I have been so useless at the moment with updates. Deepest apologies!

I need to do a little bit of advertising, I have found a wonderful pastime along with writing fanfictions and that is roleplaying. Specifically roleplaying characters from the Twilight Universe.

My wonderful friend 'xMoonChild' runs a role play named 'Beyond Twilight: Pack NG' where we are looking for writers/members of fanfiction to take a character/s to role play. Role playing is a fantastic way to meet new people, improve your writing skills and give a much needed distraction to the humdrum of real life. If you are interested in joining or just to know more about role playing please PM me and I will be happy to answer any questions.

Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight and character names. All plot lines, backgrounds, characterizations, and details belong to JigsawRose. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written authorization. 2013 JigsawRose. All rights reserved.

-Bella-

After a restlessness night I was preoccupying myself with reading Lady Alice's book which she had allowed me to read when we were on the train. I was prepared to finish it before giving it back to her. Conversations were occurring around me, I was oblivious to them. The Duchess had managed to get herself a little merry last night, stating that she had a fine evening. I wished that I could say the same. Lady Alice had been strangely solemn today, as well.

"Wasn't Mrs Chancellor's gown beautiful last night? Oh I wish there was a way I could have such clothing of my own." Anne exclaimed, she had been talking to us all consistently for the past hour, I had managed to glance at the clock at every moment I could wishing so much that time would go past faster.

"There is a Mr Wilton here, ma'am." The servant announced disturbing his mistress' conversation. I looked up from my book and gazed at Anne, her mouth formed in a circle as she contemplated silently on what to do.

"Send him in, Moseley…Send him in." Anne commanded, adjusting her hair as she stood from the couch. Lady Alice's eyes gazed to the floor as she put down her sewing on the arm of her chair. The Duchess stood rather clumsily, her headache had not quite subsided from the wine last night and to be honest there was something strangely pleasant about experiencing her silence. I placed down my book and stood up myself, clutching the book in both my hands in front of me.

"I must apologize for the intrusion ma'am-" a dark haired, handsome man entered the room, bowing at us in greeting.

"Oh please do not apologize for wanting to see us, what do you require, sir?" Anne interrupted eagerly curtseying on the spot where Lady Alice and I followed in our own silent greetings.

"I wanted to inquire after the daughter of the Duchess. Madam." Mr Wilton greeted the Duchess who nodded her head once in acknowledgement.

"Alice is right here, sir. Oh you must have been at the ball last night, was he the very person you were talking to near the end, Alice? I was so sure that it was you!"

"Yes, Anne. Mr Wilton." Lady Alice curtsied again to the Gentleman.

"Lady Alice, I should like to take you out for a walk around the town. It is a rather pleasant day outside and it is very rare that we have good weather here."

I looked to my Lady, contemplating her reaction. After her heartache at being away from Jasper, I was surprised with the chance she was now facing. I knew that she would want to wish the young man away just so that her mother did not have the opportunity to start town gossip. With that being said, I could sense that Lady Alice was feeling lonely and as much as she spoke to me otherwise, there were more advantages for her socially to be seen out with a Gentleman. Having only your maid and your mother for company does not seem to match in comparison with communication with a man, not to mention a potential suitor and husband.

"That is very kind, sir but I will only take up the offer if my help is not required here."

"Nonsense my love, go on and have a grand time!" Anne said, replying before the Duchess could open her mouth. "Your mother and I will amuse ourselves here, and your little maid here will not be any trouble to us."

Lady Alice's eyes rested on me, "Isabella, would you care to join us?"

"Isabella does not need to accompany you everywhere you go, Alice." The Duchess spoke and ultimately had the final word. There was no way that Lady Alice would argue with her mother, not when the relationship between the two of them was so temperamental as of late. I nodded at Lady Alice, not able to give her verbal confirmation. "Very well." Lady Alice who did not seem so enthused at the prospect of going out, slowly walked out of the room following Mr Wilton, who could not have looked more content at spending the day with my Lady.

"Oh a man wanting to spend time with little Alice. I never thought I would see the day. Such a reserved daughter you have, Elizabeth, it will do her such a wonder to be out with respectable company."

"My daughter is stubborn, Anne. I believe that my attempts at making her see how dangerous her independence is are completely in vain. No husband wants a wife who is outspoken, ready to willingly speak her mind; it will look like she will be unable to be controlled. A man must know that he has power; he must know that his wife will be there for him at every step of the marriage. That is why indeed we women make vows, after all."

As the Duchess spoke, I couldn't help but cast my mind on her marriage to the Duke. I assume since Esme's revelation that it cannot truly be happy. The marriage therefore only happy on appearance. This happiness created to prevent any gossip in the town about the validity of the marriage and the happiness of both parties. Esme watches the only man she has ever loved married to the Duchess and I wondered whether Carlisle longed anymore to be with Esme. Can a love so strong last for years and years even if a decision were made to abolish all connection between the couple. I had wondered why Esme had not been allowed to marry the Duke, whether it was only her lower class that proved to be an abomination. Did the Duke ever think about Esme when he had retired to bed? Does he speak of love to the Duchess?

"Good morning mama." I almost dropped the book in my hands as Edward appeared in the room. Anne's face dropped and she stood back up again straightening out her dress. "Please do not trouble yourselves, I asked the servant that there was no need for an announcement."

"Edward, we were not expecting you until this evening. Whatever is the matter?" The Duchess asked, her voice suddenly laced with concern.

"Nothing at all mama. Anastasia was enquiring after Isabella this morning and she was very eager to invite her and Alice out for the day."

"Oh that is very thoughtful, Edward, but your sister has another engagement, Mr Wilton came around to pick her up for a day out, himself." Anne informed Edward, sitting back down on the chair. "Please let me call for some more tea, you must be parched, Edward."

"No tea for me. Well, if my sister is no longer available to come with us, then I would like to take Isabella out."

My eyes finally met his, I swallowed knowing that the Duchess was going to be ready to oppose to such a suggestion. I was not treated like a servant in this house but, no one had treated me as an equal, either. "Why do you wish to take Isabella out Edward? Why do you not invite me?"

"Isabella's invitation was not a request of mine. Anastasia was adamant that she is a very amiable young woman and wishes to know her better. Isabella, would you care to join us?"

I was already focusing on the way that Edward and I had finished speaking last night. I remembered how intense his gaze was and how for that one moment, I no longer felt like a maid under his family's employment, but a normal young woman, whose life situation was hidden beneath the beauty of her dress. I dare not look towards the Duchess, knowing that the look in her eyes will cause me to forget the fact that someone like me need not have such opportunities. Edward continued to look at me and I clutched the book tighter in my hands, feeling the gaze of everyone else in the room was making me extremely uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Edward but I do not think it would be proper-"

"Isabella, you need not be concerned with how my mother will react. I am asking for both myself and Miss Stanton, we would not wish to have your company if we did not ask for it. Mama, she cannot be kept here like a caged bird. That may be the way she has to be back at the house but Isabella is entitled to have some amusement here."

"Edward, I do not think that a maid should be out venturing in town when Alice may need her when she returns." This was what the Duchess did, once she had forbid me to accompany Alice, she then forbade me to spend time in Edward and Miss Stanton's company. Any way that she could stop me from gaining an idea that there could be finer things in the world for me, the Duchess would do it.

"Nonsense, I have no doubt that Alice would have wished to have Isabella by her side if she could. Please come, Isabella, there is much to be seen."

I hastily put down the book and walked over to Edward, there was silence in the room as I walked ahead of him and out of the room. I stepped into the foyer, my hands trembling as I clasped them in front of me, wishing that I had the book again for something to keep my hands occupied. I waited for Edward, who emerged from the room after a moment; I did not wish to think about what had happened as soon as I was away from the room. I did not need to witness disapproval from the Duchess, I could easily sense it.

Edward held the door out for me as I stepped out into the open air. The sun was shining brightly on the street ahead, Anastasia stood ahead, smiling widely as we made our way toward her.

"Hello Isabella, it's so lovely to see you again!" Anastasia exclaimed, eagerly taking her hands in mine. "Is Alice accompanying us as well, Edward?" she looked over my shoulder to address him.

"No, she is already engaged elsewhere." Edward stood beside me, his hands behind his back.

"Oh well that's no burden to us at all. I wanted so much to spend some time with Edward's family as much as possible and I hear many great things about you, Isabella." I fought the urge to look Edward's way; the temptation to question him about what had been said about me was suddenly lingering inside me. "I was inclined to take the family car but, we always like to walk as much as possible in the summer months. I have always liked walking, anyway. Please come." Anastasia linked her arm through mine and I followed her as we started to walk down the street.

It was a beautiful day with many people like us out enjoying the warmth of the sun and a few people bowed their heads in our direction as we passed them. I knew that such greeting was not meant for me, even if Alice had given me another dress to wear today. Strangely, I missed my uniform. My uniform gave me a sense of my true identity and without that, everything was questionable.

"So, Isabella tell me something that I don't know about you?" Anastasia asked me after a time.

"That depends on how much you have already been told." I replied.

"Alice and Edward say that you are staying with them for a while. Where do you and the rest of your immediate family reside?"

"In the same town. A woman named Sue, my late father's friend helps in running my father's farm whilst I am away for work."

"A farm? That sounds great. Do you own many animals; is there a large amount of land?"

"No, we do not have animals anymore because there are not enough labourers to look after them. We only grow vegetables to contribute to the harvest. A childhood friend of mine helps with the running of the labour."

"I am sure your farm would benefit from having some more people to help your friend."

"We do not make enough money to employ any more people."

Anastasia came to a stop, her arm loosened from mine. "I am sorry, I don't quite understand-"

"Isabella means that-" At the sound of Edward's voice, I sensed he was about to make an excuse for me. I seized the chance to stop him from doing so.

"I am not a cousin of the family's Miss Stanton. I am sorry if you feel deceived by this. The real reason why Lady Alice and Lord Edward wanted to keep my real identity a secret is because I am a member of their staff."

Anastasia looked to Edward behind me, "I am Lady Alice's maid, she wanted me to accompany her on this trip because of her mother's insistence on her daughter finding a husband. Lady Alice does not like to be dictated to, if anything she wanted me here so she could have someone to confide in. Being confided in is something that members of staff should not experience, it is against our code but being away from the house means different rules to abide to." I continued.

"Edward why did you not tell me about this?" Anastasia asked, her eyes still on Edward.

"Isabella deserved to be treated like an equal on this trip. My sister invited her without any opposition from our mother. Mama does not approve of the staff having the chance to see the world around them other than our house walls. Alice and I have always desired to treat the staff better, treat them like our father does."

Anastasia's eyes lowered to mine. I looked down at the floor, unable to look in her eyes. "Isabella I would never have treated you like a staff member either if I had known. Even my father does not like to show disrespect to the people who work for us. It seems our families are different. Our families show kindness."

"My Lord, I think I should go back to the house." I rubbed my hands along my arms and turned on my heel.

"No Isabella, wait please?" Miss Stanton placed a gentle hold on my elbow. "Do not feel embarrassed by this. If anything Edward owes me an apology." Anastasia shot a smile Edward's way. Clearly she was not angered by the revelation. I was beginning to see why Edward would be so taken with her. There were moments where Miss Stanton resembled Lady Alice. I found that comforting.

"I do apologize Lady Stanton. I do not have experience in such company, I fear that I may not be beneficial company for you both."

"Nonsense, you must allow me to be the judge of that. How about we go for tea?" Lady Stanton looked to Edward who still had his gaze on me. His eyes averted back to her and he flashed a crooked smile.

"Very well. With two ladies for company, a man cannot have much of a choice or a decent argument to relinquish him of his duties."

"Definitely not!" Lady Stanton linked her arm around his eagerly, "besides, us ladies must have some time to get acquainted properly. Please follow us, Isabella."

Unable to find an excuse to abstain the invitation, I followed my employer's son and his future fiancée to tea.