A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews. They are really overwhelming. Heartbeat, your reading is quite right. That is only what I can say right now. I am sorry to be disappointing you. Vanethan thank you for wonderful review. I am so glad that you are liking the stories.
I hope you all love this chapter too. It is a lot longer than the last one and hence the delay. Nothing really happened, well something will be revealed about Klaus's past. I hope you like the twist.
Elijah sighed as he laid on the bed. All his efforts for the past two weeks were of no use, he realized. Seeing her again tonight, spending so much time in the same room, watching her and Niklaus exchanging glances had affected his heart in a way that he had never imagined. He had an inclination what was happening behind the closed door in Niklaus's room tonight, now that he was back to his health. He tried to not think about them together but couldnt and his heart was sinking. Finally he got out of his warm bed and walked towards the adjoining door with determination and opened it.
Camille was about to get into the bed, her body and mind fatigued by this constant battle of desire she had been having for the past few days, when she heard the door open and he walked in. They looked at each other for a long time. From his face, she knew why he was here. Part of her wanted to send him away but the other part, the part that had been craving to be pleased by a man wanted him there. As she watched, he walked to her. Camille instinctively took a step back and fell on the bed. Elijah continued to look towards her and when she showed no other sign of resistance, he leaned over her and then everything became hazy as she felt fulfilled after many days. When he was done, he held her close to him and closed his eyes and soon was gone to sleep whereas she laid awake thinking of the distance between them even when they were physically so close, wondering how long will Hayley stay between them, how long will Klaus stay between them.
When Hayley woke up the first thing she realized, to her shock, was that she was naked, which had never happened in her life before and then she recalled her passion filled love making with Klaus and suddenly wished the dream she had of them confessing their love to each other were a reality, how would it feel if he says those words to her. Even thinking of it, made her body shiver with pleasure.
The feeling fled her mind as she realized that her body was pressed against another body; another naked body, causing her to turn and she smiled shyly at seeing his awake
He looked into her eyes wondering does she know that she confessed something to him last night but seeing no sign of that he came to the conclusion that she has not.
He whispered "good morning, my dear. I trust you slept well."
Hayley said shyly "like a baby" and gasped as his fingers grazed her bare chest.
She gasped "you?"
He said "like a log" his gaze fixed on lips.
She smiled as he leaned in and kissed her lips, his body slowly rolling over on her body and pressing it against hers. She touched his cheek and said "Klaus, someone might come in."
He whispered "not until we call them. You know that and even if they come, they will leave once they see the curtains drawn."
She felt mortified "then wouldn't they know…"
He looked into her eyes, smile lurking behind his eyes "yes then we will have to work on that damage control again. Wouldn't we?" chuckled when she felt a soft punch on his back and his lips went to her ear and planted small kisses on it. She sighed with pleasure as his tongue caressed her neck and her body opened up for him to lit a fire in her.
He held her tight when he stopped moving and said "I dont want to get up."
She said regretfully "we have to."
He said "unfortunately you are right my dear. I have some business matters to attend to today" as he rolled off over her but kept her close to him.
She said "oh." After a short pause she said "Klaus, I was thinking of going to visit my parents for a day."
He said "when do you want to go?" fingering the lock of her hair.
She asked "eager to rid of me?"
He said lazily "never. Who said you are going alone?"
She at once sat up, immediately pulling the sheet up to cover herself, kept her twinkling eyes on him "you want to go with me?"
He said "of course a wager is a wager."
Her eyes rounded as she recalled it when he continued "it was me and my lady which is you, aren't you?"
"Yes but that was a jest." she said
"I am a man of my words, my lady" Klaus planted a kiss on her shoulder and then grabbed his robe to put it on. "I have to go to the courts today. Will you miss me?"
Her heart fluttered, the thought of spending the day without him when he was with her for every minute of the day during the past full month was heart wrenching but she said, keeping her face straight "in this house, full of people?"
He smiled, touched her cheek and said "I will miss you too."
She felt mesmerized by his simple admittance, the touch on her cheek and said "please fetch me my robes." as he started towards the changing room.
Klaus looked back, looked at her sitting on the bed only covered with that sheet and then said "get it yourself."
She look into his mischievous face and then after a slight hesitation, she stood up bringing the sheet with her. He chuckled and said "you look very fetching my…dea…r" words trailing off, smile slipping from his face as the sheet fell form her hand, pooling at her feet. She felt her cheeks getting red even though he had had a detailed tour of her body the night before but for some reasons standing in front of him with nothing on looked too vulnerable. The affect she was having on him was apparent in his jaw dropping expression and she smiled a bit confidently than she was feeling and walked to him, whispered against his ears "something to look forward to for tonight" as she walked by him to the changing room.
Klaus eyes followed her, the confidence with which she was displaying her perfect body to him, visible in her stride making his inside exploding with desires. He muttered "damn it" as she disappeared in to the changing room.
Hayley felt flushed at her bold move but a moment later she was pinned against the wall of the changing room and he was kissing her muttering in her mouth "if you continue to do that, I will not be able to go to work."
She wanted him so bad that her heart was aching to feel him in her. Her hands went to his robe ties and were opening them, his desire evident as he pressed into her. What was happening to her? When did she become so hungry for this kind of intimacy, she wondered as he fill her with him and then let her go, let her feet land on the ground making her realized that her legs had wound around his torso. He then planted a kiss on her neck saying "now I am very late."
She panted "your breakfast?"
He said with smiling eyes "my lady, I am fully sated until tonight."
She laughed gently and playfully pushed him to the bathroom as she started to wear her robes.
By the time Klaus came out after changing his clothes, the bed was made and Lily was putting the tray on the table. He walked to the tray, sat opposite her and took the tea as she passed it to him. He said "be ready. After dinner we can leave" as he got up.
She asked "do you want me to inform your mother?"
Klaus looked at her suddenly gone anxious face and said "no, I will handle that. You just get ready" and left.
Hayley rang for Lily again after he left. When she came, she said "Lily help me with my bath today and then take the breakfast tray away."
After he left, she changed into a plain pale blue dress with Lily's help and headed towards the family room. As she entered her gaze met Camille. The moment their eyes met she hastily looked away making her wonder what had happened.
Freya smiled and said "come Hayley. We were talking about the ball that Caroline is throwing tomorrow."
Hayley said with slight interest "oh?"
Freya explained further "it is her birthday. She throws the biggest fall every year on her birthday. It is the talk of the season."
Hayley sat down next to her and asked "who is invited?"
Freya said "why of course, everyone. Well of course mother and father had made excuses. It is too cold for them you see. We were just talking about what will we wear for tomorrow."
Hayley suddenly felt too conscious as she mentally scanned her wardrobe and cursed as she realized all the formal dresses she had, she had already worn.
She asked "what will you wear?"
Freya said "Rebekah and I are going to raid our closets to find something to wear and if we cannot then we will go for a quick shopping to the town."
Hayley smiled as her eyes went to Rebekah and noticed her sad expressions. She asked "what is it Rebekah? You are not excited."
Freya said casually "oh. Stefan will be there and I say. Dont pay a heed to him. She should go and show him how he has not hurt her."
Her heart ached for her but she said "I agree with Freya. Why show her how much he has managed to hurt you! Also he is not worth it Rebekah. I already told you."
Freya excitedly said "that is what I am saying to her. Forget about him. He will come begging to you for forgiveness."
Hayley opened her mouth to say something when Rebekah said "I will never forgive him, Freya. I will never forgive what mother did to me."
There was an awkward silent in the room broken by Rebekah saying "I am sorry Camille. I shouldn't have said that."
Camille said with a regretful smile, apology dripping in each word she uttered "no Rebekah. You are right. It is all because of me and Elijah. We know that and not a day goes by we dont regret how much hurt we have caused this family and the people and that is why we are being punished for it" her voice reducing to a whisper.
Freya opened her mouth to say something but Camille got up and said "excuse me."
Hayley shared sympathetic looks with her sisters-in-law and asked "should we go after her?"
Freya said "yes. Lets go raid her closet and then yours and then Rebekah's. That should keep her mind occupied. I wish I could smack some sense into Elijah" her tone displaying her frustration.
After few hours of being unsuccessful in finding what they were looking for, Freya announced "Rebekah, we need to make a trip to twon. Go get ready. Hayley, Camille!"
Hayley said apologetically "oh, I wish I could go with you ladies but Klaus and I are going to my parents' house. I have to get ready for it."
Freya said excitedly "oh that is wonderful. It must have been a long time since you visited them."
Hayley smiled "yes it is."
Freya said "worry not. I will find something for you. Trust me."
Hayley said "oh thank you Freya but dont buy something too extravagant."
Freya smiled and said "my dear, nothing is too extravagant for my sisters-in-law. Now we must leave. Camille come and I am not hearing any excuse from you."
She spend the next few hours packing for one night and the day and then left the room because she realized that she was missing him while being in the room; the images of last night, this morning had started to play in her mind, making her more needy for him, just to get a glimpse of him. But her efforts were not working out as she had expected as she started to wonder what he was doing. Was he missing her like she was missing him? She sighed in frustration at not being able to occupy her mind in something else. An apprehension that the Duchess and the Duke will not let him go with her, started to make her anxious. Finally she decided to go back to her room to freshen up for the dinner and to do the final touches of the packing.
She looked out of the window at the setting sun and wondered where he was when the door opened, causing her to turn towards it. She smiled as she felt butterflies in her stomach. He walked to her and asked "how are you my lady?"
She said "I had a great day…" but stopped as he started to laugh. She muttered "I hate you."
He kissed her hand "no you dont. I missed you too."
She asked trying to suppress the chill his words send through her body "how was your day?"
He caressed her ring absentmindedly "busy but productive. I had a property dispute to resolve which I managed to do so. Are you ready for tonight?"
Hayley said "yes I am but we will have to come back by tomorrow. Caroline is throwing her birthday ball."
When Klaus groaned she asked "what is it?"
He said "it is just too much of mingling."
She fixed his cravat and said "I sympathize with you, my lord."
Klaus laughed and said "lets go. I will tell James to put our cases in the carriage, we should leave after dinner."
The dinner was relatively noisy affair with everyone talking about their day, Rebekah and Freya telling about their successful shopping trip, peaking Hayley's curiosity when they told her her dress was a surprise to her. He and Mikael discussing about his first day back to the courts. Elijah as unusual quiet. Camille for once joining in the conversation with Rebekah and Freya. She looked toward him when he said "if you are done Hayley, I think we should leave."
Hayley nodded and started to get up when Esther asked "where are you going Niklaus?"
Klaus said "mother, Hayley and I are spending the night at her parents will be back by tomorrow."
Esther asked "night? Why do you have to spend the night?"
He could feel Hayley getting tensed up but kept the smile plastered on his face and said "Hayley has not been to her house since the wedding."
She said "she can go."
Klaus said softly "you dont expect me to let her go, mother? Do you?"
Esther felt flustered and then said "Be back by tomorrow afternoon. The ball is at seven in the evening."
Klaus said "yes she told me about it. We will be back"
He looked towards Hayley and said "lets leave. James must have put the cases in the carriage."
He said "good night everyone" as he and Hayley headed towards the exit.
Esther glanced towards Mikael, found him lost in thought, tried to smile but was unable to do so as she realized that even thought she was warming up to Hayley, she was not exactly comfortable with her family's interaction with Hayley's family and that just frustrated her.
Elijah absentmindedly looked at the cherries offered by the footman and shook his head as he clearly recalled that night of Rebekah's ball when Niklaus and Hayley had made that wager and then at once he pushed his chair back and stood up saying "excuse me" and left without a word leaving a very confused Camille at the table.
Hayley felt she could breathe the moment they sat in the carriage and it started to move. She laughed with relief and said "I was quiet certain that she would stop you from coming with me."
Klaus said "my dear, you and I will never go anywhere alone."
She said "that is unrealistic. You know that?"
Klaus said carelessly "yes but romantic" as he relaxed in the coach wondering about what kind of night he will have at her parents' house.
Hayley laughed and relaxed trying to cover up her nervousness at her mother's reaction on spending the night of a lord at her home, would that small bed suffice for him, he is used to the comfort of his home. Next few hours went smother than she had expected. As expected, her mother was a bit nervous at who their overnight guest was and had hurried to ready the room for them against all Hayley's protest.
When she said "they already have dinner" she said "then we will have a cup of tea, my lord."
Klaus said in a hearty tone "call me Klaus, Maria."
Maria getting emotional said "oh, as you wish… Klaus" as she headed towards the kitchen.
After tea and comfortable conversation, which started a bit awkward they retreated to her old room.
She said, as he took out his clothes from the case "you will have to go out to the bathroom to change. There is only one bathroom and it is being shared between the two rooms" ending with slight apology in her tone.
She picked up the oil-lamp and gave it to him saying "here."
Klaus studied the expressions on her face in the flicker of the flame, took the lamp from her hand and with other hand held her hand and asked "what is it? You are not comfortable with me in your house?"
She said earnestly "I am comfortable. It is you, my concern is for."
He smiled, caressing her hand, said "dont worry about me, love. As long as you are with me, I will be happy anywhere."
She smiled shyly and said "come, let me show you."
She lit a candle and they walked out in the dark. Klaus suddenly felt a feeling of serenity wash over him as if he had been living in this house forever, walking in the quiet surrounding, illuminated by the flickering of candle frame, their fingers intertwined with each other. She paused outside a small door and opened it for him. He went inside the small room and looked around; far from the comfortable bathroom at his own home but the basic facilities were there. He changed his clothes and walked out. She said "why dont you go and lie down, I will be there in a minute."
Klaus was staring at the ceiling when the door opened and she stepped in.
She closed the door, bolted it and turned towards him, already tucked in, looking comfortable with the blanket to his chest.
She walked to the oil-lamp, turned it off and went to put another log in the small fireplace. She picked up the blanket from the foot of the bed and started to turn when he asked "where are you going?"
She said nervously "lying near the hearth."
He said firmly "no. Come. You will not sleep on the ground."
Hayley said "Klaus, this bed is not big enough for both of us."
He scooted back and just patted the bed.
Hayley walked to him and slowly laid down next to him on that narrow bed, her body jumpy as it touched his as if it was touching her for the first time, cursing herself at the constant desire for him to make love to her. As she settled down, his hand went around her torso and his lips pressed closed to her ears and he whispered "I know why you dont want to lie on this bed with me, Hayley."
She felt naked, flushed, embarrassed as a desire of pleasure shot through her whole body, originating from her crotch making the muscles of her stomach very tight. She whispered "Klaus we cannot.."
He whispered, trailing his lips on her neck "who said we cannot? The wager was to spend the night at your parents house, not to not make love."
Hayley asked softly "should we be doing it so much?"
He leaned back, turned her body until her back was touching the mattress, lifted himself on his elbow, his eyes boring into her eyes wondering if she was being serious and then realized that she was in fact being serious. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and said "yes we should be. I want to please my wife as much as she wants to please me."
She asked softly "what if someone comes in?" picking up his hand and shifting it to her breast.
Klaus smiled, caressed his thumb on the taunt nipple "the door is closed, isn't it?"
She gasped as her body arched at the touch "yes but the walls are really thin."
He leaned in, brushed his lips against hers and whispered "then you have to be really really quiet, my lady."
Hayley felt she was crumbling as his legs wound over her legs and his hand started gathering her night dress upwards. When he said "do it" she realized her hands were at the string of the pajamas. She blushed but tugged at it as the desire to feel him in her had reached its peak. Her hand pulled it down as they caressed his hips in the process causing his eyes to go hazy and her legs parted and he was in her; the bodies covered with the blanket unlike last night when they had discard everything around them. His lips buried in her neck and in slow and controlled strokes he took her to an unforgettable journey.
He pulled the nightdress down and whispered "you have been really good, my dear."
She smiled, snuggled closed to him and closed her eyes into blissful sleep.
When she woke up next, he was still holding her. She realized it was still dark. She looked into his peaceful face and removed hair strands from his face. A smile appeared on his lips but he didn't open his eyes and continued to hold her, his legs wrapped around hers, warmth of his body seeping into hers, his manhood touching her making her warm and possessive of him. She stayed there thinking about their life together; where they were a month ago and now and thinking about it she went to sleep again.
Next morning when she woke up, he was not next to her and she could hear the voices from the sitting area. She looked around, her eyes going to the wall to see the time but there was no clock. She suddenly felt very guilty that he was up before her so she hastily changed her dress went out to do her toiletries.
Maria turned towards the sound when she hard him say "good morning Maria" and smiled.
Klaus walked to her as he peeked in the pot and smiled saying "that looks nice."
She smiled "good morning my… Klaus. I hope you slept well."
When he nodded she said "I will bring something for you. Henry do you want to have your tea?"
He said "yes Maria."
Klaus settled down around the fireplace and said "Maira, Henry first of all, I want to apologize for my parents's behavior when you came to visit me during my illness. I trust that you will not let that incidence ruin the chance for us to get to know each other further. Secondly I know it has been late but I had promised you settlement for the marriage which I had never gotten over to give you. I want to give them on this trip. Please have this on my behalf."
He handed two pouches to Henry saying "there is no amount of settlement that I can give you that will justify what I have gotten from this marriage so after raking my mind, this is what I have come up with. Please be candid with me if you think that is not enough."
Henry exchanged embarrassed looks with Maria and said "my lord, this is very generous of you but we cannot take this much from you. If it were not for Amber and her husband we wouldn't have…." trailing off as he looked down.
Klaus said gently "yes I know. Hayley told me. I want you to help them out with this money and rest is for you and Maria."
Henry at once said "No my lord, we vowed that we will never take anything from our daughter's marriages. We didn't take it from Amber's husband and we wouldn't have taken anything for Hayley's except for we needed some help for Amber. Not a day goes by when I don't regret that I made a deal with Mr. Andrew but you have to understand. We are parents and sometimes parents make decision in desperation."
Klaus said in the same kind tone "yes I understand. I want you to keep it. You are not getting any younger any day. I don't want Hayley to worry about you two."
Before anyone say anything there was a knock at the door. Henry said "that must be Emil. I had some business to attend to. Pardon me my lord, I will be back shortly. Maria put one in the room. My lord, we cannot have the other one."
Klaus said "what I have given you, I will not take it back. I will take it as personal insult if you return it. Deal with your business Henry."
Henry Marshall reluctantly nodded and left whereas Maria said "Klaus, this is too much."
He leaned back in the chair, relaxed his legs; stretching them in front of him, crossing at the ankles, smiled softly and said "if you had any idea how much you have given me, this is nothing."
He startled at seeing her eyes suddenly brimmed to tears and at once went near her and asked "Maria, what did I say?"
She wiped her eyes and said "nothing my son… oh pardon me, my lord."
Klaus held her hands and said "no, please dont say that. I like it. Tell me why are you crying?"
She said "these are tears of joy, my son, for my daughter. This is all I wanted for her…." and at once stopped talking when they heard footsteps. Maria hastily wiped her eyes and whispered "thank you."
Klaus looked up towards her as he slowly stood up and then smiled as she ran a hand through her hair, a sign he had started to associate with nervousness which really amused him. The image of last night flashed through his eyes and his heart beat picked up pace. He stood up, held out his hand for her "good morning, my lady"
She muttered "good morning" flushed at being welcome this way, her gaze impulsively avoiding her mother.
Maria said cheerfully "come Hayley, I trust you slept well."
Aghast that her mother might know something, her eyes went to Klaus and seeing the amusing smiling, the raised eyebrows screaming at her that he knew the reason for her nervousness, infuriated her to no bounds and the caressing of his fingers over her hand was not making the situation any less relaxing. She gently yanked her hand from his grasp and said "oh yes mama. Where is papa?"
Maria said "he has just stepped out to meet Emil."
Hayley nodded, walked to the small kitchen and started to make some tea for herself. She turned towards Klaus and caught him lazying in that chair, looking toward her. She asked "do you want some more tea?"
He said "yes."
Five minutes later, she was putting the tea in front of him and asked "mama I will finish spooling that wool for you."
She took her tea to the spooling wool. He looked at her curiously as she turned the fly wheel with her right hand while simultaneously walking backward and drawing the wool in the left hand away from the spindle at an angle. The fluid swaying of her body forward and backwards making him want to take her right there and then. Hayley looked up and caught him looking towards her and smiled sending a feeling of contentment throughout his body.
After a few hours when Hayley said "Klaus, we should leave. We have to go to that ball" he realized that he had not had this relaxing morning for a long time.
Klaus looked at his pocket watch and said "yes, we should leave. Thank you Maria and Henry for a very hospitable stay, not to mention a really relaxing one."
She could feel his eyes on her on the way back to the manor but feeling too anxious about his opinion about the stay at her house, she didn't meet her eyes.
Klaus could see the anticipation on her face; the reason for which he knew which really surprised him yet again that he could read her so well. He leaned forward, held her hand and said "you should be proud of your parents. They are great people with pride and good values."
She smiled "I am."
He said "good" as he kissed her hands.
As they stepped out of the carriage, she muttered "we are so late. Her grace will be so angry."
He said "I have come to realize the more late we go the more fashionable it is considered."
She laughed and hurried towards the manor. The moment she stepped in she anxiously "I better go change. I have only one hour to get ready. I don't even know what I am wearing. Freya has gotten something for me."
He said "my lady how ever time you spend in getting ready, you will never be the talk of the ball."
Hayley's heart fell but she asked "and why is that?"
He stepped towards her and said "because you don't posses air of haughtiness that is required to become that and which comes after years and years of attending these types of balls."
Hayley laughed and said "but I can try."
Klaus laughed and said "of course."
She looked into his smiling eyes and said "you don't trust that I can pull it off."
He shook his head slightly, the smile still lurking on his lips "for once I have complete confidence in my assessment."
She asked, tilting her head to one side "not even yours?"
He looked into her mischief filled eyes and said "mine? Hmm" paused for a moment and then said teasingly "you will have to work for that one my dear."
She chuckled and started upstairs but stopped as she noticed him not following her. She turned and asked "are you not coming?"
He said with amused smile "I can safely say, my lady, that I don't need hours to be presentable enough to catch ladies eyes"
Hayley laughed and commented "is this the haughtiness you were talking about?" causing him to laugh and then she continued "today let me show you how is it done without the haughtiness. How about we make a wager? who ever gets the maximum glances" taken aback by her own boldness.
He chuckled "really? What is the wager?"
She leaned in and whispered "if I win, I get to choose the name of our first born." A chill ran through his body at those words, he leaned back, looked into her smiling eyes, flushed cheeks, the muscles in his stomach tightened and he whispered "I will gladly lose this one."
She said her cheeks turning red "shake upon it?"
He said "of course" as he stretched his hand and then without warning pulled her down to him and planted a kiss on her lips making her hiss "Klaus someone will see us" not knowing a pair of brown eyes had his heart shattered at seeing this exchange.
He said "my lady you should go and get ready. You need time to get ready" as he headed towards library to look at one of his cases not knowing that there was a smile on his lips.
She dashed into the room wondering what was she wearing. Seeing nothing on the bed or in the closet that gave her indication that she was supposed to wear made her confused wondering where is the dress Freya was talking about. She hurriedly rang for Lily and stripped down to her shift and then ran the water in the tub getting impatient at getting late.
She turned around at Lily voice "my lady, lady Freya send a gown for you when you were at your mother's house. Would you like to wear it?"
Hayley said "yes but hurry up Lily. I am extremely running late."
When Klaus entered his room forty minutes later, his gaze went to her as Lily was pinning her hair in the bun. He felt his heart had stopped beating as his gaze went to her reflection in the mirror. Their eyes met and she smiled making his knees go weak. He slightly tilted her head. Hayley looked him questioningly and then towards Lily reflection, who was busy putting pins inner head and at once understood. She said "Lily that is enough. Thank you."
Lily curtseyed and left.
She slowly stood up and turned to him. His gaze went to her dressed in a deep blood red silk gown with the contrasting sage green embroidered fabric used as a stomacher front to the bodice and an apron front to the skirt. He twirled his finger gesturing her to turn around. Hayley felt heat rising to her cheek but she obliged him and slowly turned around to show him the hooded cloak, shown in a soft sage green velvet lined with matching red silk. Their eyes met again as she faced him again. Her arms clad in double sleeve falls of lace and organza at the cuff went to her hair sparkled with discrete gold shimmer and golden pins. He muttered "you look exquisite my love."
She said "that was the mission my lord. You should get ready."
Klaus said holding her hand "how can I compete with this my lady?"
She said slightly smugly "you cannot but that does not mean that you shouldnt try…" ending with a tease. He laughed and rang for James.
Hayley looked at her reflection one last time and decided to go thank Freya for giving her such a beautiful gown.
As she stepped out, she stopped as her eyes met Elijah coming from opposite direction. Their eyes met as his steps slowed down. He said "Hayley, you look .. I don't have words to say."
She suddenly felt really conscious but said "thank you Elijah. Are you ready?"
He said "I am not going. I have some business to attend to."
She said "oh. That is a shame. Camille will feel left out."
A muscle in his face twitched but he said "unfortunately I cannot get out of this commitment. I trust for you to give her company."
Hayley said "of course" and he continued down the hallway.
Five minutes later she was looking at Freya dressed in royal blue simple and very elegant gown with silver studs all over the bodies and sleeves. She said "oh Freya, I wanted to thank you for giving me this dress. It is wonderful."
Freya smiled, glanced at her before putting her feet in her shoes and said "you carry it very well Hayley. The color suits you."
She said "thank you. I love your dress."
Freya said, feeling harassed "forget about it Hayley. Please help me with my hair, this lose tendril is not getting tucked in. Where is Emily? I want to leave before Annabella wakes up. If she gets up then we will get late."
Hayley walked behind her and gently pushed her tendril in her hair.
They startled when she heard a knock followed by her governess breezing in saying "my lady, I beg your forgiveness. Lady Rebekah needed my assistance."
Freya said gently "that is quite alright. We must leave. Is Niklaus ready, Hayley?"
She said "he is getting ready" as she bend down and fixed the hem of Freya's dress.
When they both reached the stairs, it took all of her willpower to keep her knees steady as her gaze went to him dressed in black elegant pant and coat with the undershirt made out of same cloth as her dress apron was made of. She looked towards Freya who smiled and said "I thought it would be nice for you both and Camille and Elijah…." a frown appeared on her forehead as she glanced downstairs again, muttering "where is he?"
Hayley said "I met him a few minutes ago. He said that he has some urgent business to attend to so he will not be able to make it."
Freya groaned as she muttered "poor Camille" and then started downstairs whereas Hayley felt a guilt take over knowing the reason why he was not warming up to Camille but then she lifted her chin and started downstairs, her eyes locked on the smirk on Klaus lips as her heart fluttered taking in how elegant he was looking and he knew it; he knew the affect he was having on her and that just made her more flustered.
When she reached the bottom stair's he held out his hand. Hayley said "my lord" as she put her hand in his grasp. Everyone faded in the background. It felt they were only two in the room.
He drew her hand through the crook of his arm and said "we should leave."
She nodded and matched his step.
Thirty minutes later they were being announced in the ball. Hayley looked around the huge elegant hall, having never been to Caroline's house before. Her gaze went to the fountain, the band playing music, people dressed in lavish dresses laughing and talking. She studied the breathtaking decor and arrangement and then towards Caroline as she glided towards her dressed in a beautiful pink dress. "Oh Hayley, you look beautiful" she said holding her hand and then said without taking a breather. "Come I will introduce you to my guests. Rebekah! Camille, come" as she moved to Rebekah.
For the next thirty minutes, she maneuvered them around the ballroom, introducing her to everyone and then said "Klaus, dance with her. I will go attend to my guests."
As they took their positions on the dance floor Hayley glanced around and noticed Camille standing alone but smiling.
She stepped towards Klaus as the dance starting, her hands facing his, barely touching each other. She said "I feel bad for Camille."
His gaze went to her and groaned. She said as she twirled "ask her to the dance next time" as she was passed on to the next partner who incidentally was Kol and Klaus was left stunned by her suggestion. His eyes followed her across the floor as she was passed from one person to another and noticed how men were looking at her. Suddenly he got furious with himself for putting such a wager.
Hayley could see women smiling at Klaus and felt like gouging their eyes out but she kept a smile on her face and continued to politely dance with her partners until she was facing him again. He leaned in and said "you will never wear this dress again."
She asked "why?" surprised.
He said "I dont want you to be center of attention for the whole room" his voice becoming husky towards the end of the sentence.
Hayley laughed softly "I never thought you would be a sour loser" as the music ended but then the smile slipped from her face as she saw the glint of steel in his eyes and she realized that he was being serious. Suddenly he grabbed her hand not caring about where they were and said "I am serious."
She continued to look into his eyes, suddenly feeling too overwhelmed by the possessive look in his eyes and demeanor. She whispered "as you wish, my lord" as she let her thumb caress the back of his hand. A smile appeared on his lips as he bowed. She curtseyed and continued casually "I am going to see Rebekah and you need to keep your mind occupied with happy thoughts rather than killing everyone who looks at me. Ask Camille to dance with you."
He gently laughed and stepped back, picked up her hand, kissed it and said "my lady, I will see you in our bedroom tonight."
Hayley flushed and stepped back.
Klaus's eyes followed her as she walked through the crowd making her way to Rebekah, chided himself for acting so possessive. She was his wife, not a possession. He sighed and looked towards Camille. He walked towards her, feeling a bit awkward but Hayley was right, she was looking very lonely and at the end of the day, she was his family.
Camille saw him walking to her and her heart raced. When he gave her his hand, she looked at it in confusion and then held it, her eyes suddenly getting blurry as she stepped on the dance floor she muttered "having pity on me?"
He said smiling "not at all. Why would you think that?"
She shook her head and moved on the dance floor with him, circling him, her heart beating out of her chest at how elegant and happy he looked. She said "you both are the talk of the ball, you know. Every eye is on both of you."
Klaus said "thank you."
She commented "you look happy."
He said "I am. How are things between you and Elijah?"
Camille smiled but he could see that the smile didnt reach her eyes. She said "we are trying."
He said softly 'things will get better."
She smiled as she was passed on to the next partner and on and on they went. When the music stopped she said "thank you" as she stepped back.
He bowed "my pleasure" as he stepped back feeling somewhat relieved that he gave her a chance.
Klaus eyes surveyed the dance floor and spotted her talking to Rebekah, smiled and headed towards the card room but then stopped as he noticed someone. He thought for a moment and then walked to him and said "good evening Stefan."
Stefan looked up and slowly stood up and said "Klaus! It is good to see walking around."
Klaus said "thank you. And on that subject thank you for your help when I was hurt."
He said "no problem."
Klaus said "enjoy your game" and started to turn when he said "Klaus…I…"
Before he could stop himself his punch landed on his face causing a hush in the card room. He hissed "she didnt deserved this Stefan."
Stefan looked towards him and said "what do you want me to say Klaus?! Mikaelson have history of sharing their women among broth….ers" when another punch landed on his face sending him on the ground.
Klaus was about to punch him again when a hand grabbed him from behind and said "Nik, let it go. He is not worth it. Let it go."
Klaus fidgeted with Kol to get free and managed it but he realized Kol was right. He said in a cold voice "I suppose you are right Kol. He is not worth it."
He turned around angrily, stormed in the hall, looked down from the top of the stairs and spotted her and Rebekah with Camille. He hurried down the stairs not knowing that Kol was closely following him. He parted through the crowd angrily and finally reached them.
Hayley looked towards a young woman Rebekah had introduced her as Marry, who was saying "I don't know why Caroline has invited her."
She couldnt help but ask "who?"
She said in a low voice this time "Davina, who else? She is a widow you know."
Hayley eyes followed her and spotted Davina talking to a young girl and asked "Are widows not allowed to attend the balls?"
Before anyone could comment she felt a familiar prickling sensation at the back of her neck and her heart fluttered. She looked towards the direction and saw him walking towards her. She felt at once flustered and then she saw the anger on his face and her curiosity piqued.
Klaus reached them and said "lets go" as he grabbed her hand.
Hayley asked "Klaus what is going on?" her gaze going to equally looking angry Kol but he shook his head.
Klaus said angrily "I said lets go."
Hayley looked from him to Rebekah in bewilderment and said "alright. Let me say my farewell to Caroline."
Klaus said impatiently "hurry up."
Hayley scanned the room, not sure what is going on and spotted Caroline and hurried towards her and said "thank you, Caroline but I must leave now."
Caroline said "oh. Why so early?"
Hayley said "I … it is Camille. She is not feeling well. You know with the child and all."
She squeezed her hand and headed back.
On the way home, she could see he was very angry. She looked towards Camille who was sharing their carriage, worriedly and caught him looking at Klaus too.
The moment the carriage stopped he stepped out, held out a hand for Camille and let go at once when her feet touched the pavement and then for her but didnt let go and almost dragged her inside the manor ignoring her mutter "Klaus, slow down."
Esther was having diner with Mikael when she heard voice. She got up and walked out of the dinning hall and looked toward them in confusion and asked "what happened? The ball, did it end early?"
Rebekah said still confused at what had happened "no. Nik wanted us to leave early."
Her eyes went to her brothers, both of them looking furious.
Esther said "oh. Niklaus what…" but he said curtly "I am going to bed" and went towards his room where as Hayley picked up her dress and hurried after him giving everyone an apologetic look, feeling confused at what was going on with him.
She asked the moment they entered the room "Klaus, what happened?"
He said harshly "nothing Hayley" and headed to change his clothes. He changed into his clothes feeling furious as Stefan's sentence kept on playing in his mind while Hayley rang the bell for Lily to help her out of the dress. He settled on the bed while Lily helped her get out of the dress in the changing room and then retreated.
When she laid next to him, she felt like asking him again what had happened but he was still so angry that she lost the courage and went to sleep as his arm went around her.
Camille was changing her dress wondering what had happened when she felt fingers on her dress. She glanced towards him and asked "how was your work?"
He said "finished it" both knowing that other knew that he was lying about the work being an excuse.
She startled from her sleep when she felt a kiss on her lips. Seeing him all dressed up and sitting at the edge of the bed, she scooted up and said "oh, I overslept. Are you leaving?"
He said "yes. I have to. You go back to sleep."
She pulled at his sleeve "please tell me what happened."
Klaus sighed and told her about his altercation with Stefan. Hayley gasped and then said vehemently "I am glad you punched him. I dont care he was your friend or not but what he said was uncalled for and in front of everyone." A frown appeared on her forehead as she asked "I hope he does not make some trouble for you because of this."
He said "no, he wouldnt but Caroline might. It was her ball after all. She does not like things to go awry."
She said carelessly "oh who cares about Caroline."
He chuckled, kissed her saying "you are such a morale boaster, my love. I will see you tonight."
Hayley smiled as he got up and left. She slipped back under the warm covers and closed her eyes.
It was ten in the morning and Rebekah was sipping tea with Camille when the foreman walked in and said "my lady, Lady Caroline is here for you."
Rebekah exchanged looks with Camille and said "bring her here."
As soon as he disappeared Rebekah said with a feeling of foreboding "she must be there to complain about us leaving so early."
Camille said "probably. Maybe she knows something as we dont know anything. Lets find out."
She was watering the plants in the conservatory when a voice, very near to her said "I need to talk to you" causing her to yelp.
She looked towards Kol and said in an annoyed voice "you scared me Kol. What is it?"
He said looking around "lets go on a walk."
Curiosity got over her annoyance and she said "alright. Lets go."
She rang for the maid. When the maid entered she said "Marry, finish watering the plants. I will join you outside Kol…in ten minutes."
The maid nodded and left.
Ten minutes later, they were walking in the grounds still covered with some snow. She commented "snow is melting. I cannot wait for spring to come."
When Kol just grunted she asked "what is it?"
He sighed and asked "tell me about Nik. Is he doing alright?"
Hayley said "yes, he is doing alright now. Tell me what is it Kol?"
He looked around as if thinking if to tell her or not and then said "Davina… she is with child."
Hayley stared at him and then said "oh."
Kol asked "you dont want to know whose it is" an amused smile on his lips.
Hayley felt flustered but said "no. I know Davina and I think I am getting to know you too. It is Josh's."
He nodded.
When Hayley continued to look towards him in that polite way he continued in a hurried tone "I think that I am falling in love with her but she is not ready. I dont want to do anything that will risk me losing her. What should I do?"
Hayley looked at his anxious face and then asked "Kol, are you that serious about her?"
He suddenly looked really frustrated as well as flustered "I dont know what I feel for her Hayley but I just cannot stop thinking about her. Her eyes, they keep on following me everywhere I go. I cannot think about anyone but her. I cannot see her with anyone. In the ball, I wanted to gouge out the eyes of everyone who was staring at her."
She suddenly felt scared of intensity, emotions, feelings for her as she recalled that she felt the same way last night when those women were ogling at her husband. She said choosing her words carefully knowing well they will anger him "Kol, she is pregnant with another man's baby."
He picked up her hands and said "tell me what to do. I dont know what to do. I cannot sleep. I just keep thinking about her and how to make her mine", desperation in his voice making him vulnerable.
Klaus got out of the carriage and started up the stairs when he saw two people near the old oak tree a man holding the hand of the woman whom he could recognize from a mile. He continued to look towards them and then started walking towards them.
She said "Kol, I… I wish I could tell you to go after someone you love but I am not the right person to give you an advice. I lost the one I loved and fell in madly in love with someone else who was not intended for me. I dont want to see you or Davina get hurt. Your father, he will not accept her. She is not only a widow but with child from her late husband. Lets say he can over look that fact that she is a widow, what about the child? It is not Mikaelson blood. And the noble blood is important to your family. If there is anyone who knows what heartache it will take to be accepted in this family, it is me Kol."
Hayley suddenly felt a familiar prickling feeling in her neck. She turned towards her right and saw him walking towards her with that half smile on his lips. She startled when she heard Kol say "I wish she would look at me like you look at Nik."
Hayley's heart fluttered, felt embarrassed at being caught, looked towards his confused face and said "you want her to look at you like that, win her heart like your brother did mine."
He leaned in, planted a kiss on her hands and said "it is great to have you in our family. For one thing I have never seen Nik so stupid in love with anyone."
She asked, her heart fluttering, her breathing hitching "you think so?"
Kol looked at her face, the need to be reassured and said "any blind person can see how much you two love each other."
Klaus noticed Hayley's red cheek and wondered what was going on. He asked "what have I missed?"
Kol said teasingly "your wife was telling me how you won her heart."
Hayley's head spun to him, aghast and then looked towards Klaus who had an amused smile on his lips as he asked "really? and how did I manage that?"
Noticing both of their eyes on her, she muttered, now turning red "I think I better go in. It is getting really cold."
and hurriedly passed by them when Klaus grabbed her hand. Hayley looked towards him mortified at what he was about to do and in front of his brother but he slightly pulled her towards him and said "I would love to know how did I accomplish that, my lady"
The amusement in his eyes making the knees go week. She muttered "some secrets are never meant to be told" making him smile as he gently caressed her fingers before he let them go. Hayley impulsively towards Kol but to her relief he had walked away from them.
She turned and almost ran inside before her legs gave away.
Klaus smiled as he saw her going towards the manor and then turned to his brother, noticed the brooding expressions and strolled to him. He said "I think you should wait and see when she is ready."
Kol turned to him and said "she is with child Nik."
Klaus if surprised didnt show any reaction and said "surely you can wait a few months for her to be ready. You dont want her to feel that you took pity on her. Do you?"
He continued to look into his eyes and said "no, I dont. But what about father?"
Klaus said, pushing the snow out of of way to see the ground "if she cares about you enough then she will make her place in this family like Hayley did."
Kol said "you are happy with her?"
He looked up at his younger brother's face and said "I am very happy and I wish for you to find that happiness one day too."
Kol said "you both have ruined my image of marriage, you know."
Klaus asked "how so?" as they started towards the manor.
"I want what you two have" Kol simply said.
Klaus said "hmm. For that I don't blame you."
The moment he and Kol entered the great hall Rebekah screamed "how could you?"
Kol looked towards Rebekah in confusion and a moment later he realize that the question was directed towards him. He said calmly "who told you?"
She said angrily "Caroline came and was telling me how my brother was defending my honor. How hurt I must be that my brother had to defend my honor! You had no right to fight with him. I feel so humiliated."
Klaus hissed "I had every right. I am your brother and I would do anything to protect you."
She started angrily "half brother…" and then there was a silence; a silence only broken by Elijah's "Rebekah!"
Rebekah said feeling horrified at what she had said "Oh Nik, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have. I…."
Klaus said in an icy voice "that is alright Rebekah. I had forgotten. Thanks for reminding me."
Rebekah said in teary voice "Nik…" but he had gone.
She turned to Hayley who was staring at her in shock and confusion.
Hayley gaze went to Klaus as she saw him leaving the manor and then without hesitation she ran after him not caring about the coat.
Hayley opened the door and stepped in his studio and saw him painting, seemingly very clam.
She walked to him and said "Klaus…"
He turned to her and said "I want to be alone Hayley."
She said "I know" as she sat down near the fireplace.
He glanced at her and continued to paint while she picked up a book and started to read. Klaus heart was exploring at the reminder Rebekah and give him today. The hurt that he had so successfully mastered at discovering that his father had abandoned him was back and it was paralyzing him. He looked up again and caught her looking towards her.
He sighed and went to her, sat down next to her and picked up her hand and said "It is true that I am not Mikael's son by birth but he is he the only father I know of." He took a deep breath and continued "Duke Walter Mikaelson and his wife Margaret had two sons, Mikael and Ansel. Mikael was the older of the brothers. He was at war when the news of his death reached his young wife, Esther and his family. She had two kids with him; four years old Freya and three year old Elijah. After six months of his death, the duke got his widow married to their younger son, Ansel. After their marriage she immediately got with child. She was two month with me when Mikael returned. Apparently the news about his death was a rumor. It happened quite a lot in those days. There was no way of proving if someone died or lived in wars. If someone didnt return for an extended period of time, they were presumed dead. Anyway he was back in the lives of his loved ones. Of course they were still married and very much in love with each other, not to mention they already had two children together so my father, Ansel, divorced her so that she can be with Mikael again and that night he disappeared into the night for no one to ever find out where he went. Mikael and my mother got together and told people that I was his child but you know how rumors always remain alive. The marriage between Ansel and Esther was not a secret exactly. As we started to grow up, the rumors, the war stories started to add up, unsatisfied curiosities forced us to dig further, not to mention how different in appearance I was from my siblings and finally when I was ten years old we all found out the truth from our parents but it was decided that it will never be spoken again until today."
She said gently "oh Klaus…."
He looked towards her and said "Hayley, he is my only father. He has never been able to warm up to me as he has with Elijah or Kol and I understand that. I understand it but he is the only father that I know of."
She leaned in and gently kissed his lips which suddenly got fierce from his end as he suddenly picked her up and carried her to the door, bolted it, pinned her body against the door and was kissing her so feverishly that she felt her control slipping. She moaned loudly when his hand roughly and impatiently fondled with her breast and he muttered dejectedly "oh Hayley. I cannot breath. He abandoned me. I feel…" as he pushed himself in her and took a deep breath into her neck. She caressed her face, hair and said soothingly "Klaus take it, take all of me. Take as much as you want."
He gritted his teeth and pushed harder causing her to moan loudly and pushed in her again and again …. and then he became still, his face buried in her chest as she cradled his head. He whispered "forgive me, my love. Forgive me."
Hayley said fiercely "no. Dont. Dont …" as she showered his depressed face with kisses until it was wet and he was overwhelmed by them. They stayed in that position for a long time before he found energy to step away from her. She caressed her face and said "lets go and eat something. You must be hungry."
When Klaus slightly shook his head, she said "for me. Come eat something."
He said abruptly "no. I want to paint you."
She looked at him, at his request and then seeing his determined, emotionless face she asked "how should I pose then?"
He looked at her and then held her hand, led her to the divan and laid her there, pulled the pin out of her hair and said "here, lie there."
He looked around and found a book, gave it to her and stretched her legs, slightly overlapping each other, sending chill through her body and then slightly lifted her skirt revealing her shapely ankle and took off her shoes. He looked up and then sat next to her, started taking the pins from her hair. He could feel her eyes on his face but he didnt look into them for he knew that if he did, he would break again so he concentrated on the task at hand. He let the hair fall on her shoulder, brought half of them to the front covering her breast and rest threw back. He said "keep your eyes on me" as he bended one elbow to rest her head on, letting the frill from her dress fall backwards on hear elbow revealing her olive skin and took the other hand holding the book to her thigh resting casually, he looked up at the chandelier and then moved the divan a bit and then fixed her dress making sure nothing indecent was being shown. He then leaned in and kissed her deep and abruptly broke the kiss with a mischievous smile as she cried "oh Klaus!". He muttered "perfect" and went to work on the painting.
She continued to look towards him, his expressions gradually changing from hurt to acceptance and finally enjoying his work. She didnt know how much time passed by. Her back was stiffening but she wanted to do this for him so she continue to hold her position and then she heard the rumbling in the stomach, thought he should eat too so she said "Klaus, I am hungry."
He put the paints down, cleaned the paint from his hand and walked to her saying "alright. We will finish tomorrow."
She put on her shoes and quickly tied her hair in the bun and left for the manor.
By the time they reached the dinner table, Mikael and Esther were also there with no idea of what had happened not more than two hours ago. The silence on the table was deafening only broken by Mikael saying "Lord Forbes want to start the contraction of the hospital as soon as the weather changes Niklaus."
Klaus said "that is wonderful news father."
He could fee Rebekah's eyes on him but he continued to look towards his plate and quietly eat. Hayley looked up and saw Rebekah's miserable face, Camille's and Freya's sympathetic expressions and Elijah's angry face. She tried to smile but was unable to achieve it.
After dinner, as they reached their room, he picked up her hand and said "Hayley, I want to be alone for a while. Please go rest. I will be in after an hour."
She stepped towards him "Klaus… I cannot even imagine what you are going through but please dont shut me out."
He said "I am not. I just want some quiet to myself."
She said "I promise, I will be really quiet. Stay in our room."
He kissed her lips; long and passionate and then said "I must go" and walked away from her without another word.
For the next two hours in the study he paced, staring in the fire thinking about what had happened with Rebekah and for the first time ever he started to think about a future if he is not in Hayley's life. What is her status in this house? Will the man who raised him ever warm up to her? If he is so cold to her when he is alive then what will happen after his death? He should do some provision to her and their future children. When he entered his room, she saw her sitting on the bed reading a book. Their eyes met and he went to change his clothes. When he laid on the bed he put his arm around her and said "you need not have waited for me."
Hayley said "oh, this book was very interesting and …" but stopped talking when he smiled and said "thank you Hayley" as he pulled her towards him and went to sleep with her.
A/N: So what do you think? Elijah has finally moved on from Hayley? What did you think about Stefan and Klaus's confrontation and then Rebekah and Klaus's little confrontation, should i call it that? OH and the advice Hayley and kLaus gave to Kol. I know there was no Klovia in this chapter but there was talk about it.
What affect will this revelation of Klaus have on the relationships? Are Klaus's fears genuine? Is there place for another man in Rebekah's life or she is hung up on Stefan? Do you think Klaus and Hayley need to say they love each other?