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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-

I stepped into the old nursery, surprised to find the room in a clean condition considering its neglect. I have been here a short duration however I had not ever been requested to clean here. Before walking into the middle of the room, I stopped and backed off to where came from. I cowered behind the door, merely peering around as I gazed upon Lord Edward with his back to me, his attention focused solely on the baby in his arms by the downward tilt of his head. He seemed to be singing or humming something but I was unable to make it out from where I was standing. I couldn't help but find Lord Edward the strangest kind of mystery. Previous experiences in his company were expressed as negative, sometimes even frightening and yet, presently he could not have been more attentive to what was happening in his family's estate if he tried. I wondered whether university life had proven to change his personality, that the very rich and privileged could afford to take the opportunity of a desirable education and learn from such situations that may alter their outlook to life. My father believed hard work was good for the soul, but he did not come from riches.

"Come in, Isabella." He spoke suddenly. I was amazed at how Lord Edward knew that I was standing in the doorway. I had not uttered a sound that is I hadn't unfortunately spoken out loud what I had been thinking. That could become an issue for me to face as my thoughts had undoubtedly been about my employer's younger son. Supposing we were allowed to voice such opinions on the family, it would indeed be frowned upon. Forming an opinion of your employers was similar to starting a friendship. Which comes down to the most important rule…Staff could not be friends with the upper classes.

I stepped into the room, slowly as if hunting my prey – I was unsure as to who was going to say something next but like any good servant I kept quiet. I watched Lord Edward's back turn, our faces meeting one another. He smiled as his eyes fell on me and then immediately went back to the baby in his arms. The baby looked more content in Lord Edward's arms than she had done in my own. Perhaps even in infancy she appreciated his obvious beauty the depth of his green eyes, the shine of his hair from the sunlight beaming from the large window behind him. I swallowed; I had allowed my thoughts to run away with me. There was not one maid downstairs who could find Lord Edward 'average'. It seemed he exceeded all expectations on just appearance alone.

"I was just thinking of a name for her, she must have a name if we are to find potential parents for her don't you agree, Isabella?"

"Yes, sir." I replied, suddenly grateful that I could push my thoughts on answering Lord Edward rather than focusing on his handsomeness. With another smile Edward made his way over to the chaise longue to the right hand side of the room, not far from the baby's crib. As he sat down I wished for something to lean on, I had the sneaky suspicion that my hands looked silly hanging helplessly at my sides. On the spur of the moment I put them in the pockets of my apron.

"I could call her by a name that has been passed down the family but, that would be the traditional thing to do. This little one is special to survive such turmoil at the hands of either one or both parents' abandonment. Do you have a middle name, Isabella?"

"Yes, sir. It is Marie."

"Marie?" Lord Edward contemplated this for a moment, never had my Christian name nor my middle name sounded appealing to me before as they did from the well-spoken young Lord. "Perhaps she can be called Eleanor Marie, and then she has an 'E' from me and an 'M' from you? Does she look like an 'Ellie', Isabella?"

"I think…That is…If you desire my opinion, sir then I do believe she looks very much like an 'Ellie'. Ellie suits her, sir."

"Indeed. Well that was very easy. I could not be easy until I found a second opinion. I can hear my mother's words now. 'Do not name the child, a name means that one should form an attachment'. Mama would not know of an attachment if it hit her in the face."

I couldn't answer Lord Edward in that moment. I had my suspicions of the Duchess as a mother figure after her cool reception of my story in finding the small baby in my arms downstairs moments ago. I would be out of my ear before I could do any packing and forced to find another position of work. Without the recommendations that so many staff members presently desire. Not all of us wish to be maids for the duration of our lifetimes.

"Please forgive me, Isabella. I have this habit of not thinking before verbalizing what is in my thoughts. It becomes a problem because of how those thoughts are taken. Have I made you feel inadequate?"

"No sir. I cannot have an opinion of what you have just said so, I must maintain my duty. I have had experience of inadequacy and feelings of embarrassment and this is not the same as they had been my Lord." I clasped my hands together in my apron pocket out of fear that I may have said too much.

Edward chuckled under his breath, "oh Isabella, I do feel for you in your situation here. Do you speak anything of what you feel? Do you have friends downstairs, confidants with whom you can share such thoughts?"

"There is only one I trust downstairs, sir. One that I would pray to the high heavens that kept my opinions to herself and within the four walls in which I have shared them. I believe deep down that she would not do me such disservice."

"Of whom do you speak?"

"Esme, Sir. The Duchesses' lady's maid."

"Still a lady's maid to mama is she? I would have thought she'd have been moved to another position in the house. With the most experience in the maintenance of the house she'd excel in any given task or role. Besides, with the situation with her and my father-" I frowned at the mention of the Duke and Esme in one sentence. Edward looked up in my eyes. "I have said too much. That is one of the family secrets, however, knowing of mama's demeanour towards her housemaid I know of all that has unfolded in these walls. With the two of them alone most of the day, there can be no witnesses to what really happens between mama and Esme. The tension they create.

I wasn't aware that Esme was anything else to her ladyship but a maid to help her dress and undress her in the mornings and evenings. Esme had never told me otherwise, either. Edward must have seen my dumfounded expression; I was making no effort to hide it after all.

"Come and sit here with me." I tightened my hands together in my apron, never had I been asked to sit beside a member of the family. What would Mrs Dwyer think of such incompetence? "No need to worry, Isabella. I am a member of the family, is it your duty to comply with all requests made of you?"

"Indeed, sir. If the requests are valid and there can be no harm to myself or to anyone else by my fulfilling them."

"There is no one else here, Isabella but myself and little Ellie. You look frightful standing there, alone and I wish to help you, your feet must ache." I was entirely too occupied by Lord Edward's words to notice that I had been standing still for a considerable amount of time. I was used to being on my feet, though – the pain disappeared with my determination to finish every task given. With a little reluctance I nodded, his lordship did ask me to care for the baby and it would not be improper for me to sit beside Edward. After all, with my next to him I could be overlooking the baby's welfare. That was the excuse I was to tell myself if her ladyship caught me in such close proximity with her son. I straightened out the back of my dress and sat down on the chaise longue peering my head down to see inside the warmer blanket that Ellie had now been wrapped in. The baby was sound asleep, her little tummy lifting and falling. I was happy that she had found solitude in two pairs of strangers' arms. Babies were so unpredictable in their natures at such a tender stage.

"Isn't she beautiful, Isabella?" I couldn't help but think that this moment was beautiful. Never had I felt such peace when I had taken a risk in sitting beside Lord Edward. Lord Edward's contented expression had not gone unnoticed either. I started to wonder at his natural ability to care for such a helpless human being. He certainly must have more of the Duke in him, I was glad that he had not gained his mother's clear disregard for personal happiness. I was convinced that Lord Edward was going to make an excellent father; perhaps surprising himself at how natural it comes to him, unless he has noticed he possesses such a skill.

"Yes, sir." I replied bringing my hands out of my apron pocket and placed them on my lap, still clasped together. I stared down at the floor letting the silence in the room wash over me.

"You look sad, Isabella. Pray where have you gone?"

"Nowhere, sir. It's just strange to be somewhere so quiet. Most days I can barely hear my thoughts in my own head. I'm used to that though, sir…Please do not misunderstand me."

"Please don't trouble yourself. I understand how you must always be hanging on tenterhooks with my family and me, staying quiet and completing all your jobs without complaint. However Isabella, I mean to make a deal with you – since you are to look after our little angel here until she can be found a loving home. A deal in which you can converse with me anything you desire, especially those thoughts of such a nature that can be troublesome to you and I will not tell my family. Would that help ease you? Knowing that you do not have to hold back all that you feel?"

"I would like nothing more, sir. However, if someone should overhear us then I fear my job here will end."

"Oh Isabella, you will never be cast out of this house in a hurry. My sister is besotted with you, my father is growing fond of you and I find you one of the most interesting creatures I have ever known. Actually you remind me of-" Edward stopped suddenly, bit down on his lip and looked down at Ellie once more. "No matter. I want to make this easier for you, Isabella in any way I can."

Edward looked up again and our eyes met. I saw in his eyes nothing but clearness, no emotion to indicate that he had an ulterior motive. Being a servant I had enough experience of knowing what eyes could express when words are not spoken. I observe a lot more than I express myself. I was lost in Lord Edward's eyes, I found myself knowing that Lord Edward could prove to be a troublesome thought that he himself was speaking of when making our deal, I considered myself ordinary whilst he interested me – fascinated me more than words could ever express, or indeed be allowed to come out of me at all.

I could say nothing, my body relaxed a little in my spot, my back slouching ever so slightly at the calming effect he had over me.

As if out of nowhere, our moment was interrupted.

"Edward?" I stood up at the sound of Esme's voice. My friend appeared in the room. "Excuse me, sir but your father wishes to see you in the library."

"Thank you, Esme." Lord Edward stood turning to me and holding Ellie out, without question or second-thought I took the beautiful baby with ease and enjoyed the familiar sensation cradling her, protecting her in my arms had given me. "I will return tonight, Isabella." He whispered before turning away from me, passing Esme and disappearing from sight altogether. Esme closed the door and walked towards me.

"Isabella have you lost your mind? Imagine if Mrs Dwyer had walked in instead of me?"

"Esme please don't worry. There was nothing going on with Edward and me The Duke asked me to look over the child for tonight until the doctor can come in the morning."

"Oh poor little soul. How awful it must be, knowing that your parents never loved you as they should." I looked at Esme's saddened expression as she gazed at Ellie.

"Esme…Edward was speaking to me about his mother. It seems that he was under the impression that the two of you create some kind of tension when you're around one another…Oh goodness there goes my mouth again. I am sorry Esme I should not have said anything, I was merely curious."

Esme's eyes met mine and she sighed shaking her head. "No if anyone should know then it's you. Edward is right and there is a reason that I do not have to call him by his title that the choice to call him 'Lord Edward' is voluntary. As you know I have been working here many years and have a lot of experience of each of the three children as I saw them grow. What only the family know, Bella is that many years ago before his lordship met his wife, we formed an attachment. However, I was of lower status and we were never allowed to make our love for one another permanent in marriage. It was then that Elizabeth from a prestigious family made herself known and the families jumped at the chance. We had to say goodbye to one another, Isabella and squander all hopes we may have had about our future. I haven't married any other man; my heart broke beyond repair at the loss of my first love."

I bit down on my lip, feeling the pain in Esme's voice. I turned around and placed Ellie gently in her crib before resuming my previous position. I wrapped my arms around Esme's shoulders, feeling her fight away her distress as she stood motionless. I rubbed her back.

"I am stronger than this, Isabella. I just….It is a pain that will never truly go away."

"I understand, Esme. I promise I will not speak of this to anyone else." I released her and she sniffed, wiping away the tears that escaped from her eyes and down her cheeks.

"Elizabeth has always known that her husband has in his way still loved me, the difference being that he is not in love with me anymore. As a result she has never liked me and tried on numerous occasions to get me to quit my position. I have stayed because of my family working for the Duke's father before him and my connection with this family is stronger than that of any other staff member downstairs. I will serve Carlisle for as long as he takes, before he, alone sees fit to release me. I will only go on his word."

I nodded and folded my arms across my chest. "I did not mean to offend you when you had heard that Edward spoke of you-"

"Oh, Isabella I could never be offended by you. I speak very quickly against Edward. My opinions from personal experience doing him no credit. He has grown into a fine young man from what we have all seen of him. As a child he was quick to act out and rebel but he was misunderstood. Elizabeth didn't like the fact that her youngest son hadn't grown into a civilised child, like Emmett or a pretty child, like Alice – the duchess had her favourites and even now when Edward could have the personality of the perfect son, she has lost all attachment. All attachment that a mother should have to all her children. I did my best looking after all the children when Elizabeth chose to be somewhere else absconding all parental duty but sometimes, children need their mother." I realised in that moment that Esme must still think dearly of the Duke to stay in the position she has for so long and enduring such treatment from his wife. I suddenly felt for her loss and felt for her being around the man she used to love and to have him marry another woman. I grew more respect for my friend in that moment for she had also chosen to confess such information to me in confidence. I made a mental note then and there to take her story to the grave with me.

"I must be heading back downstairs. Is there anything I can fetch you, Isabella?"

I smiled recognising the familiar question I ask members of the family, only now it was being directed to me as all my duty lay with Ellie until the morning. "No thank you. I will be sleeping here tonight; will you please bring me my uniform in the morning?"

"Of course."

With that Esme left and I was left alone with Ellie. I wondered what the night was going to bring.

-The Next Morning-

Unlike what he had said, Lord Edward did not come back to the nursery that night, instead I was left to sleep in the peace always being vigilant that I may have to waken to tend to the baby. Due to my disbelief, the baby was extremely well-behaved, only ever crying when she was hungry, apart from when she was spending time enthusiastically drinking from her bottle she spend time sleeping peacefully. I had awoken before the sun, without the desire to return to the bed, I walked over to the large window taking the chance to see the sun rise in all its glory now that I was in an upstairs bedroom. I was on the opposite side of the house from Lady Alice however.

As I glanced on the grey colouring of the world outside the window, I covered myself in the gown that had been given with the room I was currently staying in. I was unfamiliar with a larger bed, only being content with the small framed bed I had in the staff wing. Being in an unfamiliar bed had affected my ability to have a decent night's sleep and perhaps the silence had also proved to be off-putting because of how used to constant noise I now possess.

At a small gurgle coming from Ellie's crib, I turned and walked over to it, leaning down and taking Ellie in my arms, immediately her eyes widened as they focused on me. I prayed that she would be able to keep the unique blue eye colour that she has right at this moment. I liked having her in my arms, perhaps more so than I should. I have never thought of myself being a mother, of course I was to have a family one day if indeed I find a husband in which I can fall in love with but now that I was getting some experience of looking after a child early, I did not dislike it.

"Hello angel." I whispered to Ellie, placing a kiss on her forehead. I adored how soft her skin was, she had become accustomed to reaching up and brushing her small hands with my index and middle fingers during the night. Ellie was not a new-born baby as I had originally thought when seeing the bundle – I now feared at present that she was merely underweight. Perhaps her home hadn't been equipped with such luxurious delicacies as this family were. I hoped that it would not affect her health so much as to lessen her life span. Especially with the sickness from downstairs preventing more and more staff members from leaving their beds.

"Bella?" I turned at the sound of my name being whispered. I smiled as Lady Alice appeared from behind the door, taking extra care not to make any noise when she closed it seconds later. "So this is the little girl that has gotten the family clashing with one another?" Alice said as she closed the distance between us. She peered down at Ellie. "Oh isn't she a beauty?" Alice ran her finger gently down Ellie's cheek which earned her a small smile from the baby in my arms. I always envisioned Alice being a wonderful mother because of how much attention she took with her acquaintances. I took that only from experiences of entertaining visitors for the annual house parties during the year. Motherhood may prove to be a difficulty like it seemed to have done for her own mother.

"Papa had to fight for the doctor to come at the earliest convenience. I hope you do not mind my walking in on you like this, I was unable to sleep thinking of you up here all by yourself."

"It is of no trouble to me milady." I replied with an assuring smile. Lady Alice could do nothing to ever cloud my opinion of her; she had shown nothing but kindness to me since I began work.

"I will miss having you waiting on me this morning. So I decided that you must have some food sent up here on a tray. Mrs Dwyer will be awake within the hour so I can organise it with her."

"Oh there is really no need for that."

"Nonsense, Bella. You cannot work today with an empty stomach. Plus I have arranged it with Jenny to run you a bath, fortunately I put that plan in motion – you look exhausted. I will not hear another word. There will be all that you require in my bathroom and no one will disturb you. Esme left your uniform with me before I retired and that is there for you to change in to. Leave the one you have here on the bed and I will have another maid come and get it."

I was unable to do anything else but smile at Alice. Both her parents would have more than a few words to say at my using Alice's bathroom, however that and her bedroom belonged to her and so they should not require as to the room's usages. Without trying to fight against her, even though I desperately wanted to – I handed her the baby and watched as she interacted with the baby through soft whispers. "Now, I will take care of the baby – go and do what I have required and you will be back here before the hour is over. No one will have to know of anything untoward. Go, Bella." I nodded and walked out of the room without another backward glance. I had Alice's support in this matter and I trusted her judgement and good sense to handle a situation if it ever arose.

I was steady to keep the noise I may create by my hurried footsteps to a minimum as I reached the wing of where all the family bedrooms were. I reached Alice's bathroom close to where her bedroom was and opened the door and closed it quietly behind me.

Over half an hour later, I was quickly making my way back up to the nursery and opening the door and entering the room, I was surprise to find Lord Edward where I had left Alice. I opened my mouth to speak when Lord Edward raised his hand.

"Isabella it is okay, Alice informed me of your little scheme. How are you? I heard from Alice that you have not slept well."

"I am well, sir. I was content enough and Ellie scarcely made any noise."

"That is good. I sometimes sit with her here and find it hard to look away from her; I feel she will be a great beauty, hopefully with intelligence and grace. Many male suitors will no doubt become enamoured with her as she comes out into society. I do secretly wish that she grow a fondness for music, all women must be accomplished in civilised society. That is they must dance, sing, play and draw and have a grasp of one or multiple languages to gain more culture as they visit the world. Oh what tedious expectations they are. I wish for her to be good at music or singing because she possesses a passion for them, it is a shame that she is not my sister. I could teach her all that I know."

"You play, sir?"

"Indeed I do. It was the one thing besides from academics and medicine that I could accomplish quickly enough to spend my adolescence practicing."

I was about to open my mouth to speak when the nursery door opened revealing Mrs Dwyer, she curtsied to Lord Edward before turning her face in my direction. "Isabella, before the doctor's arrival I would like you to polish the silver, in case the doctor is asked to stay for luncheon. I would ask Jenny but she has enough to be doing, you have always been the quickest."

"Papa insisted that Bella stay here with the baby, Mrs Dwyer. I understand that staff members are becoming harder to get come by considering the illness spreading. However, Bella cannot be around the servant quarters in case she catches the virus and gives it to the child. Until the doctor has given a full assessment of the baby's health, Bella is needed here. I shall speak to papa, informing him that jobs will be scarcer to complete today."

With a curt nod, Mrs Dwyer left the room without another word.

I turned around and walked back to Edward and looked over the baby, once more, hoping that she was well enough to be given to another family who will love her as much as we would do if she could stay.

I believe it to be true….Ellie was going to be missed, dreadfully.