Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. The plot is based on the novel The Cardoss Luck (1974) by Janet Louise Roberts. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reviewing! Ok, so as this is based on a novel set in England, they had tea and scones for breakfast. I adore scones, so I put them in here as well… Enjoy!
FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE
~ I ~
"Can I get you anything else, Miss?" the bonnet-wearing dark-skinned handmaiden asked.
"No, thank you, Emily," Elena said sweetly, sitting back in her chair. "That will be all for now."
Emily Bennett curtsied and left the sitting room.
As soon as she was alone, Elena allowed herself to fidget, nervously wringing her hands. She looked down at the delicate, slender fingers. All traces of hard labor were gone. The year spent doing nothing had done wonders for her cuticles. Her nails, no longer subject to washing dishes or scrubbing floors, had grown strong. Anyone who looked at her now would never believe a mere year ago she had looked very much like a street urchin.
Elena sipped her tea. It was a calming herbal mixture Emily provided her with, and she needed all the help she could get to prepare for her second meeting with Damon Salvatore. The way he had said her name last night, her first name rolling off his tongue like honey, made her whole body tingle.
Elena shook off her errant thoughts. This was a business agreement, nothing more. Still, the butterflies in her stomach worked themselves into a frenzy when Emily announced that two gentlemen were at the door.
"Two?" Elena frowned.
"Yes, miss. Mr. Salvatore and a child."
"Send them in," Elena said, concealing her nervousness by rising from her seat and straightening her dress.
When they entered, her gaze immediately fell on the boy. He couldn't be more than ten years of age, and he looked as though he had not been properly fed in months. His dark hair and blue eyes were his most prominent features. In fact, he was a spitting image of Damon. Clearly, this was the 'obstacle' he mentioned on the previous night. He had a son.
"Miss Gilbert," he bowed. "May I introduce my nephew, David. David, this is Miss Elena Gilbert, whom I told you about."
Elena furrowed her brows in puzzlement. He had spoken to a young child about her indecent proposal? What must he think of her?
She extended her hand to the child and offered him a warm smile. "Hello, David. I'm Elena."
The boy turned crimson as he took her hand and kissed it, undoubtedly an attempt to imitate his uncle's manners. When he let go, he whispered to Damon, "She's even prettier than you said, Uncle Damon."
Elena could not suppress a laugh. "And you are quite the charmer, David. I'm sure we'll get along splendidly. Please, won't you have a seat?" she gestured to the plush chairs in the sitting room and rang for Emily to bring in the scones and tea.
"I'm afraid I've been terribly rude in starting my tea before your arrival," Elena excused herself, gesturing to the cup which already stood on the table. "But I have to admit I was very nervous in anticipation of this meeting. Now, David, did your uncle tell you about the situation I am in?"
"He said you need a husband," the boy said candidly.
"Indeed. You see, when I was a young girl, I lost my parents. I came to live with an uncle of mine, and I worked very hard. When he passed away, he left me a lot of money, and now my other uncle wishes to take it away. He has already taken half of my inheritance, and if I do not marry soon, he will spend every cent on himself. Do you think you could accept me as a part of your family for a short time?"
David looked at Damon, whose face gave nothing away. "Will you come live with us, Miss Elena?"
"Where do you live, David?" she asked, suddenly curious about their living arrangements.
"Here and there."
"Oh, I see. Well… I suppose that your uncle and I could discuss the details at a later time. For now, have some breakfast," she smiled and gestured to the mouthwatering scones on the table.
Elena observed as the boy's ravenous hunger was sated. Still, he ate with decorum. He was certainly well-behaved, and very grown-up for his age. She also observed his clothes, and Damon's. She noticed now, in the light from the window which had been absent last night at the ball, that he wore the same garment, and it bore signs of frequent wear. She wondered how long the two of them had been on their own, struggling to make ends meet.
When Emily re-entered the room to clear the table, Elena turned to her. "Emily, would you mind taking young David here into the kitchen?" Then she turned to the boy. "You see, the cook has kittens, and I am sure they would like to make your acquaintance."
David glanced at Damon, who nodded his agreement, and he merrily followed Emily out of the sitting room.
"Does this change anything for you?" Damon spoke as soon as the door closed.
"No. It does not. David seems like a wonderful boy."
"Then…"
"Mr. Lockwood told me you own a property."
"I do. In Mystic Falls. It has not been well-kept, I'm afraid."
"Is it livable?"
"With a few minor adjustments, yes."
"Would you share it with me, Mr. Salvatore? For the duration of our year together, I mean?"
"I would very much like that, Miss Elena," he smiled wistfully. "As would David."
"Good. Now that that's settled… I will leave my carriage at your disposal. I will have my lawyers draw up a contract in which I transfer a sum for your living expenses, as per our agreement."
He nodded in agreement.
Elena fidgeted slightly, nervous about bringing up the next thing on her list. She did not wish to sound presumptuous, or manage his life, but…
"Um… I have a running tab with an excellent seamstress in the city. I would very much like it if you would take David there for a new wardrobe. I mean no offense, but I'm sure these years have been hard on you both, and wardrobes can always be updated. Especially if we're leaving the city soon, where such services will no longer be as easily acquired."
"Miss Elena, I…"
"It's really a part of the charade. John Gilbert will most definitely attempt to uncover my deception. We need to appear united, and that would include our attire, would it not?"
"I suppose."
"Good. Then we're agreed," Elena smiled and stood up.
Damon followed her example. "We need to make this arrangement believable, correct?" he said.
Elena frowned, puzzled as to what he was getting at.
"We should at least start calling each other by first name, don't you think?"
"Oh. Yes, of course. Damon."
"Elena," he inclined his head. "And I hope you will allow me to court you properly for a few days while the papers are being drawn up."
"Um… I suppose that would be in order," Elena said, feeling a blush creep up.
"Excellent. There's a ball at the Smith's tomorrow night. It would be my pleasure to escort you there."
"I would like that very much, Mr. Salvatore," Elena smiled, then caught herself, "Damon."
"So someone finally melted the Ice Queen," Tyler Lockwood whispered to his uncle Mason as Elena and Damon made their appearance in the Smith ballroom.
"I introduced them only two nights ago, it is impossible," Mason frowned.
"Well, Salvatore has always had a way with the ladies," Tyler shrugged.
"Miss Gilbert is not a 'lady', she is a rarity among women."
"Well, he has not often been lucky at cards, so I suppose his luck in other departments has amplified."
"No-one could be that lucky," Mason growled.
"What are you gentlemen discussing this fine evening?" a petite blonde approached them.
"Miss Forbes," Tyler inclined his head and brought her hand to his lips. "Stunning as always."
"You flatter me, Mr. Lockwood," the blonde giggled. "Pray tell me what you are both so intrigued by?"
"The Ice Queen has landed herself a suitor, it seems," Tyler answered her.
"What? Impossible!" Caroline Forbes peered through the crowd until her eyes caught sight of Elena. "Damon Salvatore? Surely this is a joke of some kind."
"Ask Mason. He introduced them," Tyler shrugged.
"Mr. Lockwood?"
"I know not more than anyone else. I am as baffled as you, Miss Forbes."
"Well, we must get to the bottom of this," Caroline huffed and strode towards the couple.
"This should be interesting," Tyler raised his eyebrows at Mason and they followed.
"My darling Damon, it has been too long," Caroline said in a sugar-sweet voice, focusing entirely on the dark-haired man in the crisp black attire.
"Miss Caroline," he inclined his head and kissed her gloved hand. "I did not see you at the Lockwood Ball."
"Mother was sick, I'm afraid," Caroline pouted.
"I hope she has recovered," Damon said sincerely.
"Oh, yes. It was just her nerves," Caroline rolled her eyes.
Elena was shocked at the display. Not only was Caroline Forbes overly attentive to Damon, she also had the audacity of disparaging her mother's ailing in polite company. Well, perhaps 'polite company' was a poor choice of words in regard to the people of Atlanta Elena had encountered since her arrival.
Damon frowned. Elizabeth Forbes was a good friend of his, she had been of great assistance with David and he had never once heard her complain about 'nerves'. On the contrary, she was quite the empowered woman, in stark contrast to her daughter. Caroline Forbes was the epitome of decadence. He had taken advantage, of course. What man would not? The sort of man Elena would eventually come to marry, most likely.
Yes, Elena had been brazen in proposing marriage, but she oozed decorum and chastity. She had made it perfectly clear that there would be no sharing of bedrooms in their brief future as husband and wife. An unconsummated marriage would be easier to dissolve when the time came.
"Oh, and Miss Gilbert, how delightful to see you again," Caroline said in a fake sweet voice.
"Miss Forbes," Elena inclined her head.
"Damon, mother has been asking about you," Caroline said and hooked her arm into Damon's, pulling him away from Elena. He was about to object when their host approached them.
Elijah Smith glanced at Caroline's and Damon's interlocked arms with disapproval and turned his attention towards Elena. "Miss Gilbert, so kind of you to join us," he smiled and kissed her hand.
Elena curtsied. "Mr. Smith. You have a lovely home."
"Why, thank you. I must admit, though," he said, ushering her aside, "I was quite puzzled to receive word that Damon Salvatore was listed as your escort for the evening."
"How come?"
"Well, I was not aware you had made his acquaintance when I saw you but three days ago."
"That is because I had not, Mr. Smith. Mr. Lockwood was kind enough to introduce us two nights ago."
"I see… but, pray tell me, Miss Gilbert, did you truly find him so agreeable?"
"Whatever do you mean, Mr. Smith?"
"It is not a secret you have many suitors in the city, Miss Gilbert. Why offer your attentions to a gambling man such as Damon Salvatore, so evidently below your station?"
"Perhaps I am of a gambling nature myself, Mr. Smith," Elena said sweetly.
"I find that hard to believe, Miss Gilbert," Elijah said seriously.
"Well, consider this. As you said, I have been most graciously accepted into society here, and many gentlemen have showered me with attention. Mr. Salvatore was a welcome breath of fresh air. He did not speak sweetly to me and was not determined on gaining my approval."
"If we had known it would please you to be accosted, we might have taken a different approach in our wooing," Tyler drawled amused, approaching them.
Elijah frowned in distaste. Tyler Lockwood was a brute, and was only accepted into polite society because of his family's social standing.
"Mr. Lockwood, eavesdropping is quite a display of poor manners," Elijah reprimanded him.
"Well, then I should be in Miss Gilbert's good graces, should I not?" Tyler winked.
"Tyler, that will be enough," Mason said, a hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Miss Gilbert," he turned to Elena and offered her a warm smile.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Lockwood," Elena returned his smile.
"Likewise. Although I must admit I am surprised to see Damon escorted you here this evening."
"Why? After all, you were the one who introduced us."
"How I wish I would have refused," Mason shook his head.
"Not at all, Mr. Lockwood. I believe all worked out for the best."
"Instant attraction, you might say," Damon drawled, coming up to them. He had finally been able to shake Caroline and was eager to show his affection towards Elena.
"Damon," Mason greeted him.
"Mason," he replied with equal politeness. "I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to you, old friend. If it were not for you, I would not have met this charming woman who is soon to be my wife."
"Wife?" Mason choked on his drink.
"It is hasty, I suppose, but why dawdle when you meet the woman of your dreams?" Damon shrugged "I simply could not risk her getting away," he said and took Elena's hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles.
"Well, this is most spectacular," Elijah commented. "I suppose congratulations are in order."
"When does this joyous union take place?" Mason asked.
"As soon as possible. We will be returning to Mystic Falls as soon as we are married."
"Mystic Falls? What on earth for?" Tyler objected.
"It is my family home, and I wish to show my bride where I grew up. She has made me a very happy man to agree to come live with me there."
"But Miss Gilbert, will you not miss Atlanta?" Mason said.
"I am actually quite looking forward to the solitude of the country. I must admit, Atlanta is far too vivacious a city to appeal to my humble taste."
"Well, I doubt you will have much peace with Damon around," Mason said dryly.
"Oh, come now, old friend. You mustn't pout," Damon mocked. "It cannot be helped that two hearts find each other."
"If you'll excuse me," Mason said politely and left with Tyler and Elijah, leaving the couple alone.
"It appears we have stirred up quite a scandal," Damon smirked at Elena.
"Their opinion is of no consequence to me," Elena said coolly. "I cannot wait to leave this city."
"And so you shall, my love. As soon as we have convinced the social elite of our mutual affection," Damon said sweetly and escorted her over to a group of elderly women who were apparently dying to make Elena's acquaintance.