Here's chapter four, enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: As you all know, SM owns Twilight.

Chapter Four

We've been riding now for two hours in a huge carriage and I am starting to feel really sick to my stomach. The road is not paved so I can feel every bump and ditch along the way to the Hammersmith estate. Not to mention the added nervousness for not being from this time period. Alice is sitting next to me, her gloved hand resting in the crook of my elbow.

"Bella, what do you expect the princes to be like? I must say, I am unsure about what they shall think of us. What if I am not nearly as pretty as they were hoping?" I could hear urgency in her voice.

"Nonsense, dearest Alice. You have beauty unlike what I have ever seen." It was true. Though incredibly short in height, Alice was gorgeous and could easily pass as a preppy cheerleader in my high school.

"Bella, you are too kind to me. I daresay, I would not be surprised if both of the princes shall fall for you. It is you who has always captured the hearts of ogling school boys when we were children."

I find that statement discomfiting, considering I've only been on two dates in my entire existence.

"There there, do not speak of the past. I am quite positive you shall receive a proposal after this ball tonight. Whether it be from a prince or a farmer, no man shall ever deserve you." Alice laughed and threw her head back in exasperation.

"My darling Bella, you are oblivious to the effect you have on, well everyone." I smiled but did not reply. That Isabella Dawn must have been quite the charmer.

For the next hour we sat in silence listening to the rustle of leaves and wind beyond the carriage. At last, the sound of hooves on the hollow ground came to a stop. I looked out the window and saw the most grand building. It looked like a castle built for a king. I could feel my stomach doing nervous flips. What have I gotten myself into?

A short bald man with his lips in a fine line, whom I'm guessing was the butler, escorted us to a gorgeous ballroom that was ten times bigger than my own high school gymnasium. The men wore fine suits while the women wore exquisite gowns and adorned magnificent jewelry. In the middle of the ballroom, under a brilliant chandelier, couples were participating in a dance that seemed so unfamiliar to me. It must be one of those traditional, English dances for couples.. My mind flashed to a memory of watching Kiera Knightly and Mathew Mcfayden, in Pride and Prejudice. Was I expected to execute these graceful moves with a partner? My head was starting to spin and I felt alarmingly overwhelmed by my surrounding and the realness of this whole situation. I needed to get some fresh air, I needed to get out.

I rushed outside to the nearest balcony, looking for a ledge to lean my weight on, but stumbled over the ruffles of my gown. Bracing myself for the impact of falling on the stone hard ground, I closed my eyes tightly and held my breath.

Expecting the ground, I was startled to feel strong arms embracing me. I opened my eyes and my breath hitched. It was the handsome Edward Masen who caught me, his arms were still around my waist. I felt a blush creeping up on either side of my cold cheeks. He finally released me and broke the silence between us.

"Hello, Bella. You almost took quite a tumble. Too much to drink I suppose?" There was a small smirk playing upon his lips. He looked breathtakingly beautiful and at that very moment, I knew I would come to love Edward Masen.

I cleared my throat and did my best to make my voice sound normal and British. "Oh, no. I was simply taking a much needed break. Why, might I ask, are you out here?" He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a new voice. In the doorway, standing with her hands on her hips, in a brutish manner, was a young woman staring rather aggressively at me. With a roll of her eyes, she turned her attention away from me and addressed Edward in the most annoying of tones.

"Edward, dear, we are expected in the dining hall." She didn't hesitate to put emphasis on the word 'we'. Edward gave her an almost annoyed glare but walked toward her.

I haven't been here three days and already I have someone detesting me.

Before grabbing hold of the woman's already outstretched hand, Edward looked at me with a crooked grin.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Bella." Before I could even manage to reply, the woman snaked her hand through the crook of his arm and whisked him away. I was left alone on the balcony with only the sound of my heart, beating like a drum and Edward's words replaying in my mind.

I'll be adding to this chapter, so stay tuned!