So not mine.
Chapter 9
Isabella frowned. She looked at the lovely baby on her arms and then at the baby Mrs. Cullen held.
"How awful. That simply won't do." She said to herself. But she did not realize that she had actually said it out loud.
The three other women in the room laughed, startling Isabella.
"I quite agree." Mrs. Cullen said, still laughing. "I don't wish to speak ill of the dead, but their mother was adamant they be named so. I gave them middle names and we have been using them instead. I have no idea what she was thinking. Had she lived longer, I would have done everything in my power to change her mind. My husband also insisted that we honour her request, however distasteful we find it."
"Let's try again, shall we? Bella, may I introduce my grandchildren? This is Katharine, to be called Kate or Katie." She smiled down at the baby in her arms.
"You are holding Elizabeth, to be called Beth."
Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. Much more appealing names for such pretty little girls. She tilted her head down and kissed the sweet forehead.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Beth. My name is Bella and I'm going to take care of you." Bella liked the name Honoria but liked Beth better. Honoria isn't a baby's name, one had to grow into such a name. Hortense was just a punishment. Katie was perfect for the darling baby.
It was the most Mrs. Cullen had heard the girl say at one time and she blinked back both the tears of laughter from before and the tears of joy for having found someone for the girls.
Announcing the names had been a test. She was now certain that Bella was perfect for them.
"Unfortunately, these young ladies need to eat and go to sleep." Angela said quietly not wanting to disturb anyone but knowing that very soon one child or the other would start fussing.
"Yes, we'll let you keep to your routine. Goodnight, ladies, we shall see you in the morning. Bella, can I show you to your room, you must be tired as well." Mrs. Cullen passed Kate to Angela.
"Yes, Madame." Bella kissed the baby one more time and gave her to Maggie.
Mrs. Cullen led Bella to a room down the hall. Bella was confused but followed. She had been sure that she would be placed in the servants quarters.
The room was smaller than the nursery but just a lovely. The walls were covered with a floral print in pale purples and greens. There was a large bed with white curtains surrounding it, pulled to the side. A huge wardrobe and small washstand were on one wall and a desk with a comfortable chair on the other. White draperies were closed together on the windows.
Mrs. Cullen sat on the desk chair and motioned to Bella to sit on the bed.
"I know we have a lot to discuss and there have been many new things for you to digest but we will have time enough in the morning. I just hope you will be comfortable here. As you may have noticed, ours is not a formal home. Those who work with us are more like family. In time I want you to feel like that as well."
"Thank you, Madame." Bella was already starting to feel comfortable in this house.
"Now, we have changed the names of the children and given you a new name I hope you will come to embrace. I want you to change my name as well. Please, I can not stand 'Madame', lets try Esme."
Bella blushed hotly, embarrassed to use the name Mrs. Cullen suggested as well as being caught using an unwanted name for the lady.
Bella shook her head. She could not just use a Christian name for her employer, no matter how informal the family may be.
"What do you suggest then?" Esme was trying to draw the girl out more.
"Mrs. Esme? Just like Mrs. Cope?" Bella whispered.
"Good, done." Esme smiled. "I shall let you get to bed. We have big days ahead of us. Goodnight, dear." Esme stood to leave the room.
"Oh, if you call him Doctor, Carlisle will follow you to the ends of the earth. He tries to get everyone to call him that but I won't let them just to tease him." She winked at Bella and walked out the door.
Bella murmured her goodnight and set about readying herself for sleep.