Belated Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks so much for the reviews and favs and alerts and everything. I am writing this for people like myself who enjoy the pairing, so I am really glad you are enjoying it, and I hope you will continue to tell me how you feel.
Sorry it's a bit delayed, crazy Christmas and I was also working on a chapter for my other story, which should go up soon, as penance, this one is pretty long.
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It was three whole days after her encounter with Klaus in his room, when Caroline came face to face with him.
She had avoided him as much as possible. He had left his rooms, but she had not seen him much and when she had, she barely met his eyes. With Mikael staying, Klaus was being more attentive to Elena than ever under his father's ever watchful eye. Elena, in response had been even more jumpy and nervous than usual, and Caroline despaired that she still hadn't accepted her impending wedding day. Mikael had taken control of the arrangements, and their wedding would be in two weeks.
On the third night, during dinner, as they moved to the dining room, footmen showing them to their seats, Caroline cringed to realise she was to sit between him and Damon, across from Rebekah. When dining so often together it was customary to change table seatings sometimes, so conversation topics were not rehashed too often. Sitting as the footman pushed her chair in, along with the other ladies, she felt the men sit beside her. As conversation sprang up around the table, she turned to Damon almost immediately.
"Mr Salvatore, why, I have not had the pleasure of your company at dinner in quite some time." she said politely, hoping her eyes did not look too desperate.
"Yes Miss Forbes, you have been quite busy, as have I"
"Pray, do describe what you do here to stay occupied"
"I greatly enjoy hunting, and it is excellent here."
"It sounds fascinating. I confess I have always been curious about it, and why exactly it is that men enjoy it so"
"The thrill of the hunt, it is a pleasure as old as time itself" Klaus's dry voice came from her other side, and she now had no choice but to sit back and allow him into the conversation or appear rude.
"Miss Forbes" he said warmly, waiting for her to turn to him patiently.
"Lord Niklaus." she said stiffly, giving him a courteous, brief smile before turning back to Damon, who she now saw had fallen into conversation with Rebekah. There was an air about them of not wanting to be disturbed. The first course arrived and she smiled graciously at her server.
"Well, this shall be a long evening if you refuse to speak to me. Hunting is a thrilling sport, I could take you sometime, if you want." he said and she glanced at him
"Ladies do not hunt."
"Not in town, or at large gatherings, however, at such a small party, it would be completely acceptable, especially if my sister were to attend also. She does love to participate." he said, watching as Caroline seemed to come around a little to him, no longer only offering him a small side glance.
"I confess I am not skilled enough on a horse to participate" she said.
"I thought all Americans could ride?" he asked wryly, raising an eyebrow at her.
"My parent's were nervous of such pursuits." she explained, taking a long drink of wine, feeling dry mouthed at his proximity and the way he kept looking at her with eyes like molten fire.
"That is a shame, but something that could be easily remedied. We have an excellent stable here. And I flatter myself – an adequate teacher."
"I think not." she said shortly, remembering his scorching eyes and inappropriate words the last time they had been alone together.
"I see I have erased any good will you may have had toward me once again. For that I am truly sorry. I confess to my head having been quite muddled that last night, and to not having felt myself since the attack." he said, and felt the deception's bitter taste on his tongue.
The truth was he couldn't stop thinking about her, and the attack and that night had only intensified his feelings. He had been rash and more than a little drunk to suggest to Caroline that she become his mistress. Though, he couldn't deny that it was what he wanted. To take care of her, to know she was waiting for him, to have a place to call home that she did also, the idea excited him beyond belief, and it had become a driving desire. He had been foolish to bring it up so, and upset her with it. She was new to the way of society here, probably ignorant of the popularity of titled men having a mistress, or more than one. It was common place and routine, and expected by most wives, welcomed as a respite against having to endure their husbands advances more often than enough to create an heir.
Caroline, moved by his admission of weakness, glanced at him.
"I suppose you shall ask me once more to forgive you. No harm was done, so perhaps I may. Though it must be on one condition. You must cease all talk of a romantic nature between us. Soon, I shall be you sister through marriage, and I do not wish for anything to inhibit me from visiting Elena when I can" Caroline said.
"I should not like to inhibit your visits either." he said, sipping his wine to hid his smile at the same time.
Further down the table, Katherine had become bored of listening to Kol and Stefan talk to Mikael and she slid her eyes down the table, where they rested for a moment on Elijah's. She was surprised to see his were already on her, and she automatically dropped them from him, feigning confusion and fear. Glancing back after a moment, she saw that he had become absorbed in his own thoughts, frowning. She hadn't spoken to him since their surprise kiss, and she felt his frustration mount at each passing day. He wanted her to behave like a lady, well, she planned to do just that, especially when he was the one who had acted shamefully for once. She planned to make sure he tortured himself over their small, innocent kiss as much as possible. What she would do with him after, she hadn't quite decided.
She saw Rebekah deep in conversation with Damon, and Klaus was saying something to Caroline that caused her to throw her head back in laugher. Noticing a small pause in Mikael's monologue, she saw his eyes sweeping over the scene, running over Caroline and her obvious effect on his son.
"In fact, I meant to mention it to my daughter before, but we have an additional guest arriving tomorrow. Mr Lockwood, Tyler Lockwood. I have become involved with his father, our business affairs are quite connected, and he mentioned that his son has grown tired of the city, and needs a break in the country. I immediately thought of this cheerful little group Lady Rebekah has put together here." his tone turning almost malicious at the end, Katherine felt nerves shoot through her at his words.
Her stomach clenched as she fought the urge to run to Bonnie and speak to her. Mikael had invited Tyler Lockwood? This could ruin everything. She saw as the news filtered down the table, and strangely enough how Rebekah turned serious eyes to Damon, who looked grimly back. The only people unaffected seemed to be Elena and Stefan.
Klaus heard his father's words, and felt a fine mist of rage settle over him, though he pushed it aside with his next breath. He was getting married, he had to accept that. His father had obviously observed his reaction to Caroline, and was throwing her into the path of an interested party. Tyler Lockwood, here. He fought to get himself under control and turned to view Caroline's reaction. Her face was pink tinged, and he watched as she sipped her wine.
"So, it appears your benefactor shall soon arrive." he remarked lightly.
"He is not my benefactor. He is merely an acquaintance" she said, willing her cheeks to calm.
"Well, I doubt he is coming all this distance for the hunting." Klaus said shortly, gesturing for more wine.
"Why not, I heard it is quite excellent." she said, and smiled at him for a moment with such a mischievous quality to her blue eyes, that he found it hard to remember to remove his glass from his mouth. Gently setting it down again, he smiled at her.
"Miss Forbes, I am glad we are friends again."
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In her dreams, the flames licked high, and the black smoke choked her voice. She reached up to push the heavy blankets off her, and ran to the door. It was locked. Pounding on it, she screamed... she screamed and screamed until her throat was raw and rasping. Coughing again with the smoke she looked wildly around the room, running to the window. Pushing it up, she saw the dizzying fall, too far. Suudenly the fire roared louder and heat scorched her skin as the door to her bedroom opened.
"Father!"
Sitting bolt upright in bed, Caroline clamped her hand over her mouth to stop the cry from escaping. She slowly came back to herself, finding the room quiet and dark, shadows from the fading fire dancing on the walls. She was at the Mikaelson estate. Her brain slowly caught up with her consciousness and she pressed her hand over her pounding heart. Sweat ran from her temples, and her hair felt slick with it. She pushed the heavy covers off, the heat in the room overwhelming, and went to the window. Pulling back the heavy drapes, she struggled to pull up the heavy pane, and instantly felt the cool night air cut through the thin summer sleeping gown she wore. Resting her forehead against the glass, feeling the icy cold clear her mind she let her thoughts linger on the dream.
She was having it again, after so long. She thought she had left it behind when she had come to England, yet here it was once more, haunting her. Sh had hoped she had left behind all her fears and darkest terrors as she sailed from her home land and set foot on a new shore. But how wrong she had been. It was back, more real and vivid than ever. Closing her eyes, she tried to push the feeling of burning skin and smell of death from her mind.
She knew why it was back, she ought to have expected it really. It was him. He had made her feel things she had determined, for her own sanity, never to feel again. The fear of caring about someone who couldn't love you back, someone broken. Someone who would only hurt her. She knew this was all true about him, at the same moment she was irresistibly drawn to him. His fire, his fierceness... his passion. She wouldn't survive it again, and that was why he needed to get married to Elena as soon as possible.
With her eyes still closed, she felt goosebumps travel up her arms and knew he was watching her. She breathed deeply, resigned to turn away and go back to bed, but... she couldn't ignore the desire to see him.
She felt the pull of his eyes, and couldn't resist allowing hers to rise to his window to meet them. He stood in the pale moonlight, his arms braced on the window, and as her eyes met his, she felt that all too familiar jolt. His face was tentative, unsure whether she would welcome his presence. She looked like a vision from his dreams, ethereal in her thin gown, long blonde hair falling in clouds around her shoulders, he had never seen it down before. His eyes searched hers, and knew the look in them pleaded with her. The last few days had been a waking nightmare, and he knew his future was diminishing fast. The problem was not only Elena and his lack of feeling for her. It was also Caroline. He had realised, over these past days of being close to her, but not being able to see her alone, or speak to her... that she had gotten in his veins, and he could barely think of anything else when she was present. He wanted her, he needed her. He had never felt anything as strongly as he did that. He also knew just as strongly, that she deserved better than him, so much better.
He saw her pale face, a fine sheen of sweat covering her skin, hands clenched as she had rested her forehead against the glass. He longed to know what had upset her, to soothe her, to take away her hurt. She took a deep steadying breath and stealing himself, he tilted his head in the direction of the door. An offer. Of companionship... of the friendship she had once offered him.
Caroline watched him steadily, considering his proposal. It was utter foolishness, she knew that beyond a doubt. But, the thought of returning to her fire filled dreams, alone and afraid was too terrible to contemplate.
His eyes were tortured and she knew he regretted his past actions, and in the strangest way, she felt his concern, his worry for her tonight, when she ran from her memories and needed someone to protect her from them.
Feeling her heart in her mouth, she slowly nodded, and tried to ignore the look of relief on his face. Turning back to her room, she went to the wardrobe and pulled out the thickest, warmest and most concealing wrapper she had.
Stopping in front of the mirror she looked at her reflection, feeling almost as though a stranger was looking back at her. Someone more daring, more reckless...
Before she could change her mind she stepped out into the dark hall, and started toward the stair, reaching it, she found him standing there, waiting for her, his relief again palpable as she came toward him. Without a word he turned and gestured for her to go first. Silently they moved through the house in the direction of the kitchen. The cavernous room was quiet, a drip of water, the growl of the stove all that broke the silence. It smelt of lemons and beeswax and she found it comforting. She heard the flare of a match being struck and a soft glow filled the room as Klaus lit some nearby candles. Feeling the chill of the stone floor, she perched on the wooden table, bringing her feet up to rest on the chair, pulling her gown tighter than ever around her. She felt her nerves grow as the silence stretched between them, as he busied himself, resting a pan on the stove top and pouring some milk into it. Finally turning he leant back against the range and looked at her, smiling warmly.
"The perfect cure for sleeplessness... well, not my favourite one, but..." he said with a smile, which widened with her eye roll.
"Sir, you are relentless"
"As are you in your resistance." he said with a laugh.
"I had no idea you were so accomplished in the kitchen." she said, watching as he turned occasionally turned to stir the hot milk.
"Well, I had an unorthodox upbringing. When you grow up with as many siblings as I had, and a father such as mine, without a mother... you may have all the help you can buy, but... sometimes nothing is more comforting than family." he said
"You took care of them?"
"Finn and Elijah never required much from me, but Rebekah and Kol..."
"They love you very much" she said, accepting a glass of warm milk from him.
"They do, though I have never been quite sure if I am deserving of it." he sat leant beside her against the table.
"You will not take anything for your insomnia?" she asked
"I wish that my insomnia could be cured so simply. No, sadly, I have never been one for sleep or..."
"Peacefulness?" she supplied quietly, tilting her head to watch him as she sipped the warm milk. He slanted a look back at her, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Miss Forbes, why is it that you seem to cut to the heart of the matter so ruthlessly?"
"I prefer a direct approach I suppose" she said with a laugh
"That is very admirable, however, a direct approach strips people of their social defences. The usual walls that surround us, hiding our vulnerabilities, shielding us from the pain of truth and allowing us to spin a web of false confidence and nonchalance. Directness is not for the faint hearted"
"I know you are right, and it is not proper in society... but amongst friends... I do not care to pretend." she said, and flushed a little as she realised her words.
"Friends" he repeated, and Caroline swore he moved imperceptibly closer to her side. She kept quiet, looking into her glass.
"I am not sure if I merit your friendship, not yet anyway, perhaps I never shall. I – I have not lived a life I am proud of... and until recently – I didn't even realise it." he mused softly, and she saw his eyes were lost on the lightening dark outside the window.
"If you prefer directness, then I may apply it to you also, I presume. What troubles you this night?" he turned his face back to her, and Caroline was sure he was closer.
"I had... unpleasant dreams" she said uncomfortably, and Klaus sensed her unwillingness to talk further of it.
"I see. Well, instead may I ask you if you are looking forward to returning to the city?"
"I confess I am not. This place is wonderful, I have truly enjoyed my time here. I shall be sad to depart for town." she said
"As shall I, though perhaps not for the same reasons."
"You still do not look forward to your marriage?"
"Elena is a lovely girl. She would make some man extremely happy. Sadly, I am not that man. We are destined to misunderstand each other at every turn, to hurt one another, to be trapped together in our misery... I feel sorry for her." he said
"And what about yourself?"
"I am not convinced that a loveless marriage and a lifetime of solitude is not exactly what I deserve. I have done little to be proud of, my reputation is well earned. And, I am the man that earned it, still, always. I have not the capacity for selflessness, compassion or love, truth be told." his voice was hard and Caroline felt her heart go out to him as he uttered these terrible things so matter of factly.
"I am sure that is not true" she said softly, watching as he rubbed a hand over his face, a grim expression on it.
"Do not be sure, let us look at the way I have treated you, abominably... yet, I would do it all again, for a chance to be here with you now." he glanced at her as he spoke and she felt a small thrill of alarm.
"Klaus-" she warned, watching closely in case he made any sudden moves.
"Rest easy Caroline. I no longer want a stolen minute of intimacy from you. In fact, it might well destroy me. If I were not betrothed to Elena, I would make no secret of my intentions towards you, my father be damned." Caroline felt her face flush at his bold deceleration, and tried to ignore the way her heart had started to hammer in her chest.
"Well, we would make the most disagreeable match, so it is for the best." she said with a nervous laugh.
"We would? Yes, I suppose we would... you are far too good for me."
"True" she said with a smile, then continued "Moreover, it is not what I want from my life. It is simply that my choices are very important to me. I would like to return home one day, I would like to marry someone simple and honest. Someone who I could retain my independence with."
"And you think I would restrict your freedom?"
"No, not particularly, but some people, when they are together, they love with an intensity that diminishes some parts of them, the sheer strength of it changes them." she trailed off, embarrassed by her speech. Klaus was silent beside her, taking in what she had said.
"If I didn't know a little about your low regard of me, I'd think you were implying that my love for you – our love – would be greater than you could manage." She could feel him watching the side of her face, and she realised how confusing her words might be to him. Putting down her glass, she briefly raised her eyes to his, forcing a quick smile.
"I apologise, being awake at his hour has quite confounded my brain. Thank you for the drink, I must return to bed" she said in a rush and walked away.
He watched her go, the urge to follow almost overwhelming him. He couldn't take in her meaning, it was more than he had ever imagined. She was afraid of her feelings for him. She wanted him, yet she didn't want the kind of life he had to offer. He felt the familiar frustration that always seemed to spring up whenever she was around. She offered him a glimpse of a wonderful life, standing beside the woman he wanted, and dashed it in the same breath.
A soft knock alerted Rebekah to his presence at her door. Pulling her robe tighter, she crossed the room quickly and opened it as quietly as possible. A dark shadow moved in the hall, and just as quickly she was closing the door again behind Damon Salvatore. She crossed back her bed, and lit a candle that was waiting there, with trembling fingers.
"Lady - "
"Shhh-" she said suddenly, hearing someone moving in the hall. Pulling him down to her side, behind her bed, she placed a slender hand over his lips, her eyes willing him to be quiet. She blew out the candle and waited in silence, straining to hear the person moving outside, terrified they might have seen Damon coming into her room.
As silence met silence, and she started to feel safe again, she suddenly realised the closeness of Damon to her shoulder, her neck, his face was practically resting in it, and his warm breath was lightly caressing her cheek. She realised that by simply turning her face, their lips would touch. Her heart started to pound, more forcefully than when she had feared being discovered. Looking to the floor, she also realised she had grasped his hand in an effort to pull him out of sight in that moment. Now, she found her fingers were still entwined in hers. Slowly raising her eyes to his, she saw he was also looking at their locked fingers, an expression that was impossible to read on his face. He returned them to her face, and at that moment she dropped his hand and pushed herself to her feet. Putting some distance between them, she turned her back on him, busying herself with lighting the dropped candle. Regaining her composure she turned to give him a speculative look.
"Well Mr Salvatore. It seems our schedule may have to change." she said as he came closer nodding.
"Indeed. That is, if you are still willing to do whatever it takes for your brother. As I am for mine"
"When the time comes, I shall not hesitate." she confirmed, her eyes evading his, she stood at the window and looked out on the moonlit lake.
"How shall we accomplish it though, with your father here..."
"He departs tomorrow for London, he will not return until the day before the wedding." she said, turning back. Damon watched her closely as she raised her chin, hiding the moment of vulnerability he had seen when she talked of her father.
"He shall be very angry with you, you know." Damon had not known Mikael long, however he could already anticipate his ugly reaction to their plan.
"He will not hurt me, I am his only daughter. At the most, he would just send me away, marry me off to one of his elderly business acquaintances."
"That does not frighten you?"
"Not as it did... a life un-lived, a life constricted... that scares me more"
"A cage..." Damon said, trailing off as he noticed the gathering of tears in Rebekah's eyes. She nodded and turned back to the window.
"I may end up married to some old, wealthy man who has daughters of a similar age to my own. But at least I'll be free of him" she said determinedly.
"Would he never consider letting you marry for love?"
"I am embarrassed to admit it is not a question that he has ever been faced with. I suspect after he finds out my part in this, there will be no chance of it. My father is nothing if not vindictive."
"And yet, you still help? For all it shall cost you?"
"He is my brother. He has always protected me, now it is my turn. I must do this, for I shall be damned if I don't, and he shall be lost. The preservation of my brother, and his chance at a real life, at love and happiness..." she trailed away, looking to Damon and surprised to see a look of understanding there.
"Is worth more to you than your own..." he finished softly for her, and she nodded imperceptibly, before turning back to the ghostly washed night,
"Now, let us plot and scheme, for the morning is not far, and tomorrow shall be the last day we spend as a contented household." she murmured.
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The next morning Caroline dressed slowly, her mind already anticipating seeing Tyler Lockwood again. With all the upheaval of feelings here, all the emotions that hurled through her by the second, she was glad to get another ally. She attended breakfast with Rebekah, who seemed particularly subdued and nervous and then went to help Elena with her fitting, for her wedding dress.
Standing on a stool, before window, the white flowing fabric seemed to imprison Elena's petite figure. She had chosen an especially high neck and bulky fabric and Caroline couldn't help but worry for the girl, who thought adding extra layers would stop her husband from consummating their marriage. Especially considering who her husband was to be.
Katherine was out riding, and Rebekah preparing for their new guest. As the dressmaker left the room, Elena sat on the bed, her eyes lost in the rolling green hills of an England basking in late summer sunshine.
"Do you miss it Caroline? Home" Elena asked suddenly.
"Virginia? Sometimes." Caroline answered, sorting through the dressmakers collection of gloves and pins.
"I miss it so... the warmth, the haze on the hills, the land. It shall always call to me... it is in my blood." Elena said and looked to Caroline from the window. She looked up and met her friend's faraway gaze.
"Well, I am sure England shall become home to you after long enough."
"No, I don't think it ever shall. It's not the same. I am not a fashionable or worldly person. I cannot change something so essential about me, and not lose myself in the process. I think the Elena who stays in England, she will be very different from the one she was at home."
"Do not be silly, dear sister. You shall grow here, change and develop... everyone changes"
"Yes, I suppose they do." She was quiet again, turning back to the fields and valleys.
"I love you as a sister Caroline. I want you to know that. I cherish you dearly, and want only happiness for you." she suddenly said, her tone so earnest Caroline ceased her search and came toward her, sitting beside her on the bed, and taking her hand.
"Elena, you know that we are sisters, why do you speak of this now?" she asked, worried at Elena's detachment.
"For I never want you to doubt that, no matter what happens." Elena whispered, and Caroline put her arms around her, pulling her close and hugged her tightly.
"Everything shall be well, you will see." she promised, and hoped in her heart she was speaking the truth.
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Tyler's carriage arrived at lunchtime, and Rebekah had organised for everyone to be present, as Mikael was leaving soon after.
Placed near him at lunch, Caroline immediately relaxed in his easy company and found herself unwinding. Sitting near Klaus made her feel like a wound spring, but Tyler was like taking a stroll on a warm balmy evening in Virginia, when the crickets sang and the smell of jasmine perfumed the air.
He looked at her with his lively brown eyes for most of dinner, engaged her in conversation exclusively, outrageous behaviour for a luncheon and then escorted her through to the drawing room. Klaus and Elena were sitting near Mikael, who was taking his last opportunity to go over the wedding plans. After lunch as the ladies were engaged in various pursuits, Tyler asked Caroline to accompany him for a walk, inviting Klaus and Elena at the same time. Klaus immediately declined, citing business he must attend to in his study. Elena asked Katherine to come with them, and soon the four were walking in the beautiful gardens to the side of the lake.
"So, Mr Lockwood, you must tell us of the scintillating gossip that we have missed." Katherine urged.
"I beg your forgiveness, but I have none of note. I think that this gathering is partly to blame, for it has taken some of the seasons most disreputable bachelors from the scene, as well as the much lauded Americans." he said with a laugh.
"Do not tell me that without Lord Niklaus in London, there is no juicy gossip to be had! I am quite disappointed in you Mr Lockwood. Do you not know it is a guest's duty to bring intrigue to the captives of a house party." she said with a laugh.
"I did not know you felt that way, Miss Pierce. I though you were enjoying our little gathering." Elijah's voice rang out as he suddenly appeared, walking toward them over the grass.
"Well, I was... until I had an awful encounter, then the pleasure of it quite simply vanished for me." she said, turning to face ahead.
"What happened?" Elena asked in a concerned voice.
"I suggest you ask Lord Elijah" Katherine said, fighting her smile, and forcing a pained expression onto her naturally vivacious features. She felt him falter at her side at her words. Clearing his throat nervously, he spoke slowly,
" Am not quite sure to which incident you can be referring to Miss Pierce, though I am truly sorry if any upset has befallen you whilst you were my guest."
"My lord, you cannot possible be in any confusion as to the incident I am referring to..." she turned and glanced at him as she spoke, again hiding her smile at his concerned look.
"The one at the river of course!" she said, turned back around and continuing walking.
"Well, do not keep us in suspense, what happened at the river?" Caroline asked with a laugh, pulling her arm out of Tyler's to turn and look at those behind her. Coming to a stop, they all looked to Katherine and Elijah, whose face had actually turned a little pink.
"I insist that Lord Elijah tell the story, he shall do it better justice than I." Katherine said, her face the picture of innocence. She looked to him then, as did the rest of them.
"Well, Lord Elijah, put the ladies out their misery, I implore you!" Tyler said, laughing. Elijah turned his inscrutable gaze to Katherine, trying desperately to understand what she wanted from him. Clearing his throat, he regarded his hands as he started to speak,
"One morning I was returning from a meeting with the estate manager, when I saw one of our horses tied up at the river bank. I naturally went over to investigate. I found it was Miss Pierce who had ridden it there -" he stopped, glancing up at Katherine again, who was now regarding him with amusement, her head to the side, she seemed to be enjoying his discomfort.
"And -" Elena prompted, eager to hear the rest.
"And she -" he started, and was suddenly interrupted by Katherine.
"Had fallen face first in the river, and swallowed half of it! I thought I might have drown if Lord Elijah had not happened by at that moment. It gave me quite the scare!" she said,
"Katherine! I told you that it was dangerous to go off alone everyday!" Elena gasped.
"I am quite well sister, do not worry, though you may thank Lord Elijah for my well being if you have a mind to. You see I was very scared and shocked, and he behaved like a complete gentleman, put me at ease and made me feel quite safe." she finished, flashing Elijah a sarcastic look as she did.
"Well thank goodness for that." Caroline said, turning and once again taking Tyler's arm and starting back toward the lake. Elena followed on and Katherine turned to go after them, jumping slightly as Elijah's hand suddenly clamped down on her arm.
"Are you quite finished playing with me, Miss Pierce? I shall not have the exposure of my behaviour dangled in front of me at every turn. I apologise for it, it was unforgivable. However, given your games, I have a hard time believing you to be upset by it."
"Is that so? You think I wouldn't be upset but almost drowning, just to be saved by a man who kisses me then leaves me by the shore, shaken and wet" she said pointedly, slipping her arm through his as they started to walk after the others.
"I apologise, and I shall do so again. I do not know what came over me. I have never acted so impulsively before, and I regret it deeply."
"Well, in that case you really do have something to apologise for." Katherine bit out, glancing at the hard expression on the handsome man walking beside her.
"May I ask what you mean?"
"You may, but I will not elaborate. Do you ever let someone in, Lord Elijah? Or have you determined to live above everyone, looking down on them from your tower forever?" she asked, a little angrily.
"I do not think myself above you, Miss Pierce, in fact, I try hard not to think of you at all" he muttered.
"May I ask what you mean?" she echoed his previous words.
"No, you may not" he said, glancing down at her with the slightest smile, yet it send heat flooding through her. Tucking his own hand around hers, they continued after the others.
"May I ask when I shall have the pleasure of escorting you out in London again, Miss Forbes?" Tyler asked as Elena and Caroline finished filling him in on the wedding plans.
"I believe I shall return with Katherine directly after the wedding" Caroline said, not missing the red stain that appeared on Elena's cheeks.
"I shall look forward to it. In fact, I was hoping we could spend a great deal more time together." he said, stopping and picking up her other hand, Caroline realised Elena had disappeared back to Katherine's side, who was some distance off.
"I would like that too"
"Would you? That means a lot to me, Caroline, as I am sure you have noticed, I find myself quite taken with you." he said candidly, and Caroline felt a warm, squirmy feeling in her stomach. It must be excitement, she surmised, though it didn't feel like it usually did.
"I confess, I had not considered finding a suitable wife in London when I came to the season. I have specific requirements, and unfortunately English girls do not quite meet them."
"That sounds quite alarming, may I ask what they are?" she laughed, trying to keep her tone light.
"Well, I travel frequently for my family business, in fact, about nine months of the year, I am abroad. I want a wife who will happily stay with the children, run my estate at home in Virginia in my absence. Someone capable and strong, someone I will dream off every night while I am gone." he finished, looking a closely at Caroline for her reaction. She tried to organise her thoughts, and process the information he had given her.
"I see, nine months is a very long time. Is it not?"
"I agree that it is, however, I see marriage as a partnership, a sharing of two lives, my wife will have her own duties and responsibilities, and I shall have mine. We may not spend as much time as I would wish for together, however the time we do share shall be all the more special." he said confidently, and Caroline realised how much thought he had put into it.
"Have I shocked you?" he asked, as the silence grew.
"No, not at all, I just wonder why you are telling it to me?" she almost stammered, buying time, her thoughts still a blur. Tyler was practically offering her the life she had imagined. Getting to go home, running her own house... her independence, with a partner that she was completely at ease with.
"I should think that obvious, my dear Caroline" he said gently, his voice like honey.
"Caroline! Did you see the fishes in the lake?" Katherine called, practically running to catch up to them. Flustered she stepped back, Tyler dropped her hands and she turned to the shining water, following Katherine to it's edge.
Reviews make me smile so much! What do you guys think is going to happen? What is Rebekah and Damon's plan? What about Bonnie and Katherine? Who's going to get married first?
I've almost finished the next chapter... so inspire me to post asap! xx