She had met him at the Cooper’s annual ball, a lavish affair that anybody who was anybody attended. The party had been a crush and there was hardly room to move once you were off the dance floor. Barely able to breath with all the bodies packed into every room, she made her way out onto the balcony and down the steps into the garden.

It had been such a relief to get out of the stifling air inside and though she knew her mother would give her a look of disapproval if she learned of her escape, however brief, she just needed to get away for a moment. She was tired of hearing the young gentlemen tell her how pretty she was, how they would like to come calling, how she should give them a chance.

She really did not try to encourage them, especially since there was no hope. None of them had caught her interest like her angel doctor had…even if she had only been eight years old when she’d seen him the one time.

Walking through the gardens, she gracefully held the embroidered train of her gown up so it wouldn’t be ruined by her walk along the gravel path. She had been to the Cooper’s before and she had fallen in love with their gardens. They were vast and well designed with well placed statues located throughout.

She walked along to one particular statue she remembered from that day. It was the statue of a man that sat sitting and reading. The cold white marble reminded her of her angel doctor, of Carlisle Cullen.

Standing in front of the statue now that she was alone, she reached out and ran her fingers along the cold figure’s cheek, still remembering that Dr. Cullen’s flesh had felt very similar to this piece of cold stone.

As she stood there, her fingers caressing the marble, there was a soft voice that broke the silence. “I’m afraid he probably isn’t equipped to enjoy that much.”

Jumping away from the statue her hand flew to her chest and her eyes widened as she was startled by the rich, male voice that was laced with humor. Trying to gather up her courage despite the pounding of her heart she looked into the shadows and spoke with a voice that probably sounded much bravery than she actually felt. “Who’s there?!”