Chapter 7. Chicago.

The next morning Mrs. Masen stopped by after breakfast to have a discussion with my father. He was reluctant to allow me to leave on such a long trip, but he knew that he could leave my care entrusted in no two better people than the Masens'.

By Monday morning we were on a train bound for Chicago. I was uncomfortable with the fact that Mrs. Masen had paid for my ticket, and I knew that she would also pay for any other accommodations I'd require. My father had, of course, offered her money on the day she came to ask him if I could go with them. She had politely declined reassuring him that no compensation was needed for me. I was a guest, and she would make sure I was well taken care of.

We rode in a first class private car seat near the front of the train. Alice chattered most of the morning. She was telling about society and Chicago and all the people she would introduce to me. She talked about fashion which also made me uncomfortable. In a city as grand as Chicago and a social circle as popular as the Masens' my worn and simple dresses would surely stand out.

The journey took several days and many different stops as we got further east. Finally, we pulled into the Chicago train station. I was relieved to be done with the long ride across the country. I had expected to see Mr. Masen at the train station waiting for us. I was following behind the others when I noticed we weren't walking toward Mr. Masen. Instead Edward happily greeted another man waiting in front of a motorcar. The man was fairly tall with broad shoulders and had slightly graying hair showing from under his bowler hat.

I had seen motorcars before in Seattle, but there were very few. I had never ridden in one before and the prospect made me giddy with excitement. Glancing around, I noticed several on the streets of Chicago. It was certainly a very modern city. Edward shook the man's hand and Mrs. Masen greeted him with both of hers.

"George!" she exclaimed. "It's so good to see you. It's been a whole year after all."

"Welcome home Elizabeth," the man said smiling. Mrs. Masen was born and raised in Chicago but it took me aback hearing him call it 'home' to her.

"Mary Alice," said the man reaching his arms around Alice in an embrace.

"Uncle George," said Alice smiling.

I stood there as the man released Alice and the four of them began a deep conversation. I shrugged my shoulders down as I watched the reunion. I didn't want to draw any attention to myself as I waited awkwardly for someone to remember my presence.

Mrs. Masen was the first to remember me. "Oh Bella dear! How rude I've just been!" she said as she turned towards me and reached for my arm to pull me forward. "Bella, this is George McCarty. He's a very close friend of the family. He and Edward have been business partners for some time now. This is Bella Swan, George."

He extended his hand toward me and I took it shyly.

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. McCarty," I said offering him a small smile.

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Swan. I've heard so much about you over the years from Alice and Edward."

"All good I hope. Please call me Bella."

"Of course, but only if you call me George, Bella. I'm not much for formalities."

He let out a light chuckle. I'd heard the name McCarty before although I couldn't quite place it yet. This man seemed very personable though, and I already knew I would like him very much.

I had always known the Masens' had an incomprehensible amount of money. Their house in Seattle was much larger and grander than my own in Forks. The house in Forks was also more upscale than any other in the town. Mr. Masen owned other properties scattered across the country. Alice particularly liked visiting the one in Rochester, New York. Before moving to Washington permanently the Masens' resided in Chicago. Therefore this was truly their first family home. I had expected it to be fancy just like the other two that I had seen.

I wasn't disappointed. The two-story home was exquisite just as I had anticipated. George pulled the motor car around to the back of the house and I noticed a smaller building set back from the main house. I assumed they must be servant quarters. On the east side I could see stables and another small building for the motorcar.

When we stopped two young men came scurrying across toward us to unload and carry our bags. They were in a separate motorcar that had followed us from the train station. I stood on the back lawn gaping up at the back of the huge house.

"What do you think?" asked Alice grabbing a hold of my hand next to me.

I turned to look at her but saw Edward instead standing behind her. He was smiling and I suddenly felt very foolish. Here I was standing and staring open mouthed at his home while they all watched me. I had never felt so poor in my life. I could feel my cheeks becoming hot but I didn't have time to dwell on my embarrassment because Alice was pulling me along behind her and toward the side door in no time.

The inside of the house looked much like the other family homes I had seen. The decoration was simple and elegant. All the rooms were larger than they would be in a normal home but nothing about the décor was overdone. Mrs. Masen was a very humble woman and her taste matched her personality perfectly.

Alice showed me around the house and then took me to my bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Masens' bedroom was on the ground floor. Mine was at the far end of the upstairs hallway. Alice would be next to me and then Edward would stay on the other side of her.

The room was much nicer than anything I had ever been accustomed to before. There was a large bed covered with a fluffy white comforter and dozens of fluffy pillows. I had a dresser for my clothes and a vanity. I was tracing my fingers along the edge of the fine wooden vanity pondering the cost of the item, when a knock startled me and I jumped around. The door had been left open and Edward was standing in the doorway.

"Sorry, I forgot you were so jumpy lately," he said not sounding sorry at all but rather amused instead.

"Come in," I said a little sharply and I turned around to start unpacking some of my things.

"I was wondering if you had plans for the rest of the afternoon?" he asked and I caught my breath, freezing still.

Edward wanted to know what I was doing. Why? I was contemplating this is my head when he interrupted my thought process.

"Bella?" he asked and I looked up to see him standing across from me on the other side of the bed. His look was puzzled.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "None that I know about."

I couldn't look at him. I was blushing profusely and it would only be worse if I looked up.

"Well…" he began, but then he stopped.

I risked a glance at him from under my eyelashes only to see that he was staring at his shoes. His hands were in his pockets and he was kicking his feet back and forth at each other. This was unlike Edward's usual behavior. He was always polished and poised. Then he looked at me.

If I thought that I was red before, this couldn't have compared. Here I was, just outwardly staring at him and now he was staring back. I wanted to look away, but something wouldn't let me.

"Bella," he whispered softly, so softly that I could barely make out that it was my name rolling off his tongue.

My knees were starting to buckle. Why wouldn't he look away? I could feel all my blood rushing to my head, and for a moment I felt like passing out.

A sudden noise distracted us both. "Ahem," the sound of a throat clearing from the doorway. I jumped, as I often do. Edward merely looked away from me and toward the entry. There stood a maid servant for the house. She was an older woman, in her 50's it looked like.

"Edward, I believe your father wants to speak with you in the drawing room. Why don't you run along and I'll help Miss Swan unpack her belongings?" Her voice was sharp and cold. I wasn't exactly sure what she disapproved of, but it was made clear that Edward and I should not be having this kind of moment alone in my bedroom. I didn't want Edward to leave me alone with her, and I wished I could beg him to please stay.

"Of course Mrs. Trent, you're right. I agree that I better not keep my father waiting." With that Edward bowed his head toward me. "Miss Swan," he stated formally, but one corner of his mouth was turned up in a grin hidden to the maid.

I was taken aback by his formal use of my name. With a swift motion and not another glance he had glided out of the room leaving myself and the maid alone.

I hoped that the maid would leave, but she only stepped further into the bedroom. "Here Miss Swan, let me help you get your things," she offered moving toward my bag.

"It's quite alright. I can unpack it all myself," I assured her without trying to sound ungrateful.

I could tell that Mrs. Trent had apparently worked for the Masens' for many years. Edward addressed her formally which showed a great sign of respect. I assumed quickly that she must be in charge of the other house servants, almost a manager of the property in sorts. My face must have given me away because she guessed my contemplations.

"My name is Abigail Trent," she said as she unpacked one of my simple country dresses. "I've worked for the Masen family since I was a young girl. I manage the house and my husband, Marcus, manages the grounds. If you ever need anything, Miss Swan, please do not hesitate to ask me. There are three other maid servants in the house, so I can assure you that anything you ask can be done."

I nodded my thanks. Her voice was more pleasant now as she helped me unpack and put away my things. She began to strike up a conversation.

"That Edward certainly has grown up over the years. I remember the day he was born and now look at him, almost a grown man. He can hardly walk down the street anymore without all the girls swooning left and right over him."

She looked up at me. I could feel her staring, but I looked instead at the stockings I was folding. My cheeks felt hot, and then I heard her chuckle. So she was not mad about the lack of properness from her earlier encounter between Edward and me? Instead, she was amused? Now I felt thoroughly embarrassed. Even the hired servants were laughing at my silly notions and actions when Edward was around. Maybe she had interrupted us so quickly because she could see that I was about ready to faint? My blush was constantly giving away my emotions.

"A fine young man he has become too," she added. I looked at her then and she smiled at me warmly. "Good afternoon Miss Swan. Let me know if I can accommodate you in any way." She turned on her heel to exit the room.

"Thank you Mrs. Trent. Please, do call me Bella won't you?"

"Miss Bella," she said turning around and nodding at me from the doorway.

I breathed a sigh of relief when she was gone and the awkward conversation had ended. I was about to sit down on the bed and rest for a moment when my third visitor made her appearance at the door.

"Bella," Alice shouted. "What's wrong? You're all jumpy, and you look tired," she stated staring at my quizzically from the doorway.

"You people sure don't believe in privacy, do you?" I said perhaps a little coldly.

Alice did not register my tone and continued happily, "Well then you should close your door silly. That's beside the point though right now. I wanted to invite you out, unless you're too tired that is."

"Out? I'd love to see the city Alice, but I would also love to take a nap. I'm not sure if I'm up for an outing right now."

"Oh," said Alice looking down. "That's fine then. I'll go tell Edward you're tired. It was all his idea, this outing." She looked up at me and I couldn't help but give her what she wanted.

"Give me a few minutes to straighten up, is that alright?"

Alice smiled triumphantly. "Of course it is. I'll meet you in the foyer," she said as she bounced back down the hallway and out of sight.

I probably gave myself away to Alice when I agreed to go with her only after I knew Edward was going. I wondered for a moment what Alice would think of Edward and myself? She had never before looked down on me for my lack of wealth and social standing, but would her kindness carry over when it was her brother's heart that was on the line? I convinced myself it didn't matter because there was never a chance for Edward and me to be anything more than friends, if we were even really that.

I looked toward the vanity to find my hair another tangled mop. I ran a brush through it from top to bottom and then retied my white ribbon in a fresh bow to keep it out of my eyes. Then I glanced down at my dress.

It was simple, a light white cotton with a lacy collar and a sash that tied in the back. Well, I thought, I can at least retie the bow. I pulled my white stockings up so they were straight and then let out a sigh. I looked like such a child. Girls in the city didn't wear dresses like this. City girls are sophisticated and lady like. And all this white was washing out my pale complexion. I looked like a porcelain china doll in rags.

"Ready?" asked Alice reappearing at the doorway, happy as usual. "You're taking too long. Hurry."

I glanced at Alice and nearly started to cry seeing her. She looked anything but simple. She was wearing the same silk white shirt and long blue skirt from earlier. She'd topped her head with a gorgeous hat, however. It was a charcoal gray in color with blue feather accents and a white ribbon. She must've seen my expression because she rolled her eyes upward and placed the palm of her hand under the brim.

"Like it?" she asked enthusiastically? "It's bright and sunny outside; you'd better wear your hat too. You brought one, didn't you?" she added with realization finally in her voice.

I nodded and pulled out my small brimmed straw hat with the navy ribbon. It wasn't an old hat, and it always served its good purpose back in Forks, back in the country. I knew Edward was waiting on me so I pulled myself together and reached for my hat pin, carefully setting it on my head and running the pin through from one side to the other.

"Let's go," I said determinately. "I'm ready to see the big city of Chicago."