Author's Note: I published this story in a previous fanfiction account that I had-Sweet Scarlett Angel, but then I deleted it. I decided to rewrite it again, with the only different being this time is not M-rated. Enjoy!
Chapter One
France, 1751
"Nothing today either," Eighteen-year-old Caroline Forbes told her cousin Katherine Pierce. Katherine was almost like a sister to Caroline, she had been living with Caroline and her mother since she had been three and when her own parents had died in a fire accident. The skinny blond looked down at her basket that was filled with fresh flowers.
Katherine looked down at her own basket that was filled with peanuts. There was dirt on her cheek and she was shivering because she was only wearing a navy blue shawl that used to belonged to Elizabeth Forbes. "It's almost Christmas, Care. Everyone is spending their money on buying presents for their families. They don't want to spend money on peanuts and flowers."
"You're right, Kat. You always are." Caroline sighed. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a gift. There was barely money for food and clothes. "We should return home, mother will be worried."
Caroline and Katherine returned home. Caroline felt her toes being pinched in her too tight shoes. Katherine coughed again and Caroline sighed. She hoped that Katherine wasn't getting sick. They couldn't afford a doctor.
Caroline, Katherine, and Elizabeth "Liz" Forbes lived in a small apartment behind a large manor house. It used to be the servants' quarters, but the elderly widow had felt some pity for them and she had let the family stay there for very little rent.
Liz Forbes was hanging the washing when she saw them return. Even though she was barely in her forties, Liz already looked like an elderly woman. Her once blond hair was now streaked with gray.
"Hello girls," Liz said with a smile. "How were the sales today?"
"Not that good," Katherine said apologetically. "Caroline and I didn't manage to sell anything today. We tried, Aunt Liz honestly but no one wanted to buy anything today, it is so close to the holidays-"
Liz smiled sadly. "I understand. Don't worry dear we will figure something out. Let's go get dinner."
Dinner was a simple affair of bread and cheese and the three women were in silence until Aunt Liz pulled a newspaper clipping and cleared her throat. "Old Widow Claire left me this newspaper."
Katherine ate a piece of hard bread and tried to act interested. "Anything interesting?"
"Why yes," Liz said. "There is a newspaper ad, for mail order brides. Two wealthy gentlemen from Louisiana in the States are looking for mail order brides." Liz said bravely. "I sent your portraits over, if they choose you or Kat, or pray to God both of you-then you could go to Louisiana and become wives."
"Mother!" Caroline scolded. "How could you do that, without even consulting us."
"I didn't have a choice, Caroline." Liz said sternly. "This paper was old, I couldn't miss the chance. Don't you understand, if you are chosen you and Kat could have a better life than this."
"We probably won't get chosen," Katherine grumble. "There is nothing worth getting mad over, Caroline."
"Cami, has learn new tricks from the whorehouse," Klaus Mikaelson said as he smoked a cigar. He and his older brother, Elijah Mikaelson were lounging lazily in the patio of the plantation.
Elijah Mikaelson closed his eyes looking sleepy. Klaus thought it was weird. His brother was never lazy, he was always fussing over something either worrying about the estates or the slaves of the plantation. When Elijah didn't respond, Klaus spoke up. "It seems that Hayley learned a few tricks as well."
A small blush coated his cheeks. "I do not discuss my sex life with you."
"Fine." Klaus laughed. "Ignore me then, you will not be able to keep quiet forever. Would you like some champagne?" He grabbed a small bottle from the table where the servant had left it.
"Klaus," Elijah scolded. "It's eleven o'clock in the morning."
Klaus raised an eyebrow. "You do know that our younger brother Kol is probably drunk somewhere."
"Well, I'm glad that you two are having fun," their younger sister Rebekah came stomping in with a pursed look on her face. She was wearing a light orange dress that was too tightly corseted, but it did show off her tiny waist. "You two disappeared after dinner. Drinking after breakfast, Niklaus?"
"Leave me alone, Bekah," Klaus snapped. "Shouldn't you be looking at yourself in the mirror."
Rebekah rolled her blue eyes as she grabbed a strawberry and dipped it into her tiny mouth. "Have your whores left?"
"Oh, hush Elijah." Rebekah said. "I'm eighteen now. Not a little girl, I know that you two are fucking everywhere."
"Bekah," Klaus said sarcastically. "You are never going to get a husband with that tongue of yours." Rebekah grabbed the bottle of champagne and threw it on the floor. "That was a two-hundred-dollar bottle of champagne. That is coming out of your clothing allowance."
"I don't care." A smile appeared on her face. "I have some news for you." She handed Elijah a small box. "This is for you and Niklaus, but since you are the older brother, Elijah you get the box."
Elijah curiously opened the box and saw dozens of pictures and biography clippings. "What is this?"
Rebekah furrowed her brow and straightened her skirt. "Time is running out, you remember father's will." Their father, Mikael had died six months ago from a heart attack. When the siblings had been informed of the will they had been left in shock. In order to get their inheritance each sibling must marry by 25. If they didn't their part of the family fortune would be given to the local orphanage. What a disaster. "These are all pictures of potential brides."
"Shouldn't you be looking for a husband, Bekah." Klaus said sarcastically. "Why are you worrying about us?"
"I have plenty of time," Rebekah huffed. "You on the other hand, don't." Elijah was 24 and Klaus was 23. "So I put mail order brides advertisements in the newspaper and I got a hefty response from women in France and England. Just look at them will you? Once you pick one, let me know so I can send a letter to them."
"Caroline, are you asleep?"
"No.
"Are you nervous?"
Caroline didn't answer. Caroline and Katherine shared a bed in a tiny room. Katherine played with her braid. "Why did you think Elijah and Niklaus choose us to be their brides? They must have, had thousands of offers."
"I don't know, Kat." Caroline tried not to get annoyed at Katherine.
Katherine could tell that her cousin was getting annoyed. "I cannot believe that tomorrow we are leaving for America."
-End of Chapter One-
Thank you for your reviews!