Chapter 2 – First day

Edward Cullen was far too lenient with his sister, as he was well aware. Most of everything that Alice wanted Alice would get. Whether this was due to her illness or his inability to stand up his little sister Edward did not know. Alice had insisted on going and exploring the town and like the free spirit that she was she insisted she do so unaccompanied, sighting that the nurses had been so fussy and she had just wanted to get away for a while. Edward had relented, as she knew he would, which is why he found himself waiting impatiently for his sister to turn up so he could escort her back to the house. His house. It would take some getting used to, but It was time for him to move out of London. Alice's need for sabbatical just sped up the process slightly. His brother was prodigiously proud of him and came with him to help get his books in order.

Emmett had taken an estate closer to home, wanting to be at hand if his father had any problems with his health. Emmett the thoughtful one…Edward had wanted nothing more than to get away, from what he did not know. He loved his parents dearly, but at times his mother could be…overly enthusiastic, a trait that she shared with Alice. Alice had been almost as ready for a fresh start as Edward had been, but she did not want to be too far away from the house. It was an easy enough travel distance. No more than fifty miles separated his family estate and his new home and Alice and he had been appeased by this.

As far as Edward was concerned, while this gave this move gave them all a certain amount of freedom it also took away the joys of city life. What was there really to do in the country? Edward had no clue. He was absently thinking about what he could do to occupy his time. He had already visited the solicitor and finished getting the papers in order for his new home. He was contemplating seeing what the local bookshop had to offer in means of selection when he was stopped by the sight of a beautiful woman.

She was beyond beautiful. Her chestnut hair cascaded down her back freely. It wasn't arranged in curls and pins as he was used to seeing, but it waved freely in the breeze. She was in a most becoming dress of two tone reds. She held herself with confidence that he found confusing given her present location and attire. She walked with a demeanor of someone much older than she appeared. He was mesmerized by her. She was headed into the bookshop Edward had been heading for. She was smiling widely as she slipped into the door. Before he even knew what he was doing Edward slipped inside of the bookshop after her. The air in the small space seemed to be charged with electricity. Edward tried to get close to the woman whom held all of his attention. She never even looked his way. She was busy examining what must have been every volume in the shop. What was he doing, following a girl that he didn't even know? He quickly slipped out of the shop and made his way to the leather workers shop. He milled around for a while, until he left the shop to return to the horses. Now he was waiting once again for his sister. What could be taking her so long? There really were not that many shops available here in this small town. Alice couldn't be interested in all of them. However we were new here, what if she had gotten lost. Was there a bad section of this town like there was in London, what if something had happened to her? He was shocked out of his internal tirade when he saw her again.

When Alice came into view he breathed an immediate sigh of relief. However his breath stopped short when he saw who was accompanying her. It was the girl from earlier, the beauty that had mesmerized him before. How did Alice meet her, when did Alice meet her, and why was his sister talking so comfortably with a complete and total stranger. Alice had always been trusting, too much so in his opinion. He did not think that this woman could be of much harm, but looks could often be deceiving.

"There you are Alice. I was beginning to worry." He said as he hurried to approach them.

"Edward. You worry far too much." She said dismissing him immediately.

"Who is this?" He asked, his tone came out sharper than he intended. His sister was being entirely to flippant with him. It irritated him when she behaved so, and unfortunately his irritation was present in his voice.

The young woman was still avoiding his gaze and Alice shot him a look. "This is Miss. Isabella Swan, Edward. Miss Swan is the daughter of Sir Swan who paid us a visit the other day." Her tone warned him that he was being severe. She turned her attention from him to the woman beside her. "Miss Swan this is my brother Mr. Edward Cullen."

For the first time her eyes met his and he was taken aback for a moment. She was even more beautiful up close. Her eyes were dark brown pools that he could get lost in. He recognized the color as being similar to that of the girl's father, whom he had met with earlier. Edward didn't know if he was relieved or disappointed to discover she was of high birth. In one aspect, Alice was completely safe in her company. However, she would probably be like all of the others. Fine breeding and elegant airs but no wit or vivacity. "Oh of course." He said more to Alice than Ms. Swan. "Ms. Swan." He said bowing formally. Turning to mount his horse. The sooner he was home the sooner he would be away from this tempting woman.

"Mr. Cullen." She said her tone formal and distant. It was the first time that he had heard her speak. Her voice was as beautiful as she was, but the tone sounded strange.

He felt his brows rise. Maybe Edward had been wrong in his first impression. Maybe Ms. Swan was one of those women? One of the women that were only concerned with social stature. If she was, of course she would attach herself to Alice. And she was too naive to see it. "Come now Alice or we will be late for dinner." He looked once again at Bella. Her eyes were watching him. "It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Swan." He tried to lighten the tone in his voice, if for nothing than to avoid the wrath of his sister later. He bowed once more before turning to mount his horse. Alice was slow to follow him, but finally she did.

Alice didn't speak the whole way home, and it was worrying Edward. Alice had never been one for quiet solitude. When we approached the house she dismounted quickly and I handed the horses over to a groom. When I entered the house Alice was walking into the drawing room. He riding gloves abandoned on the table in the entry way. I came in and closed the door behind me. "What were you thinking Alice?" I asked now that we were in the privacy of our own home.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Edward." She said as she was admiring some fabric.

"Where did that come from?"

"I bought it in town."

"How did it get back here?"

"Miss Swan had sent it back with a boy she knew."

"Oh. That was kind of her."

"She's a sweet girl Edward. And I hope we will be good friends. I thought we would be until she met you. Why were you acting like that to her?"

"Like what? I have no idea what you are talking about."

"You know precisely what I am talking about. Edward. You were practically horrid to the poor girl. I really like Ms. Swan. I will not have you scaring her off." He knew by her tone that it was the end of the argument. Edward sighed. "I'm going to call on her tomorrow afternoon. You need not trouble yourself I shall find the house well enough on my own."

"Nonsense. You cannot go off across the countryside unattended."

"Really Edward. I'm going to a house not two miles away. I'll take the carriage. I shall be fine."

"Alice…I promised I would look after you."

"Edward…If you want to see Miss Swan you will have to wait until invited."

"Alice…" He warned. "That is not what I…Do not meddle in things that are not your business. I know how you are inclined to matchmaking. Do not make me your next victim." Alice sighed. "Alice…"

"Oh…very well." She said with a smile, but Edward knew that it was not the end of the conversation. Poor Miss Swan. She didn't know what she had gotten herself into.