Thank you for your comments, I'm happy you're enjoying this story so far. :)

Thanks to Mackenzie L. for being an awesome beta; for her time, patience and for the great banner she made for this fic.

Hope this story will keep you entertained while I work on the others.

Enjoy :)

Chapter II

The Most Prominent Spinster in Vienna

Carlisle stirred the silver spoon into his cup of tea completely oblivious to the conversation ongoing between his mother and Sulpicia. He was a little uncomfortable from the suggestive looks, indecent smiles, and complex fan flirting Renata was giving him.

Tea time had always been Carlisle's favorite part of the day. A peaceful time to enjoy a good book while having cupcakes without being told what to do or say. It was his time. Though in Corfu, it had turned into the most uncomfortable hour of the day…along with dinner and lunch.

The whole scenario was unsettling to him.

His mother, Renata's mother, and Renata herself were sitting at the table with him. All three women were expecting him to court Renata, and yet his mind was wandering on the beach, thinking about the stunning farm girl he'd met days before.

"Is his Highness enjoying the seaside?" Renata suddenly asked as the voices of his mother and Sulpicia noticeably lowered to pay attention to his answer. He felt both women's gazes land upon him.

Six feminine pairs of eyes were suddenly burning Carlisle, waiting for a spoken answer… or a marriage proposal. One more time his hands went to hide under the table, wringing nervously at the situation.

"Very much, Renata." He finally answered, catching a glimpse of Sulpicia and his mother by the corner of his eyes. They looked exceedingly happy, so in order to keep both women content, he decided to continue the conversation. "The location is extremely beautiful. I believe no summer palace can compare."

There. He had spoken. Did he need to say something else? Perhaps mention something about the weather? Carlisle pressed his lips together, as if that could save him from having to speak more. He didn't have the ability of conversing easily with people; even his mother knew this.

"Carlisle has been enjoying riding along the shore." Didyme remarked, taking a sip from her cup.

"Our stables are the finest." Sulpicia added, leaving her cup on the saucer with a soft clinking sound. "I ordered our best horses to be brought from Austria."

"They are the finest, your Majesty." Carlisle complimented her, filling the empress with pride.

His eyes then moved to observe Renata. She was beautiful - not like Esme - but beautiful after all. Maybe when they married, they would enjoy the beach together. "Does her highness enjoy strolling down the seaside?" Carlisle asked Renata, in the hopes of discovering a little more about her diversions.

"Not as much as I wish." She replied politely. "It's always too hot. The sand and the salty breeze ruin the skin and unfortunately dry out my hair."

Sulpicia shifted on her chair, a little uncomfortable by her daughter's candid answer.

"It's not something a princess would enjoy at all." Didyme interrupted, noticing the slip. "It wasn't something I enjoyed myself when I was your age." She told Renata.

A deep hole of disappointment grew wider in Carlisle's chest. He wished his future wife wouldn't be preoccupied about those frivolous matters... but then which woman wasn't that way?

"Indeed, Didyme," The Empress continued speaking. "None of my daughters are allowed to visit the sea side. It's forbidden to them. Not only does the sun harm their skin, but the sand ruins their dresses."

"Oh! " Dydime's expression suddenly changed. "I would love to meet your other daughters, Sulpicia."

Carlisle looked down at his half-empty cup of tea. The idea of being surrounded by more Renatas only stressed him. He was about to lift his cup again when he felt something touching his shoe. His stupor was immense when he realized it was her: Renata. He lifted his eyes to look at her, and there she was, sitting across the table, quietly giggling behind her fan and brushing her foot against his.

God save him. Not knowing what to do, he quickly hid his feet under his chair.

What was wrong with women nowadays?

"I would love to introduce my daughters to you." Sulpicia smiled at Didyme's request. "But I'm afraid they are occupied by their lessons during this time of the season." She spoke in the hopes that Didyme would drop the idea as her daughters were known to be exceptionally beautiful, drawing the attention of men in a blink. This was something she wanted to avoid happening with Carlisle. Sulpicia wanted her eldest daughter to be the only one to capture his attention.

"Well, we'll invite them to England when the season changes." Didyme gave a look at his son. "A ball would be a wonderful opportunity for them to make acquaintances in the court."

It was obvious to Carlisle that his mother was referring to the much anticipated Engagement ball; the Engagement-to-Renata ball.

Sulpicia looked pleased at Didyme's invitation. It was just what she had been expecting, almost a confirmation to the much promised union between her daughter and Carlisle . "We'll be delighted to attend."

"My sisters are going to be charmed." Renata blabbered in excitement at the prospect of her ball, and to Carlisle's luck, she completely forgot about playing with his foot.

Once again the three women began to converse amongst themselves, and he was left in much desired peace.

o)O(o

As soon as breakfast was over, Carlisle changed his clothes into more modest attire, and galloped his horse quickly towards the place he had been meeting with Esme days before.

As usual, her golden horse was there tied to the tree, but that morning she was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, he went to stand under its shade and tied his horse next to hers.

"Good morning, Edward."

Her voice made him look up at the tree. She was sitting on one of the branches, looking down at him. The view immediately stole a smile from him. She was indeed unique.

"Good morning, Esme."

She jumped off the branch with such grace and swiftness that it made him think she had done it several times before. They stood there for quite a few seconds before he offered his arm to her and she took it.

"No impulsive swimming today, Edward." She gestured her unwillingness to swim the way they did, as he led her on a stroll under the morning sun.

Carlisle laughed at her comment. "No impulsiveness at all, only conversing."

"I enjoy conversing." She smiled at him and Carlisle couldn't help but smile too. It was undeniable to him that she was his source of joy. Only to be in her company felt wonderful to him, and the best part was that he felt he could freely speak his mind to her. There was something in her that made Carlisle overcome his reservation and shyness.

"Would you tell me about yourself, Miss Esme?" He rapidly asked, wanting to know more about her, about her modest life.

"About me?" Esme felt a little uncomfortable at the idea of having to reveal who she was, so she decided to avoid having to touch the compromising subject. "Well," She paused before speaking, thinking a good, honest answer. "I am the fourth of six children. I like literature, music, I paint quite often, and I love cupcakes and tea."

Beaming, Carlisle turned to look at her. "Cupcakes?"

She laughed. "Yes. What about you, Sir Edward?"

"I like cupcakes, too," Carlisle chuckled, and she couldn't avoid laughing, too.

It was ridiculous how their dynamic developed, but it felt worthy and wholesome to both. "I like literature; I have a large collection of books." Carlisle spoke, smiling little. He was suddenly wishing he could take her to his library at Windsor Castle. She would love it. "I also have a small collection of paintings."

"Oh, you are a collector." Esme tilted her head to the side, bearing a sweet smile. In that moment, her hair was touched by the delicate breeze, and the reflection of the sun made her eyes glisten…

It suddenly entranced him.

Carlisle stopped walking to look at her. Not only did he feel comfortable in Esme's company, but he suddenly recognized himself as being deeply attracted to her. "I beg your pardon if my words sound bold to you but…" He swiftly refrained from speaking his mind - Carlisle wasn't that way. "I'm sorry…" Fearfully, he looked away from her. "Nevermind."

Esme shook her head. "What is it?"

He looked at her. Carlisle wasn't exactly a person who spoke his emotions with ease, much less to a lady, but Esme seemed to bring out a different side of him. "You are," he confessed with awkwardness, "truly beautiful." He found the courage to look her in the eyes - those intimidating caramel saucers. "The most beautiful lady I have ever seen." In just a phrase, Carlisle felt he had gained a self-confidence he didn't think he possessed. For the first time in all his life, he didn't look away from a girl.

Instead, Esme was the one who looked away, stunned by his compliment. Her face was burning, and he could see it. It was exactly the way his face looked when he blushed. She timidly smiled as her eyes made an effort to meet his. Her reaction was the sweetest thing he had ever seen.

"Thank you." She drew her lower lip into her mouth before speaking her mind, too. "You are beautiful, too, but I'm afraid I'm not supposed to say it."

Carlisle chuckled. He knew his face was burning, too, but he felt so different from when he was with Renata. No woman besides his mother had ever dared to compliment him. Most of the ladies only sought to catch his eye, and they expected to be flirted with and lavished in compliments. But Esme... she had simply complimented him. No flirting or lavishing. No chasing afterthePrince.

"Thank you." He gave her a timid smile, and as a result of having surmounted that shyness, Carlisle boldly took her hand.

Esme's heart pounded faster at the feeling, but then her fingers curled so easily among his. Their hands fitted perfectly, as if they had been made to be that way. And the touch, even though it was so innocent, sent the most scorching wave of heat to them both. It felt new and wonderful to both of them, and it was as if some sort of connection had suddenly attached them to each other forever.

"May I walk with you down the shore?" Carlisle asked, but his question bore more desires and longings than what he truly said.

Esme's response also carried much more than what she merely pronounced. "You may."

o)O(o

That evening, Esme laid back on a futon in the parlor. The glass doors of the balcony were opened, allowing the summer breeze to come in. While calm and comfortable, she laid looking up at the golden chandelier that was hanging high above. With her legs crossed together and her bare feet resting on the arm of the futon, her mind couldn't stop thinking about Edward.

Her heart skipped a beat whenever she quietly pronounced his name. The softness of his hand was something amazing; she could still feel it in her palm. She sighed in the most romantic manner, so full of love for that wonderful young man.

Jane was sitting by Esme's side on her usual armchair with her nose buried in a book. She was unaware of Esme's sighs, but extremely alert to her older sisters' trivial conversations. Renata, Heidi and Corin were in the parlor as well, giggling and chit-chatting the way they always did.

"He likes to stare at me all the time," Renata told the other girls. "His gaze is so profound…"

"Has he held your hand?" Thrilled to know more, Corin moved to the edge of her chair.

"Not yet." Renata's expression showed disappointment. "But he offered his arm to me when we walked down the gardens along with Mamma and the Queen…" She began to whisper. "I touched his shoe with my slipper under the table."

Heidi and Corin gasped with disturbing exaggeration.

"You're so impudent, Renata" Jane suddenly dropped her book, a little irritated. "Now he is going to want more." The blonde girl stared at her sister very seriously.

"Pardon me?" Renata looked taken aback.

Esme's attention suddenly landed on Jane's words. She covered her mouth to avoid a smile. Unlike Jane, it was very easy for Esme to laugh or smile at almost everything.

"He is going to want to kiss you," Jane opened her intimidating eyes at Renata, who was suddenly terrified. "…and he might even want to slip into your bedchamber during the night." Her words were chilling to the older girls, but to Esme, it was hilarious. "He is probably going to cover your mouth, and you won't be able to scream for help…"

Heidi and Corin's eyes grew wider, and Renata remained still at Jane's awful warning.

Not being able to hold it in any longer, Esme curled in the futon, cracking up.

"Are you laughing at us?" Renata admonished Esme, who was having a difficult time trying to conceal her laugher from the rest.

"I'm sorry." Esme tried quickly to compose herself, sitting straight on the futon.

"Esme is jealous." Corin commented indignantly. "She is jealous because she is never going to be able to fill her locket with pictures."

Esme's smile quickly faded, knowing well that her sisters were about to pick on her.

"Esme is the only one who is going to have an empty locket." Heidi followed Corin in the meanest of all songs. "She is going to be a spinster." The girls spoke at the same time.

Esme's fingers suddenly curled around the small locket she was wearing around her neck - the locket Carlisle had saved from getting lost in the sea - which had been a present from their father. Each one of the girls had received one, and each girl was supposed to place inside of her locket one photograph of their husband and one of their first child.

Unfortunately, the present had caused a competition between the sisters. Renata had already jealously placed the picture of her future husband inside. Heidi and Corin cut the faces of royals out of an old newsprint and put them inside, too, claiming they would marry the handsome princes they hadn't even met. Even Jane had placed a picture of herself and her Greyhound, clearly stating that she preferred to marry her dog rather than a man.

Esme was the only one who had an empty locket; it remained silver inside just as it was on the outside, and that never bothered her - not until Heidi, Corin or Renata reminded her about it. They did it every once in a while, and it was hard to listen to those words when Esme secretly wanted to fall in love and have many beautiful babies.

Renata rose from her armchair and immediately went to sit on the futon with Esme, taking her sister's hands in hers. "Don't worry Esme, I can assure you that you will be the most prominent spinster in Vienna."

Heidi and Corin giggled, and Jane rolled her eyes. Sometimes Renata made her idiocy shine.

"Esme,"Jane interrupted, knowing well it was time to make Esme feel better. "A present from Alec arrived while you were out this morning."

Esme's gloomy expression changed into a soft smile. "He sent us something?"

As the youngest brother and only son of the Empress, Alec received an isolated education that kept him separated from his sisters. Just like their father, the consort Emperor, he was hardly ever seen, but whenever he could, the boy would enjoy spending some time with his sisters, especially with Jane and Esme.

"It's the most boring present ever!" Corin complained as she went to stand in front of a mirror, measuring her waist with her hands. "I don't know what Alec was thinking when he sent that thing."

"He sent us a telescope," Jane explained.

Esme smiled. It was very characteristic of Alec to send intellectual presents.

"Why would we need a telescope?" Heidi went to stand besides Corin, ready to compare the size of her waist. "He should send dresses, hats…" Heidi continued speaking.

"And pearls!" Corin giggled, jumping excitedly.

"Maybe he sent it so we will be able to see him across Europe." Renata commented very seriously. "He must feel quite lonely in Vienna."

Esme and Jane exchanged amused glances. How someone could be so unintelligent was something unexplainable.

"Of course," Jane agreed with the usual condescending tone she used to speak to her sisters. "In fact, I believe that telescope will also help you to see your future husband once he goes back to London. You will even be able to wave hello to him."

Renata covered her mouth, trying to suppress a choke of excitement.

Esme only shared another glance with Jane.

"The future Queen of England." Jane suddenly waved her hand towards Renata in the most sarcastic manner.

But Esme's heart couldn't avoid feeling happy for her sister. "What is he like?" She asked Renata, who started to fan herself with her hands.

"Oh, Esme!" She almost choked. "He is just so beautiful."

"Why don't you just show us his picture?" Corin pointed at Renata's neck where her locket hung.

"Oh, no!" Renata suddenly moved away, covering the locket with her palm, as if afraid someone would steal the man of her dreams from her. "Mother said I mustn't, besides…" She smiled to herself. "He would be a temptation to all of you."

Jane snorted. "Oh, thank you saving us from hell, Renata."

Renata turned around to secretly open her locket and admire the young man inside. Carlisle.

"You must love him dearly." Esme observed at her sister's peculiar protectiveness.

"Of course not!" Renata quickly closed her locket and turned around. "But it doesn't matter because I will be getting married!" She tried to contain a shriek of pleasure that Heidi and Corin gave in her place. The room was suddenly filled with their ungodly screeches.

But Esme wasn't content with her sister's words. How could Renata marry someone she didn't love, just for the sake of being married?

"It's Renata." Jane replied to Esme as if reading her mind. Both girls glanced at their older sisters, gathering for a new chat. "But if you ask me, I wouldn't be that eager." Jane continued. "I don't believe he is going to propose to her."

Esme suddenly turned to look at Jane.

Without looking at Esme, Jane grabbed her book and resumed reading.

Esme looked surprised at the news. "What are you saying?" She whispered.

Jane raised an eyebrow, turning the pages of her book. "I believe the Crown Prince has made a new acquaintance."

Esme opened her mouth to ask Jane how she had gotten that information since their mother had banned them from reading newpapers, but then she refrained. Jane always managed to break the strictest rules in the brashest ways.

"You should try the telescope." Jane spoke as she buried her nose deeper in her book. "It's in our room, and it's a fabulous device."

Next chapter will come out pretty soon. Again, thanks for reading :)