Chapter 1 – First Sight

If there was one thing Isabella Swan, or Bella as she preferred, knew it was that what her mother wanted she often got. Her father was often too busy and far too indulgent of his wife's whims in Bella's opinion. Do not mistake her criticism she loved her father as well as he loved her. The Swans had only two children Bella and her brother, Seth. Seth was a good boy. Only a few years Bella's junior, and the two were extremely close, more like friends than brother and sister. Seth was Bella's confidant. The only one, save her diary, that she trusted with her thoughts. They had always been together as children until Seth was sent away to school. It was then that Bella began to write. Mostly letters to her brother, who would tell her all of the adventures he and his friends would get into. Their parents began to worry, that Bella had no friends outside of her brother, at least none that they approved of. If their parents thought that time and distance would change the relationship between them, they had been wrong. It seemed like it only strengthened their attachment. Now Seth was studying at the university and Bella missed him a great deal. He had little time to write, but she would write him sheets and sheets every opportunity she had. When he did write she treasured them, and she waited for her best friend to come home. She loved when he would come back, because it always made the house feel like home again.

Bella felt like a stranger in her own home at times. Her father had been knighted for his service for his service to the crown and carried his tile well, but it also meant that he was often out of town, or in London. But of her two parents Bella much preferred to company of her solitary father than that of her mother. Bella was completely different from her mother and that was painfully obvious. Bella hated being idle, she was always reading, writing, or working on some various form of art. For all of her mother's eccentricities she made sure Bella was the picture of a young English lady. She was considered one of the most accomplished young ladies in the county, though her quick wit and faster tongue often got her into trouble. This would be Bella's second year out in society. It was only after her father's knighthood that she came out into society, and in her mother's opinion her age was an ever rising obstacle. Her mother had failed to secure her daughter a match last season, and that was fine with Bella, she did not did not see what was so frightening of turning eighteen. She wanted to marry for love and she refused to settle for anything less, much to the dismay of her mother.

The past week Bella's mother had been busy to the extreme. Preparing for the introduction to the Cullen's who were moving into the neighborhood. It was to be at one of her mother's infamous balls. Though her father had protested heavily, he was at last persuaded and was among the first to welcome the newcomers to the neighborhood and extend the invitation. He reported back fully to his wife that they had accepted the invitation whole heartedly and that the lady was very much excited about attending. After much prodding by his wife he endeavored to explain all the particulars that he knew. Mr. Cullen was in his opinion a man of a very fine nature and upbringing. His brother, sister, whom he understood to be Bella's age, and close friend would be living with him for a time. He had explained the reason for the move was that the city did not agree with his sister and the doctor suggested a move to the country for the fresher air. Bella's father had no idea what ailment the young woman suffered from, for when he met her she seemed very well, lively even. Overall the Cullen's had made quite an impression on him. Bella trusted her father's judgment and his approbation often spoke volumes for an individual's character.

Today she had asked her mother's permission to go to town. She was in desperate need of a visit to the book shop. Her mother had conceded and asked if she would visit the dress shop to pick up the new gown for the ball her mother had ordered a week earlier for her daughter. She had yet to see the dress her mother had ordered and when the milliner showed her she had to say she was pleasantly surprised. It was made of a beautiful blue fabric that Bella remembered eyeing earlier in the shop. Bella was rarely excited about clothing, but she had to admit that this was by far one of the most beautiful gowns she owned. She even bought several selections of Ribbons and a new hat to trim, which she knew would please her mother. She was smiling as she slipped them as well as the dress parcel into the basket she was carrying. She was smiling as she made her way to the bookstore, where she bought only two new books. She was admiring one of them as she came out of the shop and almost immediately ran into something or more appropriately, someone.

"I am terribly sorry." Bella said daring to look to see whom she had plowed into this time. It was a woman she had never seen before. She was very pretty. Delicate and small, but her pale face held all the characteristics deserving of high birth. Her black hair was styled attractively and the fabric she had been carrying lay on the ground. "Oh dear." Bella said reaching for the fabric quickly. "I hope I haven't ruined anything."

The girl giggled lightly. "That's quiet alright." She almost sang. "I was coming from the milliners and I wasn't watching where I was going. I was far to absorbed in the town." They both stood and dusted off their skirts. "I'm Alice by the way." She said smiling. "Alice Cullen."

So this was Mr. Cullen's sister. Bella was taken by her youthful appearance she knew Miss Cullen was of the same age as herself yet she appeared to be young, a girl of fifteen or younger, perhaps it was due to the illness from which she suffered. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Cullen. I'm Isabella Swan." Bella said and curtsied lightly in introduction which Alice returned. "I'm sorry about the fabric. I was completely at fault." Bella said with a small chuckle. She looked at the bolts she held in her hand. "It's quite beautiful."

"Thank you Ms. Swan. And it's quite alright. I'm sure everything will be okay. Am I mistaken or is it your home in which the ball is being held at the week's end."

"Yes, it is. We are very pleased to have your family as guests in our home and to welcome you to the town. Though trust me running over you in the street wasn't exactly how my mother wanted to harbor the introduction." Alice laughed out loud and Bella realized that she must have said her thoughts allowed. "Forgive me. My mouth often gets away with me."

Alice laughed again. "Think nothing of it. I have a feeling we will get along just fine Ms. Swan. Ms. Swan I seem to have need of a guide, would it be presumptuous to ask…"

"I would be delighted Ms. Cullen, but would it be too forward to offer a suggestion?" Bella asked. Miss Cullen's brows rose and she shook her head no. Bella looked around. Finally she spotted a young boy she knew well. "Johnny!" She called to the boy. He came running over.

"Miss Swan. How do you do today?" said the young boy politely.

"Quite Well Johnny." Johnny's father was a worker on Bella's family estate. He often had to run in town for his dad and Bella knew that he could be trusted. "I need a favor of you."

"Of course Miss." He said eagerly.

"Could you please take this fabric to the Fillmore estate for Miss Cullen?"

"Of course Miss." He said as she slid a shilling in his hand and gave him the fabric.

"You be carefully now Johnny, and no stops."

The boy smiled. "Yes miss." And with that he was off. Bella chuckled and leaned down to pick up her basket and put the books in it again. She stood back up to see Alice looking in the way that Johnny took off.

"Can that boy be trusted?" She asked.

"You need not worry about Johnny. He's a good boy. Hard working if nothing but lacking in education. As I'm afraid most are around here. It's a sad truth."

"You are and honest soul aren't you Miss. Swan?" She asked turning to me.

"I endeavor to be." Bella said shyly. "I believe there is far too little honesty in the world."

"Indeed there is." Ms. Cullen agreed. They walked through the town and Bella pointing out various shops of interest, for there were no real sights. Mostly they used the time to converse.

"My brother is a caring soul. Sometimes too much so." Ms. Cullen said at one point. It amazed Bella how easily she could converse with Miss Cullen. Already they spoke as if they'd known each other for years. "I know he means for the best, but at times I wish I could strangle him." She laughed lightly.

Bella introduced Alice to her best friend Rosalie Hale who was on her way to the dress shop to order a gown for her sister, Katelyn. Bella had always thought Rosalie was born beneath the station that her beauty demanded she be in. She was beautiful enough to be a duchess and more. Unfortunately their mother thought the Hales bellow Bella's station. But Bella did not care. "Your friend she's…very beautiful." Ms. Cullen said as we walked away from Rosalie.

"Yes. She is. But don't let her appearance fool you, she is also one of the most spirited women I have ever met."

"One you do not want to cross I take it?"

Bella laughed. "No definitely not."

As they made their way back Bella told Alice about herself. About the books she was interested in, how she hoped to travel.

"I love to travel. Last year my brother took me to summer on the continent."

"Really? What was it like?"

"Different, I suppose. I guess I expected the contrast to be drastic, but it wasn't really. It was an incredible experience, though do not misunderstand me. I do long to go back. I did not get to do nearly as much shopping as I longed to do. My brother's patience can only be tried for so long" She giggled and I laughed with her. "Look there is my brother now." Alice said to Bella pointing to a man at the end of the street. Bella was speechless. Handsome was not a word to describe the man standing there. He was a sculpture. A perfect specimen of what a man should look like in Bella's opinion. He looked very little like his sister. While Alice was short he was tall. His face was chiseled and his stature was dignified. "Do you find him handsome Miss Swan?" she asked quietly as they approached and Bella could do nothing but giggle nervously and blush, which sent Alice into a fit of laughter. He rushed over when he saw them approaching.

"There you are Alice." Said a voice that sounded like velvet. "I was beginning to worry."

"Edward. You worry far too much." She said dismissing the tone in her brother's voice.

"Who is this?" He asked sharply. Bella was taken aback by his tone, but surly it was pure worry for his sister's well being that put it there.

"This is Miss. Isabella Swan, Edward." Her tone held a small warning in its tone. "Miss Swan is the daughter of Sir Swan who paid us a visit the other day, and whose family is hosting the coming ball. Miss Swan this is my brother Mr. Edward Cullen." She finished warmly.

"Oh of course." Edward said to his sister and then turned to Bella. "Ms. Swan." Edward said indifferently giving a formal bow.

"Mr. Cullen." Bella said returning his formality and his tone of voice.

His brows rose for a moment and then he settled his gaze on his sister once again. "Come now Alice or we will be late for dinner." He looked once again at Bella. "It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Swan." His voice held a little more warmth than before but not much. He bowed once more before turning to mount his horse.

Bella heard Alice let out a breath of frustration then she turned to Bella. "Pay him no mind. It is how I get by." She giggled and Bella was able to manage a small laugh. Alice laid a hand on Bella's arm. "It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Swan. I hope we will be friends."

"I hope so too Miss Cullen." Bella said with a genuine smile.

"May I call on you tomorrow?"

"I would be delighted."

"I shall then."

"Alice!" Her brother called from his mount.

Alice rolled her eyes and smiled at Bella. "Till tomorrow." She said and she turned to mount her own horse. As they rode away Bella couldn't help but think back to the encounter. It was odd. Alice and her brother seemed to be opposites in the extreme. Night and Day. She was friendly and he was almost cold in his formality. It seemed impossible that the two shared the same blood. Perhaps she would inquire about his behavior once she was acquainted with Alice more for she was sure that she would be acquainted with Alice Cullen very well indeed.