Sorry for any historical inaccuracies. My U.S. history is bit rusty, to say the least. And I find no point in doing a Bella POV of what happened in the last chapter, so...here you go. Reviews really do encourage me to keep on writing, so please be kind and give me that little push so I can write faster for you guys...Forgot to metion this in the previous chapter, but here it is:

I do not own Twilight. Unless my fairy godmother decided to be nice to me...

CHAPTER 2

BPOV

I must have been to deep in thought, because I was startled into reality by my mother's loud ahem. I looked around the dining room where we were having our breakfast, as if noticing it for the first time. The gargantuan room was eerily quiet, save for the occasional scrape against dishes, and even that was a dim echo, seeing as Aunt Josephine's table stretched for what seemed to be a mile. Other than the sheer largness of the place, it was rather pleasant, done in pastel colors and fragrant with flowers.

My mother cleared her throat again, distinctly irritated at my lack of attention. I lowered my head, blushing profusely.

"Will you please pass me the marmalade, Isabella. It seems you are still a tad tired after the late hour we returned from the ball." She said, glaring pointedly in my direction. I averted my eyes from her temperamental gaze, staring at a painting overhead. I knew she was cross with me when she called me by my entire name, but it was a rage that I did not feel like facing this morning. Especially when today, when I would get to see Jasper.

The very memory of Jasper Whitlock sent a tingling sensation across my entire body. I was still in utter disbelief that someone of his perfection would prefer me above the other beautiful women that roamed the grounds of Mrs. Hammond's Spring Ball. The way his honey blond hair fell slightly above his eyes, his tall lean body towering over me and the deep, calming blue of his gaze... not to mention the complete ease I felt around him. Around other gentlemen I was tounge tied and blushing, making an utter fool of myself. But Jasper managed to make me feel so calm, as if he would never laugh at me if I was blushing ten new shades of red or stammering for words in abscence of coherent thought.

"The girl is young, Renee. Let her have some good times while she can. It will not be long before she is wed." Aunt Josephine interrupted my distant thoughts. Her voice was thin and crackling, the strain of her health apparent in her strained speech.

"But she is still not to ignore me, Auntie. I am still her mother and she will need to pay attention when I am addressing her." My mother said, hissing the words out through gritted teeth. I knew that her comment was not directed at Aunt Josephine, but at me.

No longer feeling like bearing the oppresing weight of my mother's temper, I decided to tell her of my plans for the day before she threw another fit.

Clearing my throat and gathering whatever scraps of courage I had at my diposal, I began.

"I actually met a very nice young man at the ball last night, Mother. He is Jasper Whitlock, and he cordially and amicably invited me for a stroll around the park this afternoon. I felt it only right to accept his offer." I said carefully, gauging her facial expressions as the words left my mouth.

She did not turn red with anger. She did not shoot daggers in my general direction. In fact, she smiled.

A very calculating, sinister smile.

Upon seeing her uncanny reaction, my eyes darted to Aunt Josephine. The elderly woman was not paying attention to our conversation, lost in her memories. Her thin, white hair shined in the beams of sunlight that streamed through the windows, lighting up her weathered face. Her gaze saw nothing in particular, for she had been transported to another time, far from the dining room her body resided in.

Fearful, I trained my gaze back upon my mother, whom had managed to compose her features from the wolfish look that had previously been there.

"Of course you may acompany Mr. Whitlock to the park, Bella. I'm sure he is a complete gentleman. Just be sure to arrive before dinner." She drawled out smoothly. Too smoothly. I eyed my mother again as she smiled pleasantly at me, taking a sip of her orange juice. She knew something thst I clearly had no knowledege of.

Still staring at my mother, I excused myself, using the pretext of getting ready for my walk with Jasper to escape the mischevious gleam in mother's eyes. I traisped off the dining room and ambled my way up the squeaky stairs to my room. It was small albeit charming. There was a large window on one side, facing the bustling streets of the city. The bed was soft and plush, and the decorations simple and practical.

I sighed, glancing momentarily at the clock that stood on my vanity. It was one hour until noon. I ordered for a shower immediately and took a quick yet thurough bath, basking in the freesia sent tehy had applied to the water. I let my hair down to let it dry as the maid helped me dress. I dressed in a simple light blue cotton dress, fitted with a white ribbon around the middle. I applied some perfume, knowing my mother would throw a fit if I did not at least comply in that manner and rushed downstairs, realizing that Jasper would be here at any moment.

Just as I tripped my way down the stairs, there was a knock on the door. As I safely made it downstairs I could hear my mother speaking with him. Even his voice was attractive, such a smooth speech with a hint of a Southern drawl that was oddly pleasant.

"I am here to take a walk with Bella, Mrs. Swan. I do hope it it not of any inconvenience to you." He said as I approached the two of them. My mother seemed relaxed and calm, not the least bit malevolent as she had looked in the dining room only a while ago. It seemed Jasper had that effect on people.

"It is such a pleasure to meet such a gallant young man as yourself, Mr. Whitlock. I do not find young men of your morale often these days, it seems." she said, looking at him pleasantly.

"Oh, not at all, Mrs. Swan. I am quite sure that there are many other respectable young men out there for the ladies. And speking of the ladies, I think Bella has just overheard that her chances at finding respectable suitors are looking quite glum." He said with a smile.

I beamed back at him, taking in his beauty. His tousled hair, his warm eyes and not to mention how illicitly good he looked in his suit. I stepped forward, only to trip on my dress.

I closed my eyes and sucked a deep breath, readying myself for the fall when I felt a pair of strong arms catch me and hold me securely in their grasp. I stilled, slowly opening my eyes to see Jasper hover over me, an amused expression on his face.

I blushed as he set me upright, holding onto my hand slightly longer before letting go. My mother glanced between Jasper and me, an unreadable look on her eyes. Sighing, I said my goodbyes and took Jasper's arm as we stepped outside.

I felt a current of electricity pass through my fingertips and spread throughout my body as I held on to Jasper. The park was only a few minutes away, and the day was clear and sunny, though still unbearibly hot. Carts and carriges shot past us, people of all types rushed through the streets and sidewalks. In all, it was a very busy day for many. But I couldn't seem to distract myself with alll the commotion going on around me from Jasper's eyes. He looked at me the whole way to the park, smiling as I blushed under his attention.

We did not have much of an opportunity to speak on the way because of all the commotion, but once we made it to the park, I felt like we had entered another realm. It was much quieter here, and the shade was a relief from the scorching sun. Trees were abundant in the park, as were the many different flowers planted here and there along the winding gravel path.

"It is so much more quiet here. You would not think there was such activity only a little farther away." I said as we began our journey through the enchanting park.

"True, but it is a relief from the constant noise of the city. And the beauty of nature, though not natural, is still worth the walk." He said, a distant look in his eyes.

"You never did tell me much about yourself yesterday evening. I would like to know more of the mysterious Jasper Whitlock." I said teasingly, smirking a bit as I said it.

He grinned, and I felt myself melt at his warm smile. The man could make me melt with just smile!? Things were progressing differently from what I had thought.

"Well, my parents are originally from Georgia, but they moved to Houston decades ago, before I was born. My father made his fortune in the oil business and set up his own company. I am currently planning on attending college and study history or something of that manner, if I had any say in it. But my father insists that I take over the family business after he retires." He said, frowning as he told me that last bit. I felt him sadden at the prospect of not choosing his career. I felt so much empathy for him, as if his misfortunes were my own.

"But no matter with that for now. And now I truly do believe your comment from the previous night, Bella." He said with a small smile.

Confused, I asked, "What did I say?"

His smile widened, and I felt myself having the same reaction I had just had a few minutes ago. "You said you were quite clumsy. I think I might need to be much more careful aorund you now, in fear that you will fall down at any given moment."

I blushed after gathering my thoughts, recalling my fall from earlier. "It is quite the habit, I must admit. Though it is one that I neither enjoy nor will be able to be rid of."

He laughed, and it was infectuous, for I soon joined him. The rest of our walk continued in the same manner, and we learned more of eachother. I found that I wanted to know everything possible about Jasper Whitlock, to dig deeper into this marvelous man's life. As he walked me home and said his goodbyes, I felt something tug at my heart. As I made my way upstairs to prepare for dinner, feelings I couldn't put words into were whirling within me. As I ate my meal, the realization of these feelings made me stop, fork in mid air, and both feel a thrill of excitement and a torrent of dread for what was occuring.

I was falling for Jasper Whitlock.

Sorry if this is slow so far, but it's going to get better...please drop a review. I would greatly appreciate it!