Author's note: Klaroline AU historical fusion loosely based on an episode of The Borgias. Lord Klaus was less than pleased to be betrothed to a lady of such questionable character. But then he met the feisty blonde, and discovered a beautiful soul with intriguing secrets.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
― William Congreve
This errand was an insult to his dignity — at least, that's what Lord Klaus first surmised when his vindictive father had forced him to travel to the Forbes Dukedom and propose a betrothal with the Lady Caroline. Scandalous rumors about the Forbes bloodline had traveled far and wide, each tantalizing whisper more outrageous than the last.
It was said that the Duke of Forbes was quite adept in the art of torture, often accusing commoners of 'unnatural natures' and then his sons would soundly punish them under his tutelage in the dungeons. While most in the surrounding lands considered these admirable traits of trueborn aristocracy, it was the rumors surrounding the Forbes women that caused the most uproar.
Rather than the Duchess of Forbes managing the vast Forbes estates as a proper lady should, scandalized tongues were set ablaze with stories of her leading armies and riding into battle, while her daughter, the Lady Caroline, indulged in unseemly liaisons with all manner of commoners including their servants.
While Lord Klaus could appreciate a lusty woman, he had no interest in wedding such a vulgar wench. Not that such qualms would sway his father. For while the Mikaelson Dukedom was quite wealthy, his father demanded they expand their armies with the impressive forces of the Forbes Dukedom.
Unfortunately, that meant forging an alliance with the Duke of Forbes through a betrothal to the Lady Caroline. He stomped his boot impatiently, a long-suffering sigh escaping his pouting countenance as he waited in the formal gardens to be presented to Lady Caroline. It was an unfortunate reminder that his elder brother was the diplomat, whose courtly mannerisms would've been more of an asset in this troublesome errand.
"Apologies for the delay, Lord Klaus. I was...otherwise engaged," Lady Caroline told him as she made her entrance, slightly out of breath.
He arched a skeptical brow, not bothering to do more than stiffly nod from where he leaned against a marble column. "Are we to meet without benefit of a chaperone," he flatly asked.
Stiffening at his judgmental tone, she scowled, "My father is sequestered with his advisors, drawing up the formal marriage contracts; my mother left at dawn to quell a rebellion in the north; and my imbecilic brothers are quite fond of libations and likely are wandering about lost on our lands as we speak. Pray tell, who would be fit to chaperone — my skittish chambermaid?"
"I suppose your forthrightness is to be expected given your...diversions."
The malicious gleam in Lady Caroline's blue gaze instantly reminded Lord Klaus of the venomous adder his soldiers would sometimes come across on the battlefield. Cunning and dangerous, it could strike down a man with insidious ease. He suspected Lady Caroline's tongue was sharper than a serpent's fangs and was not disappointed when she spat, "You know NOTHING of my 'diversions', you pompous ass! How DARE you assume the spiteful falsehoods of my character to be holy writ!"
Unleashing the full weight of her ferocious gaze, she added venomously, "If I were to believe the cruel rumors about YOUR exploits, I'd warrant you were both a shameless whoremonger and the largest cuckold in all the lands." Her tone grew curiously gentle as she added, "But wherever the truth lies between you and your former betrothed and your elder brother, I warrant it pricked your heart and you have my deepest sympathies."
Lord Klaus looked upon her in stunned silence. The infuriating woman had cut to his very core and then soothed it with a most curious balm — understanding. Perhaps he had been too hasty in his presumptions.
"I thank you for your honesty, my lady," he finally replied with a humility he hadn't known he possessed. "You have rightly shamed me for my appalling manners. I've no right to presume such slanderous accusations about your person. With the understanding that this match has been decided by our kinsmen, perhaps we can begin anew?"
She flashed him a grateful smile, perching upon a stone bench that curved around an enormous mosaic planter of bluebells. "I suppose that's fair." She stared at the lavish arches that bordered the garden's entrance, a faraway look in her eye. "Our inevitable betrothal does mean I should divulge certain...truths to you."
Lady Caroline wore trouble on her brow, and Lord Klaus found he did not care for it. "Your secrets are yours to share as you deem fit, my lady."
"Slanderous tongues took a kernel of truth and declared me a deceitful harlot of the highest order." She bit her lip, and with downcast eyes, she revealed, "I was betrothed to a dishonorable man the age of my father. The Earl of Saltzman prided himself on his firm hand among the servants and foul whispers of what became of the poor women he married reached my ears."
Lord Klaus had to force his fists to unclench at her disturbing words. He too knew the sting of a firm hand. He'd found a kindred soul in Lady Caroline. Sitting gingerly beside her, feeling a familiar, icy dread in his soul, he quietly asked, "Did he hurt you, sweetheart?"
"He never got the chance," she swore. "There was a groom in our stables that I'd known since we were children. It was never more than a gentle fondness, but Matthew knew of my fears and offered me comfort when I asked. Upon learning I was with child, the Earl of Saltzman became incensed, demanding the head of my paramour."
Bowing her head, she added sorrowfully, "I gave Matthew coin enough to book passage and begged him to flee." Tracing the delicate gold filigree of her ruby ring, she bitterly confessed, "He was captured as he crossed our lands, and the Earl of Saltzman condemned my only companion to the trial of hot coals. I suspect my brothers assisted in his monstrous torture at my father's behest, but I've been unable to discover the full truth of their crimes."
"Where does this Earl of Saltzman reside," he ground out, barely controlling his infamous temper as he plotted all the ways he would bring the loathsome coward to ruin.
"In the ground where I'd warrant even the worms recoil from his foul form," Lady Caroline replied spitefully. "It is said he succumbed to an imbalance of humors. I'm told his suffering was great."
Lord Klaus studied her closely, his tone careful as he repeated, "An imbalance of humors."
Blue eyes flashing, her voice was deceptively lightly as she nodded, "Of course. After all, we live in a perilous age where even the most privileged of men may lie down to slumber and never awaken again."
What a cunning creature, he thought, understanding with certain clarity all of the things she'd left unsaid. He suddenly was well-pleased that his wretched father had forced his hand with this match. Lady Caroline would do quite well among his vicious, duplicitous family. A tentative peace had settled between them as they enjoyed the colorful splendor of the tranquil gardens. Wanting to offer her the comfort she needed, he took her hand in his, pausing to consider his words carefully.
"You've suffered terribly, and while I know our unexpected match did not gladden your heart, I swear that you will be protected and treated well under my care." Squeezing her hand, he softly asked, "I do not wish you cause you further distress, but may I ask about the child?"
Biting her lip, Lady Caroline revealed, "I have a son." Growing bold under Lord Klaus' inquisitive stare, she proudly proclaimed, "He is a well-formed and innocent babe and I will not leave him to the wolves who dare call themselves my kinsmen. They say he is an unsightly blemish on our family's good name and I worry for the day that I'm unable to protect him."
A flash of fear marred her lovely face as she pleaded, "I beg of you, please do not punish my child for the circumstances of his birth. His lineage may not be pure, but he was borne out of solace and comfort and I will protect him with everything that I am." She confessed tearfully, "He is my heart."
Lord Klaus was struck by Lady Caroline's tender declaration. He understood all too well the pain and uncertainty of an illegitimate birth, and while he was not ready to divulge those deep secrets that tore at his heart, he at least could offer her the safety she required. "I pledge that you and your child will be treated honorably in my home." The kiss he placed upon her palm felt more intimate than if she'd offered her lips to his, and he fancied that they both were struck by cupid's arrow in that moment of perfect understanding.
The open-air corridor that occupied the upper level of the Forbes manor was just as elaborate as the rest of the estate, and Lord Klaus admired the intricately carved deer that frolicked along the railings. He'd just come from meeting with the Duke of Forbes, barely concealing his eagerness to agree to the formal marriage contracts. A grimace marred his handsome face as he recalled with distaste how the Duke of Forbes had likened Lady Caroline to a sturdy broodmare and that her "wretched bastard was proof of her ability to produce quality issue despite being bred by an inferior stallion."
Lord Klaus had insisted that the priest be roused in the village to perform the wedding on the morrow. His future bride need not suffer these vipers another moment. A scuffling noise drew his attention and he glanced above to see a most hideous sight. The Earl of Mystic Falls, his betrothed's eldest brother, was grasping an infant while Lady Caroline cried and screeched her dismay.
"No! Damon, please!" Lady Caroline stretched her arms toward the child, only for her vile brother to merrily dance toward the railing, lips upturned in a cruel smile.
Slurred voice laced with mock concern, the Earl replied, "Come now, dear sister, I'd be doing both you and the foul little imp a blessing if my hand were to slip. After all, your future husband would not want such a blatant reminder of his bride's harlotry in his midst. And your filthy bastard will undoubtedly have a pitiful, unremarkable life marred with naught but shame."
Filled with dread, Lord Klaus raced up the winding staircase as he heard Lady Caroline fruitlessly beg for the life of her child, whose heart-rending cries echoed throughout the chamber. He reached the landing with sword drawn, startling the siblings. "You will not touch my son again," he snarled at the drunken lout.
The Earl quickly became ashen, but to his credit, squared his shoulders as he faced Lord Klaus. "It is said that you're quite the strategist on the battlefield, yet claiming this useless bastard is quite foolhardy."
Lord Klaus wordlessly raised his blade, severing the delicate bit of lace from the Earl's velvet tunic. Gray eyes darkened in fury as he stared down the weak-chinned imbecile until the baby was thrust artlessly back into Lady Caroline's arms.
"Bah, take the rubbish creature then. At least this union will ensure my harlot of a sister will quicken with more suitable issue. After all, such is a woman's work."
Lady Caroline bared her teeth in a ferocious snarl, hissing, "I will show you a woman's work!"
He gave no reply other than to favor his irate sister with a glassy stare, swaying on his feet for a moment before slowly stumbling down the corridor to his chambers.
Lord Klaus and Lady Caroline watched the Earl with twin expressions of disdain. Clutching her child to her breast as though still frightened he could be cruelly dispatched, she lifted her damp lashes to Lord Klaus, murmuring in wonder, "You called him your son."
His chest puffed up with pride at her gentle look as he swore, "You and that little one are my family now and you have no need for horrid kinsmen who do not see your worth."
She looked thoughtful as she turned to study the retreating back of her foul brother, a hard line appearing upon her brow. Her tone was curiously resolute as she replied, "Yes, no further need."
It was pure folly, this deed he'd set out to perform. His kinsmen would raise rebellion for merely entertaining such thoughts and dare jeopardize this fragile joining of families. And yet, Lord Klaus relished that final moment of fear he soon would see in the Earl's eyes as he was run through without mercy. No more than the coward deserved for daring to harm an innocent child. He sniffed the air with disgust, realizing the drunkard lay in a pile of his own sick and seemed to have befouled himself in his slumber.
Lord Klaus had intended to dispatch the Earl with his sword and then dispose of his body in the woods to be mistaken as a bandit's victim. But now he would have to contend with the malodorous stench of this wastrel as well. With an irritated sigh, Lord Klaus crept forward with his dagger at the ready, but paused as he saw with certain clarity the truth of the matter. The Earl was not sleeping. He was dead.
Glancing about the chamber, he spied an overturned goblet of silver gilt among the soiled linens. Upon inspection, the bitter smell of the monastic wine reached his nostrils, and he marveled at the assailant's cleverness. The telltale sour taste of monkshood easily was hidden in the bitterness of the wine.
Woman's work, indeed.
