A/N: I'm so excited to start this story. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. :)
P.S- I'm not sure what to do with Isabella Dawn, any suggestions?
Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight.
Chapter Three
The next afternoon I decided to have a talk with the head maid of the estate.
"Mary, do you happen to have a piano in any of the rooms here?"
"Yes Miss Bella, there is a grand piano on the second floor, near the west wing. It hasn't been played for almost thirty years now. The keys need to be repaired and the inside needs dusting. Do you care to play, madam?"
"Oh, no Mary. I was just curious is all. Sorry to have wasted any of your time."
"You're no trouble at all Miss Bella! My days are filled with cleaning and more cleaning, I can use a small break every now and then." She smiled warmly before walking into the kitchen.
The keys need to be repaired? But, I'm positive I heard someone playing a piano yesterday. This is getting more and more bizarre. I have the urge to visit that room again.
Later that day I ended up going back to the room. I was barely through the door when I heard the wonderful sounds of the pianist. Could I be imagining these sounds? No, I highly doubt it. The melody permeated through out the room and it got louder and louder as I approached the ripped wallpaper. I carefully started to peal the tape off the wall. The more tape I peal away, the more I start to see an actual doorway behind the flimsy wallpaper. The sounds coming from the piano get louder as I eagerly, but slowly, open the secret door. A million thoughts race through my mind. Is this some kind of Narnia wardrobe, like in those fantasy books? I really hope I don't meet a fawn any time soon.
As my feet descend into the unknown room, the light changes to a dimmer setting and it's suddenly warmer. I can see bulbous curtains surrounding me, they feel soft like silk. I can hear someone playing the piano, and I hear laughter coming from all directions of the cozy room.
"Bella dear, what ever is the matter? What is your reason for being behind the drapes?" Said a woman walking towards me. I took a step away from the curtain and gasped. The woman was from the Dawn painting. She's the beautiful Amelia, the Duchess of Wellington! But how can this be? I must be dreaming.
"Dearest, are you feeling famished?"
"I-I-I, I'm okay Duchess." My heart was beating out of my chest. How do I address this woman? Is it proper to call her Duchess? I've never been so perplexed in all my life. The woman stared at me with wide eyes.
"Bella, you're not well. Why have you called me Duchess and what is wrong with your voice?" She rang for a servant and ordered them to assist me to my bed chambers. Before the servant left me alone, I asked her a question.
"Excuse me, what year are we in?" The girl looked at me with confusion but answered my question.
"It is the year 1835, ma'am. Would you like any thing else ma'am?"
"Just one more question, who is the Duchess to me?" She looked even more baffled than before.
"She's your mother, ma'am. Are you feeling well, lady Isabella? Shall I call for a doctor?"
I'm in the year 1835 and my mother is the Duchess of Wellington, England!? That only means...
My father is the Duke of Wellington and they think I'm Isabella Dawn. My head was spinning and before I realized it, I collapsed.
The next morning I expected to be in my bedroom at the Chateau Moon. I peeked through my eyelids and saw a young girl gazing at me. She was wearing a long, white night gown.
She was sitting near my bedside gazing at me. Oh no, I wasn't dreaming!
"My dear sister, are you feeling any better? You gave us quite a fright last evening." Okay, she must be Alice Dawn, my 'sister.' I have to answer her, but in an English accent. My mind flashes to every British movie I have ever seen. I summon my best accent and answer the girl.
"Oh, do not fret dear Alice. I am quite well, I was just feeling a bit famished last evening, that is all." Alice held my hand and smiled at me, her eyes beaming.
"I'm overjoyed to see you so well, Bella. For a moment, I thought you might miss the ball tonight."
"The ball? I must say, I haven't a dress to wear." She looked at me and giggled.
"You haven't a dress to wear? We went to town just a fortnight ago, Bella. I recall you buying a dress for the ball that is quite lovely."
"Right, it slipped my mind. When are we to leave for this ball?"
Mama and Papa said as soon as the sun sets, we shall start our journey to Hammersmith. I must say, I can not contain my excitement." Does this girl ever stop smiling?
"Alice, remind me again, who is hosting the ball?"
"Why, Carlisle and Esme. Who else would be hosting a ball at their own estate?" She laughed and began to exit the room.
"Yes yes, I forgot again. Thank you for your patience. I must still be faint from last evening's ordeal."
"I fully understand, Bella. I'll see you in the serving room in one hour. Mama wishes to speak with us."
Before I could ask any more questions, she was skipping out of the room, humming. I sat in bed, thinking about how I could get to my own time period. Maybe I should look for the same door I came in from. I sighed. This can not be happening to me.
A few seconds later I heard a loud knock at the door. I jumped out of bed and on to the cold hardwood floor.
"Um, you may enter?" A girl about my age walked in and curtseyed. I did my best to curtsy back. She wore a plain white dress that came down to her ankles and her hair was pulled into a neat bun.
"Good morning, Lady Isabella. Her grace requested me to assist you with getting dressed."
"Okay, what is your name again?"
"I am Jane, ma'am."
"Jane, is it necessary to assist me with dressing?" She shifted from one foot to the other, her hands clasped together. She seemed a bit nervous.
"Yes ma'am, it is a custom for servants to assist their masters." I'm her master?! I've never been in charge of anyone, except for when I babysat the neighbor's twin boys, which was one time.
"Very well then, you may help me with getting dressed."
It took Jane twenty minutes to dress me and do my hair. I'm wearing a light blue gown with soft ribbons and a very tight corset, I can hardly stifle a breath. My hair is tied up in intricate braids and my curls are pinned back with small berets. She took a string of pearls out of a jewelry box near the mirror and placed them around my neck. The last time I got this dressed up was for my junior prom. These people must dress like this every day.
Jane looked at me through the mirror, checking for any signs of imperfection involving my hair.
"You look marvelous, Lady Isabella," she said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you very much. I was wondering, would you please escort me to the serving room?"
"Of course, ma'am."
I entered the serving room not knowing what to expect. Alice and 'mother' were sitting at a round table, surrounded by an assortment of food such as fruits, cheese, and bread.
"Ah, there you are dearest. How are you feeling this morning?" My 'mother' asked with a beautiful smile and bright eyes.
"I am feeling much better mama," I said with feigned confidence.
"Marvelous, darling. I am pleased you are well. Now join us, I have wonderful news to share with you both." I sat next to Alice and began to eat a scone. I didn't realize how hungry I was. The last time I ate was before I found the door that brought me here.
"Careful Bella, you don't wish to joke," said Alice with a loud giggle.
"Girls, do you remember when your father and I spoke of the Princes of Spain, Eleazar and Demetrius?"
"Of course mama, you went on about how handsome and rich they are," Alice answered.
'Mother' smiled and said, "well, they will both be at the Hammersmith ball tonight. It is your chance to finally meet them. We're hoping they will finally begin to court you both." Alice was nearly jumping out of her seat.
"Oh mama, what exciting news! We shall do our very best to make a humble impression, right Bella?"
They were both staring at me, waiting for an answer.
I said the first thing that came to mind. "Alice, do you not think you are far too young to be courted?"
She started to laugh and said, "Bella, I'm seventeen, only a year behind you! What a ridiculous question to ask. And besides, mama was married before she was even twenty. Isn't that right mother?"
"Indeed, that is quite right. Your father courted me when I was nineteen and he was twenty-three. We
were lucky to have married for love." She seemed to be in a daze, smiling like a young school girl.
A surge of panic ran though me. Would I be expected to marry a Prince, with or without love?