"Miss Elena..? Are you awake?"
Bonnie was silently knocking on the door leading to Elenas bedroom. She gave a little grunt as answer and turned her back to the door. Bonnie stifled a laugh and walked inside the room.
"I'm very sorry Miss Elena but your aunt is waiting for you in the dining room."
Elena turned to lie on her back and opened one eye to look at Bonnie.
"Already?"
Bonnie smiled and nodded "Yes Miss Elena. And your bath is ready."
Elena slowly sat up and Bonnie helped her go to the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later Elena was on her way down the stairs to the dining room wearing a beautiful green dress. She hated the tight feeling of the corset she had to wear, but she knew that she wouldn't feel notice it after an hour or so.
"Good morning Elena. Did you sleep well?"
Jenna smiled and Elena returned the smile while nodding her head.
"Yes, thank you Aunt Jenna. How about you?"
Jenna nodded and sat down at the table. Elena joined her as three servants entered the room bringing big trays with food.
They stated eating but after a couple of minutes Elena felt some sort of tension between them. She looked at Jenna and realized that she was looking back at her.
"Is something wrong?"
Jenna let out a breath and had to look at her plate.
"Elena I have to tell you something. I am going to New York for a while. Mr. Saltzman is having troubles with the people working for him so he asked me to help him sort it out."
Elena sat in silence and looked at her plate waiting for her aunt to continue.
"So… Your brother will be in charge of everything while I'm gone…"
That made Elena look up from the plate. She had to say something.
"Excuse me? My brother will be in charge of… everything? Jeremy?"
Jenna nodded and sent Elena an apologizing smile.
"Yes… Jeremy has to learn how to run this place. He is the one who's going to inherit someday."
Elena felt her stomach twist slightly at the words, but she knew Jenna was right about her brother.
"Okay" was the only thing she could manage to say.
"Elena I'm sorry, but you know this is what your father wanted. The first born boy will inherit the mansion and the fields."
Jenna smiled and Elena relaxed a little and tried to cheer up.
"I know" she said, and started eating again.
"I'm leaving tonight, so could you please help me make a list of things we need to take care of?"
Elena laughed a little and nodded with food in her mouth. This was so typical Jenna. She always looked like everything was under control, but the truth was that she needed Elena as much as Elena needed her.
"Of course."
Three hours later Elena found herself walking in the garden with her brother.
"So… Jeremy… Are you exited about this whole 'man in the house' thing?"
Jeremy smiled and looked at his sister.
"You know, I will need your help…"
Elena smiled. She loved her brother so much.
"Yes you will"
They walked in silence for a while until they ended under one of the big trees in the garden. Jeremy turned to face his sister and they stopped.
"Uhm.. I was thinking… of doing something fun while Aunt Jenna is away."
Elena saw the childish look in her brother's eyes, and she had to laugh.
"And what kind of fun would that be?"
Jeremy whispered even though there was nobody around.
"Maybe a ball… but only for young people."
Normally Elena would have talked him out of something as crazy as that, but she actually thought it was a good idea.
"That do sound fun" she said with a smile, as they started to walk again.
After dinner that night Elena and Jeremy waved goodbye to their aunt as she drove away in the wagonette.
"I think I'll go to bed" Elena said before giving her brother a hug.
"Me too"
Jeremy walked down the hall and Elena went upstairs to her bedroom.
Bonnie was waiting to help Elena out of the big dress.
"Bonnie can I ask you a question?"
"Of course Miss Elena…?
"Do you think a ball for the young people in Mystic Falls would be accepted?"
Bonnie thought for a while before she answered.
"Well… I do think it would be a lot of fun… But I'm not sure if Miss Gilbert would appreciate it"
Elena sighed and looked at herself in the mirror while Bonnie tried to untie her corset.
"I think you are right. Jeremy is planning a ball though… And I think it would be a good way to get to know people here."
Bonnie smiled as she finished opening the corset. She turned around while Elena took it off and put on her nightgown.
"Can I ask you a question Miss Elena?"
Elena looked at her with surprise.
"Uhm… Yes?"
"I… uhhm.. "Bonnie looked at the floor. "I realle hope this is not too rude to ask… But…may I have tomorrow night off?"
Elena smiled at the nervous look in Bonnie's eyes.
"Are you going to see… Tyler was it?"
Bonnie whispered a little "yes…" as her cheeks turned crimson.
"Of course Bonnie… But you have to tell me everything afterwards!"
"Oh thank you so much Miss Elena! Thank you! I…"
"It's fine Bonnie. Sleep well"
Bonnie got the clue and nodded before she left the bedroom.
Elena smiled and then looked in the mirror. She sighed.
"Oh stop it… It will be your turn sooner or later."
She tugged a curl behind her ear and got to bed.