I see some of you are reading this and I'm glad, I know there isn't a huge audience for this type of fanfiction. I hope you are enjoying it! It promises to be quite a ride.
If you like what you see leave me a review! (I'm a review ho!) LOL
A/N I do not own Twilight! But I DO own Colleen!
Colleen helped the kitchen staff serve us breakfast, I had a hard time keeping my eyes, and hands, off of her. This was going to be a long day.
After breakfast I followed my mother on her usual walk through the garden.
"Is Miss Murphy, more,"I searched for a polite way to ask, "more educated than our other Irish house servants?"
My mother looked at me quizzically. I understood, I had never asked about the servants before.
"Yes," she said, "her mother died when she was born, unable to care for her, her father sent her to the nunnery, they educated her and fed her until, when was fifteen, her father remarried and came to fetch her."
"Her father sent her to the convent, as a baby? How awful," I mused.
"They educated her well, she is the youngest head housemaid we have ever had, but she is so bright, your father couldn't resist," my mother smiled at me.
"Father has always had a soft spot for you Irish girls," I smiled back.
"Don't I know, don't I know," my mother shook her head.
"How did you two overcome your class difference?" I wondered aloud.
"We refused to acknowledge it. Everyone else followed suit, why, dear?" she raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'm just curious," I placated her.
"How is Miss Swan?" my mother said in a warning voice.
"She is well, I called on her yesterday but she was going to Aunt Esme's," I conversed.
"Oh, well, I may call on my sister today, I miss her so," she rubbed the locket that contained the picture of her and her twin.
"I think I will take your leave now, Mother dear," I bowed to her, smiling crookedly.
I went back inside, my mother would be gone until late evening if she had taken on the notion to go to Esme's , and would likely send for my father. They loved to spend evenings with the Cullens. That would mean she would ask Colleen to remain until they returned to chaperon me, even after the rest of the staff had left for the evening, oh what a sweet a turn of events this was!
First, I had to meet Bella at the park. We had agreed to walk there today. I put on my hat and strolled out the door.
"Edward," Bella curtsied.
"Isabella," I bowed.
We strolled, she talked about her piano lesson yesterday, she wasn't very good but she enjoyed my Aunt's company. She told me about the latest gossip, for which I had no taste. Her company always warmed me. I walked her to her home, then continued on to mine. By the time I walked in, it was past time for dinner and the kitchen staff had gone. My parents were indeed not home.
"Ah, welcome home Master Masen," Colleen smiled and took my hat, "Your dinner is still warm, sit at the table and I will fetch it for you."
Obeying her, I ventured into the dinning room and sat in my father's chair at the head of the table, as was my custom when he was not home. She brought out the plate, I hadn't realized how hungry I was.
"Have you eaten?" I asked her.
"Yes, with the other servants," she replied coldly.
"Please, sit, talk with me," I motioned to the chair to my left.
She hesitated, and I noticed her beautiful red hair was in a thick braid down her back, perhaps in an attempt to keep me out of it, but she did as I asked. She sat very stiffly in the chair, obviously uncomfortable.
"Did you know." I asked, " that my mother was a young Irish serving girl when my father met her?"
She tried to hide her astonishment,"No, I did not. It failed to come up in conversation when your father interviewed me for the position."
"Well she was. I'm going to be frank, I have a woman to whom I am engaged, but, you, you have peeked my interest in a way I cannot fathom. I wish to get to know you,"I chewed while she contemplated what I said.
"Master Masen, my reputation is all I have. I am not wealthy, my family struggles, without my reputation, I am nothing. As it is I will likely be an old maid," she frowned, still her countenance was beautiful, "Yet, I am inclined to accept your invitation. You intrigue me, in ways I do not understand. It's maddening!"
I laughed heartily, yes, it was maddening.
"Just what is it you find humorous," she crossed her arms, anger flaring in her beautiful blue eyes.
"Your ability to point out the obvious," I chucked again.
Then I heard the most wondrous thing, she laughed with me, it was more musical a sound than her singing, such beauty in one creature!
"What was your childhood like," I shot the question at her before her mood could change.
A dark cloud drifted over her face.
"The sisters were strict, but they taught me well and for that I am grateful. When my father sent for me, I have never had a happier moment in all my life," she smiled gently, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Do you have brothers or sisters?" I quizzed.
"Yes, some of them have died, but I am one of twelve, we are quite the brood," her eyes twinkled, " only four of them are younger than me."
"You grew up in a convent, so can you play an instrument?" I asked.
"Yes, I play several, but was only taught piano at the convent," she smiled again.
"What's that mean?" my plate was empty.
"The Irish are a musical people, boy-o," she winked as she laid on her accent so thick I almost didn't understand her.
I laughed.
"What about you," she asked, "who taught you to play so beautifully."
The flush in her cheeks made her freckles more prominent.
"My Aunt, my mother's twin, as you said, the Irish are indeed a musical people," I tried my best brogue.
Collen's laughter filled the room, we both jumped when there was a knock at the door. She stood straight up, brushed the wrinkles out of her pristine apron, then walked straight to the front door. I followed her, when she opened the door to reveal Jasper Hale, the Cullen's butler, I was worried something may have happened to my parents.
"Here you are Miss," Jasper handed Colleen an envelope with my fathers script on it.
"Thank you," Colleen shut the door.
What is it?" I asked, startling her.
"Oh you keep startling me like that and you'll drive me to drink and I've not far to go to begin with!" she yelled.
I laughed.
"Well open it," I prodded.
"Your parents will be spending the night at your Aunts, they want me to stay here in the servant's quarters so you will not be alone. They do know we are the same age right?" she raised an eyebrow, looking into my eyes alarmed.
I shared her alarm, all night? How could I stay all night in my own room knowing she was here in the bedroom off the kitchen? The pull between us was so strong, I couldn't imagine ignoring it. We stared at each other flabbergasted.
"Would you like me to play for you," I suggested breaking the silence.
"Yes, that would be lovely," she was even more pale than before, it was disconcerting.
I played for her, every song I knew, every song I had written. Sometimes she sang along, endearing herself to me. Finally, I could take it no more, I turned to her and pulled her to me.
"Edward!" the use of my first name only encouraged me, "put me down, think of your intended!"
And I did, I thought of Bella, I loved her but I couldn't ignore the pull of this girl. I wouldn't. Pulling her into my lap, I kissed her. Colleen's hands flew into my hair, goosebumps rose on my arm. I yanked the ribbon containing her hair, it should always be free, something so wild shouldn't be caged. Using my fingers like a comb loosed her hair.
I made her stand before me, removing her apron, she was not my servant. Taking her to my room I laid her on my large four poster bed.
"Edward, we can't," she sighed, as I placed kisses along her collarbone.
"Yes, we can, if one of us died tomorrow would you rather your would be safe or that you truly lived?" I looked her straight in her eyes and saw the flash.
Her lips were soft, I enjoyed the feel of them on my chest in contrast with her rough, work calloused hands. I felt no regret, like this is where I was meant to be right at this moment. I unbuttoned her dress, she was pale with even more freckles, I ran my fingers over the soft white skin. Oh she was so beautiful.
"You are so beautiful" I whispered.
"Hush, before I lose my nerve!"Colleen said into my ear.
We lie naked in each others arms, kissing, nipping, touching. Neither of us strong enough to take the next step, she lay beside me on her side, her body pressed to me, as I lay on my back. I nervously ran my hand through my hair, she hitched her leg around my waist. I ran my index finger, ever so lightly up her thigh felling her shiver and sigh against me. She was certainly ready for me, I could feel that.
Turning her onto her back, I gently entered her. The arch of her back gave her a graceful form. She moaned. Colleen's hands were on my hips, my hands were in her hair again as I leaned over her, trying to be as close as I could be. She whispered my name and my heart stuttered, how could I fall for this girl?
"Hold me Colleen, hold me tightly," I begged her.
She obeyed, you could no longer tell where I stopped and she began, we moved in time with each other. Hungrily, I plastered my mouth to hers, and together, we had release.
Colleen nuzzled into my neck, her warm breath tickling me so slightly that it felt good. What had I just done? I didn't regret it but I didn't know how I would move forward either. For now she would have to be my secret, until I could figure out what I wanted. I felt so torn but no regret.
"Edward,"she looked up at me, "what will we do now?"
"I don't know Colleen, I don't know."