Chapter Three- A Party to Remember
Alice has invited me to the Christmas ball that her family hosts every year and Miss Rosalie thinks it would be good practice for me. I think I will suffer greatly. Father agrees to let me go on the condition that Emmett will also attend as my chaperone. Emmett is looking forward to it. He is at ease in any situation and has the ability to always be without a care. I am envious of his disposition.
The ball is to be this coming Saturday. Several wealthy families from neighboring settlements are making the journey and will stay through the weekend. The Cullen home is large enough to host them. Also to be present, are some local families who are of middling social stature, but through business and social dealings have become friendly with the Cullen family. I will be the only farmers daughter in attendance.
The last of my lessons before the ball is spent reviewing manners and etiquette. Miss Rosalie makes it clear that my behavior is a reflection on her and I am not to embarrass her. As a kindness, she teaches us a dance that she says even someone as clumsy and awkward as myself should be able to manage. I spend the remainder of my week in practice, dancing through my chores and walking about our small house with a book on my head.
Saturday arrives and Emmett and I travel by wagon to the Cullen estate. We have come early so that Miss Rosalie can oversee my preparations. Emmett is led to find the other young men who will pass the hours before the ball playing games and making conversation. I am escorted up the stairs to a sitting room that is adjacent to Alice's room.
Over the past two months, Alice and I have become quite close. Her timidity upon our first meeting belied her true nature. She is opposite myself in temperament, being easily excitable and often struggling to control her enthusiasm. I am more steady and even minded, but I cannot help but enjoy Alice's company. She is always cheerful and happy.
"Isabella, you are finally here," Alice declares as she runs to me and wraps both her arms around my left one, pulling me into the room. Miss Rosalie offers her a disapproving stare. Alice ignores her and continues to prattle on. "I have barely been able to contain myself. I am so thrilled that you are here and I can introduce you to everyone."
It is at this time that I notice that there are three other young ladies in the room. The first to whom I am introduced is Angela. She is my age and has dark hair, dark eyes and a sweet demeanor. She is the daughter of a merchant which puts her a little closer to my station in society. The next is Jessica, the daughter of wealthy family in a neighboring settlement. She is fair and petite with an abundance of curly blonde hair. Jessica and her cousin Lauren, who I am presented to last, are three years my senior. Lauren is tall with light brown hair and blue eyes. While Angela appears eager to make my acquaintance, the cousins seem less than impressed with me and quickly resume their previous activity of quarreling over a bonnet.
Following our introductions, Miss Rosalie sends for the ladies servants to help with our preparations for the ball. I am taken to a small room with a metal tub in the center where I am thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed. The soaps are sweet smelling like strawberries and make my skin feel soft and smooth. When I am returned to Alice's sitting room, it is bustling with activity. All the young ladies, including Miss Rosalie, are being worked upon by the servants. Hair is being styled, dresses are being laid out and readied, accessories are being chosen. I am set in a chair between Alice and Angela and as my hair is being done, Angela attempts to get acquainted with me.
"Isabella, are you looking forward to the ball?" she asked.
"Please, call me Izzy," I say, and then reply, "To tell you honestly , I don't know. I have never been to one before so I'm a little nervous, but I'm curious as well."
"Well, you have nothing to fear. This is the second year that I have been old enough to attend with my family and last year I had a wonderful time. I will stay close to you if you like?" she asks to comfort me.
"Thank you, I would like that very much," I reply.
We sit quietly as we are worked upon. Angela, like myself, is comfortable in letting Alice do all the talking. She tells us about who is to be present, the boys our age that we can dance with, and the beautiful decorations. Refreshments are brought in for us to enjoy and I make sure to eat so as not to feel ill later.
As our hair styles are completed, we are each helped into our dresses. Alice's dress is yellow to flatter her fair skin and dark hair and I think it is like her personality, like sunshine. Angela has chosen to wear light blue, while Jessica and Lauren have both chosen shades of green.
The gown that I am to wear is one of Alice's old ones that Miss Rosalie has had altered for me. It is made of a deep blue brocade with ivory lace that trims my elbow length sleeves. The skirt of it falls to just above my ankles that are covered with ivory stockings. The black slippers that complete my outfit have small black satin bows on them. I never knew that such beautiful things existed.
When I am dressed, I venture a look at myself in the tall looking glass in the corner of the room. I do not know myself. My hair that I had always thought was plain brown shines a pretty chestnut. It has been pulled up on the sides into tiny intricate braids held atop my head by ivory satin ribbon, leaving the rest to fall in loose waves down my back. The blue of my dress makes my skin look like fresh cream. I cannot help but smile. I am pretty.
I descend the stairs hand in hand with Alice and Angela. The gentleman are all waiting at the bottom of the stairs to escort the ladies who have been readying themselves in the many rooms on the second floor. I look for Emmett. It is he who finds me with a tap on my shoulder. When I turn to him he beams at me. "You look lovely, Izzy" he says. He is dressed in a borrowed black suit that is not as fine as the other men, but his smile and charm outshine all else. He offers me his arm and we walk into the ballroom together.
The ballroom is a long rectangular room with a curved wall at the end. Running down the length of the room on both sides are equally spaced multi-paned windows in between which are placed chairs for the on lookers to sit. Beneath the windows are green pots holding masses of poinsettias. At the end of the room where the wall is curved, a small musical ensemble is seated and ready to play. The brass chandeliers and wall sconces are giving a warm golden glow to the room and all the people within. It is magical.
"Emmett, have you ever seen anything so beautiful in all your life?" I ask, as I take in my surroundings.
"No, I can't say as I have," he replies, but his gaze is fixed on only one spot in the room. I look to see what he is staring at. "Who is that?" he asks. It is Miss Rosalie. Miss Rosalie, being sixteen, is old enough to wear her hair all up. She has it pulled high in a complicated twist with tiny ringlets falling delicately about her face and shoulders. Her dress is a ruby red satin that drapes gently across her shoulders. I thought she was beautiful before, but now she is a vision.
"That is my teacher, Miss Rosalie. Emmett, you should be wary of her. She is not a friendly sort," I warn him.
"What do you mean?" he asks, without taking his eyes from her.
"Well, I haven't really spoken of it because I don't want to concern Pa, but she is unkind to me at every opportunity," I confess. Emmett looks at me thoughtfully.
"Why don't you introduce me to her? Maybe I can get this sorted out," he asks, then starts to pull me in her direction before I have a chance to respond.
Miss Rosalie has positioned herself out of the way in a corner of the room. She looks as if she is trying not to be noticed. Emmett and I walk up to her and I do my best to introduce them properly. "Miss Rosalie, may I introduce my brother to you?" I ask. She looks at me and then Emmett. Her expression lightens slightly and she nods her permission. "This is my brother, Emmett Swan. Emmett, this is Miss Rosalie Hale."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hale. Izzy has done nothing but sing your praises," Emmett says, as he gives her a little bow. Miss Rosalie looks at me skeptically and then smiles at Emmett.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Swan, " she replies. They stare into each others eyes and I stand between them looking from one to the other. The music starts and Emmett offers her his hand. She looks at it and then glances nervously around the room as if she thinks he is trying to play a trick on her. When she sees that no one is making ready to laugh at her, she gently places her hand in his and he escorts her to the floor. I realize that, as far as they are concerned, I no longer exist.
I turn to go in search of my friends. I find Alice and Angela near the punch bowl watching the dance. I join them in a cup of punch and a cookie as we observe the dancers. Several brave boys come to ask us to dance and I am guided to the floor by a boy with light hair and blue eyes. His name is Michael Newton and he steps on my toes as many times as I step on his.
Near the end of our dance, Mr. Cullen interrupts the music to announce that he received news that revolutionaries, in a demonstration against the tea tax, have dressed up like Indians and dumped shiploads of British tea into Boston harbor two days ago. It is being called the Boston Tea Party. A murmur spreads through the gathering and I wonder what it all means. Michael says that this will draw the attention of mother England to let the King and Parliament know that we, as British citizens, should be treated fairly. I think it will draw trouble. I thank him for the dance and he returns me to my spot by my friends.
A little bit of worrying news does not hinder the mood of the evening and everyone resumes their previous activities. I am having a good time listening to Alice tell of her dance partners two left feet until I notice a head of auburn hair twirling around the dance floor. My heart flutters and I feel a thousand butterflies in my stomach. It is Edward. I can see his head in the crowd because he stands so tall. He is smiling down at his partner looking at her as if she hung the moon. My heart falls as I watch him make his way in our direction and the mystery girl is revealed to be Jessica.
The music stops just as they pass in front of us. He escorts Jessica from the floor and they come to stand near us. They take no notice of us and I secretly examine him. He is striking in his formal attire. Jessica's hand remains resting on Edward's arm until Edward offers her a glass of punch as he gets one for himself. She is obviously pleased by his attention. I am not.
The music resumes and they join in observing the assembly of dancers. Lauren comes to stand next to Jessica. They begin to make cruel comments about each couple as they pass and Edward finds it amusing. I think it is unkind. Alice , Angela and I choose to ignore them until Emmett and Miss Rosalie dance a path in front of us. "I see Rosalie has found someone willing to go down to her level," Jessica says, and rolls her eyes at Lauren.
"Judging by his attire, it looks like he was already at her level," Lauren counters, and they both laugh at their own cleverness.
I am mortified.
"Look at him," she continues to speak of my brother, "he is like a great beast lumbering around the dance floor."
Edward chuckles and adds, "He is a farmer's son. He has no station or worth to speak of. He practically is an animal."
Now, I am angry.
I don't wait to hear what will be said next. I go to stand in front of them, hands clinched and say…nothing. I cannot get a word out I am so upset. My mouth just keeps opening and closing like a fish. Edward looks shamefaced as he appreciates what I must have heard, but Jessica and Lauren just burst into laughter at my display. That is when I snap. I take a glass of punch from the table and fling it at them both. They scream and the rest of the ballroom becomes quiet and still. Edward, Alice and Angela just stare at me like I have gone mad. Then I realize what I have done. The only thing left that could complete my humiliation happens next…I burst into tears.
I immediately feel a hand at my elbow guiding me from the room, up the stairs, and into a small sitting room. Before I know it, I am set upon someone's lap and comforting arms are holding me close and rubbing gentle circles on my back. "There, there, it's alright now, " a soothing voice says. I cry for a good long time. It is long overdue. The stress of all the changes in my life has come to a head and I finally break down.
When I am all cried out, I accept a handkerchief that is offered to me. "All better now, Dear?" the soft voice asks. My eyes are clear enough now to see that it is Mrs. Cullen's lap in which I am sitting.
"Yes. Thank you," I sniffle.
I wonder why she is not angry with me. I have ruined her party. She just smiles at me and smoothes my hair from my face. She is kindhearted.
"Well, then why don't we clean you up and go back to the party, alright?" she offers.
I nod my agreement and when I am made more presentable we return to the ballroom. Mrs. Cullen has her arm protectively around my shoulder as we enter and the curious looks that I receive are brief. Emmett comes to make sure that I am unharmed and Mrs. Cullen assures him I am fine. She walks me over to Alice and Angela and with a final motherly pat on my shoulder leaves me to my friends.
"Izzy, are you well? I was so worried. You were so upset. Those girls deserved what they got and I told them so. They left in tears and when we explained what happened to their fathers, they said Jessica and Lauren would not be allowed to return tonight. My father took Edward to his study to discuss his involvement and this may be the last straw. Edward has a history of being callous and prideful. I never new someone could be so rude…" Alice went on. Angela gave my hand a quick squeeze of support. I am lucky to have such good friends.
The rest of the night passes uneventfully. I dance one awkward dance with Emmett during which he tries to pry from me the details of the earlier events. I cannot hurt him by repeating their harsh words, so I say nothing at all. When the last dance comes to an end, I return to the sitting room, change back into my own clothes and make my way back downstairs to Emmett. He is saying goodnight to Miss Rosalie. She smiles sweetly at him before turning to ascend the stairs. He watches her until she disappears from view.
I say my goodbye to Angela and we promise to stay in touch. A servant brings us our coats and hats and we move towards the door where the Cullen family is waiting to say goodbye. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen graciously thank us for coming and Alice throws her arms around me and wishes me a Merry Christmas. Edward does not say a word, nor does he look us in the eyes. I do not feel the same as I did before when he is near. Now, instead of excitement, I feel only sadness. I decide that the incident tonight has shown me Edward's true character. I will not waste another thought on him.
The wagon ride is cold and quiet as the moon guides our way. I am too tired to worry over what will come from the events of this evening. I lay my head on Emmett's shoulder and look at the stars shining brightly in the winter sky.
I do not care what anyone says. I am proud to be a farmers daughter and that Emmett is my brother. He is a good man and I am glad that at the end of this long and taxing day he is at my side to see me safely home.