Stefan escorted me into the home, showing me to my room, the dining room, the bathroom, et cetera.
"Thank you, Mister Salvatore," I said.
"You can call me Stefan, Miss Pierce – Katherine! Sorry." His cheeks flushed slightly.
"Do not apologize to me, Stefan," I said. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
He smiled shyly. He is rather attractive, and has a good sense of humor. He was so young, and he was smitten with me. I could tell by the way his pupils grew when he looked into my eyes.
The front door opened downstairs and a gruff, male voice called out. "Stefan?"
"That is my father," Stefan informed me. "He will be pleased to meet you."
I smiled and followed Stefan down the staircase gracefully. When I reached the bottom of the wooden steps, I greeted Mister Salvatore with a sweet smile.
"Oh, Miss Pierce." He held out his hand to me, to which I slid my hand into his as he pressed it to his lips. "Pearl said you were coming, I wasn't expecting you until later in the day. I am sorry I was not hear to great you." He glared at Stefan. "I can only assume my son was here to welcome you into the home?"
"Yes, Mister Salvatore. Stefan has been a grand assist. And he was a kind gentleman, inviting me inside in such a sweet way." I smiled up at him.
Stefan grinned slightly.
"Well, I'm glad to hear so," Mister Salvatore bowed his head. "Dinner shall be in an hour, will you be joining us, Miss Pierce?"
"Oh, I am afraid I am awfully tired, I think I shall retire in a moment. Put perhaps Stefan would like to show me about outside?" I asked, looking up at Stefan.
He nodded. "Of course, Katherine."
I smiled. "I will change into my day clothes, so I don't appear too arrogant." I took a step toward the stairs. "A pleasure, Mister Salvatore."
"You may call me Giuseppe, Miss Pierce." He nodded at me.
"And you may call me Katherine." I grinned and walked up the stairway.
Emily was sitting at the edge of my bed, waiting for me. She said nothing as she helped me out of my long formal skirts and into my green day dress. It was four in the afternoon now, so it was not dark enough for me to wear my nightly dress. Emily remained silent as I slid into my silk slip on shoes and walked out, going down the stairs and back to Stefan. "Ready."
He smiled and grabbed the doorknob. "After you."
I stepped outside into the air. The hoof prints from earlier this morning were still impounded into the dusty pathway, covered by the servants boot prints along with another carriage – I presume Giuseppe's.
Stefan followed shortly after, closing the door softly behind him. He stepped up behind me. "What do you want to explore first, Miss Katherine?"
I tilted my head to the side slightly, studying the elaborate pattern of the shrubs, the elegant angel statue at the very end of the maze. "There," I said, pointing my finger briefly before looking over my shoulder at him, brushing my curly hair to the side.
He smiled and walked me over, holding his arm out to me like a gentleman should. Once we got to the maze like area, I took a step toward the opposite entrance. "Race you to the statue."
"Pardon?" He asked, surprised.
Without waiting for it to register in his head, I took off into the shrubs. I turned and saw he was chasing me now. I twisted past all the abrupt turns, giggling the entire time. I swirled around when I reached the exit and touched the angel.
He came out a moment later and groaned slightly, smiling.
"I win," I said. "What's my prize?"
"I'm sure baby brother would happily do whatever you request . . . Miss Pierce?"
Stefan and I both turned toward this new voice. "Yes, and you are?" I asked.
The man smirked and pounded a piece of paper against his kneecap. He glanced at Stefan, who beamed at him. "How did you get out early?"
"Oh, I figured I was missing too much fun to fight in some war," said the man, standing up.
I lifted my brow at him, his smirk, and his ice blue eyes. His hair was curly under his soldiers' cap, and the uniform suited him well. He seemed like my type, uninterested in this war.
Stefan snorted. "Your loyalty is something to look upon."
The man grinned and approached Stefan, wrapping his arms around him in a hug before glancing at me as Stefan hit his chest playfully. "Damon Salvatore, at your service, Miss Pierce."
"Katherine," I said. "It is nice to meet you, Damon."
He grinned at me, staring deeply into my eyes.
"Well this is grand!" I said happily. "Now I have both of you hear to entertain me. Perhaps even one of you will be my date to the founders ball."
Stefan said, "Oh, that would be no problem!" just as Damon said, "It would be an honor."
I smiled smugly. "Both Salvatore brothers coming to my salvation." I giggled as I walked past them both, marveling aloud, "How am I to chose?"
