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-Bella-

I had spent so much time sitting on the drawing room sofa that I could not comprehend the time. The Duchess and Lady Alice had retired to bed a while ago and I took the advantage of experiencing the silence of the house once again. I was not able to sleep in the guest room. It was far too grand, grander than the nursery bed back at the family's home and far better than my iron bed in the servant's wing. I began running my hands through my hair; I had released it from the confines of my braid when trying to find something to do.

"Isabella?" I took my hands away from my hair, putting them down on my lap. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you." Alice whispered. "Are you well?"

Alice sat down beside me on the sofa, looking at me with concern. "Yes milady." I replied straightening my body out and lengthening my back as I sat up straight.

"I have never seen you with your hair down before. I never realised how beautiful it is." I looked to the floor, I've never been comfortable being complimented and even though the words came from Alice, this made no exception to how embarrassing I found it. "You cannot sleep, either?"

I shook my head, Alice sighed and shook her head, "I do not like this house. I have wished so badly to like it here but, I had my reservations about coming here in the first place and now...Well, now I understand why you would dislike it here."

"I do not dislike it, my lady. I am merely the wrong person, from the wrong kind of upbringing to be able to appreciate luxuries such as these. Being here, I still think of myself as your maid and so that immediately makes me stand out from everyone else."

"Oh gracious. I am so sorry, Isabella. I was selfish to invite you here, especially since I knew you had never been near London before. Believe me, you're my guest and no one will ever treat you like a servant in this house that I can promise you."

"I am not showing ingratitude, Lady Alice. I appreciate that your mother and Anne have been civilised to me. I cannot deny that it makes me feel uneasy. My place has been under your family's staff, being here as a guest is something that I will never adapt to. I feel like it's wrong. I am sorry if this sounds out of turn and I will understand if once we get back to the house you request for my dismissal-"

"Dismissal? Bella, what is this you speak of?"

"If Mrs Dwyer found out that I was speaking with you in such a manner I should be acquitted from your house immediately."

"Bella, please tell me that you do not wish to adhere to the necessity of secrecy? Staff always feel the need to hold back from sharing their opinion to their employers and I dislike it. I dislike that you are all taught to do that and adhere to it as some kind of rule. I want you to be able to talk to me, I would love to know what you think and how you feel about certain situations. You've seen my family, I do not have time to be speaking of such subjects that will distress and vex my mother."

"Are you saying that you wish me to share things with you?"

"Indeed. In fact I demand it, lord knows I need to talk to someone as well sometimes and, I do not have a sister of my own. This can be our little secret; no one else has to know."

I smiled knowing that I had the chance to refrain from holding back. Of course I could not use this new chance free-willingly until I was invited to do so. "So would you like to tell me what it is that has you awake at this hour?"

"That is all, my lady."

Alice took one of my hands in hers, "can I share a secret with you, Bella?"

"Of course."

"I don't want to find a husband here…My mother's attempts will be in vain. I am sure that she will place blame on me but I want to marry someone that I want. Someone that I will have taken the time to get to know and like on my own terms."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh it's so kind of you to ask, but what can you do? You will have no impact in my mother's opinion and as much as I do not want to care what she thinks about the majority of situations, I do care if she takes her anger out on you. You don't deserve it, Bella. No one deserves my mother's resentment."

"My lady, do you mind me asking why your mother never seems content with any choice that she does not personally make?"

"My mother is bitter, Bella. She's bitter because she knows that my father still loves Esme. I mean, it's hard not to notice the way that Esme looks at my father and I want them to be together because they were deprived of it. It does not take intelligence to know that the two of them long to be with one another even after this long. My mother was never truly a mother, she was there but she never shared any conversations with us or watched us play. There were governesses and Esme to bring us up. I am closer to Esme than my brothers, but I cannot talk with her in case my mother sends her away from me to complete a task. We have grown apart and I dislike that so much. Aside from Esme the only person I ever really gotten as close with as of late is Jasper. However, if Esme is so out of bounds for me than Jasper may as well be on the other side of the world. I would always find a way to sneak out to the garages and talk with Jasper as he washed our cars. He was the only person who seemed truly interested in me, interested in my mind and how I perceive the world. He helped me, he listened to me when the only other person I felt comfortable sharing such information with couldn't."

"What about your brothers?"

"I was closer to Emmett for the majority of my life. Edward was misunderstood. If he wasn't acting out about something that angered him then he would become isolated, reading his books or playing his piano. He was the only one out of us to get admirers; Edward should have been married before Emmett married Rosalie. Rosalie was the only woman in Emmett's life from the moment they met. I knew that there was no other woman for my brother. Seeing them together hurts me sometimes. I see the love they share, the happiness they feel and the longing they show when they miss one another. I could not think of any woman who would want that for her life. Growing up, yes, I never looked at men as anything other than friends but now things are different. I feel like I am ready, Bella."

"Then, what will you do?"

"I have to find some way of shortening this trip. I have not been out in London at all, yet and already I dislike it intently. Perhaps Edward can help me."

"How will he be able to help you, my lady?"

"There is a chance that we will not find an excuse good enough to miss the ball tonight. However, we can always find a way to get back home tomorrow morning. Edward will be at the ball tonight so I will speak with him, there."

"Very well, I hope that you are successful."

"All of Anne's guests are invited to the ball, Bella. Remember, I told you that you are going to be my distant cousin for later tonight, mine and Edward's. We will both be there to protect you from the demons of the rich classes."

"I do not think that would be proper."

"There is only one person who does not believe it would be proper. It would never be proper in her eyes having a member of staff experience the social enjoyment of a gathering. Heaven forbid that they actually have some entertainment in their lives. Oh I am sorry for complaining about this so much, Bella. I wish there was something that you desire to tell me. Just so that we can alter the conversation."

"I am afraid there is nothing, my lady. I lead a simple life, I work and I go home to use up my allocated holiday period to see a family friend as much as I can."

"You must miss them…The people you grew up with."

"Mostly my mother and father, they are both deceased now. The only people that I go home to is Sue, a close friend of my father's and my childhood best friend, Jacob."

"Your parents passed away? Both of them? Oh Bella, I had no idea." Alice covered her mouth with her hand, grasping her other hand around mine a little tighter.

"It's okay, I had a lovely support system in Sue and she practically helped me gain my position in your household. Once her husband passed away I make it my duty to see her as much as possible. She does feel lonely, even if she does not show it easily."

"Oh lord. Well, have you ever asked Mrs Dwyer whether you could find some time to see her more often?"

"No, your housekeeper runs a tight ship. I would never dream of asking for more time away from the house."

"I cannot understand how it must feel working away from my family home."

"It is something that you adapt to."

"I am sure. You have courage inside you, Bella. That is a good thing. I am sure that your parents would be very proud of you."

"My father wanted me to stay on the farm and own it one day, perhaps if I marry someone who will be willing to let me keep running it then there is a chance that will happen. For now, I must continue to work and continue to earn."

"I can imagine you having enough to buy a nice house of your own one day, I would desire so much to move into my own home with my husband to make a family. I do so want a family. I would want a son and a daughter, the son born first so that he can protect his sister. I was fortunate to have my brothers, no one is a better protector than Emmett, it's one of the many traits I admire in him. My daughter will grow up knowing that she can be whoever she wants to be, have dreams even if the world around her disagrees. She will know that she can do anything and her family will always be proud of whatever she decides upon. I would want to balance up a work and a home life, spending enough time with my children but not forcing myself to stay in the confines of the house day in and day out."

"That sounds lovely, my lady."

"I've had this dream since I was thirteen years old. I convinced myself that the first thing I wanted to do was to find love, a real, deep and meaningful love that could abolish all obstacles and prevent any low expectation from outsiders. Of course it sounds too idealistic even now but I cannot bring myself to let it go."

"You should not have to, my father always told me to never let anyone or any situation take you away from your dream. Your dreams show who you truly are and have to be kept secret from everyone who are not special to you or have some impact on your life."

"What are your dreams, Bella?"

"I dream of being happy. That is all, nothing specific. I just aim to be happy with myself and with my life."

Alice smiled and shook her head, "it amazes me how much wisdom you have for someone so young, Bella. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have this kind of conversation with you. To tell you the truth I have always wanted to feel a little closer to you because of the wonderful service you give me as my maid. Now, I have that chance and I hope that this happens again-" Alice stopped at the ringing of the clock in the foyer, "perhaps at a more forgivable hour, too."

"Of course." I replied.

"Now, we must get to bed, I know that mama has got a lot planned for us before we get ready for the ball tonight."

I stood up from my seat and followed her up the stairs, thankful that we had not woken anyone else in the house.

I was looking at Alice studying her reflection at her vanity. I had never seen her look more beautiful as she sat there silent in her thoughts as she pinched her cheeks and bit down on her lips to bring out the colour in them. I sat down at the foot of her bed, just having finished tidying away the dress she had worn during the day.

Alice pulled out the chair at her vanity. We had a tiresome day walking around London and seeing the sights of the town. I was in awe of London as much as Lady Alice grew tiresome the longer we stayed here. I couldn't help but see its beauty, understand how privileged people would never pass up the chance to live here. If I was to have such an advantage then I would be moving here and taking Sue with me. With enough money, I would be able to keep my father's farm running, too and keep Jake in his job.

"Please, sit Bella. It is time for me to make you look beautiful." I sat down at the chair, instantly shying away from looking at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes falling onto my lap. "What is it, Bella?"

"I do not like to see my reflection."

"Why ever not?"

"I have never needed to, I know how to do my hair for work and I have never cared for looking at myself in the mirror."

"Well, would you like me to cover it with something? At least until you are ready?"

"Yes please." Alice turned and took off one of her shawls that she had placed on the bed. She put the thin fabric over the mirror and I finally lifted my head, allowing her to run her hands through my loose hair.

"You have such beautiful hair, Bella." Alice complimented, I remained silent. There was very little conversation as Alice worked on my hair, due to the fact that this felt wrong on my part. I couldn't fathom what the Duchess's reaction would be if she were to walk in on us right now. Once Lady Alice said she had finished, I stood up and watched as she fetched me a dress. "There you are." I took the dress out of her arms and walked out of the room, I walked to the washroom quickly changing dresses. I crept back to Lady Alice's room and closed the door behind me.

Alice was taking her shawl off of the vanity mirror when she turned to look at me. My Lady smiled widely and I suddenly felt exposed again. "Oh Bella, how lovely that dress looks on you. If I did not know any better I would say that it was made for you. Please come and see how wonderful you look?" Lady Alice gestured at the mirror, averted her gaze to it and waved her hand. "Oh no this won't do, come…We will use the mirror in your room."

Lady Alice took my hand and we crossed the landing to get to the guest room. Once in the guest room, she pulled me over to the mirror, standing to the side as I came to a stand-still in front of it. I barely recognized the person staring back at me, the paleness of my skin had deteriorated with the green fabric of the dress, I had never seen myself in anything but work dresses and rags I wore to work on the farm as a child. I could not imagine wearing such a beautiful dress as this and have never thought that I would be so lucky. "Don't you see now, Bella?"

I swallowed, knowing that this would be the one night in which to have such an opportunity as this. By tomorrow I was back to being a maid again. I snapped out of my daze and turned to Alice and smiled. I nodded, unable to say anything that will make this real. I felt like this was a dream, a dream that I will wake up from soon. "Now, we must go downstairs. It is time for us to leave."

Once we got downstairs, I grew very self-conscious, unable to pre-conceive how the Duchess's was going to react. She had to accept my accompanying her daughter on this trip because of Alice's refusal to go it I was prohibited to come. That did not mean that she would be happy with this arrangement, especially since I was wearing a gown and not a work uniform. Anne stood up from the sofa and held her hand against her chest. "Oh my, how beautiful you both look!" she exclaimed, making real eye contact with me for a moment before turning to the Duchess, "don't they my dear?"

"Alice always looks lovely." The Duchess replied, not once looking in my direction. I was satisfied that she did not have an outburst. I could not bear to be the cause of that. "We best be going, Alice. Edward will be meeting us there with Miss Stanton of course."

I stepped aside to let the Duchess walk by me; I tightened my hold on the shawl around my waist. "I think you look wonderful, my dear." Anne whispered placing her hand on my arm before walking out of the room.

I did not feel wonderful, that much was certain.

"Oh this house is more beautiful than I remember!" The Duchess exclaimed, she looked like the happiest she had been since we had come to London. Lady Alice stepped out of the car and I followed thanking the chauffeur before he walked back around to the driver's side. I picked up the hem of my dress, staying close to my Lady as we climbed the steps. I was used to the London townhouse, but this house was the largest that I had ever seen.

Lady Alice wrapped one of her arms through my own, the crowd of people seemed to get bigger and bigger and by the time we had entered the ballroom, I began to believe that every habitant of London had been invited to come, tonight. "Oh Edward!" Alice called, I saw him coming towards us, a lady on his arm. He smiled at Alice before looking at me. I watched him stare at me, silent for a moment before he began to speak. "Dearest sister, Isabella, allow me to introduce Miss Anastasia Stanton. I believe you remember my sister, Anna."

"Oh Alice, I feel like it has been an age since I saw you last." Anastasia took one of Alice's hands. "Oh look at you; you were always such a beautiful little thing. Oh forgive me; you are not so little now."

"This is a cousin of ours, Anna. Her name is Isabella." I had been unknowingly staring at Edward until I had heard the sound of my own name. I cleared my throat.

"Hello Isabella, it's a pleasure to meet you. It's a pleasure to meet anyone connected with Edward of course." I lifted out a limp hand and let her squeeze it.

"Thank you; it's a pleasure to meet you, too." I replied, not knowing what to say or what the proper etiquette was at these kinds of gatherings.

"Where is mama? No doubt she has found some way of avoiding us until we have to leave." Edward asked Alice.

"Mama will be coming around to us this evening I am sure, just not right now. There are many ladies who wish to catch up on the latest news. The engagement of a son and a daughter will take up some time, I am sure."

I looked down to the floor; I had suddenly forgotten rather foolishly that Anastasia was intended for Edward. He could not have found a more beautiful woman, Miss Stanton looks are far superior to every other woman I had seen before. If anything she is just as pleasing in appearance as Lady Rosalie, for I have found none superior to her. "Well, then as the musicians are now ready, shall we dance Anna?" Edward averted the conversation and bowed his head to Lady Alice and I before heading out to the centre of the room.

"I had forgotten how pleasing Anastasia is! No wonder mama wants her to join the family. Oh I have never been one for dancing, but I do like to watch it."

The evening was quick to pass, the dancing was something that I enjoyed to watch, Alice had been speaking to a few other people but her mother had still not come and requested something of her. I did not mind not seeing the Duchess, I may as well be a stranger to her, tonight. I fanned myself with my hand, Alice walked back over to me. "I'm sorry about that, Bella. Lucy is extremely fond of talking. Are you feeling unwell?"

"I am a little hot, my lady; I may just step outside for a moment."

"Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No, that is not necessary, I will return very soon." I turned on my heel, not caring that I did not know my way around the house. I had fortunately remembered how we had come inside from the car. I forced myself not to express my happiness at the feel of the cold night air against my skin. Holding my dress up, I walked down the stairs and onto the gravel. The only people outside were the chauffeurs and the servants who had accompanied their employers. I suddenly felt like I should be standing with them. Of course I was in the wrong attire to do such a thing, to them I was another member of the richer class of society. I looked up into the sky above, wrapping my arms around myself. I was a fool to forget to pick up my shawl from one of the servants in the house.

"Are you well, Isabella?" I turned around seeing Edward on the stairs, he was alone this time.

"Yes, my Lord." I replied, Edward looked at the servants and walked down the rest of the steps, coming around to stand in front of me.

"Since you are my cousin, you must call me Edward." He replied. Immediately, I shook my head.

"No, I must not do that. I must not ever do that."

"Isabella, it's perfectly fine to call me by my first name, I do not mind. It is only for this one night, after all."

"No my Lord, I have a place and I must stay in it. A pretty dress and a difference in the appearance of my hair is not going to change the fact that I am a servant. I accept this and I am grateful that I could have one night to alter how everyone else has seen me."

There was a silence between us, neither of us moved and I was unaware of how long we had been quiet before Edward cleared his throat. "You look positively radiant tonight, Isabella. I have always thought that if I were to have a second sister that Alice would have wanted so much to turn her into her own mannequin. She must have loved being able to make you look like this, Isabella. My sister has done a wonderful job."

I lowered my eyes, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks; I heard the genuineness of Lord Edward's words. I somehow believed that he would never lie to me, that the two of us had something different, something more than just an acquaintanceship where we would greet one another only in passing. Perhaps it was foolish of me to think that Lord Edward could ever be a true companion, one that would always have a care for me if I were to get into trouble.

"Miss Stanton is very beautiful, my Lord and she is very friendly. I understand, now how why the Duchess wants to make her your wife so quickly."

"Mama will have to wait for me to make that decision on my own. It is my marriage after all. I have seen many men this evening looking your way, Isabella. I find it sad that you do not wish to dance, it would not be improper and I am sure my sister will aid in persuading you to do so."

"My Lord, I have never danced in my life. Nor do I ever wish to. I am afraid I lack the experience to seem like I have mastered the craft, I would only make things worse. I do not belong here; I do not belong in this world. I would be lying if I said that I have not enjoyed seeing how the richer people live but Lord Edward this is not who I am. I am not a person who would be content with waiting around in a house all day just waiting for someone to call on me. I am not a woman who knows about the best fabrics and the latest fashions in which to adhere to. I have lived a simple life, I have worked for everything I have and I will continue to do so. Thank you for showing such kindness to me but once I return to your house I will be a maid again and we will go on as before."

"I never believed you were, Isabella. You are different to many women and that is not a sign of negativity. Never feel like you are disadvantaged, this world may look beautiful but being a part of it is something entirely different. There is a reason you do not belong with us, Isabella. You have so much more depth to you; you are far too interesting when compared to some of the bores that are in there. I hope that you find someone that you deserve. I was not lying when I spoke of your radiance, you are a beautiful young woman and many a man will desire to have the honour to call you their own."

I was suddenly speechless. Lord Edward's evergreen eyes glistened under the stars and as I was still in awe of his handsomeness, I could feel my body edging closer to his. I could not stop it and I could not bring myself to. Lord Edward drew me in, he had a power over me and it scared me, it scared me to think that he could care for me as a friend, he, the son of my employer could see me as someone other than a member of his staff. His eyes lowered to my lips, this was wrong, this felt so wrong and yet so right at the same time. I felt the tingles in my skin, not from the cold, however. I closed my eyes, wishing for this moment to never end.

"Edward?" I opened them upon hearing Anastasia's voice. The moment was gone and I looked away from Lord Edward placing a hand over my mouth. I wanted to curse myself at how idiotic I had been. What must my Lord think of me, now? Will he have me taken away from his house after I had been so unprofessional with him?

"I apologise, my Lord. This won't happen again." I turned away and practically ran up the stairs, bowing my head to Miss Stanton as I passed her.

I instantly linked my arm around Alice's, showing her that I had returned.

Of three things I was absolutely certain… One, Lady Alice held feelings for Jasper. Two, Lord Edward was soon to be married and three; I knew deep down that it was time for me to return home.