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I am still loving 'A Thousand Years' after nearly 3 weeks, definitely a record for me!
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-
"My, Alice dear you need to pack more of your dresses. We plan to spend many evenings out!" The duchess said after gazing at Lady Alice's messy suitcase. Alice only sighed, rolling her eyes in the mirror, a gesture that was meant only for me. I smiled and finished the rest of her hair.
"Mama, I do not need many dresses, I have enough and I do not wish for any servant to be stuck with the trial of carrying so much of my belongings. It is not I who will carry it, after all."
"Oh my love why must you go against everything I say?! I am only looking out for your best interest. Besides, you have not packed your green dress…I thought it was your favourite."
"It was until I was foolish enough to trip on the hem; I've had Mrs Dwyer fill the task of fixing it for me. No one can sew better than she and I have informed her that she need not hurry. I will not need the dress until I return."
"Then at least let us make up for that. Buy a new dress in London, even if it is just the one. I hear the style is absolutely stunning this season."
"I do not care for such style, mama as you well know. Has Esme finished packing your case?"
"Yes she has. I have sent her to see that the cars are ready."
"Then if there is nothing left to do besides critique my packing mama then please can I be left alone? I have to dress in something less extravagant seeing as we are to be sitting on a stuffy train."
"Please hurry, dear. Isabella, I would like you to assist Miss Esme in bringing our things downstairs when Lady Alice is ready."
"Yes ma'am." I replied, twirling one of Alice's curls around my finger. I had been playing with the same strand of hair for the last three minutes, wanting so much for the duchess to leave the room. Seeing as Lady Alice and I were on a time schedule, I would dislike to be lectured on not dressing my lady correctly. The Duchess had a way of picking a negativity out of everything. The woman could be truly wretched at the best of times.
"Thank you, mama." Alice said placing a little more emphasis on the words, the Duchess said nothing else and went to walk out of the room – not before dragging her finger along Lady Alice's mantle before leaving the room, completely. "Oh I must apologise, Bella. This is why I insist on packing my own case. The last thing I want is mama to bark more at the servants than she already does on a daily basis."
"That's okay, milday." I answered, stepping out of the way as she rose from her chair at the vanity and stood in her usual position ready to be dressed.
"Oh I've always been so apprehensive about London. All those parties and gatherings in which people are forced to socialise and make small-talk with complete strangers. Heaven forbid one should make a bad impression upon ten seconds of meeting someone else. Oh lord what about you? You have not been out of this town in your life at all have you?"
"No milady."
"Oh well, we can be endure it together, then. Oh Bella, what am I to do? I have no interest in finding a husband in London."
"You will have the chance to make some other friends, though."
"Friends," Lady Alice scoffed, "these people will never be friends of mine, Bella. Friends who would easily put someone else as risk to save their own skins. Those are not friends, Bella. I have never been so good at socializing; I can manage to do it here because everyone knows me. I do not give a jot about what other people may think of me in Grand old London." As Lady Alice spoke, I dressed her wishing that I could offer an opinion without having to be asked for one. "Bella, will you promise to be there with me, at the gatherings?"
"I doubt that your mother will allow me to go to the parties, Lady Alice."
"You are not my mother's maid. Besides, we could say that you're a distant cousin of mine. No one will question that. These aristocrats only breathe money."
"Milady, I only own four dresses and they are my uniform." I was about to tie her dress when Alice walked away from me and over to her wardrobe. Alice quickly pulled out a dress holding it up in front of her.
"How will this one do?" I was in awe of the dress as I had not seen it before.
"Milady, I have not seen that one, before."
"I tried a hand at dressmaking one summer with a relative, it took me a long time to make and I was a little smaller in height back then. It should fit you just fine. We are not so different in height; I can always buy you another dress in London when mama is not around."
"I could never ask you to do such a thing."
"You are not asking me, I am offering. Besides this one is only gathering dust. It might do it some good to be out in the world again. Isabella it is pointless fighting me against this. Mama will not say a word about it, not if she does not want me to refuse going to London at all. This trip means too much for her reputation to squander now. If she wants me to go to London, it will be under my conditions. It is, after all my job to find a husband, as well."
I smiled at the strength in my lady's words. Lady Alice was a passionate young woman; it was outbursts like this that made me respect her more and more as a female living in such a society. This youngest daughter of my employer was not a traditional woman, nor was she one to settle with a mediocre husband and marriage. That much was certain. "Thank you." I replied unable to say anymore, touched by such a gesture.
"Good!" Alice smiled and folded up the dress, putting it in her suitcase. "Now, we must be heading downstairs."
(Thirty Minutes Later)
"Now, will you promise to write to me? I have to say that I will find it hard not having you so close by." I smiled at Esme's words. The two of us, after having packed all the luggage in the car were waiting for the Duchess and Lady Alice to come out of the house. Jasper was standing with his hand on one of the car doors, waiting also.
"I will. I am a little scared Esme…I hate to admit that but, this all seems so glamorous, such glamor that I have never known. How will I behave? What does one do at a London party?"
"Trust in Lady Alice, Isabella. She would not force you into doing something that makes you uncomfortable. Take comfort in the fact that she will be there for you, even if that is to protect you from her mother."
"I wonder what the Duke will do with his wife gone."
"He keeps himself busy. The Duke has many talents, some of which do not get nurtured much at all. I will look after him if no one else does. Just do not tell Mrs Dwyer I told you that."
"Never." I took Esme's hands in mine and pulled her into a hug biting down on my lip as she wrapped her arms around me. "Everything will be okay, Isabella." She whispered, I held on to her a little tighter, letting her know that I had heard her before releasing her. We separated in enough time before Jasper opened the car door, signalling the fact that we were ready to go.
"Thank you." I said to Esme before letting the Duchess and Lady Alice climb into the car. Jasper held out a hand to me, shooting me a friendly smile. I returned a smile, knowing that having Alice gone was going to affect him a lot more than he would ever verbalize. I placed a hand up, refusing his gesture and climbed in the car myself. Jasper could only aid the female members of the family in the car. I sat down beside Alice as Jasper closed the door behind me and climbed into the driver's seat. The Duke had then appeared from the house standing beside Esme on the gravel. I could not help but see what a beautiful couple they were, now knowing that they had a past. The Duke blew a kiss to Alice before holding his hand up and waving. Jasper turned on the engine and we moved away from the house, the second car with our luggage following behind.
The conversation on the way to the train station was little, Alice was unusually quiet however it had not escaped my notice how she glanced at Jasper whenever her mother was not watching her. There was something between the two of them, whether or not their love for one another had been disclosed by either party I could see it. Alice did not have to state to me that she wished to have a husband like Jasper when I knew deep down that something had started to grow between them long before I ever became a member of staff for the family.
Soon enough we had reached the train station, I assisted Jasper and Eric, the driver of the other car in the unpacking of all the luggage from the cars. Once all the luggage was on the platform, carried through by one of the members of staff in the train station, I stood close to the Duchess. I saw Lady Alice hover by Jasper, the two of them stealing a long glance before Jasper spoke something inaudible. The Duchess, unaware of what her daughter was doing was busy barking at the staff responsible for putting the luggage on the train. Lady Alice suddenly appeared next to me, "Jasper would like a word before you go." She whispered.
I turned away from Lady Alice and closed the distance between Jasper and I. He shot me a cheeky smile before punching me lightly on my arm. "Look at you the traveller…I am going to miss you, and if you make a habit of reminding me of that sentiment I will deny all knowledge of ever saying it to you."
I nodded. "Lady Alice will be okay."
"Take care of her, Bella." Jasper took my hands in his. "For me…I cannot deny that I have feelings for her, anymore. However, no one else must know of them. I do not care for what might happen to me but I will not ruin her chances of finding a good husband."
"Jasper, she does not wish for a husband from London."
"Perhaps not, but she has not got there, yet. Anything can happen. I won't stop caring deeply for her…I will miss her, so."
"I promise that she will be safe with me, Jasper." Jasper nodded, released my hands and wrapped his arms around me, similar how I had hugged Esme back at the house. The conductor blew his whistle and I released my grip on Jasper, holding back the tears.
"Goodbye, Bella." I placed one of my hands on Jasper's cheek before turning away from him. Alice was waiting for me and gave me a reassuring smile before turning around and stepping on the train. I followed closing the door behind me.
I was relieved once Lady Alice, The Duchess and I were heading to where we were going to be staying in a town car. The train journey had given me a weight on my chest, a weight that I had not been able to shift no matter how much of Alice's book I read or how much I listened to a female stranger hark on about something she had seen in the newspaper.
I looked out at the house we had stopped in front of. I had never seen something so simple look so beautiful. It was a townhouse, small enough on the outside but I imagined with this woman coming from riches that there were many dimensions to the house once inside.
"Elizabeth!" A woman called out as our door was opened by the driver. The Duchess received the woman's hug and Lady Alice was quick to have a hug of her own. "Oh look at you, poor souls! Have you had such a tiresome journey?"
"It was dreadful. Thankfully I do not make these journeys a regular occurrence." The Duchess replied, taking off her hat. "Would it be too impertinent to ask for some tea?"
"Not at all. I have some set up for us already in the drawing room. Please come through." I took Lady Alice's and the Duchess's suitcase myself and walked into the house. The driver had taken mine and the other two belonging to Lady Alice and her mother.
I set the bags down in the foyer and glanced around the house. I was struck by its freshness in décor, it lacked the elegance that the house I worked in has. However, it was a nice space full of light from the windows and the sun shining outside. This foyer alone was the size of mine and my father's bedroom put together in the house that I had grown up in.
"Its okay, Isabella. Come on through." Alice appeared gesturing me to follow her. I brushed my forehead with the back of my hand and walked through the foyer to the drawing room.
"Ah this must be your maid, Alice." The woman said, taking an opportunity to look me up and down. Analysing me, no doubt.
"Yes, this is Isabella. I could not function at all without her; she is such a wonderful employee. I made mama approve in Isabella's coming here, I would not be seen in new places without some support."
"Alice has been besotted with Isabella since she came to work with us a few months ago." The Duchess added, taking a little cake and placing it on her saucer.
"My name is Anne, Isabella. I am a good companion to Elizabeth's sister. As she is quite busy entertaining her dear nephew at this moment in time, I said that I would have you here as my guests."
"Thank you ma'am." I replied, I couldn't help but feel like my coming was an inconvenience. I was made to feel like I did not belong here, I felt that the moment I climbed into the town car on the way over here.
"You will have the smaller room, fortunately my late husband did not wish to turn it into a smoking room, he died before that could happen. Helen, the housekeeper will show you where all the rooms are once we retire. I doubt you will want to see the delights of London at night after such a long journey."
"I should like to see my son, if it is possible, could you send one of your servants to my sister's house and tell him that we have arrived?"
"Yes of course, I will get my footman to do that immediately, do excuse me one moment." Anne walked out of the door, unable to fathom just how sneaky the Duchess could be. I suddenly envied Anne's ability just to get on with errands and not have an active mind in which to consume her with thoughts about what was happening or how someone else treats her.
"Isabella, please sit down, your feet must hurt as well as mine do." I glanced at the Duchess who was too busy scanning the cake tray for her next treat before taking my lady's request. I sat down beside her, enjoying the feel of the soft material beneath me. Alice picked up an empty cup and filled it with tea from the teapot. "You will not be treated like a servant in this house, Isabella. I swear it." Lady Alice whispered to me before handing me the cup. I took it from her only able to smile in response.
"Oh how I have longed to see my Edward. With any luck I will be informed of any new developments between him and Ms Stanton."
"Oh Ms Stanton is a wonderful young woman!" Anne appeared in the room again, taking up her seat again and taking a cake. "I have met her about four times now. Such a beauty and such an incredible singer. I was fortunate enough to attend one of her father's gatherings two years ago and what a talent she is. Nothing compared to her sister of course but look what has become of her. Marrying so low beneath her station, her parents are broken-hearted."
I was sipping the tea as slowly as I could. This was a conversation in which I had never found myself a part of before and I had the urge to leave the room. I was able to find other jobs in the place where I work but now, as a guest I must do what my employers do.
"Oh such a pity…Still, I am very excited to see Anastasia again, I do hope she has grown more in her figure, she was almost child-like when I saw her, last." The Duchess said, almost cringing as she finished.
"There will be no need to worry on that account." Anne confirmed.
"Is she fond of reading? Is she a lover of art? Can she speak any languages?" Lady Alice asked, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
"Why do you ask that my dear?" Anne asked.
"I mean, she must be awed for more than what she looks like in a dress. Ms Stanton must have a mind, a brain with such capability as any man's within her physicality."
"I do not know about how well she deems academically, the Stanton girls have had governesses, so many to count that I am surprised they turned out as well as they did. Amelia was never meant to be a mother, but still, her husband pushed her to have those girls and well here we are." Anne explained, I put down my cup and saucer, wishing not to draw any attention to myself.
"I am sure Edward likes her very well. Let's hope he does otherwise mama will worry."
"Darling, there is no need to speak of it like that. Edward had his choice and he chose Anastasia as the eldest daughter is engaged." The Duchess said, putting her cup down a little forcefully on her saucer.
"Yes, Anastasia is second best. I understand that, mama. I find myself feeling pity for Anastasia, having such large shoes to fill to replace the impression her sister made on you and papa."
"Your father and I will like her very well, I am sure of it."
"That is until she finds love elsewhere with a man that no one will give the time of day to. I can't wait to meet her, can't wait to tell her that the need to impress her future in-laws will deem greater than anything else she will ever have to do in her life. Isn't that right, mama?"
"Anne, would you care if I went and freshened up?"
"Not at all, Elizabeth. I need to speak with cook about dinner, tonight anyway. Please feel free to stay here if you wish, Alice." Anne left the room.
"I hope by the time your brother comes you will have had a change in your attitude, Mary. Don't you ever speak to me like that again." The Duchess only ever used Lady Alice's real name when she was angry with her. Alice was what my lady was known as but Mary was on her birth certificate. Alice said nothing as her mother left the room; once we were alone, she put down her cup and rested her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry for that Isabella. I just hate how women are looked at. I mean who cares about the size of Anastasia's bosom, is it not her mind and personality that make her an endearing creature? Is it not her opinion on literature or her interpretation on a piece of art that make her an all-rounded good person? I hope that my brother appreciates her. I do not know her well enough to say what kind of person she is but, Edward is no fool. He will not enter into an engagement if he does not agree that it is the best choice for both parties. I trust in that. I need to take comfort that mama will not speak with me before Edward gets here. Will you come and help me change, Isabella?"
"Yes." I replied.
I unpacked the last dress out of Alice's suitcase and hung it up as Alice played with her hair in the mirror, gazing at her reflection with intent. There was sudden noise downstairs and with a sigh, Alice rose from her chair. "Now is the time to greet my brother."
Alice walked out of the room and headed down the stairs. I felt anxious at seeing him, again even if it had not been that long since we last spoke. I took my time, brushing down the front of my dress. I was fortunate to have Alice lend me some of her perfume; I still radiated the scent showing off the extent of my journey until I could manage to wash up later when the others retire. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Alice disappeared into the drawing room. I took a deep breath and followed, seeing my lady in an embrace with Edward, whose back was facing me.
"Edward, you know Isabella." I heard my name and watched as Edward turned at the sound of his mother's voice. His eyes rested on me and he smiled, wasting no time in walking over to me and taking one of my hands in his.
"Hello Isabella." He greeted me; I couldn't fathom whether I was pleased to see him or whether I wanted to be far away from this place as possible, I was well and truly outnumbered with no servant within eye-shot.
"Hello." I replied, taking my hand away abruptly and rubbing my neck. I could feel Edward's eyes on me, I was grateful for Anne starting to make conversation.
"Do come and sit down, Edward. Tell us about Ms Stanton, how is she?" All the people in the room sat down, Alice patted down the seat beside her and I sat down.
"Ms Stanton was well when we last spent the day together." Edward replied, taking a cup of tea. A fresh pot had already been made.
"Oh is she as beautiful as I remember?" Anne exclaimed.
"She is very pleasing, in all aspects."
"Am I to hear about a date set for the wedding?" The Duchess asked, all eyes suddenly rested on Edward. I looked to the floor, not wanting to know the answer.
"No."
This was the last thing I remember before the Duchess rose from one of the sofas and demanded to speak with her son, alone. I stood up, backing up against the wall as Anne began to question Alice about what had happened. I did not belong in London; I did not need to be a genius to know that there was only one person who wanted me here. I slipped out of the room, hoping that no one would notice that I was missing and sat down on the stairs.
I rested my head in my hands, enjoying the solitude and the fact that a servant of the house did not hold the authority to ask me what I was doing. I wanted to see Sue, wanted to at least be able to tell her that I missed her. The chances of me being able to write her a letter was slim and I was never any good at writing letters. That is why I wanted to remain close to her; she is the only family I have.
In the silence, I let my mind wander on my childhood days. Playing games with Jacob, throwing dirt and rolling around in the hay when they hadn't collected it for harvest yet. I remember eating the fruit we grew, which made my father very angry. However, he could not stay mad at me for long. I had a pout which worked every time; I knew how to weaken my father's resolve. I was an only child, who doted on her father. Like any daughter, his heart belonged to me and I made good use of that when I was a child. Whenever I picture my father's face I want to cry. It was in situations like these when I need him to tell me that everything was okay, no one appreciated me because they were fools. I could not be the same as everyone else because I, Isabella Swan was special. I was the most special girl in the world and no one could take that away from me.
"Isabella?" I jumped and saw Edward standing in front of me, at the foot of the stairs. "Are you well?"
"Yes, I'm sorry I-"
"What were you thinking about?" I ran my hand along my neck before making an answer. I desperately wanted to lie but there was something about Edward. Something that didn't make me deceive him. I wanted to be honest with him, I felt like he would never tell another soul. I hoped that he could be the one person I could find comfort with. As a person, not just a member of his father's staff.
"My father. It is silly to think of him when I should be in the other room-"
"You do not have to stay in that room if you do not want to, Isabella. I would not stay in there, either. Now that mama has told me of her feelings we can go back to being somewhat normal."
"Was she very angry?"
Edward sat down beside me, out legs inches apart. I could not shift any further away, as I resting against the bars of the bannister. I folded my hands in my lap. "She's angry in her own way. I suppose she thought that my being in London would mean that I would fall in love instantly with the woman I am betrothed to and all would be well. I'm afraid my mother knows nothing of getting to know someone before you marry them. She and papa have never been truly happy together. My father's heart has always belonged to another." I bit down on my lip, instantly Esme came into my mind at Edward's words. "I do not want to repeat that mistake, Isabella. I mean to cause that much pain to myself and to the woman I fall in love with is impossible. I would not stand by and watch the person I love marry someone else, I couldn't bear it."
"Do you not think of her as your wife at all?"
"Anastasia Stanton is a beautiful and charming young woman; I have not been here long or stayed too much in the same company as her. I have some time before I return back home. My feelings will change."
Edward rose from the stair and walked away from me.
I was once again alone in the silence of the foyer.