OF COURSE, THESE CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME! I HAVE JUST REARRANGED THE TIME LINES AND SUCH A LITTLE BIT!
WE'VE ALL WONDERED WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE MADE KLAUS INTO SUCH A HARSH MAN. IN MY MIND, IT ALL STEMMED BACK TO A GIRL. AND WHO COULD IT POSSIBLY BE BUT THE BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG CAROLINE? BUT FIRST, THE BACK STORY OF HOW INNOCENT LITTLE CAROLINE FIRST FELL INTO THE HANDS OF LORD NIKLAUS, ONLY TO LOSE HIM AND RETURN CENTURIES LATER TO FIND HIM A CHANGED MAN
The Forbes were the fortunate possessors of many fine items. A noble title, extensive lands with humble yet dedicated tenants, silk gowns and shimmering gems, and rare paintings. But by far, the single most exquisite piece of their collection of fine items was their young daughter Caroline.
By the tender age of 17, she was a delicate beauty, on the brink of blooming into a strong and gorgeous woman. Her hair fell in glorious golden waves, framing a flawless face and guileless blue eyes. Her body was fit yet curvaceous, and her loving mother was only too happy to purchase only the most flattering of gowns. Her father, while certainly affectionate, was a reserved man who lorded over his lands with alternate reward and punishment. It was a fair and just system that served the people well. However, Caroline was without siblings. To her father's everlasting shame, his wife had not managed to produce a son and heir of their bloodline. As was tradition of the time, the woman was wholly with fault. Even Caroline, bright and loyal daughter that she was as she showered adoration upon the man, found him to be detached from her as if her gender was her own failing. The marriage between her parents was a discordant one that she found herself adamantly wishing would not be her own fate.
Nearby lords bristled with impatience to find a way into the wealthy and lands of the family. One particular parcel of land, a lush and flat area that was littered with worn rubble and underground caves, was of interest to many. As a child, Caroline had been curious about what secrets the caves could hold but had been too afraid to explore them on her own. Growing up the daughter of the lord had left her with few friends to explore with, however. The village children were generous, but reserved around a child of her noble birth, so far above their own.
A few months before her 18th birthday, Caroline was sitting before a mirror as a servant pulled a brush through the fine locks of her hair. Ignoring the repeated tug on her scalp, she gently laced daisies into a chain, the flowers strewn about her lap, vivid against the dark blue of her gown. For reasons unknown to her, Lord Forbes had insisted she be dressed to her best that morning before he tucked himself away in his study with another lord for a boring discussion on the lands and such. Another servant poked her head through the doorway, murmuring that Caroline was being called down to join her father. Momentarily startled, she dropped the daisies and stood, allowing her hair to be finished in a long braid down her back. Quietly, she made her way to the large wood door of her father's study. She had spent hardly any time in there, passing in only every once in a while to bring him tea of sit on his lap when she was young. Taking a deep breath, she rapped her knuckles on the door and was bid to enter.
The room was far too masculine for her liking. The shades of brown surrounding her were depressing and it smelled of old leather, ink, and sweat. Her father sat at an overly large desk, his fingers under his chin as he surveyed her.
"Caroline." He beckoned her closer. She relaxed a bit, for his voice, the soft fall of it reminded her of home. "Allow me to introduce Lord Lockwood." For the first time, she noticed another man, tucked away in the corner. He pushed himself from his chair and she struggled not to wince. He was old, quite a bit older than she. Perhaps at one time he had been handsome, she thought as she noted the dark honeyed tone of his skin. His hair was shockingly white, but the blackness of his goatee had her convinced that he had once had a full head of dark hair. His eyes were brown, a deep and soulful brown. Age had yet to shrivel him, for he stood erect and tall, broad shoulders puffed out as if pride alone could keep him standing.
"Lady Caroline." He murmured in a rough voice, bending slightly at the waist in a shallow bow. She responded with a curtsey, fanning the skirts of her gown out as she did so. When she lifted her head again, she couldn't help but notice the gleam of satisfaction in those eyes.
"Caroline, Lord Lockwood and I have made arrangements. You are to be his wife." Her father nodded approvingly, encouragingly. She gasped, her hand fluttering to her heart and her eyes wide.
"Papa." She murmured, trying to put every ounce of understanding into the word she could. Marriage? At 17, it was expected of her. She was to marry and produce heirs as every other woman before her had done. But somehow, she had rather hoped there would be more to her life than this.
"We have set the date for a few weeks from now. Is that suitable to you?" Lord Lockwood stepped forward. "Will you have enough time to prepare the ceremony and a suitable dress?"
"Let's leave all of the wedding diversions to the women." Her father laughed. "I will draw up the paperwork and we shall see to the business of marriage." They seemed to be sharing in some private joke, but as usual, Caroline was sure that she hadn't any idea how she fit into the picture.
"In a few weeks time, I shall have new land as well as a new wife!" Lockwood grinned and heartily shook her father's hand. "My lord. Lady Caroline." He was gone with a bow. Dazedly, she looked at Lord Forbes.
"Land?" She murmured.
"The land that borders the Lockwood property. It has all that rubble getting in the way of improvement. Anyway, it is to be your dowry." She remained silent. "Now, fetch your mother. You have quite a bit to do before your wedding, not that I pretend to understand all the feminine workings of a wedding." Again, he was laughing and she wished she knew why. Instead, she smiled too and nodded, wandering out of the room and up the stairs.
"Mama?" She called, crossing into her mother's chambers and sitting beside her. Her mother looked up from the embroidery she had been holding if not really doing. "Mama, I am to be married in a few weeks time." The smile that her mother bestowed upon her echoed the falseness of her own just a few moments ago.
REVIEW! AND NO, THIS LORD LOCKWOOD IS NOT TYLER! BUT THE NAME TRACES BACK A BIT AND WILL HAVE SOME IMPORTANCE IN LATER CHAPTERS!