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not bad. but you know who is probably fantastic?

ummmmm, SMeyer? Cause she owns everything cept for the (general) plot? Cause that belongs to JAusten.

The (much) better writer. Why can't we give her all the cred? :P

Ummmm, cause we're putting our writing skillz to use here? Shouldn't you get the credit for the epic-ness?

why when you write all of the good parts? except for one. REVIEWS!

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EPOV - chapter 6

In the weeks since Miss Swan rejected me, I found it quite difficult to remain grounded in my life. It felt as though none of it meant anything anymore. It was on one of these monotonous days that my Aunt had called me to her estate, Rosings Park. An unsightly blemish in an otherwise picturesque location. Nevertheless, I was able to open my own house at Pemberley and keep my sister there. Most important considering my aunt's critical eye.

"Ah, Edward. Took you long enough to walk up my drive." She commented, raising an eyebrow at me.

"I apologize, Aunt. The weather was lovely, so I thought I'd use my legs for a change." I replied, not bothering to make eye contact or anything of the like. She was not worth the time.

"Never matter." She replied dismissively. "Tonight, we shall have Mr. Newton, his new bride and their guest."

"A wife?" I asked, appalled that it had happened so quickly. My Miss Swan was no longer, apparently.

"Yes." She confirmed. "And a guest. How disgusting; you'd think he'd know better than to add someone to a formal dinner at eleven o'clock in the morning. Truly lower class."

"Truly." I repeated, my mind in a daze trying to think of how I could cope with this. To see her with someone else...how could it be? How unnatural, how unsightly, how...wrong. Especially with someone like Newton. I'd rather her with Emmett than Newton.

"They should be here any moment, Edward, and I would hope that you could make yourself at bit presentable." The disapproving lilt to her voice meant that I could take my leave a little sooner than I had imagined.

I left with a dismissive wave, walking out to the balconies over looking the drive. It should have meant nothing; she had made her choice and I had made mine. She'd chosen a life where everything would be plain and dry, and I'd chosen duty and family. This was just the way it was meant to be.

My heart stilled however when I saw the modest brown carriage coming up the drive.

Oh, goodness.

I took a deep breath, walking back toward the front of the house to join my aunt in greeting our guests.

"Ah, Mr. Newton." I heard her call, her voice sickeningly sweet. "How lovely of you to join us."

"Thank you again Lady De Bergh, for being ever so gracious as to invite myself, my wife and in an act of sheer charity, her friend." (bows, excessively.. :P)

I rolled my eyes, at his...idiocy not daring to look just yet at his wife.

"It was no trouble, Mr. Newton. I believe you know my nephew, Mr. Cullen?" She pushed me forward, forcing me to nod politely at the group of three. One of whom would not meet my eye.

Newton noded, returning a stiff bow. "A pleasure to see you again Mr. Cullen." He informed, clearing his throat. "This is my wife, Mrs. Angela Newton and her friend and my dear cousin, whom I believe you know, Ms. Isabella Swan."

My head snapped to look at her. "Miss Swan?"

"Yes, Edward. Did you not hear him?" My Aunt commented, not bothering to notice my discomfort. "Escort Miss Swan inside. I am famished."

I took in a deep breath, then offered my arm. "Good Evening, Miss Swan."

"Good evening Mr. Cullen." Miss Swan said softly, her smile warming every inch of me.

"I trust you are well?" I asked, walking her slowly up the steps, in no rush to see my aunt again.

"I am, thank you." She replied, slowing her walk as we ambled toward the dining room. "And yourself? How is your sister?"

"Well, thank you. She has spoken of nothing but you since your sister's wedding." I paused. "Are they well?"

"As far as I know. I believe they are enjoying married life extensively." She informed me, smiling a little as she laughed. "But I do miss Rosalie as well, please tell her as much when you see her next."

"I should see her tonight; she's staying with me at Pemberley." I smiled down at her. "I try and keep her as far from my aunt as possible."

She smiled, "Then, please do give my regard to her this evening. Please let her know that I am still trying to keep a lookout for the Spring Gentian."

"Mm, she grows them." I told her, letting her enter ahead of me then pulling out her seat. "She's been waiting with bated breath."

"I know, she told me as much the last time I saw her." She replied, adjusting herself in the chair. "She said they were incredibly rare and unless you grew them, nearly impossible to find in all of England."

I nodded. "Yes, she's quite proud of them." I replied, taking my seat beside her.

"Edward, please do not bore Miss Swan with you talk of Rosalie's childish garden." My aunt called coldly down the table. "The sooner she breaks that dreadful habit, the better. You should discourage her."

"I quite agree, Lady de Bourgh..." Newton began, but I quickly lost interest as the soup was placed in front of us.

Thank goodness My Miss Swan had the perfect mind to say no to his proposal.

BPOV

"Actually Lady de Bourgh, I find gardening a very lovely pasttime." I countered, after taking my first taste of the soup.

Rancid.

Anyone that says money buys you good taste, obviously had not tried this soup.

She raised an eyebrow, looking at me with intrigue. "Yes, well, one would...in the country."

"Indeed, but even in a more urban setting. I find flowers warm and pleasant in any home and those come from gardening."

"They attract bugs." She argued quickly and coldly.

"They cheer people up."

"Mrs. Newton, have you adjusted well to Lower Darby?" She said, effectively dismissing not only my comment but me entirely.

I laughed tilting my head down to my soup, glancing at Mr. Cullen. "Evidently she has never received flowers from an admirer."

Out of my peripheral vision I saw his head turn and his lips curve into a smirk"She hasn't had one in almost 40 years." He stated quietly but matter-of-factly.

I bit my lip to avoid laughing, and risked meeting his eyes which I could feel were now looking directly at me.

"I'm surprised she had one that recently."

He chuckled sadly, turning his attention back to the broth in front of us. "You and I both." He murmured, picking up a spoonful of the liquid and letting it trickle back down into the bowl. "This is awful, isn't it?"

I stiffled a laugh, and nodded shallowly.

Unfortunately, the little slip up caught Lady de Bourgh's attention.

"Edward, do share what you and Ms. Swan find so entertaining as to have her cackling like a rooster."

"A rooster? I heard no such thing." He argued calmly. "But we were just discussing the differences between riding style. Miss Swan is convinced that side saddle provides better balance, while I contend that the strength one develops in the leg that is most beneficial."

I felt myself blush at his words. Not only was he saving face on my behalf, but what he was saying about leg strength had me wondering how strong his legs were. And that was just... inappropriate beyond reason.

She huffed and turned back to her soup.

Four more courses, which were equally delicable later, Lady de Bourgh instructed all of us to move to the sitting room to converse.

Of course Angela and Mr. Newton sat there in complete awe of the Lady's presence while I had no reason to admire her with such affection aside from her generosity in extending the dinner invitation to me.

"Thank you again, Lady de Bourgh for allowing me to visit with you and your family for dinner this evening." I replied, taking a seat beside where Mr. Cullen stood at the arm of the sofa.

"Yes, Well, it was quite the imposition, but I could not say no to the lovely Mrs. Newton who I have found to be quite amiable." She said in response, turning to look at Angela and sneering, though I fear that was her best attempt at a smile. How dreadful and marginally frightening.

I lowered my head and nodded, thankful that at least out of the insult Angela was able to receive a compliment.

"Ms. de Bourgh!" Mr. Newton exclaimed, looking up and towards the doorway. I turned my head, watching as a woman who looked like a beautiful, much younger version of Lady de Bourgh gracefully stepped through the room, sitting down beside her relative.

"Jane!" Lady de Bourgh exclaimed happily. Who knew she was capable of such an emotion?

"Mrs. Newton, Ms. Swan, this is my daughter, Jane de Bourgh. She and Edward are engaged to be married." She grinned triumphantly, eyeing me directly.

Oh.

Okay.

I tried to calm my heartbeat that was running heavily at the word engaged and to Edward; my Mr. Cullen. I turned to Jane and nodded. "A pleasure."

A pleasure only in knowing my heart still existed as I felt it shatter in this unfamiliar, firelit room.