Edward

Edward

After the party disbanded.

"So, did any of the ladies catch your interest, Edward dear?" my mother inquired. "I invited about all the girls in town that I could. Surely you must have found one that suited your fancy."

I struck a wrong cord on the piano keys and hissed through my teeth. "Mother, you're making it hard to practice."

"Don't be silly. I'm merely having a conversation. How about Miss Quinn or the Williams sisters?"

"Miss Quinn only has an eye for our money and the Williams sisters, I find, are pigheaded and stupid."

"Edward, where are your manners? If they were here to hear you talk like that… why…" But the fact was that they are not. "However, I'll tell you who I don't like: Miss Stanley and Miss Mallory. Miss Stanley is a well know gossip about town as well as her friend. But Miss Mallory said the most offending thing at the door when she arrived to her friends. She simply took one look at the property and decided she was going to marry you! It's preposterous, I know.

"And you know that Miss Swan? Well, she was traveling with them, as well. She spoke up just as I was about to scold the young woman and told her friend to marry for love not money. Took the words right out of my mouth, she did!"

I stiffened at the name. That was Isabella, the sweet girl I had talked with this afternoon. She certainly had a fresh personality. I'd never heard of a girl brave enough to run away from home during the night to see some musicians playing in the town park. Musicians that didn't require any pay either! But just the way she described it I had to trust her, and I could imagine how beautiful a scene like that would be on a moonlit summer's night.

"Edward, are you listening to me?" My mother's voice drew me out of that reverie. I realized I had been playing two of the same notes the entire time I was out of sorts.

"Sorry. I was thinking about something. You were saying?"

"Yes… as I was saying. It seems Miss Swan comes from a rather respectable family. Her father is the town's Chief of Police, and he brings home a valuable income. The mother, I've learned it to be true, is a seamstress. Mrs. Swan's profession makes her highly recommended, even though her husbands pay is enough that she doesn't have to work. Honorable woman; but what I don't understand is why she lets her daughter dress so."

"Short dresses are the fashion of the future, mother. I rather liked her dress. And I think that it's much more suitable for sunny weather than long dresses. You understand what I'm talking about."

"Yes, but-."

"She doesn't wear those shorter skirts to make herself indecent. She finds them wearable and pretty. Isabella is a very realistic sort of girl, and she is very amiable. I wouldn't mind having her as company again."

"So you like Miss Swan, do you? So fond you even call her by her first name. Where are your formalities?"

"No need to talk so eloquently with me, Mother. We were talking about dress length, not Isabella, were we not?"

"Edward, I believe you varied from that point, too."

"Then let's get back on topic. If you want to know what dresses I found vulgar I would have to mention Miss Mallory, again. Now that was and indecent dress."

"I agree. Please, tell me about Isabella. She did not look a bit sick yesterday when she left us. I saw you two talking. Did you say something to drive her away?"

"No, mother. Yes, we were talking. But nothing bad was said. I just gave her an excuse to leave. Isabella isn't very comfortable amongst that large of a crowd." I gave her a half truth.

"Oh dear. I should have thought that one of the girls might feel that way. Still, I admire her courage for showing up. Tell me about your conversation. Was she witty… clever? Did she make you laugh?"

"Now you're pushing it…"

"I am your mother and you are my son. Now, tell me what happened."

I sighed. "Very well. We talked about… music. Isabella took an interest in my piano music. She claims she likes all kinds of music. I think she would like to hear me play. And we discussed our opinions about fine parties like this one, and we talked about our hobbies and things of the like."

Mother was practically jumping in her stockings. "And you should play for her, Edward! I like this girl. She sounds good for you."

"Don't you dare start that matchmaking charade like you did with Emmett. He would have found Rosalie with or without your help. In fact, I think your meddling just got in the way."

"At least your older brother is not as stubborn as you."

"And yet you always liked me the best."

She laughed happily. "Yes. You are my handsome son, and you are talented. Emmett was a fool, a happy fool, but one none the less. He'll be a good lawyer as long as he reads his books and I know his wife loves him dearly. Now here I am arguing with my youngest son who won't leave his piano for even a moment to talk with his mother."

I finished playing the last few notes then turned on the bench to face her. "Fine. Just a few more questions, and that's it."

"Good. Are you going to see Miss Swan again? Oh, you must call on her!"

"That's already arranged." I couldn't help the small smile that worked its way onto my face. "I'm stopping by her house tomorrow evening for a night on the town."

"Where are you taking her?"

"That's a surprise."

"But you can tell me. I am your mother, after all. Don't you trust me?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes for a second to figure out how to word this. "We agreed to go out to… dance."