AN: I feel like such a jerk and a hypocrite. I always vowed not to be the author who writes a couple chapters and then completely forgets about that story. And then I did that very thing. I am SOO sorry that I haven't updated, I almost finished this chapter and then I sort of got writer's block and I couldn't think of anything more for this story. I really will try to update again soon. I also thought that maybe you guys could maybe suggest something? That might help too. Or reviews would wonderful too. Lot's and lot's of reviews. Anyway, sorry again and I hope you like this chapter. Oh and REVIEW!
Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries, sadly.
As Damon led me down the filthy streets, all I could think of was how cold he was. As close as I was too him, I should have been able to feel heat radiating off of him. But there was none. As the houses lining the streets grew bigger and cleaner, and the stores brighter and cheerful; it was pushed to the back of my mind.
We didn't speak much until he stopped beside a fancy black carriage. I looked at him with a questioning look on my face but he didn't answer, just smirked.
"Miss Markham, I have very much enjoyed your company and I would like to ask you to accompany me to tea at the home I am renting. Rest assured, it is not very far from here." He looked at me somberly and I almost answered right away. But my mother's face appeared in my head and I didn't want to know how she would react if I were to accept his invitation. But he was finely dressed and had an expensive looking carriage, might he be wealthy? His accent was odd, as had Stefan Salvatore's. He must me American; but I had heard that American's were very wealthy.
"You have treated me with un-deserved kindness. I was a mere stranger to you and yet you destined yourself to help me. I must decline your invitation as you have done too much for me already. I am sorry." I replied, something aching in chest as I spoke. An un-readable expression entered his face.
"No, you are the one that has treated me with kindness. Gracing me with your wonderful company has been enough in return and I must insist that you join me for tea." He gazed into my eyes and I felt something inside me stop and an odd feeling came over me. My mouth opened on its own accord.
"Yes, I would be glad to have tea with you." My voice sounded foreign to me and I couldn't stop the words from leaving my mouth. The odd feeling left me as soon as he broke his gaze from mine. He pulled open the small door on the carriage and held out hand. I took it and stepped up into the carriage as gracefully as I could manage. He came in after me and took a seat across of me. I could feel the carriage wheels underneath us moving slowly and then the horses transitioned into faster gait and then we were moving swiftly down the street.
The ride was long, yet enjoyable. We didn't speak much except for a few pleasant words here and there. The curtains were drawn inside the carriage and it cast a mysterious dark feel to interior.
"Mr. Salvatore, if you don't mind me asking, but are you from England?" I asked, curiosity in my voice. He gave an odd look before replying.
"No, I'm from Virginia, in America. And please call me Damon." He gave me that charming smile once again and some part of me melted inside.
"Of course, as long as you call me Victoria." I looked at him with smile playing on my lips and when he smirked, I felt a pleasant feeling come over me.
"As you wish, Victoria." As my name escaped his lips, I felt my face grow warm. My name, it sounded so… perfect when coming from his lips. It sent shivers down my spine.
Suddenly, the carriage came to a lurching stop and I was thrown forward violently. I flew toward Damon and he managed to catch me gently, holding my elbows firmly. Again, I felt heat rise to my cheeks and I looked down, but then I was aware of how close we were.
I looked up and I was swamped by his cold breath on my face. My chest grew tight and I yearned for his lips. His hands burned through the thin material of my dress and then I lifted one hand toward his face, to brush the long black locks out of his eyes. My fingertips hovered just over his skin and I felt his blue eyes staring at my lips. I pulled my hand back and then he leant forward slowly. Closer and closer. I resisted the urge to just pull him to me but as I placed one hand on his chest, my fingernails dug into his jacket. My body wanted him badly and such horrific thoughts were running through my mind. It was wrong for a lady of my status and age to be having such thoughts. So scandalous. That last thought snapped me out of the trance-like state and I pulled back violently from him. My heart raced inside my chest thumped up and down. Disappointment and hint of irritation was in his eyes before they returned to their usual warmth.
The air was tense and I wished that the carriage would begin moving again. As if he had read my mind, Damon rapped on the carriage roof and after a few seconds, it started to slowly move. The movement soothed me and I began to relax.
When we stopped next, I peered out the small window and saw a house. It didn't look anything special on the outside, just red bricks and white shutters on the windows. Damon got out first and held out a hand for me to take. I daintily took it and hopped down gracefully. We made our way to the front door and I stepped in after Damon opened the door. The inside was the complete opposite of the outside. It opened onto a foyer with paneled walls and marble floors. A staircase led upstairs and two doors were on my right and left. We entered the door on the right which was revealed as the parlor. Rich wallpaper was on the walls and an expensive embroidered carpet was on the floor which occupied most of the room. A settee and two chairs sat on one side of the room and a table with chairs on the other side.
Damon led me over to the settee and I took a seat on it while he sat on one of the chairs. Tea was served soon and I occupied myself with the small porcelain cup.
"Victoria, I feel as if I have known you for so long, yet we met hours ago. You have not told me much about yourself." Damon drawled and although I noticed it, I ignored his clever way of disguising his snooping with charming words.
"Oh, please forgive me. What would you like you to know?" I responded with a smile slightly on my lips.
"Well, tell me about your family. Someone as wonderful and beautiful as you must have a family just as good." He replied with a smirk and I managed to keep a grimace off my face. My family was just the opposite.
"Oh, thank you. Well, my mother and father's names are Thomas and Lillian Markham. I had a brother named Thomas, but he died shortly after I was born. My father is the younger brother of Lord William Markham." I spoke in a condescending tone once again but he didn't seem to notice. "And your family? I have not heard much of them."
"My parents were Guiseppe and Margeruite Salvatore. I have a younger brother." He replied nonchalantly as if his family were not worth bothering with.
"Were?" I questioned, a look of confusion on my face.
"Mother passed when I was young and father very recently." He sighed and a faraway look came into his eyes as if was thinking or remembering something. Or someone.
"I'm sorry." I murmured and leant forward and took his hand gently. I squeezed lightly and looked into his eyes. Our gazed locked and I was lost in his endlessly blue eyes. I had been wrong before, Damon's eyes made him much more handsome than Stefan Salvatore.
Suddenly, the slam of a door made my head snap up in alarm. I saw anger flash in Damon's eyes before it disappeared. Footsteps sounded just outside the door and then a young man walked in. He looked at Damon first and then at me with a shocked expression that turned to anger as he recognized me.
"Hello Mr. Salvatore." I said politely with a smirk on my lips. Damon glanced at me in surprise but then looked at his brother.
"Miss Markham." He nodded and then no one spoke. Damon and Stefan stared at each other, a silent conversation going on between them. It was as if they were talking through their minds, instead of with their lips.
"When did you meet my darling brother?" Damon turned to me and spoke, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Just yesterday. He rescued me after I was pushed my some cowardly peasant." I glanced at Stefan with a demure smile on my face as I spoke. "He was ever so kind to me." I added sweetly.
"Of course. My daring brother came to your rescue." Damon's eyes went skyward and then he sighed. I was a bit shocked by his rude behavior toward his brother and I knew my eyes were wide with surprise. He must have noticed because his arrogant expression disappeared as he turned to me.
"Victoria, please excuse my rude behavior, I don't know what possessed me to act that way." He looked at me steadily but he didn't look very sorry.
"Do not apologize to me, apologize to your brother. It was him you were rude to." I replied and glanced at Stefan Salvatore, a smirk tugging at his lips. Damon grounded his teeth.
"Stefan, I'm sorry for being so rude. My behavior was uncalled for and you did not deserve it." Damon said quickly and I nodded in approval. Stefan smiled triumphantly.
"I accept your apology, brother." Stefan replied lightly, a bit of amusement underlying in his statement.
"Now if you don't mind, could you tell us your business being here? Victoria and I were enjoying a tea when you so rudely interrupted us." Damon demanded arrogantly and I rolled my eyes. Already he was just as rude as he had been before. What have I been doing, entertaining myself with these odd Americans?
"I came here to discuss something with you but as you have company, I'll leave you." Stefan replied plainly. He was about to say goodbye as I interrupted him.
"Mr. Salvatore, please. I do not mind and I'm sure neither would your brother, if you stayed for tea." I smiled softly at him but his expression didn't change.
"This is my brother's house; if he invites me then I will stay." Stefan said and I turned to look expectantly at Damon. It looked as if Damon clenched his jaw and he paused before responding.
"Of course, Stefan, it would be my pleasure to have you for tea." Damon replied and he sounded a bit sarcastic. Stefan took a seat in the other chair and tea was poured.
AN: I know, I know. It's a SUPER crappy ending. It's like, ohmygawd, something bigs going to happen between Stefan and Damon and then bam. Nothing. It just ends. I'm really sorry and like I said above, I'm really having a bad case of writing block with this story. And don't forget to REVIEW!