If I owned the Twilight universe...alas.
Chapter 7
Isabella felt small and grubby as she entered the lavish home of the Cullen's. She felt out of place and unworthy. Her step-mother had told her she was unworthy of many things, some of them Isabella believed to this day. Intellectually she knew her step-mother was wrong but she was not born to this kind of luxury and did not know the traditions she was to follow.
The parlour she stepped into was warm and inviting, comfortable chairs and a plush settee grouped in front of a roaring fire. Tall windows gleamed reflecting the candle light with lush draperies pulled to the side.
Isabella stood by, unsure if she was to sit or stand. She held her hands together tightly to avoid fidgeting and waited for instruction.
"We shall have some tea." Mrs. Cullen stated as she settled herself in one of the high-backed chairs.
Isabella bobbed a curtsey and turned towards the door hoping that the way to the kitchen was easy to find so that she could prepare the tea.
"No, Bella, sit with me, dear. Mrs. Cope will bring the tea. Please relax, for now you are the guest."
Isabella was shocked. She had never been to visit and did not know how to conduct herself as a guest. Her home at the orphanage was just that, a home. The Sisters made her welcome but she was put to work as soon as she arrived. There was much work that needed to be done to run the home and Isabella thrived under the routine.
She hadn't had routine in her home life. Her father left frequently to earn his living and provide for his family going for days sometimes weeks. Her step-mother's constantly changing moods left Isabella confused as how to act. By a very young age Isabella learned that the best thing to do was to stay as far away from her step-mother as possible.
The Step-mother had Isabella convinced that the sound of her voice was the reason for her foul temper. Something about the pitch drove her to madness.
Eight years away from the harridan her step-mother was, taught Isabella that the fault lay directly with the step-mother not with her. But, unfortunately the habit of quietness stuck with her. She was, in no way, as delicate as she seemed to others, to her opinion.
Just as Isabella made her way to the settee, the housekeeper entered pushing a large trolley plied high with tea offerings. Isabella jumped to help the older woman with her task.
Mrs. Cullen sighed quietly to herself. Isabella was going to take a lot of work. She must be made to realize that she wasn't there to be a servant, despite the paid employment. Mrs. Cullen wished her to be more like a member of the family who took care of the children.
Mrs. Cope smiled at the young lady and patted her hand.
"Just you sit yourself down, deary, let me serve you. A tiny thing like you needs a good cuppa and some of these cakes. We need to fatten you up a bit if you are to be running after babies all day. Not that they're up for much now but soon, very soon. They'll run you ragged night and day, they will. Why, Master Edward was a right handful and there was only one of him. The troubles that child got into likely caused all my grey hair. Leave it to him to top himself and provide two babies for us to chase. Good sweet little girls they are. There now, take this plate and go sit, I'll put your tea just beside you there. I'll get Mister Carlisle and Missus Esme settled to and then you can have a long talk."
Mrs. Cope did not even seem to breathe as she said her speech. Isabella was stuffed into the corner of the settee with a plate piled with sandwiches and cakes. Her tea on a small table beside her and a very bewildered expression on her face.
Mrs. Cope so comfortable in her service, so at ease that it confused Isabella. She was always afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. Here, Mrs. Cope almost seemed to be in charge of the Cullens, using their given names and chiding Dr. Cullen about his choice of cakes instead of sandwiches.
Mrs. Cullen smiled indulgently at Mrs. Cope. The woman would be a formidable ally in the war against Isabella's horrible upbringing.
"After tea, we should go meet the children, it will be just after their bath." Mrs. Cullen's announcement brought a smile to Isabella's face and made her relax into the settee. She tentatively brought a finger sandwich to her mouth and started her tea. The sooner she was done, the sooner she could meet her charges.
Conversation between the small group was stilted but genial. Isabella was able to answer 'Yes, madame' or 'Yes, sir' as needed. Dr. Cullen was intensely relieved that he did not have to explain anything to his wife. She seemed to get the measure of Isabella quickly and Dr. Cullen could concentrate on Mrs. Cope's wonderful tea offerings, especially the cakes.