Chapter One: Introductions

"Fanny Price!"

She whipped around, trying to find the source of the booming voice calling her name.

"Fanny Price!"

She searched the crowded lobby of Union Station, her eyes finally finding the man shouting her name. He was large and serious and dressed all in black, but his face was still kind, with deep crow's feet around his eyes. Fanny always measured kindness by the depth of one's crow's feet.

"Hullo Fanny," he said as she approached him slowly, dragging her case of things behind her. "Let me take that for you."

"Uncle Richard?" she asked, and the man laughed.

"Not in the least, my dear. I'm Martin McInnis, your uncle's driver. Your Aunt Nora and Uncle Richard will be expecting you at home." Martin lead her to the car, one so sleek and black and large that Fanny was sure she had never seen anything similar in England. Inside was even bigger, and she guessed she could stretch her legs fully across the back seat, if she wanted to, but instead crossed them neatly at the ankles, hands folded primly on her lap.

The ride from the station to her aunt and uncle's house in Rosedale was short, forcing Fanny to absorb her new surroundings more quickly than she would have liked. Modern offices flew by the car window, followed by grand house after grand house until they stopped outside of one of the grandest houses of all.

This is where they live? Thought Fanny, suddenly feeling dirty, shabby, and fully out of place. She quickly smoothed her dark hair back from her face, and tried desperately to brush any sign of crumbs that had clung to her coat.

Martin had pulled up to a circular drive, stopping at the main entrance, surrounded by manicured gardens. Once out of the car, she could see the house in all its magnificence. It must have been three stories high, with more windows than Fanny could count. Dark green shutters sat on sandy brick, all finished with an impossibly pristine white trim. Fanny could imagine her parents' row house in London fitting into one of the house's small wings.

"Here we are, Fanny," Martin said cheerfully. "You hop out and go right in while I take care of the bags."

Suddenly, the front door swung open without revealing who had opened it and Fanny assumed that this was an invitation to enter. Inside, the house was even more lavish than expected. Every surface of the front hall gleamed with sophistication and it smelled like furniture polish and expensive perfume.

"Welcome, Fanny."

Fanny turned to face her aunt, fashionably posed at the foot of the staircase. Her aunt managed a tight smile but her face looked unnaturally stiff and her teeth unnaturally white. "Now come in, darling, and let me have a look at you."

As she stood in the centre of the great foyer, her aunt inspecting her in detail, Fanny had never felt more self-conscious. She had done her best to smooth her rough appearance but with her aunt's eyes searching every inch of her body, her lack of style and grace was never more apparent. Suddenly her best wool coat was faded and pilled, and was awkwardly crumpled on one side from her long train ride. Her dark, wavy hair, on which she had always been complimented, now only seemed to make her skin seem paler and did not have the glossy sheen that her aunt's lovely golden hair did.

Her aunt released a small puff of air through her nose, which Fanny took to mean that she disapproved, but would hold off on her many criticisms for the time being. "I suppose I should show you to your room so you can get cleaned up," her aunt said, turning to ascend the wide staircase.

Fanny followed Aunt Nora obligingly, unable to speak as she absorbed the house and its contents. Her aunt continued a one-sided conversation, and Fanny was almost convinced that she wasn't even meant to respond.

"The Bertrams will be joining us for dinner tonight," her aunt stated. You know, the Bertrams; they are just next-door. He is in finance and she throws the most wonderful parties, although is rarely present at them. Well, she's there, just not present, if you know what I mean." Fanny didn't know, and her aunt gave a small knowing laugh.

"Anyway, lovely people. And very well mannered children. I wanted to introduce you right away, so you can learn by example." She paused and turned to face Fanny. "You know, Fanny, this is a very prestigious neighbourhood and there are certain expectations of its residents, and that now includes you. I expect that you will behave accordingly." Fanny, unsure of how to respond, nodded silently, unable to meet her aunt's cautioning eye.

"Well, here we are," Aunt Nora said, stopping in front of a small door at the end of the long hallway. "We've given you the third floor for privacy's sake," she continued. Fanny didn't know if it were her privacy or theirs she was speaking of. Her aunt turned to leave before adding, "Dinner is at 7:00. The Betrams will be here at 6:00."

Her aunt was already making her way back down the hall before Fanny finally had the courage to speak. "Thank you, Aunt Nora," she said softly. She wasn't even sure her aunt heard her.

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At 6:00 Fanny stood at the top of the staircase, looking down at the foyer with apprehension. She was fairly certain that the Bertrams had not yet arrived, but couldn't bear to descend to another moment of judgment and knowing looks from her dear aunt.

Although, her appearance had quite improved since she first arrived. She had bathed, and changed into her very best dress, a pretty blue print with a "Peter Pan" collar and real silk trim. And it was a lovely dress, yet she was fairly certain that it would not even begin to match the attire of the other guests. Her mind began to fill with images of designer gowns with glass beads and matching gloves, but her thoughts were soon interrupted by the sharp ringing of the doorbell followed by her aunt's quick, crisp footsteps across the foyer tiles.

The door was swung open and four listless faces marched through. Fanny watched as Aunt Nora welcomed and gushed over them, her eyes wide and her bleached teeth more unnatural than ever. In her hiding spot at the top of the stairs Fanny observed the four Bertrams, still unable to bring herself to actually joining them.

Mrs. Bertram was as she expected. She was fair and fragile looking, with a small, pretty face and elegant dress. She smiled and nodded as Aunt Nora spoke, looking as if she didn't quite understand the words. There were three children with her; two prissy girls, about Fanny's age with matching curls and matching scowls, and a boy, tall and slim with a handsome face who looked moderately uncomfortable in his immaculate shirt and tie.

"Fanny! Fanny, come down here please!" Aunt Nora's shrieking voice startled her, and she took a moment to compose herself before slowly stepping down the stairs, gripping the banister as if it could save her from the five pairs of judging eyes that awaited her. And of course they would judge her. She though she heard the two girls snicker to each other as they eyed her blue dress and she could feel the boy's eyes on her all the way down the steps. Mrs. Bertram looked almost shocked to see such a common girl.

"Fanny, hurry up!" her aunt said impatiently as she motioned for Fanny to stand beside her. She placed her hand almost lovingly on Fanny's shoulder but Fanny felt her sharp grip immediately, acting as a warning not to embarrass her.

"Fanny, darling, these are the Bertrams," her aunt said emphatically. She gestured to each of them as she began with introductions. "This is Mrs. Bertram, and her three children, Edward, Marie and Julia. Her eldest son, Tom, is away at University. McGill, you know. Very esteemed," her Aunt said proudly, as if she were bragging about her own son.

"Hello," Fanny managed weakly. "Very please to meet you."

At this, the girls didn't even attempt to contain their giggles. "Mother! Why does she talk like that?" shrieked Julia. Mrs. Bertram looked at her daughter blankly and Edward rolled his eyes at his sister before looking at Fanny apologetically.

"Come on, Julia," he started, "I never knew you found accents so comedic."

"Not really," interrupted Marie. "Only hers. It's almost a funny as that dress." The girls burst into another fit of giggles and Fanny felt the familiar sting of tears in her eyes. She would not let them see her cry. They would not see her cry.

"Excuse me, please," Fanny whispered hurriedly before turning and walking quickly toward the back of the house. She could vaguely hear her aunt calling out to her, a tone of warning in her agitated voice. But at that moment, her cheeks burning with shame and eyes filled with tears, she didn't care. And she started to run, away from Aunt Nora's disapproval, away from those awful girls and their bitter laughs.

It was only minutes later that she stopped, unable to catch her breath as the tears now rolled freely down her face. She sunk to the ground, certain that her dress would soon be stained with the muddy signs of early fall, but her legs were unable to keep her standing any longer. She thought of her mother, how she had carefully cleaned and pressed that blue dress so that it may be perfect for Fanny's introduction to all the wonderful new friends she was supposed to meet. How she hated that dress now.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed before she heard the soft rustle of footsteps behind her. She didn't bother to turn around, unable and unwilling to confront a cold, unfamiliar face again.

"It's getting cold out," he said, sitting next to her. Fanny kept her head down, not wanting to expose her tear-stained face. That sat in silence for a while, on the muddy lawn, listening to the birds in the trees and wind through the leaves.

Finally, he spoke again, "I love it out here. Walking through the ravine -- you would never guess that you were in the middle of a city. You could be anywhere. It's just quiet, peaceful." He paused for a moment. "You can get a lot of good thinking done out here. In fact, it seems like the only place around here that you can really think," he laughed. "I mean, growing up with two sisters…" His voice trailed off and Fanny guessed that he regretted bringing up his sisters.

"Fanny," he started, "They shouldn't have said those things to you. They're awful, I know. They just can't stand to have the attention placed on someone else even for a minute. And I'm sorry. What a terrible way to welcome someone to the neighbourhood, right?"

For the first time, Fanny turned to look at him, and gave him a small smile of reassurance. "You don't need to apologize," she said quietly. "I know that I'm… different. I know that I don't fit in here. I just thought things would be easier, better. That's why they sent me here, you know. So things could be better." Edward nodded, understanding.

"It's not so bad, really" he conceded. "You know, snowy winters, and summers up at the lake. Maple syrup, and French fries by the harbour. And hockey. We cannot forget the hockey." Fanny gave a small laugh. "See? It'll get better. I promise," he said sincerely. And looking at his face, excited by talk of maple syrup and hockey, she believed him.

"Okay," she said.

"Okay?"

She nodded.

"Then I think we should start by going in for some dinner. I hear roast beef and Yorkshire pudding is on the menu and I think you will soon discover that it is a big mistake to miss out on dinner with a menu like that." She laughed, genuinely, and allowed him to help her up from the lawn.

"Thanks," she said. He nodded modestly and started walking back towards the house, the house that had once seemed large and intimidating. But now all the lights were on and she could detect the enticing scents of dinner and Edward was there, beside her.

"You know," she said, "suddenly I'm starving."