Author's note:
Wow! I didn't expect this much response to Lovers at Sea! I am humbled, truly. A million thanks to all the people that reviewed, followed and favorite-ed! Also thank you to those who gave organization tips ;) you guys made me fangirl last night my parents at some point thought I was crazy.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I wish I owned The Vampire Diaries, but sadly I don't.
London, 1700
"OUCH, ELENA."
"I'm sorry! I'm just nervous!"
"You're nervous? It is I who will be searching for a husband amidst this armpit of a ball, not you!"
Elena glared at Caroline for her use of language. Caroline stuck out her tongue. They both sat at the vanity, Caroline grabbing on to her chair's arms for dear life while Elena stood behind her, working away at her blonde hair. At that moment the door to their room opened. Screams could be heard in the corridor. Caroline and Elena froze listening to the chaos outside.
"My dress, you ruined it you vile girl!"
"You absolute wench."
"My hair is falling apart!"
"I shall never find love!"
Caroline paled; this was proving to be a disaster. In walked Elizabeth Forbes, looking pale as well.
"It's a jungle out there." The mother gasped out, "A girl stepped on my hair tripping me. Then she had the nerve to blame me for her loveless life." She spoke quickly, clearly agitated.
Caroline looked down at her mother's beautiful, long, blond hair. It trailed to the floor, free. Caroline wished she could do the same with her hair, letting it fall to her lower back, instead of having to put it up into a ridiculous up do.
As if to prove her point, Elena pulled at it, making Caroline grab on to her chair tighter. Once her hair was up, Caroline rose to her feet to assess her gown.
Elizabeth gasped at the sight of her daughter. She wore a mint green, silk skirt that flowed gracefully to the floor, it was perked to look huge, just like a how a princess would wear her own gown. Her corset was a mint green, but was decorated with a beige cloth that covered the front. It was covered in little pink flowers that were smaller than Caroline's nails. They were dazzling. Lady Forbes met her daughter's gaze. Her attire made her blue eyes pop, granting anyone that looked at her directly to feel mesmerized.
She was going to do wonderfully.
"Mother, you're eyes. It looks like you're about to cry." Caroline murmured softly.
"That's because I am close to it." Her Elizabeth said, sniffing.
Caroline went up to her mother and held her at arm's length, "Did that girl pull at your hair too tightly?" she asked.
The woman laughed, "No, it's not…" then paused, "Well, yes actually."
Caroline grinned.
"But that's not why I'm feeling emotional. Oh, Caroline look at you! You practically radiate!" Caroline regarded her mother lovingly, she felt differently; for at that moment she felt like her mother radiated with beauty and not her. The two embraced as Elena watched with tears in her eyes. Not standing it any longer she ran up to them. They gladly let her join.
"You BITCH!"
The three jumped up in shock at the scream outside, then broke out into laughter.
"You can have me!" The girl screamed before she was forcefully taken away by her chaperone.
Kol waved thankfully at the mother, with a charming cool smile, like the whole situation didn't scare him to the core. A minute ago he was struggling with the girl who managed to sneak into the men's guest room corridor. Once he made sure they were out of sight, his cool expression turned into that of fear. He closed the door behind him and turned to Finn and Elijah who sat on his bed. Both men looked down at their feet, already dressed up. Rebekah forced them all to wear traditional coats. Unfortunately for them they itched terribly. Finn scratched at his neck; he was wearing a dark green one. Elijah wore brown, while Kol wore green. Even though the attire would look comical on average men, the Mikaelsons could not have been more handsome. The two elder brothers have decided to take Kol's chamber as haven, hiding from their admirers. It was the farthest room in the corridor, only daring women could reach it. A knock sounded at the door making Kol twitch.
"I have had enough of you crazed girls!" He said marching to the door, opening it widely. Klaus stood wearing a Blue coat that brought out his eyes.
"Tell me whom did the girl belong to?" Klaus asked smirking. He enjoyed his brothers' agony very much. If he had to endure the torture so did the rest of them.
Kol raised a hand up while his other scratched at his chin. "This is insane." He muttered with a slightly high pitched voice, walking away to the powder room. Klaus chuckled then turned to Elijah and Finn who were sulking.
"Oh cheer up, gentlemen!" he chimed, "A ball awaits us!"
Caroline's nerves were killing her. She had just paid her farewells to Elena, who remained in the chamber, eating away at her nails in nerves. Lady Forbes and Caroline now stood in line to wait for Lady Lockwood's butler to present them to the crowd. Caroline craned her head to look at the guests. She couldn't see the ballroom; all she saw was the large hairdo that the girl before her claimed. Caroline gave an odd look at the head of hair. It probably reached 3 feet high. Who would ever want to wear such a thing?
"Lady Annabelle and her chaperone Lady Adams." She heard the man say. His voice was very loud to Caroline's dismay. She had hoped he had a soft voice so that the crowd wouldn't notice her arrival.
"Lady Rosemarie and her chaperone Lord John."
To her great relief the two in front of her stepped forward and descended the flight of stairs. Caroline's relief drained away as she caught sight of the ballroom. It was so brightly lit up, radiated so many different colors and held so many colorful people that Caroline felt her nerves heighten. The place was gorgeous. She feared she would get lost. She never attended a ball before, what on earth was she to do for the hours to come? More importantly how on earth was she going to attract suitors?
"Lady Caroline and her chaperone Lady Forbes."
Caroline didn't hear the man very well; her heartbeat was ringing so loudly in her ear that her mother had to pull at her so that she would move. The two women, both in beautiful gowns descended the stairs. Heads turned, conversations ceased, and the men stared. The adrenaline rushed through Caroline making her feel lightheaded. She didn't understand why her legs didn't fail her. They, thankfully, managed to stay strong until she reached the last few steps.
Lady Forbes turned to face her daughter, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Good luck." She whispered before leaving her daughter to fend for herself. Caroline wished her mother didn't leave her, but she knew that gentlemen wouldn't walk up to a maiden while her mother stood by her. Sighing heavily she decided to focus on the music. The violins pleased her ears, making her watch the players with approval. The melody was so enchanting that the man had to tap her shoulder a couple of times to get her attention.
"Oh." She said, concentrating on him. He had good looks, but didn't take her breath away.
"May I have this dance?" he asked her lending out his hand for her to take.
Caroline gladly took it. After all he might be the only man kind enough to acknowledge her tonight.
Making their way into the crowd the volume of the music increased to a level that she couldn't hear the man calling out the names of the girls arriving. She allowed the bachelor to place his hand on her waist, as she took his other hand. Together they waltzed with the surrounding couples. She didn't focus on her partner so much as she was looking around her. She was so busy studying everything that she didn't hear the butler introduce the Mikaelsons.
Although she missed his call, it was obvious she didn't need it. The entire ballroom went silent as they looked up at the five. Rebekah descended the flight of stairs first, with Finn at her arm. Caroline found Finn to be as handsome as Rebekah was beautiful. She waved at the silenced and mesmerized crowd. Following them was Kol. He grinned from ear to ear, waving as Rebekah had done.
Caroline found a group of girls swooning at the gesture. She rolled her eyes before looking back at the next Mikaelson: Elijah. Caroline decided right then and there that she liked him. He looked noble and kind as he gave a nod of his head to the crowd. He seemed older than the three that had gone before him. Maybe it was age that made them seem wise but for some reason Caroline found them all to look older than they seemed. Not in terms of looks, but in terms of spirit and the way they held themselves. They seemed experienced. She was wondering to herself what they did as a lifestyle when the man called out,
"Niklaus Mikaelson."
Caroline heard gasps, squealing as well as giggling at the mention of the name. Her brows joined together in curiosity as she looked up at the man wondering why he attracted so much attention. She didn't get the chance to focus on his appearance, however, for the same woman with the same blasted three-foot-tall hairdo stepped before her, blocking her view.
Caroline rolled her eyes in frustration, raising her arms into the air. "Really?" she whispered.
"Really what?" Her partner asked.
Caroline stared at him surprised, she forgot she even had a dance partner, "Never you mind." she said kindly. She searched for the man, Niklaus, but to no avail. She didn't remember how he looked like, so even if she spotted him she would not recognize him. Her dance partner took her hand, kissed it, and then walked away. Caroline brushed away a strand of hair from her face. Glad that was over, she pondered to herself.
"Lady Forbes." Said a low gruff voice behind her. Caroline turned to find another gentleman awaiting the chance to dance with her.
After five dances with five different men, Caroline had had enough of it. She apologized to the sixth man that had asked for a dance.
"I must see to a matter." She said apologetically before walking off the dance floor. She had to find Niklaus. Whenever Caroline sets her mind to a business she would go to the ends of the world to see it done. She searched and searched but couldn't find any of the Mikaelsons. Giggling caught her attention at the far off side of the ball room. Caroline traced the sound to where it led to a crowd of young women. They were huddled around something in particular. Probably the Mikaelsons. It was hard for Caroline not to associate giggling with the Mikaelson men, after all that has been happening.
Stretching her neck, even jumping a little, she tried to find the center of the crowd. Luckily one of the women stepped to the side, revealing a dirty blonde man. He was well built, tall and very much handsome. Caroline's brows rose. Well isn't he a good looking lad, she thought. He was smiling at one of his admirers, probably being polite. Next to him stood Elijah, who was also conversing with one of his fans. Caroline cocked her head to the side as she imagined them as famous chefs. No they were probably land owners. Or merchants who travelled quiet a lot, which would explain the sun kissed complexion. Or maybe they were like her father, working by the harbor, selling ships and its goods.
Suddenly, as if noticing her stare, Klaus caught her gazing at him. Caroline tensed, jumping into the air at the sudden eye contact. He caught her staring at him. Oh no, he probably thought she was one of those crazy women. She looked around frantically, feeling quite self conscious, when a waiter walked by her.
"Excuse me." she said stopping him. She grabbed one of the drinks the garcon held on a tray and gulped at it, determined to prove to Klaus she didn't give a care for him. She looked up at a painting and pretended to admire it with much interest.
A horrible taste flooded her mouth making her spit the entire gulp out. A couple of people stopped to give her an odd look. She grimaced unattractively at the liquid in her hands. It was yellow and had the taste of grass. Caroline would know, since she liked to play on the hills quite often. The taste reminded her of when Matthew had once grabbed her head and shoved her into the ground, causing her to taste grass and mud. What force compelled mankind to make such a horrible drink?!
She disposed of the goblet, and wiped her hand at her lips, trying as much as possible to make the taste disappear. She looked up to find Klaus laughing. Caroline felt anger seep through her. He was laughing at her. What a vile man! Caroline thought fiercely. Who would ever want to marry you? Despite herself, she gave him a dirty look before walking away leaving the Mikaelson thoroughly amused.
He watched her proceed to a cake stand. What a charming young lady, he thought. He found her very entertaining to watch. Unlike the other, shy, insecure girls, she stood tall and strong. She also seemed to have lost interest in him rather quickly than most woman would have, even the ones who never knew of his charms. It made him curious about her. He cocked his head to the side, regarding her as she looked at the delicacies with a hungry eye. She turned left then right before grabbing two large, full muffins. She stuffed one into her mouth, taking a large bite. Niklaus found himself entranced with the girl, and her full lips when a girl stepped into his vision, blocking his view.
"Don't you think?"
Klaus looked at the brunette before him, "Pardon?" he said, hiding his annoyance.
"Don't you think the weather is fascinating today?" She asked again.
Klaus nodded, before looking back at the ball room. He easily got frustrated with these petty woman and their small talks. Suddenly, he received an idea.
"Love would you mind helping me with a matter?" he asked the girl, giving her a charming smile so that she wouldn't dare refuse. She gasped and nodded vigorously.
"Excellent." He said, before pulling her next to him. He pointed at the blonde beauty. "Do you know who stands by the deserts?"
The brunette took a bit more time than necessary to answer, probably due to the fact that she couldn't believe she was touching him.
"That is Lady Forbes, My Lord. She doesn't live here. She lives by the shore, Mystic Falls I presume. Odd place, if you asked me."
Klaus gave her his thanks quickly before she launched into a story about landmarks. He left his crowd and walked towards the cake stand, where Caroline was enjoying her fourth helping of muffins. With a full mouth she turned her head to find Niklaus walking towards her. She couldn't swallow. Is he walking towards her? Caroline looked at the cakes with a full face then back at the man, he was proceeding towards her direction with determination. Oh buttocks, he was! With no idea as to why she didn't allow the curious man to ask her for a dance, she grabbed a random gentleman at her side.
"Care for a dance?" she said with a little bit too much enthusiasm.
"Only, I have been waiting for it the whole night." the man accepted, with a smile. Caroline studied the man, he was the sixth bachelor!
"Convenient!" Caroline answered, allowing him to lead her towards the dance floor. They passed the amused looking Niklaus on their way to the waltz. The two locked eyes, before Caroline turned her head away, raising her chin up.
Klaus wanted to laugh. She looked so pleased with herself, it was endearing. She was the first girl he had wanted to dance with tonight. All the others bored him.
Caroline fixed her gaze on her partner, as they waltzed. She tried very hard not to search for Niklaus Mikaelson. He truly intrigued her, for some strange reason Caroline felt like he was dangerous. She looked back at the crowd of women. She could see Elijah and Kol however there was no sign of the man she had been running from. She regarded the women. Then back to the Mikaelsons. Were they dangerous? Caroline's instincts never failed her. What if she was right? All these crazed admirers are probably, as of the moment, interacting with murderers, or thieves, or…
What on earth.
Caroline's eyes snapped back to her partner. His hand was roaming down her back, to places a gentleman's hand should never touch. He gave her a grin, thinking that she enjoyed the intimacy. Caroline felt her cool composure slip away as she pushed the man from her. Their stopping and standing still caused the easy flow of the rest of the dancers to be disordered. People gave them queer looks as the waltzed by. Caroline stared daggers at the man.
"I apologize, I see I shouldn't have attempted that." the man said, he tried to pull Caroline back into his arms, but she slapped his hand away. The man's face turned furious.
"Listen here, girl, I don't know who you think you are, but surely you don't know who I am, as you are clearly acting like a-"
She punched him across his face.
The man staggered a few feet. Caroline felt everything happen very slowly. Please don't. He staggered even farther away. Oh god, please don't let this be happening. With a loud splash the man fell into a large lemonade bowl. Caroline's eyes widened. Oh no, what has she done? She ran up to the man, grabbed his hand to try and help him, but he pushed her away with a scared cry.
"You are no lady!" he screamed aloud. The violins stopped playing, the dancers stopped dancing, all the guests watched Caroline's horror unleash. "You are a child!" people around her gasped. Caroline just stood there. The man tried to get out of the bowl, his attire completely soaked. Two man servants came to his help, but he pushed them away, pointing at Caroline rudely.
"You are a she wolf! No man would ever want to marry you, I assure you this! A crazed, raging girl you are!" he spat at her. A woman with graying hair stepped towards him, helping him out of the bowl.
"Tom, darling boy, this isn't the place to be taming the shrew."
"The shrew?!" Caroline cried out, appalled by the woman's rudeness. People around her started to murmur in disapproval. No lady is ever called a shrew in public.
"A rude, raging, selfish shrew." The woman affirmed, she was obviously the man's mother or she wouldn't be in his favor.
Caroline felt bile rise in her throat. She knew the ball would be the death of her, but she didn't take it seriously to heart. She was half right. The ball was the ruin of her. What man would ever want to call her after this? Everyone would be scared of her and her outburst. Her heart sank. How was she ever going to explain this to father? How on earth was she going to explain this to anyone?! Her mother must be watching. Caroline felt tears in her eyes, she didn't want to look around for her, afraid she'd see disappointment. She felt her legs go weak as she fell to the ground. A hand reached out for her, while a strong arm went around her waist, steadying her so that she wouldn't fall. Caroline forced herself to look up at her savior.
It was Niklaus Mikaelson. His laughing demeanor completely disappeared as he held Caroline with concern. He had seen similar situations happen, before, but never did he care this much. The poor girl must be in despair. To his surprise she brought a strong hand upon his. She squeezed, as if sending him her gratitude for his help. She wasn't able to speak at the moment.
Caroline looked away from the Mikaelson gentleman to fix her gaze back at the bowl. It was not the time for her to feel weary of the man. In fact, Caroline found herself to have been silly a moment ago: thinking a man to be dangerous enough to run away from, thinking the whole Mikaelson family was up to something. What a petty girl, she thought to herself. She straightened herself, lifted up her chin and walked away from the crowd as if nothing had occurred. The only way the scene affected her was shown through her eyes, fixed before her, filled with tears. She really did not care about Niklaus at the moment; she didn't care about anything, except for how disappointed her father would be with her, after the news spreads. Another pair of arms appeared, steadying Caroline, taking her somewhere. She didn't care to look up and see who it was; she just let them lead her away from the whole thing. After a few minutes, she found herself back in the chamber, with her mother and Elena. Not wasting time at all, she grabbed on to one of the women, clutched at them with all her might as she let the painful tears flow freely. What a mess, she was.
Klaus Mikaelson stared after the girl. The violins returned to their melody while the crowd erupted into conversations once more. He faintly heard the name Forbes uttered about a dozen times. He felt sorry for the girl, but at the same time felt like she didn't need it. She was strong and was able to pull herself together long enough to leave the scene. Had it been any other lady, she would have spread herself across the floor and made a bigger deal out of it all. Klaus felt… admiration.
"Poor girl." A young woman whispered by his side. His sister had been watching as well. Hell, Klaus was sure the whole ballroom had been watching, all 600 or more guests.
"It is a shame really; she would have been a great wife to any man."
"Oh come on, Nik. You don't expect a girl to have lost all her suitors because of a mere spat!"
"Why not? I have seen worst happen to those who have done far less."
Rebekah rolled her eyes. She hated how society viewed women. Like horses in need of training.
"Do you suppose she will be alright?" said a man's voice on Klaus's other side. Finn.
"I truly hope so, she was the only girl who didn't try suffocating me." said another. Kol, of course.
"Rebekah I must excuse myself, the ball's festive energy completely departed me." Elijah said behind the four siblings.
They all nodded in agreement, all still staring after where the girl last disappeared.
"How about we call it a night?" Rebekah asked.
"Absolutely."
"Yes."
"Perfect."
"Sounds good to me."
Caroline woke up feeling numb. The only reason she was able to sleep last night was because she had cried herself to complete exhaustion. Elena and her mother packed all their belongings quietly. No one spoke of last night's problems and Caroline preferred it that way.
"I am sorry about last night. It was my fault I invited that awful boy Tom Gerard and his annoying mother. Never had hopes for him! Knew all along how wife-less he was set out to become." Lady Lockwood's voice boomed throughout the hall.
Caroline kept her gaze down. Holding on to one of her packages. A few other girls stood from afar. She watched them as they conversed with their suitors. A girl giggled loudly as one of the men kissed her hands. Caroline felt a pang of something. Jealousy? Envy? No, it was probably just exhaustion. She didn't want to be a wife. She only agreed to the darn thing to please her father and to make her mother proud. Now, the only man she'll ever be able to marry would be a garbage man. Her eyes roamed around the hall, watching people until she met Nicklaus's gaze. She gave him a smile, as a thank you for last night's help. The sides of his lips turned up as he gave her a nod, before turning away to meet his sister's demands. After a while Caroline watched the Mikaelsons as they departed the mansion. Caroline couldn't wait to do the same.
"Absolute rubbish!" Bill Forbes cried out. He banged his fist against his desk making both women jump. "How could you let her do this, Elizabeth?" He spat.
Caroline sat at his desk, shaking. She put on a fierce expression as she forced the urge to let her tears go. She wouldn't look at her father.
"Bill, she had no choice! The man was touching her inappropriately."
"I don't care for it at all! She should have reacted in a much more civilized manner!" He screamed back.
A vein twitched at his neck as his eyes bulged. Caroline was surprised her mother wasn't cowering in fear. Then again she probably experienced the same rage a thousand times before. He stood up making both Caroline and her mother freeze. He never laid a hand on any of them, but at that moment Caroline felt he would. She doubted he was feigning the murderous gaze he gave them. Caroline winced waiting for him to explode when a knock sounded at the door.
"My Lord." Said a female servant timidly; it was rare when Bill Forbes got angry.
"What!" he bellowed.
With a shaking hand the girl held out envelopes. Caroline tried to count them, there were about fifteen of them. Bill stared at the papers as if they were baby dragons.
Elizabeth placed her hands on her lips as she regarded the letters with hope. They could be letters from suitors, asking to court her. Caroline's eyes widened. How could that be? After all that she'd done?! Caroline pondered. Maybe her actions spoke differently to some gentlemen. Maybe standing up for herself, speaking loudly and staying strong pleased some bachelors, bachelors who probably searched for strong women as wives rather than timid little girls.
Caroline stood up straight as she watched her father tear open an envelope in frustration then reading it to himself. His furious expression disappeared, and with that Elizabeth jumped in happiness, laughing giddily.
Caroline had suitors.
Her chances were still bright.
"Fifteen? On her first day?" Bill Forbes asked, for a man who should be proud he looked like he had a sour taste in his mouth. "That's practically unheard of." He turned to look at Caroline as if accusing her of doing well.
He stomped back to his desk, sitting down at his arm chair.
"I have half a mind to pick one man randomly and betroth you to him, before you end up murdering someone next." He said quietly.
Caroline cleared her throat, "I promise I will keep to myself next time."
Bill nodded, "Very well. Good job, Caroline."
Elisabeth gave another squeal. She ran up to her daughter hugging her tightly. Caroline and her father kept their gazes locked.
"You are dismissed."
Hope you guys enjoyed!
Moral of the story: whenever you feel like you've lost everything it is possible that you are actually gaining something. If that makes sense :P
Next chapter: the Mikaelsons show their pirate selves! ;)
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