Edward

Edward

The Evening has come, The Swan's Abode.

Even with her clearly visibly matchmaking skills, they were flawlessly correct. I was attracted to Isabella in more ways than one: her passion, her ideas, her clothes, the very way she talks. I liked the blush she brought to her face. Her blush was so easily coaxed I had the unrealistic urge to call it forward again.

"Bells, is somebody here?" Another woman's voice called out from atop the stairs. "Darling, invite them in. I won't have you shaming our good name. I… oh." The Mistress Swan stood with one foot on and one foot off the last stair.

"Good gracious!" She exclaimed, flying forward to asses the situation. "Edward Mason! Well I'll be… I'd know your face anywhere! Isabella, dear, this handsome boy came into my shop late yesterday afternoon requesting I make him a nice silk vest, the very one!" She pointed to my chest proudly. "And I was closing shop too, but he insisted and would not leave until I finished the vest. 'Said it was for meeting a very important lady tomorrow…" Her voice trailed off.

I rubbed the back of my neck timidly. "I hope you do not mind, Mrs. Swan, but that very important lady is your daughter, you see. She caught my eye at the party the other day, and I couldn't let her leave without agreeing to coming out with me."

"Dear me," the mother said, putting one hand over her heart like her daughter did the first time we met. Apparently I've scared the wits out of both the Swan woman already. "Charlie?" A grunt was heard from upstairs. "Come down and greet our guest!"

Turning to us she asked, "And where, pray tell, are you taking my sweet little girl?"

"I thought we might take a walk in the park, if Isabella is up to it. It's lovely weather outside and I know the perfect place."

"The park!" She gushed. "But the Jazz band plays there on the weekends! I won't allow it!"

"But Mother-." Isabella protested.

"No, no, Mrs. Swan. I wouldn't dream of going to the Jazz Band performance. It's so improper. A walk will do."

A smile broke out on the Mistress's face. "Very well. I trust you, just not Isabella. I know where she goes off to on evening like these. I'm glad that you're removing that temptation for tonight. Just have to make sure she stops humming those saxophone and trumpet songs before her father hears her."

"Before I what?" A man boomed.

"Oh, Charlie." Mrs. Swan turned to find her husband directly beside her. "Have you met the Masons son?"

"Emmett you mean?" Mr. Swan said.

"No, dear. Edward."

His eyes widened as he appraised me. "Nice to meet you, Edward." I shook the hand he offered me.

"Same to you, Chief Swan," I replied, remembering his title. Both the chief and his daughter's eyes brightened at the honor I gave their family.

"We must be off while there's still some light out," Isabella insisted. She hooked her arm in mine and pulled me out the door, just barely giving me enough time to shut it. "Thank the good lord!" She whisper shouted. "I saw the look in my mother's eyes and my poor father! He will not stop hearing of you until I return. I can bet on it."

I chuckled and shook my head. With my free hand I reached for the flower I left waiting on the porch railing. Handing her the night lily I heard an audible gasp.

"Why, Edward, it's beautiful!" She stroked each petal before putting it behind her ear where the mouth of the lily stood out brilliantly upon her hair.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you," I crooned. Her mouth frowned in confusion while that tattle-tale blush crept back into her cheeks.

"What do you mean? No need to act like this is a courtship or anything. I'm fulfilling my end of the agreement. Thank you for the compliment though, it was greatly appreciated. Coming from a man as great as you."

"A man is nothing without his woman," I argued. "And who said this wasn't a courtship? When is the last time you heard the gossip tell you I'd go out with just any woman?"

"You can't mean that. Edward, you deserve a girl within the same social circle, one that's more suited to you than I can be. We have a difference in ambition, and-." I stopped the endless flow of meaningless words from pouring forth from her mouth by two fingers pressed against her delicate lips.

"I believe we have the same ambitions, Bella. Did we not discuss that the first time we met? I remember how both of us loathed that kind of company that the party entitled."

"But you hardly know me." Yet I could see her gaze was pleading otherwise.

"I know enough about you to know that you aren't like those other posh girls. You are far from that and so very much better than them. I know, if I had to give you up now I would never find another lady as perfect for my company than you." I carefully took her hand and concentrated on her two glowing brown irises. "Will you be my girl for not only this evening, but many other evenings to come?"

"Edward…" She was speechless for a moment. Then: "Yes. Definitely."

I smiled so large my jaws hurt, but I couldn't force myself to stop. "Then to the park we go, Isabella. Let's swing!"