Chapter 3: Rules of Courtship

"Seriously?" Caroline called after her friends as they left the room, staring at their retreating forms. At least they had left the door ajar for propriety reasons, even though Caroline wouldn't put it behind Rebekah to try to make her marry her brother, so they'd finally legally be sisters.

Sighing, she shifted in her seat before finally looking at Klaus, who was obviously watching her.

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Don't look at me like that, Klaus," she told him, annoyance visible in her voice, "this is insane!"

A hint of a smile crossed Klaus' face, as he glanced at the tea cup in his hand and set it down.

"I think I'll have a whiskey," he stated, getting up to ring the bell pull, "would you like something a little bit stronger?"

Caroline stared at him for a long moment. "Don't you think it's a little early for spirits?"

He rang for a maid and shook his head. "Actually, I don't think there has ever been a better time for a whiskey than this, love."

She flushed at his casual use of endearment, remembering all the times she had told him (and his brother, Kol, for that matter) not to call her that. But the more she had protested the worse the nicknames the brothers came up with had become.

"Don't call me that, you know it's not proper," she scolded – old habits resurfacing.

This made him chuckle while he instructed a young maid with his wishes and returned to his seat. "You haven't changed one bit, Caroline," he emphasised her name this time and the way it rolled of his tongue, languid and warm, made goose bumps rise on her skin.

Her eyes narrowed and she shot him an irate glance, which again made him smile. Somehow it had always made him smile when she felt irritably – which had always annoyed her even more.

"I'll have you know that I'm quite changed," she murmured, adjusting the folds of her dress and sitting up straight, "and that I'm fully capable of finding a husband on my own."

Klaus nodded and leaned back. "I understand, sweetheart."

She chose to ignore him this time, continuing: "And I do not appreciate your sister trying to manage my life. However," she slowed, taking a deep breath, "if a faked courtship might be of help to you, I could be persuaded to help out an old friend."

For a moment both of them went silent as the maid slipped into the room, handing Klaus a glass of clear ember liquid and placing a platter of sandwiches on the table, before departing as quickly as she had entered.

After what felt like an eternity, Klaus finally took a sip of his drink and stood up, turning towards the high windows.

"Well, I never thought you weren't capable of snatching a husband, love – even though I did hear about the sudden change in beauty standards this season. The ton is such a fickle bunch," he started and Caroline realized the familiar mixture of disdain and mockery Niklaus had always harboured for London society, even though his mother loved being part of the peerage.

"And I realise you must have changed from the girl I knew, for the Caroline back then would probably have thrown her shoe at Rebekah for her brilliant plan – which I would have loved to see today, just so you know," he added, grinning at her.

Caroline stiffened, her posture becoming even more rigid. Klaus knew why Rebekah had come up with a plan and how desperate she probably was. She blushed a little, taking a sip of tea to mask her reaction.

"A lady never throws anything. I would merely refrain from talking to your sister, if she truly rattled my feelings," Caroline stated coolly.

Again, Klaus chuckled. "Anyways, I would still very much appreciate your help in the matter of my problems, dearest Caroline." Klaus turned towards her, offering her his hand to stand up. Hesitantly Caroline put her hand in his, the warmth of his fingers nearly burning her flesh, just the way she remembered from her youth. Taking a deep breath, she stood up, suddenly standing face to face with Klaus.

"So, Miss Forbes, would you allow me to court you merely for purposes of convenience for both of us?" he asked, his breath tingling over her knuckles as he kissed her hand.

She gave him a mock curtsy, before slipping her fingers from his.

"Of course I would – though we might have to establish some rules first," she told him.

His reaction was a court nod. "Of course you would. Years of being pestered by our mothers to become a perfect lady would cause that."

Caroline huffed. "Rule number one: While you pretend to court me you have to be a perfect gentleman, Klaus. No one – and I mean it, not one – should have reason to believe something improper is going on between us. I will not be ruined by you, your reckless behaviour or your hatred for the peerage."

Klaus sighed and nodded.

"Rule number two: We are in this together. So as soon as one of us wants out, be it because you did find some 'silly chit' whom you actually want to court or because an eligible gentleman takes interest in me, we have to find a way to stop our play without hurting the other one's reputation."

"You do know I did not mean to insult you with that 'silly chit' comment, love," he interrupted, all humour gone from his eyes. "You are probably one of a handful of women I do not only tolerate to be around, but enjoy spending time with. And it's been that way as long as I can remember."

She merely brushed his comment away. "No offense taken, Klaus. You don't even know me anymore. So for all you know, I might have become as insufferable as some of the mindless debutants who only talk about ribbons and hairstyles. Therefore, rule number 3: I want us to become friends again."

The grin returned to his mouth, as she looked at him, her eyes round and blue.

"I never stopped being your friend, Caroline," he told her and the honesty in his voice caused a warm feeling to spread in her belly.

"So, is that it?" he asked her, as she straightened and dropped a stray golden lock that had escaped her coiffure behind her ear.

"I believe it is. Those are my rules."

"Well, then, love, let me add something," he started, and the way he looked at her made her heart jump a beat. "My first rule: I may conduct my courtship in any way I see fit – as long as I do not compromise you," he added, as he saw her moving to object. "And I may, as your friend, tell you if a gentleman is unfit to court you. Also, since we've known each other for years, you cannot deny me the pleasure of trying to coax out the Caroline I knew when we were younger – the reckless, free- spirited and happy Caroline."

She stared at him for a moment.

"I am happy and I don't see how that last point may benefit anyone," she murmured, making him step closer in turn.

"Oh, it would make everything so much more fun," he whispered, and she took a step back until her lower legs hit the little sofa, trapping her between Klaus and the furniture. His breath was hot on her face and she felt herself blush as he continued. "You are way too proper now, love. I remember a time when you were begging to be kissed."

Caroline gasped and pushed at him, thereby thrusting herself unceremoniously back onto the sofa, escaping his grasp.

"Seriously, Klaus? We were children and it is horrid of you to bring this up. Also, you promised not to compromise me!"

Klaus chuckled and turned away, walking towards the door.

"Oh, Caroline. You have no idea what can be done without compromising a lady, if you are clever about it," he told her, leaving the room.

"Until tonight, love," she heard him call, but she did not react. For some time, she just sat on the sofa, unmoving, willing her heart to stop beating so fast. But for some reason, she could not shake the memory of Klaus lips against hers, even though it had been years ago.


Author's Notes:

I'm so happy about every comment!

Feel free to share ideas for the story or questions. I'll be happy to answer them.

Have a nice day,

Ria