A/N: yes Td it is somewhatlike Nostalgia but that is the only common scenario. I hope I will be able to convey how this storyis going to be differentfrom Nostalgia. I hope you all enjoy this chapter too.
During the supper she kept on thinking about her father and what he might be doing and the impending night wondering will he ask for her presence. She looked up and caught him deep in conversation with Elijah and for the first time she realized how handsome he had become. She wondered how could Andrea leave him for someone else. As she was observing him, he looked towards her.
Klaus felt as if someone was watching him. He instinctively looked towards him and caught her looking towards him.
She felt a shiver run though her body as their eyes met and she hastily looked towards Camille. It hit her really hard that she really needs to work on different aspects if she does not want her cover to be blown. She didnt know a single thing about these people except for a little bit about Niklaus who also seemed different somehow; one thing he was angry at Andrea which had never happened in all those years she had known him and secondly he was looking too serious.
After dinner, she got up and went towards her room like all others retreated to their rooms. As she reached her room, she saw Maria nursing Kaleb.
She smiled and instantly forgot about everything.
She walked to her and said "give him to me" as she saw her changing him.
Maria looked surprised at her request but she stepped aside. Hayley said looking towards Kaleb and tickling his stomach "that will be all. You can leave" missing the look of shock on her face.
She changed him, cradled him for a bit until he fell asleep and then laid him in the cradle and looked towards the adjoining door.
She thought if she should wait for him to ask her presence to give him an excuse as to why she cannot spend night with him or do it preempting his move and then she decided to wait for his summon. She changed her cloth and after checking on Kaleb, she got under he covers and soon went to sleep praying that Andrea comes back soon.
When she woke up next morning, she thanked her luck that he had not summoned her. She wondered 'maybe they don't share rooms' and felt relieved under the circumstances but also got confused at why wouldnt Niklaus share room with someone whom he loves so much. She got busy with Kaleb and visiting Camille and soon night came upon them. While she was lying on the bed, she seriously starting considering the possibility for the first time that Andrea may never come back and that really made her very depressed so the next day she cut her hip length hair to her waist to not cause any suspicion.
She started to follow Andrea's routine, fall in love with Kaleb, spend time with him, sat with him on the carpet as he tried to crawl and then fall down with frustration making her laugh, pick him up and smother him with kisses making him giggle uncontrollably, got to know the servants most of all her maid Lily and getting reacquainted with the castle. She soon realized that there was not much to do other then getting ready in the morning with Lily's help, then go to Camille's room to talk to her. She was confused to hear Camille asking 'why was she sleeping in a different room then Niklaus?' On one hand it answered her curiosity that they were actually sharing room but then why has he not asked her to sleep in his room while on the other hand she couldnt ask without making Camille suspicious so she kept quiet. She tried her best to avoid seeing him which luckily was not difficult as he has so busy that he hardly spend any time at home. The only time they would see each other was at the time of the breakfast. Their eyes would meet and he would leave without saying anything. She thought the was still angry at her for leaving Kaleb for that long the other day which she understood. Other than that she was not having any issue. From the way no one questioned her or showed any suspicion, she started to feel comfortable with each passing day. Sometimes she caught Lily looking towards her curiously which made her very nervous but thankfully she never said anything to her. Every night after making sure that he was not in his room, she would check on the fire and the oil lamp in his room. She would check on Kaleb one final time before tucking herself in bed with a book and drift off to sleep reading it in the light from the oil-lamp that Lily made sure to light every night in her room. Like Lily she often caught Camille looking towards her curiously but she ignored it. She often saw servants talking to each other but would get quiet when they would see her coming. During this time she noticed that not once did Klaus come to see his son which disappointed her as she recalled what Camille had told her about him and Andrea ignoring Kaleb and her heart ached for the baby. One night a week later after her moving in the mansion, after supper when everyone has retreated into their rooms and Kaleb was fed and changed, she, getting frustrated by his lack of interest in his own son, picked him up and carried him to his room.
It was late at night and he was trying to read a book but his mind was towards Andrea. For the past one week he had been busy with the estate business so much so that he was not able to come home for super. Every night when he entered is room, the fire and the oil lamp was lit and the clock on the fireplace showed that it was eight at night. He had not seen her for the past week. He knew that she was still angry at him for ignoring her. It was frustrating him but he was unable to shed his responsibilities this time and now he realized that it was becoming a matter of ego for him. He had realized during these past two months for the first time in his life he had put someone else's needs before him and it felt good to him. Elijah needed him and he owed it to him for all those times when he had skipped court and his responsibilities for Andrea. He wondered but is it worth losing Andrea's love for him? Out of blue he realized that he had not seen Kaleb for a week too and a thought crossed his mind 'if she is angry with him and not spending time with him then she is spending more time with Kaleb. Is she putting Kaleb ahead of him?' and then he wondered 'is he jealous of his own son? No, that cannot be it. He loves his son. Then why doesnt he like her spending time him or he himself spends time with her like Camille and Eliah had pointed out. Were they not ready to have children?' He shook his head and said to himself forcefully "no. he loves his son but he does not want her to put anyone ahead of him. Not even their son. Kaleb is too young to miss his mother and he has Maria. Who does he have other then Andrea?"
And suddenly he got angry but before he could do anything the adjoining door opened and she walked in. He stared at her carrying Kaleb against her shoulder. Before he could stop himself he said resentfully "at last you have decided to give me some of your precious time Andrea."
She felt confused at what he had just said but she walked to him and said "I thought you might like to hold him. I was going to take a bath and he is still awake. I don't feel like leaving him alone."
He asked still feeling resentful towards him "where is Lily or Maria?"
She stared at his face silently for a moment, surprised at his response and said "she is in her chamber. Don't you want to hold him? He is your son."
A look of surprise crossed his mind but then thinking about his recent thoughts he said "right. Give him to me."
As she put the baby in his arms, he felt something weird but didnt know what it was. To his annoyance Kaleb immediately got restless but she said "just hold him against you. He will be fine."
She stood there looking towards them and wondered as Kaleb's eyes darted from her to Klaus 'why is he looking so uncomfortable holding him? Was Camille right about Klaus not warming up to his son.' Her heart sank as the thought crossed her mind.
And then seeing father son looking towards each other she started to leave, he asked "sit. I want to talk to you about something. "
Hayley suddenly got nervous and said "can we do it tomorrow? I have to take a bath."
When he looked angry she asked "what is it?"
He said "nothing. We will discuss it some other time but don't you need Lily to help you with bath?"
She felt her cheek getting red and hoped that he didnt see him in the candle light. She said "no. I do need her today."
Hayley said "I will be back for him in a short while."
After taking a quick bath she went back to his room and saw that he had gone to sleep in that position with Kaleb too sleeping in his arms.
She leaned in and gently picked him up startling Klaus.
Klaus opened his eyes and saw a curtain of brunette wet hair near his face. He felt mesmerized by her face in the candle light and his annoyance at her for ignoring him because of Kaleb flew out of windows. He held her arm as she started to turn away from him and said softly "come back to me after you have put him in his cradle."
Her heart dropped but she said "Klaus I … I am unclean today."
Klaus continued to look into her eyes and then pulled her towards him and planted a kiss on her lips.
Hayley felt all air sucked out of her lungs. The only thing she could feel was the softness of his lips against hers. She was so shocked that she just stood there doing nothing.
When she didn't return it he knew that she was still upset with him and his heart sank. He stepped back with sinking heart and let go of her hand.
She stepped back and then she realized that she was still holding Kaleb. She turned away from him and left without saying anything; not knowing what to say or how to react. The moment she entered her room, she ran to the cradle, put Kaleb in it and then darted to the bathchamber and washed her lips harshly praying "forgive me my lord. I have sinned."
That night she cried herself to sleep knowing well that if she was unable to stop him from kissing her then she probably will not be able to stop him from sleeping with her too. The very thought that she will have to do such an intimate act with someone else's husband just because she cannot reveal her identity for her own family's honor just make the pit in her stomach bigger.
She felt really disturbed next morning about what had happened between her and Klaus in his chamber but thankfully he didnt approach her. To distract her mind from that kiss and what it lead to she decided to go meet Camille. She spend the day in her company and for the first time ever since she had moved to this house she felt relaxed. She made an effort to not talk much so not to give away too much. It was fun watching Kaleb giggling when Hannah poked at his stomach, him rolling over and her copying everything he was doing. Later they were joined by Rebekah. She got a very pleasant surprise seeing her turned into this beautiful, confident young woman. During their conversation she discovered that she was engaged to one of Klaus's friends Stefan who was studying to become a doctor. Around noon she decided to go back to her room seeing that Kaleb was getting cranky and probably hungry too.
For the next two days, she kept herself mostly in her room with Lily giving her company. Mostly she would just sit near her and play with Kaleb while Hayley would read some book or do embroidery and thank her luck that Klaus had not approached her after that incidence even though it made her curious about what kind of relationship do Klaus and Andrea have. When Lily commented that Kaleb has been really happy for the past few days her heart sank as she recalled her conversation with Camille about Klaus and Andrea ignoring him.
One day late at night, Kaleb was being fussy so she was pacing with him in her arms , trying to make him fall asleep, when she heard his angry voice "where has he gone?"
Another voice said "my lord, he disappeared last night. No one has seen him since."
Klaus asked "then who is monitoring the servants."
The second voice said "my lord, Lady Camille and …."
His angry voice made her scared when he continued in the same tone "she cannot do Anderson's job."
The second voice said "my lord, I will see to it."
She looked towards the door and then walked away from it.
Next morning, she went downstairs to the kitchen. She saw surprise on everyone's faces and when a couple of them inquired her what she was doing there she wondered 'has her sister never come down to the kitchen?'
She was lost in her thought when Lily walked to her and said "my lady, what are you doing here? You should have called me."
She said smiling "there is no need Lily. I wanted to meet all the servants."
As Lily retreated to gather the servants, her gaze fell on a small child sitting on the stoned floor playing with some sort of a strange looking toy. She walked to her and knelt next to her and asked "hello there! you are cute. What is your name?"
She startled when she heard Lily say "this is Daisy, my daughter, my lady."
Hayley leaned in and impulsively picked up the child saying "o dear lord she is precious. How old is she?"
She turned around when she didnt hear any sound. She asked seeing a surprised look on her face "what is it?"
Lily said "nothing my lady. Daisy was born a week after lord Niklaus's son was born."
Hayley said excitedly "oh but that is wonderful. Why dont you bring her to my chamber and they can play together."
Lily stepped closer to her and asked "where is she?"
The smile slipped from her face as she asked feeling nervous "who?"
But then she took a sigh of relief when someone said "my lady everyone is here."
She handed the child to Lily and walked towards the servants feeling very nervous knowing well that the nervousness was because of what Lily just said and not because of what she was going to say to the servants. She looked back towards Lily who was standing in the line with other servants looking towards her suspiciously.
Hayley cleared her throat and said "from this day onwards I am going to be delegating and instructing all of you. If you have some problem you convey it to me directly or through Lily. I need all the records of purchase made to run the kitchen, I want …" she paused and then continued "who keeps records of wages and expenses?"
A middle age man stepped forwards.
Hayley looked towards her in confusion wondering how should she ask his name without making anyone suspicious when Lily said "John does that, my lady."
She looked toward her with gratitude knowing well that her suspicion was just confirmed.
She said to John "you will keep record of daily expenses and I will check them at the end of the month."
He said "yes my lady" and stepped back.
She cleared her throat and asked "if there are no questions then you can all leave."
Later that night when she was getting ready for the bed, Lily asked "pardon me my lady but I must ask."
She turned to her and with heavy heart she asked "what is it Lily?"
She said after some hesitation "has she ran away with lord Tyler?"
She looked towards her and asking trying to keep up the pretense "who?"
She continued to look towards her and then said "your secret is safe with me my lady" and retreated from the room.
From that day onwards she knew that even though she had not admitted to Lily who she was but she knew in her heart that Lily knew about her. She tried very hard not to address that as she realized that Lily too didnt want to talk about it. She kept herself busy with Kaleb, with the jobs at him; organizing, delegating and instructing the servants while keeping in mind about checking the balance monthly. She often asked Lily to bring Daisy to her bedchamber. Often they would be joined by Hannah after she would send a message to Camille by Lily's hand. It would give her immense pleasure seeing both the babies trying to crawl and play with each other while Hannah would cuddle in her lap asking her to tell her a story. Every time she would look at those babies her heart would break at the loss she had suffered. Often she would sit with them while Lily cleaned the room. When she noticed Lily taking Daisy away a few times to nurse her, her heart ached for Kaleb. She often thought about Freya but then she told herself that she needs to get comfortable in the situation she has gotten himself and then she will bring her up with Klaus.
Two week after she took over her duties as the delegator of the responsibilities to this house, one afternoon noon she was changing Kaleb's diaper when the door opened and she looked up to see Camille standing there.
She said with a smile "Camille, come in."
As she watched, Hannah ran to her and jumped on her bed making her smile. She looked towards Camille who was eying her strangely. She asked "what is it?"
Camille said "nothing. You just seem different ever since you have returned from your father's house."
Hayley felt flustered and said "father and I had a long talk that day about Kaleb and … well I thought he was right. I just want to spend more time with him."
Camille sat on her bed and asked with a smile "and what about Niklaus?"
Hayley suddenly got nervous as the kiss flashed through her mind and said "what about him?"
Camille said "you know he does not like to be ignored."
Hayley put Kaleb against her shoulder and said "yes I know but I am not ignoring him. Also he is busy with his work."
Camille sighed and said "yes thank God. He stepped up when Elijah needed him."
Hayley asked "what do you mean when Elijah needed him?"
She looked towards Lily who walked to her and then shook her head as Lily tried to take Kaleb from her saying "no, he is fine."
Camille said "oh you know with Elijah's sickness."
The words were out of her mouth about his sickness when she realized the blunder she was about to make so she just said "oh. I am glad he was help to him."
Camille sat there for half an hour and they talked about random things. After she left Lily said quietly as she knelt near the fireplace to poke at the log "lord Elijah got pneumonia two months back and it was really hard time for lady Camille and the family. Lord Niklaus took care of everything while he was sick. It is a miracle that he has recovered."
Hayley looked at her back but didnt know what to say as she remembered her father and Elizabeth's warning about not disclosing her secret to anyone. As she watched, Lily got up, turned towards her and left after giving her an encouraging smile.
During this time Klaus kept himself occupied with estate and court affairs to distract his mind from Andrea, now getting more and more confused about how to handle their situation. On one hand he wanted to give her whatever she desired but that meant leaving Elijah's side again and now that he had been working with him for the past two months, he had realized for the first time he was actually enjoying this involvement in the state affair. He was pretty confident that he will be able to maintain balance with his responsibilities and loving Andrea but he knew how demanding Andrea can be just like he can be with her. At first the had thought things will fizzle out but as the time was passing and she was still angry at him, he was getting somewhat disappointed towards her for the first time in knowing her for the past ten years. To avoid himself heartache he consciously tried to not think about her and his problems.
In a late afternoon on a Saturday, Klaus was pacing his room replayed his conversation with Elijah a day ago.
flashback
A day ago
He looked towards Elijah in shock when he said "there is only one way out of this Niklaus."
Klaus asked "and what is that?"
Elijah said "I buy his house."
Klaus said "but Marcel is my friend Elijah. You cannot buy his house."
Elijah said "if we don't buy his house then he will never be able to pay the loan from the bank Niklaus. Do you want the bank to take his house away from him?"
Klaus said after some thought "no but what will he do?"
Elijah said "he can live in that house and pay us the minimum rent that he is able to and when he is in the position to buy it again, I will sell it to him."
Klaus said "let me think about it."
Elijah said "yes do that. Tomorrow is Sunday. I have to give my decision on Monday."
end flashback
Part of his mind was telling him that it was a good idea but the other part was feeling bad for the Marcel. He was not only his friend but best friend. He wondered will he be willing to sell their house where he had grown up. But then he realized that Elijah was right. There was no other way for Marcel to pay off his debt. He ran his hand at the back of his neck to relieve himself of the fatigue he had been feeling. Suddenly he missed her terribly and decided to patch up things with her, taking the first step. "As always" he thought in frustration but he realized that he couldn't help it. He loved her too much to be angry with her for so long and already they had been apart for almost two months- the longest they had been apart. He went to her room through the adjoining room. As he entered, he noticed the room was empty but the fire was burning as usual. He walked towards the cradle and looked down at his son sleeping peacefully. He looked around when the door opened and Lily entered the room carrying logs. She said "good evening my lord."
He said "evening"
When she turned around after putting the logs in the fire, he asked ""where is lady Andrea?"
She replied "my lord, my lady is down in the kitchen."
He asked surprised now "why?"
She said "my lord, she is supervising the dinner."
He asked shocked "since when?"
Lily replied "a few days my lord."
She paused for a moment for him to comment on but when He didnt she said "do you need anything else my lord?"
When he shook his head, she turned and left.
He stood there looking at Kaleb for sometime but as he was turning to leave, he saw him startle in his sleep and a pout appeared on his lips. Instinctively he put a hand on his chest and he calmed down and for some reason he felt happy. He continued to look towards him and then left.
During the dinner, he kept glancing towards her and noticed that she looked tired. He felt like taking her to his room and making love to her but she looked too tired. He groaned and crushed his desires. At last after dinner they all retreated to their room. His room was warm with the fire burning. He picked up the book from the side table after changing his clothes and sending Henrick away for the night but was unable to sleep. At last he got up and went towards her room. He groaned when he saw her already sleep. He stood there looking towards her for a few moments and then retreated from her room.
Next morning he left very early to talk to Marcel about what Elijah had proposed which to his pleasant surprise Marcel agreed to at once. Later that evening when he returned from a cold and wet day outside, he was welcome by a warm and cozy room and a bath ready for him. After the bath he changed this clothes and went to Andrea's room.
As he entered, he saw her sitting on the carpet with Kaleb lying on his stomach next to her and her doing something on a piece of cloth.
He looked towards them suddenly feeling jealous of Kaleb as he realized that she was spending way too much time with him.
Hayley startled when she heard a sound. She turned towards the sound and then stood up immediately as she saw him in her room. Suddenly she remembered that kiss and her heart starting to race. She asked "Klaus! Do you need anything?"
He continued to look towards and said sternly "I want to spend some time with you. Call Lily to take care of Kaleb."
She looked at him in surprise and then said feeling nervous "it is late. She must be putting her daughter to sleep. Kaleb will sleep in a few minutes. Until then you can spend time with us."
She wondered if that was anger on her face but then he relaxed on the chair looking towards the fire.
She settled down next to Kaleb again and picked up her embroidery.
Suddenly he felt weird as he observed her doing embroidery while watching Kaleb occasionally. He was unable to figure out what was bothering him.
She looked up and caught him looking at her. She asked "what is it?"
Klaus said "you seem different."
She asked "how so?" feeling flustered.
He said "I dont know."
Hayley search her mind to say something to distract him and then said "it is father. I have not seen him for a few days" she paused and then continued "I was wondering if I can go to visit him tomorrow?"
Klaus said after slight hesitation "yes go but be back by evening. Do you remember how upset Kaleb was last time."
As soon as the words were out he was shocked that he had thought about his child before himself for the first time ever.
Hayley asked hesitantly "can I take him?"
He looked up and said "no, you cannot. He needs to be nursed at regular interval of time and Maria is there to do so."
She said "oh" and looked down at the embroidery she was doing.
After a few moments he asked "when did you start that?"
She said feeling flustered again "I learned from Elizabeth a few days ago. Thought of practicing. Is it bothering you?"
He said "no."
As he watched, she started gathering her things and said "I think I should get him ready for bed." As she picked him up and walked past him towards the cradle, he pulled her towards him and slowly planted a kiss on her lips. He broke the kiss and said "come to my room after putting him to bed. I dont like it that you are still angry at me for ignoring you. I will make up for everything Andrea. Just give me one more chance."
Her heart skipped a beat and she hastily thought about an excuse to make but nothing came to her mind. He let her arm go and went to his room. With sinking heart she changing into her shift after settling down Kaleb. She walked towards the adjoining door with racing heart not knowing what to do, wondering what did he mean by her being upset with him? What has been going on in his and Andrea's life? She wondered 'what if she does not go? In his mind he is her husband and is exercising his rights. what if she just tells him, what will happen? Father's health. He might get sicker. He will not be able to take that dishonor but she cannot let him do that to her. That will be betrayal to Andrea but then what has she done to him? And what about Jackson? No, she cannot go through with it. She has to tell him but father, Kaleb. What if he never forgives her after she comes back and take Kaleb away from her?' With all these thoughts in her mind she pushed the door open and walked to him. He was sitting on the bed reading a book. He put the book down, pulled her towards him saying "I have been wanting this for a long time. I know you are still angry at me but I know how to make up with you."
He leaned in and kissed her. Hayley felt her breath hitching. She didn't know what to do. If she did something that will be making out with her sister's husband but if she didn't he will find out and her father's reputation will be ruined. Suddenly she felt his tongue parting her lips and he rolled them over on the bed and before she knew it he was making love to her; lifting her shift, kissing her naked torso, her breast, her neck, taking off his shirt, his pajamas. He was so romantic that every touch of his was making her squirm even though she was constantly thinking of Andrea and the fact that she is deceiving him. The feel of his naked body on hers was strange and not at all what she used to feel for Jackson. Suddenly she felt she was betraying Jackson. She opened her mouth to tell him but then she realized that it was too late when he parted her legs. She felt like crying when he entered her but she still didnt resist because of what was at stake.
He realized that she was still angry from the lack of response from her but he didnt care about that. He just wanted to make up with her so he continued to make love to her hoping she will forgive him and give him another chance. When he was done, he kissed her and whispered "I love you Andrea. I dont like it that you are sleeping in separate room and we ignore each other."
Hayley's heart sank hearing her sister's name but she gulped her tears and said "I… I love you too… Klaus. I …want to but I think Kaleb needs me."
He said "he has Maria. I dont have anyone. I need you. I miss you kissing my neck, kissing my chest, touching me, arousing me, the feel of your lips against mine, the feel of your tongue in my mouth. Please come back. I will take out time from my busy schedule for you. You know I love you very much but I have obligations and responsibilities."
She said "and I have towards him Klaus. He is our son."
He said feeling frustrated "what about your obligations to me?"
She said "I am fulfilling them."
He asked "how? by being angry at me for not giving you time during these past two months." Suddenly she understood what had happened with what Lily had told her about Elijah's sickness and all. She cursed Andrea for being so stupid and hastily said "that was my foolishness. I understand now. I am glad that you are helping Elijah. He needs your help after his illness. I know you can balance me and your responsibilities. Just like I can balance Kaleb and my …. love for you."
He continued to look into her eyes and said "I cannot live without you Andrea. If you are going to ignore me just because I am helping Elijah then I can take some time off from court duties but I cannot abandon my responsibilities. Just don't ignore me."
She said "I am not going to ignore you Klaus. You should help Elijah. He is your brother."
He said with frustration "I know you are saying that because you are still annoyed at me. I dont understand why are you being so stubborn about all of this. You were never like this. Why are you putting Kaleb before me. Is it because of him that you dont want to move back in with me?"
She stared at him and then said softly "because he is our son, our flesh and blood."
He lost his voice an due said "right! then bring him with you."
She said catching at the last straw "what about Maria? She nurses him."
Klaus got up from her angrily and said "I dont know why are you making such a big issue of this. He had been sleeping in separate room since his birth."
Hayley said calmly "he is growing up Klaus. He notices that he is being ignored."
he said angrily "fine. Go! but whenever I need you, you will come to me."
He got up from her and put on his robes as she continued to look towards his face after pulling the blanket over her body to cover it. She laid there for a moment trying to figure out what to do and then she got up, put on her shift and without looking towards him she left the room. She fell on the bed and cried herself to sleep.
When she woke up, she was still feeling really guilty and suddenly started crying. She rolled to one side and looked towards Kaleb still crying when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She startled and turned towards the hand which had touched her.
Seeing tears in her eyes made his heart skip a beat. He hastily sat down and asked "Andrea, what is it? Why are you crying?"
Hayley sat up abruptly and said "nothing."
He asked lifting her chin up with his finger "is it about last night? Are you upset about something I said."
When she didnt answer he leaned in and tried to kiss her but to his surprise she leaned back. He looked towards her in shock and for the first time realized that something was bothering her. He asked coldly "what is it?"
She couldnt hold it any more and blustered "Klaus I dont want to have sex with you ever again."
He said shocked at what she had just said "what?"
She said now crying "I dont want to have sex with you anymore."
He looked at her in shock and then pulled her towards her ignoring her protest and before he knew it he was kissing her aggressively and with one swift move, he tore her shift and his hands grabbed her breast and was squeezing them while his tongue was in her mouth exploring it. She tired to catch her breath and then gasped as his hand grabbed her mound and then he pushed her away saying angrily "you will never say no to me again. Do you understand? I am your husband and I have been listening to all of your nonsense demands. From this day onwards you will sleep with me and Maria can sleep in your room with Kaleb. I will not stop working with Elijah and if you feel ignored then I cannot do anything about it. Learn to live with it."
She said covering herself with shaking hands "Klaus…" but he was too mad to listen to anything and left the room.
She dragged herself from out of the bed, still shaking with what had happened. She quickly put on her robe not wanting anyone to see her in this state. She looked towards Kaleb as he started to cry. She went to pick him up and put him against her shoulder and let her tears fall down and then she took a deep breath and went towards the ringers and rang the bell for Maria.
She composed herself by the time Maria came. She handed him to Maria to be nursed. After Maria was done, she changed him and then took him down to the kitchen for the first time. She walked to Lily and softly said "Lily I need hot water for my bath" startling her.
She controlled the urge to cry when she asked "my lady, you are up early. Why have you brought lord Kaleb down here? You should have rung for me."
She said "I just need for you to get me hot water for my bath and be with Kaleb while I take my bath. Why dont you prepare for it while I will supervise the breakfast."
She could see confusion on Lily's face but thankfully she retreated from the kitchen.
She monitored the servants making breakfast while keeping an eye on Daisy playing with her toy while she continued to hold Kaleb. When Lily came back, she handed Kaleb to her and went to take a shower. She scrubbed herself a lot with the loofa thinking that might wash off the deed she had done with Klaus a night ago. The mere thought of that made her cry again. She prayed for forgiveness for the thousandth time. At last after a long thought process about her father, Kaleb, honor of both families she got out, put on her robe again and then rang for Lily to ask her help with the strings of the dress.
Around noon she left to meet her father after making sure the dinner was on the way, telling Camille where she was going, making sure Kaleb was fed and changed.
Klaus had been having rough time concentrating in the courts and decision making since morning which didnt go unnoticed by Elijah so when he excused himself from the court Elijah let him go without any questions. He straddled his horse and rode into the fields to distract his mind from her but he was unable to. Not seeing her at breakfast had told him that she was very angry with him. He was unable to understand why was she being so stubborn about all of this. Never ever imagining that she would take such a harsh step. He groaned as he recalled what he was about to do in the morning. He shivered at the very through that he was about to rape her- the love of his life. He realized that it was good that she was going to meet her father otherwise he was not sure what he would have done.
In he afternoon he asked his carriage man, Charles "are you going to get Lady Andrea?"
Charles said "yes, my lord."
Klaus said after thinking for a moment "I am going with you. I want to ask how Sir Marshall how he is feeling now."
During the ride to his home, he kept on wondering how will he face her after what he was about to do to her. At last when they reached there, he got out and went inside the house after a servant showed him in.
Hayley asked her father "what are you going to do father? You cannot live here. There is no way to run this house. I checked your accounting book and there is no income left to run this house after paying Andrew and Elizabeth's wages. You still have that hole in the roof. You told me that you will get it fixed but you have not done so. Elizabeth tells me that the kitchen is barely functioning. Why didnt you tell me father?"
Sir Marshall coughed and said "Hayley my child. Everything will be alright. Tell me how are Kaleb and Niklaus?"
He was looking around the sitting area where he had been coutless times when a man walked in said "Lord Niklaus, Sir Marshall is resting. I will inform him you are here."
He said "it is alright. I will go and meet him in his room."
He walked towards his room.
- continued -