LOTS AND LOTS OF WONDERFUL IDEAS FROM ALL YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE! I LOVE THEM! THEY MAKE ME SOOO HAPPY! PLEASE! KEEP THEM COMING! I LOVE REVIEWS, I LOVE NEW IDEAS AND HELPFUL ADVICE. ANYTHING TO MAKE IT ALL THE BETTER!
Caroline made extra sure to wake up early each morning. Many times, the sun had yet to rise and she was already out the door, fearing that if she didn't go now, that door would be closed and bolted shut. Who knows what she would discover then? She tried not to focus on the chest that sat against the wall, never again opening it and working to keep its contents off her mind. Lord Niklaus, Klaus as he was determined she call him now, still seemed fixated on her. Most likely, she was just a way to ease the boredom of an aristocratic life.
She had found a sketch once. It was just laying on the floor, forgotten, most likely dropped and, having not made a sound, gone unnoticed by its artist. Carefully, she unfolded it, her jaw dropping just a bit. It was her, a beautiful her with eyes that were too solemn and lips plush. This, this was the her she had become. What happened to the daughter of a lord, the carefree and possibly even selfish girl that had been born into priviledge. Rebecca appeared in a doorway, wearing a new gown as a few more of her others seemed to have mysteriously disappeared.
"Caroline!" She whispered urgently. "You have to help me." Grabbing her by the arm, she pulled her into the drawing room and across to a great window looking out over the front drive, her strength nearly inhuman in her determination. Caroline winced, rubbing at her arm absently as she stared out. There was nothing. Green grass, loitering animals, and workers. "Do you see him?" Rebecca sighed in an extrememly un-Rebecca like way. She looked again. There was a young farm hand, his skin gleaming brown after hard labor in the sun. "You must tell me everything about him."
"But I do not know him."
"Then go learn." She ushered her back into the hallway and towards the door to outside. Picking up her skirts, Caroline went along, baffled by this new flamboyant energy of the other girl.
"Hello." Caroline called out. No one had ever accused her of being shy, after all, and getting to know attractive young men was a particular talent of hers. "I am Caroline. You are?" The farm hand straightened, a clump of damp brown hair falling across his green eyes.
"Leo." He replied in a rough voice, a perfectly straight smile breaking out along his lips. Caroline made a mental note for Rebecca. Be wary of the ones with the sparkling smiles. They have no character like those crooked grins. Klaus, dimples and all, flashed through her mind.
"Have you met Lady Rebecca?" She questioned innocently. His glance shifted passed her, over her shoulder to the great gleaming window. He most certainly was aware of her.
"Yes." He said. "I have seen her on occassion." Caroline suddenly had the feeling that he had imagined doing more than just seeing her on these occassions. Uncomfortable, she coughed to clear her throat.
"Right, well-"
"Caroline." A deep accent slid into the conversation, along her nerves and under her skin, a rough hand grasping her wrist. What was it with the family that made them so physical today? Without another word, she found herself being propelled backwards, into the house and well on her way to the library, a place she had never before set foot in seeing as the doors were always locked. "I don't appreciate you associating with men of that kind."
"What?" Was the only sound that managed to make it out of her mouth, elegant though it may not be.
"They will not lay a hand on what is mine." He leaned back agains the library door and she found herself trapped. The room was dark and masculine, books piled high and neatly on their shelves, a smooth and clean desk dominating one wall.
"I am not your property." She exclaimed without thinking.
"You're a servant, aren't you?"
"Not that kind of servant!" Anger coursed through her, finally replacing that warm sensation he always managed to ignite in her blood. He advanced on her, trapping her against the edge of his desk with too little effort.
"What kind are you then?" She was enraged. Enraged at him for putting her in this ridiculous and awkward position. Enraged at herself for allowing it. Enraged for enjoying the feeling of being pursued.
"Rebecca won't like this."
"My sister does not rule me. No one does." His hot breath was fanning her neck, and she gave into the desire to lean her head back just a bit, just to give him the slightest bit more access to the smooth white skin there. "Who was that boy?"
"Rebecca wants him." She murmured, nearly crumpling to the floor at the feel of his lips on her neck, nibbling at the place where her shoulder met her neck. Something sharper than a tooth scraped against her though, and she jumped away with a gasp. Immediately, she reached a hand up, bringing it away to find blood smearing the finger tips. Klaus stared back at her, probably more surprised than she was.
"Forgive me." He stuttered, stumbling for words for perhaps the first time in his life. "I lost control. I didn't mean to. Never before have I lost control of myself...I..."
"You...bit me?" She uttered in disbelief, despite the evidence on her fingertips.
"It will not occur again, I swear it. I make an oath that I shall personally see to dealing with any who dare lay a hand upon you, in any way. You will be safe." She gazed off, unfocused, her mind blocking out his words and seeing only the important fact that he had bit her. Literally, tried to sink his teeth into her skin. "No vampire shall feed on you, or death by a stake would seem a mere kindness once I was through..." She heard that last part, interrupting his monologue with the inelegant sound of her body hitting the ground in a dead faint.