Investigation to be done
Like who's been wearin' what with who
Said, what's been going on around here?
You gotta tell me, You gotta know, I wanna know
I'll tell you everything I know, Any little thing I know
You've got a lovely way with words
Must be the way you see the world

.

.

.

Elena sat down at her vanity table and scrutinized her complexion. She was grateful her eyes looked clear. She frowned, while touching her cheeks. Since her father's funeral, she believed her face was rounder as a result of continually bursting into tears. Elena sighed at the illogical thoughts and rang for her maid.

Her lady's maid Isobel was older than her former. Elena missed Holly back in New York, she was a true confidante with pleasant manners. Elena was still getting familiar with Isobel. Thus far, she had proved to be efficient and obedient. She was familiar with the latest in style and skillfully organized the extensive wardrobe.

"How may I assist you, Miss Elena?" Isobel asked as she entered the young mistress' boudoir.

"It is time to groom for the ball."

"Yes, ma'am, I finished pressing your gown not an hour ago."

"Which gown did you press?"

"Your mother selected a recent purchase to be pressed. It is dark blue, a French dressmaker trimmed it to your measurements."

Elena nodded in agreement. "Very well then, bring it out for me to appraise."

Isobel did as the young mistress requested and attended to her appearance.

Elena studied Isobel in the vanity mirror as she styled. Elena asked for her hair to be pinned up with a few entwining braids. It would take a gracious amount of time to be finished. After a longstanding silence passed, Elena initiated a conversation with her older maid.

"I was introduced to Mr. Stefan Salvatore today. Have you observed him? What is your opinion of him?"

"Mr. Salvatore is frequently a guest at the manor. He is a fine southern gentleman therefore universally liked. He is soft spoken and serious. He is often in library looking for a book to borrow from Master. Sometimes he was so quiet, he would give me a fright to find him in a room. He never refuses to dance at balls, but otherwise he is not particularly social in town. I do not know if he belongs to clubs."

'Was Stefan truly so reserved?', Elena questioned in her head.

"Your description seems fitting of him. Do you know the ladies interested in his courtship?"

"I have seen him pay attention to Caroline Forbes and Amber Bradley."

"He socializes with the Sheriff's daughter?" Elena was confused considering Mr. Salvatore's wealth.

"Yes, ma'am, Miss Caroline is considered a great beauty. Her status is often overlooked by gentlemen."

Elena was curious to see this 'great beauty'. Elena met Amber earlier in the week. A pleasant girl with a decent face, but somewhat dimwitted. Then again, most men preferred stupid women. Elena accidentally groaned loudly at thought. She blushed at being caught.

Isobel looked at Elena in amazement. It was unusual for the young mistress to be unladylike. She was always refined.

"Were you introduced to Mr. Damon Salvatore?"

Elena perked up at the query. "No, I did not meet him. Is he Stefan's uncle?"

"No, his older brother."

Elena smirked in approval. "How many years in difference?"

"I recall Mr. Damon Salvatore to be 6 years senior."

'He must not live in the Salvatore manor if he is married.', Elena thought it over.

"What is your opinion of his wife?" Elena asked without a second thought.

"He is unwed."

'Why? Is there something wrong with the man?', Elena questioned in her head.

Isobel noticed the young mistress' puzzled face. "He has never courted anyone from town. He does not have a problem conversing with ladies. Quite the opposite, he is the most requested on dance cards. He is not interested in producing an heir, therefore is not troubled with procuring a wife."

"Then I am to assume he is quite handsome. More or less than his younger brother?"

Isobel stopped braiding Elena's hair at the question. "Yes, ma'am, he is handsome. Most ladies are entranced by his bright blue eyes." She said calmly.

"What is your opinion of Mr. Damon Salvatore?"

Isobel bit her tongue. She could not betray her young mistress with dishonesty. She could lose her position in the house. She was not sure how to appropriately answer the question.

"He is nothing like Mr. Stefan Salvatore. He is not reserved with his fortune in the pursuit of pleasure."

'Am I to assume those pursuits include brothels?', Elena thought.

"His blunt honesty often causes a stir. He is naturally loud. He is notoriously stubborn." Isobel paused. "I have never witnessed him in ill spirits, but the Salvatore manor maids are wary of his mood swings."

Isobel continued with her account. "He is educated. He attended Columbia University, until the confederacy draft. He did not support the cause and deserted the war after six months. The town, including his family, labeled him a traitor. He cannot return to Columbia until the war is over."

'He lived in New York and refused to fight in the confederate army.' Elena was undeniably impressed with the man. He might be the only person in town, other than her mother, that supported the union. She wondered why he chose to attend Columbia. Most southern gentleman favored Yale by default.

"You pegged him as a quite peculiar man." Elena said softly.

"Yes, ma'am, he is often described as peculiar."

Elena ruminated over Isobel's accounts of the Salvatore brothers. She wondered which topics of conversation best suited Stefan. Elena did not know whether to be excited or terrified about meeting the older brother. It was fascinating that he was set on remaining a bachelor. Elena dispelled her thoughts as Isobel adjusted the final rebellious curls.

Isobel disposed of Elena's muslin chemise to fasten a selected corset. She expertly begun lacing the back. Elena sucked in a strong breath. Her mother encouraged great emphasis on a lady's waist and hips. "Once again, Isobel." She ordered.

Isobel followed instruction and tightened the corset another half-inch. She was prepared for her young mistress to faint. She was surprised the young mistress did not complain or show any symptoms of discomposure. Isobel was thus far pleased with the first ball dressing of the new mistress.

Elena admired her appearance in the dressing room mirror. The fine silk gown had a décolleté and shoulder flattering bodice. Her small bust appeared almost daring. The short sleeves revealed ample amounts of bare skin. The crinoline of the gown was flat in the front and larger in the back. She wore lace wrist gloves with her family ring. Elena was confident about conquering the night to come. "That will be all, Isobel." Elena dismissed the maid.

Isobel lowered her head as Mistress Miranda Gilbert entered the boudoir. Miranda was wearing a black gown to signify mourning.

"Mama." Elena twirled in place. "What do you make of it?"

"The purchase proved to be worth the trouble, my dear Len. It suits you beautifully." Miranda studied her daughter. This was likely Elena's last French design for months to come. It was nearly impossible to import gowns since relocating to Virginia. The confederacy had strict rules on foreign trade.

Elena heartily smiled and playfully curtsied.

"I brought you something to wear tonight." Miranda opened the Cartier jewelry box in her hands.

Elena gasped as her mother placed a delicate necklace around her neck. It was a mix of diamonds and blue sapphires. "Thank you, Mama. It is a perfect match to my gown."

"It is a shame that the most beautiful girl at the ball will be a Yankee." Miranda jested.

"No shame at all Mama. I am a Yankee with a southern heart of gold." Elena retorted.

Miranda laughed at her daughter's response. Although, she was worried that southern society would disapprove of her daughter's cunning wit.

A/N: The ball is next. I bet you're excited for Elena to 'meet' the older Salvatore brother. Be Good & Review!

Okay fine, I'm a sucker for bloodplay. I found a way to include VAMPIRES in the story. Wait for it, it might make you laugh... :)

Song: Rich Girls by The Virgins