and soon Bella found herself giggling along with her.

"Well I would hate to be the killer of a cat, so I would love to join the family for dinner." Bella responded quietly. The squeal that came forth from Alice made Bella slightly jump, then giggle once more.

"Excellent, well I will leave you to unpack and get settled in, Isabella." Carlisle smiled then turned to his daughter.

"Alice, I trust that you will show Isabella were everything she may need to get cleaned up." His voice carried over his shoulder as he exited the room. The door closed with a barely audible click, leaving Alice and Bella staring momentarilly. Suddenly, though Alice was still in the room, Bella felt very unsure, and somewhat alone.

"So, lets see what you have here." Alice made her way to Bella's single trunk, opening it carefully. Bella watched as she scrutinized her few belongings, Alice's tongue clicking as she studied the few dresses and slips. Blushing lightly, Bella looked to the floor. Though her father was a major in the army, all of their expences had gone to medical bills for both parents, leaving Bella mainly to fend for herself with clothing. Alice sighed lightly, causing Bella to meet her eyes.

"I know I don't have much, but-" Bella started but Alice cut her off with a slight shake of her head.

"Isabella-"

"Please, call me Bella," she paused, thinking hard on how to address the Duke's daughter. "My lady."

Alice smiled, then responded in a somewhat dream like voice. "Bella, I like that. Well, Bella, you may call me Alice, and we need to find you something decent to wear tonight. Are you opposed to shopping?" A slightly devious smile came across Alice's small face.

"In truth, I have never been shopping before." Bella replied, blushing again. She was beginning to like Alice, her cheerful state seeming to make Bella more comfortable in this still strange place.

"Well then we simply must plan a trip to the city. I know you have only just arrived, but we could do so many things. With all that said, first we must find you something more suitable." Alice skipped out of the room, leaving Bella to stare after her. Taking a deep breath then letting it go slowly, Bella took another good look around the room that large room. She found a wash bin and splashed her face. The feeling of the semi warm water against her skin helped her to relax even more, letting her mind wander back to Edward.

As Bella patted her face dry, Alice danced back into the room holding a navy blue dress and matching shoes. "Come, lets get you dressed for dinner." Alice smiled and she lead her over to the vanity on the other side of the room.

A/N: So what do you all think about Alice? Still the same in any time period. Please review.