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.

FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE

~ VI ~

They broke apart, having to come up for air, and were left staring at each other. He had caught her by surprise, but she had kissed him back. The revelation of that gave Damon the extra boost of courage he needed to slide the peignoir off her shoulders, leaving her in her dove grey silky gown, trimmed with lace around the neckline.

He moved to stand behind her to kiss her exposed shoulders and slipped his hands around her waist, pressing her back against his chest. Then he started kissing up her neck, nibbling on her ear, where he whispered hoarsely, "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this."

Elena's breathing was ragged and she felt her senses swim in the headiness of his closeness. But his words sparked something in her. A fierceness that caused her to seize his hands and pull them from her body.

"When you were with Katherine in the gardens? When she and Caroline were clinging to you at every single dinner I have had to sit at while they laughed at me behind my back?" Elena hissed, moving away from him.

"There are things you do not know, things I cannot divulge," Damon tried appeasing her.

"Then tell me, Damon! Do not kiss me like you would your mistresses! I am your wife!"

"By your own choosing, I might remind you."

"You accepted."

"That is not the point. You were the one who had the contracts drawn up. You were the one who made it perfectly clear you wanted nothing but my name."

"And I didn't. I don't," Elena shook her head and turned away from his piercing gaze.

"You lie," Damon said, turning her around and cupping her face, forcing her to look at him. "Tell me you feel nothing when I touch you and I will walk out that door right now and never bring it up again."

"I…" Elena was distracted by Damon's lips against her collarbone, his hands running down her arms.

"Hm?"

"I feel…"

"What do you feel, Elena?" he whispered against her neck, planting feather light kisses on her heated skin.

Elena let her head fall back and his hands support her back and neck.

"I feel…"

"Look at me, Elena," he said and tilted her head up, again capturing her lips with his. "Let me look at you," he whispered as he took a step back.

"You are looking at me," Elena said puzzled.

"All of you," Damon said with a look that sent shivers down her spine.

Elena wasn't aware that she nodded almost imperceptibly, but Damon took notice and his hands moved to her shoulders again, sliding off the straps of her nightgown, letting the silky fabric fall to the floor.

Elena shuddered as the cool air in the room came in contact with her exposed skin.

"Don't worry, I'll warm you up," Damon said in a velvety voice that sent yet another shiver down her spine.

"Damon, no… not when…"

"I just want to taste you," he said huskily and let his hands and lips wander down her body.

"What are you…. Oh…."

Elena woke the following morning tangled in her sheets. When she realized she was completely naked, she hastily covered herself. The memories of last night flooded into her consciousness and spread in her body like molten lava. What he did… was positively sinful.

When Emily entered the room, Elena was suddenly very grateful to Damon for slipping out of the bed sometime late last night. Not that her handmaiden would ever say something, but still.

"Did you have a pleasant evening, Mrs. Salvatore?" Caroline raised her eyebrows when Elena descended the stairs at a much later hour than usually.

Elena ignored her and went to see Bonnie to discuss the menu.

"Still very much the Ice Queen, I see," Caroline remarked to Tyler, lounging on the couch, who chuckled at her observation.

"Elena," Stefan approached her as she was exiting the kitchen.

"Good morning, Stefan," she smiled politely. "Or perhaps I shall say 'good afternoon'."

"Yes, time passes so quickly here, does it not? Would you like to join me for a stroll in the gardens?"

"Well, I… um… of course," she accepted.

It was a warm day. The sun was beaming down, the birds were chirping and the bees buzzing. The only part of the garden which offered shade was the gazebo, and so Elena suggested they head there.

"I spent a lot of time here as a young boy," Stefan said as they moseyed along at a leisurely pace. "Damon, Damien and I were inseparable. We always said we would share the estate when we grew up… raise our children here," he said wistfully.

Elena didn't ask questions, but it did not much seem to matter to Stefan, who carried on his narrative.

"But my uncle had different ideas. He lured the estate off my father's hands, so that it would be passed down to his sons alone."

"But surely you do not lack for anything," Elena couldn't help noting.

"Ah, but what is money compared to a family legacy? I intend to buy it, you see, but Damon is refusing to accept my offer. Perhaps you could sway him in the right direction?"

"It is not my place to do so, Stefan."

"But…"

"I would not head in that direction if I were you," Andrea Starr said, approaching them on the narrow path between rose bushes, her skirts sweeping against the greenery.

"Why is that?" Stefan inquired, his brows furrowed.

"I was just out walking, enjoying the sun's rays, when I stumbled across Damon and Katherine in the gazebo. It looked as though they did not wish to be disturbed," she said with an evil grin and headed down a different path, leading away from them.

Elena could see Stefan tense and he headed towards the gazebo to verify Andrea's statement. Elena, however, turned around. She did not wish to see his betrayal.

Tears rising in her eyes, she ran towards the stables. On her way there, she ran right into John.

"Woah, Niece. Where are you off to in such a hurry?" he smirked. "It could not have anything to do with what I just heard about your dear husband and the charming miss Pierce, now would it?"

"Leave me be, Uncle," she said and brushed past him. She could hear him chuckling and she ran even faster.

"Ma'am?" Harper, one of the stable boys, looked up when Elena entered.

"Will you saddle my horse at once, please?"

"Certainly, ma'am," he said and prepared the brown mare.

How fortunate she had not worn a hoop skirt today, Elena thought to herself as she mounted the horse, sliding into the side saddle. This feat would have been impossible.

Elena rode fast, enjoying the wind in her hair, drying her teary eyes and numbing her flushed skin. She was almost at the tavern where they had taken their breakfast the day they arrived before coming to her senses.

She could not leave David behind. He would think she abandoned him, and with John there, spreading his vicious lies… no, she would have to go back. She would endure the humiliation. She would host the party and the guests would be gone, as would Damon.

Elena somehow managed to return undetected, and she instructed Emily to tell the guests she had fallen ill and would not be attending this evening's dinner. It was too soon to face them.

She spent her evening with David and then retreated to her bedroom. She could hear the laughter coming from downstairs. The guests were doing quite well without their hostess.

She had almost fallen asleep when the door creaked open. She held her breath, hoping he would leave, but instead she felt the weight shifting in the bed as he slipped under the covers and pressed up against her.

"Do not touch me," she hissed.

"Elena, please let me explain."

"What is there to explain?" she turned around to face him. "How could you do… that with me and be with her the very next day?"

"It's an act," he blurted out.

"What?"

"I do not want Katherine. I am using her."

"You… disgusting pig," she pushed at his chest, but he caught her hands and held them to his heart.

"Not in that way…. She may have information I need… or at the very least, she will help me make Stefan jealous."

"Stefan again?"

"The reason the estate is mine is that grandfather stipulated that the Salvatore estate be kept in the Salvatore bloodline."

"But Stefan is your cousin," Elena frowned.

"My uncle is not truly a Salvatore. At least that is what I believe."

"I do not follow…"

"It was rumored that my grandmother had an affair with a stable boy, and that is how she became with child. Grandfather forgave her and they soon had another son – my father. If I can prove that Giuseppe was not my grandfather's biological son – or adopted – Stefan will have no claim to the Salvatore fortune."

"It's about money?"

"It's about legacy. I am on the brink of destitution, Elena. Eventually, I will have no choice but to sell this estate and there will be nothing left for David."

Elena nodded in understanding.

"It's also about what I can offer you," Damon said softly, as if it pained him to admit it.

"Me?"

"Why do you think I stayed away for so long, Elena? Yes, I was trying to stay close to Stefan, hoping for a chance to lure him to talk, but I was also trying to avoid the temptation of you. You swept into my life as a breath of fresh air, and I found myself far more affected by your presence than by any woman I had ever encountered. It was torture having you so close to me and yet unable to reach you."

"What are you saying, Damon?"

"I am saying…" he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "…I love you, Elena. I did not believe in love at first sight until the moment you proposed, all proper and brazen at the same time. I fell in love with you then, and I loved you from the moment I saw David asleep in your lap. I had nothing to offer you but myself, and…"

"And you thought that would not be enough?" Elena asked softly, reaching out to caress his cheek. "What a fool you are."

He took her hand and kissed her palm.

"Let me help you," she offered.

"Help me?"

"You have not yet managed to get the truth from Stefan, correct?"

"I was hoping the wine would loosen his tongue, but alas…"

"And you thought he might have shared his secret with Katherine?"

"It is a definite possibility…"

"A woman scorned becomes a man's greatest enemy, is that not true?"

"What are you suggesting?" he frowned.

"Perhaps… if Katherine found herself competing for Stefan's attention…" she bit her lip pensively.

"No! No, I will not allow it," he said fiercely. "Stay away from Stefan."

"But Damon…"

"No," he repeated, "I will not share you with another."

Elena raised her eyebrows. "But I am supposed to endure watching you with Katherine?"

"Elena…"

"Good night, Mr. Salvatore," she said coolly, turning away from him.

When she felt his warmth vacate her bed, she pulled the covers tight and brushed away the tears that insisted on falling.