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: The characters simply refuse to cooperate with me. I finally relented and let them go ahead and make their own stupid decisions. If it were up to me, some people would end up in a barrel filled with piranhas and others would live happily ever after. We'll see how it all works out in the end…
FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE
~ XI ~
"Mason."
"Elena! I mean, Mrs. Salvatore," he corrected himself. "One of the maids was supposed to pack my things, but with the party…" he excused the mess in his room.
"There's no need for that," Elena said, gesturing to the open suitcase on the bed.
"No?"
"You may stay and depart with the rest of your friends."
"Thank you, but…"
"Mason. I need your help. I believe you owe me that much."
"Anything."
"I need a lawyer," Elena said bluntly.
"A lawyer? Of course I'd be happy to help, but…"
"No. I need a specific lawyer. Your father."
"My father? But he doesn't practice law anymore."
"No? Did he retire?"
"He had a stroke. He's in a nursing home."
"Oh," Elena felt the last remaining sliver of hope sink in her chest. "I'm sorry to hear that. Do you visit him often?"
"I do. But his health has deteriorated these last couple of years. He does not recognize me or my brother anymore."
"I see…" Elena sighed.
"If this is about getting a divorce…" Mason said tentatively.
"No. It is not."
"Why did you wish to contact my father?"
"It's a private matter."
"Well, I can promise you full discretion on my part."
"I caught you in a blatant lie moments ago, Mason. I cannot possibly trust you with my private affairs."
"I let greed cloud my judgment, and for that I am deeply sorry."
"What did John promise you?" Elena looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"New clients. Our practice has been less lucrative as of late, and with my brother's many indiscretions and the funds that have needed to be allocated for maintaining a respectable image… our pockets may be deep, but they are not abyssal."
"So it was all for money… Tell me, did you pursue me in Atlanta for my wealth, as well?"
"When I first heard of you in Atlanta, I was intrigued. Your fortune was a major selling point for making your acquaintance. But when I met you… when we spoke… I was not after your money."
"You know… the irony of it all is that had you succeeded in breaking up my marriage, I would have lost control of my wealth to John. It was a stipulation to my uncle's will that I marry. Without a husband, John is free to squander my inheritance."
"You could have married me…"
"I suppose… but it would have taken some time before the divorce came through and we could be wed. John would have put the funds to not-so-good use in that time. Also, you are under the supposition that I would want to marry a man who broke up my marriage to a man I love."
"But if you married him for money…"
"I did not say I did."
"I do not believe that. It was part of the reason I agreed to John's plan. He never said a word about your inheritance; he merely expressed concern that you had married a scoundrel who would never give you the life you deserve."
"Pfft," Elena scoffed. "John does not care for anyone's well-being but his own."
"I am sorry I believed his reasons were honest, but please believe I had your best interest at heart."
"I do believe you did not wish to harm me, Mason," Elena sighed. "It does not change the fact that you attempted to break up my marriage. For your own sake, I believe it is best if you leave without saying your farewells to Damon."
"Did you not just say I did not need to leave?"
"You can depart in the morning. I do not wish to run you out of town, Mason, but you must understand you cannot remain in this house when you have professed your feelings for me so ardently," Elena said and turned to leave.
"Is there anything I can do to change your opinion of me?"
His voice was so sincere, almost desperate. Elena bit her lip. He was giving her a unique opportunity. Could she really play this game? Could she really sink to John's level and toy with this man's heart? Elena took a deep breath and turned around.
"I have been misleading you, Mason," she said in a fragile voice, her eyes downcast so that he could not see the shame in them.
"Elena?"
"You were right about me and Damon. I did marry him to gain control of my inheritance, and I have regretted every minute of it."
"Oh, Elena…"
Elena ignored him and walked over to the window. "He will not let me go. He needs the money and he will not grant me a divorce… if only he had access to his own fortune… I would be free."
"The Salvatore fortune? The one Davide left to Giuseppe?"
"Giuseppe was adopted, according to some papers your father had verified, but from what Damon's learned, there is a good chance those papers were forged. I had hoped to get in contact with your father to plead with him to tell the truth. It is the only way I will be free…"
Elena had tears in her eyes, not to support the charade, but out of true anguish over what she had become. Lying and scheming to get what she wanted. It was not a proud moment.
Elena held back a shudder when Mason came up behind her and placed his hands on her bare arms. "I can help you," he whispered in her ear and Elena's heart skipped a beat.
"You can? How?" her voice trembled slightly.
"Not many people know this, but…"
"Mason! Where did you run off to?" a voice boomed from the doorway as the door flung open. When Mason turned around, the intruder spotted Elena. "Oh… my apologies, Mrs. Salvatore," he chuckled and closed the door.
"My nephew… perfect timing," Mason rolled his eyes.
"You cannot let him tell Damon!" Elena exclaimed, her eyes widened in fear.
"Tyler? He won't. He will tell Caroline, and she will tell Katherine, and she will tell Damon."
"Mason, you must stop him!"
"Why? Perhaps it will sway him to give you a divorce."
"No, it will not. It will only anger him…"
"Do you fear him, Elena?" Mason stepped closer, searching her face.
Elena looked away. "I should get back to my guests…"
"I will not let him hurt you," Mason said fiercely.
"If you truly wish to help me, Mason, help me find out the truth about Davide Salvatore's will and Giuseppe's adoption," Elena said and picked up her skirts.
"Meet me in the stables when the last of your guests have gone," he whispered as he held the door open for her.
Elena hurried downstairs to find Damon and take his side as they said goodnight to their guests.
Damon had made a friend in Alaric Saltzman, and they agreed that they should all have dinner at some point in the near future. The mayor and his wife were the last to leave, and when the door closed, Damon and Elena were left alone in the parlor.
The Atlanta guests had all gathered in the library, where a card game was now in progress. With John gone and Mason keeping to his room, Stefan and Tyler had invited Andrea and Caroline to play. Katherine was, as always, observing.
"How did it go?" Damon said in a low voice as they headed upstairs arm in arm.
Elena shook her head, putting a finger to her lips. Damon nodded in understanding and waited for the door to his bedroom to close before speaking again.
"Tell me."
"Mason's father is in a nursing home after a stroke. He doesn't recognize his family anymore."
"Damn it," Damon growled.
"There's more…"
"What do you mean there's more?"
"I thought that was it… that our last hope was gone, but then he asked if there was anything he could do to change my opinion of him… I… I lied to him."
"What did you say?"
"I made him think… I told him I wanted out of my marriage but you wouldn't let me until you could get your hands on the Salvatore fortune."
"And what did he say to that?"
"He said he had something to tell me, but we were interrupted. He's expecting me to meet him in the stables tonight."
"Out of the question," Damon said determinedly.
"Damon… this could be our only chance…"
"I will not let you meet with him alone, Elena."
"Let? Perhaps I do not need to pretend you are controlling me," Elena huffed and turned to walk back out the door.
"Wait."
"What?" she sighed tiredly.
"Let me come with you."
"That would defeat the purpose."
"What purpose? To seduce him?"
"I will not let it go too far."
"It has already gone too far! He kissed you! In our home! What do you suppose he'll do if he gets you alone in the dark?"
"What did you do with Katherine?"
"That is not the point."
"Yes, it is. I feel guilty enough as it is, Damon. I hate being deceitful. But I am doing this for you. You said you would trust me. I am holding you to your word."
"Promise me one thing," he said, cupping her face.
"Anything, my love."
"If he tries anything, you will scream."
"As if I were stung by a bee," she agreed.
"Good," he said and kissed her forehead.
Elena looked at him, confused at the gesture.
"I'm saving the rest for when you get back," he smirked.
"Mason."
"You came," he said, almost incredulous.
"I do not have much time," Elena said in a low voice, looking around as if she was worried about eavesdroppers. "What were you going to tell me earlier?"
"Right… yes… not many know that Elijah Smith helped my father at his office."
"Elijah is a lawyer, too?"
"No. He was studying to become one, but apparently something made him change his mind."
"You think the time he spent in your father's practice had anything to do with that?"
"My father was not an honorable man by any means, but Elijah never gave a reason to why he chose a different path. If the documents were indeed forged, he might know something."
"If that were true, would he not have spoken up?"
"He despises Damon and Stefan both. I can imagine he would prefer to see them tear each other apart rather than offer his assistance."
"Why does he hate them so?"
"I cannot be sure, but I believe Miss Pierce played a hand in that particular animosity."
"Katherine? What can possibly be so appealing about her that it can make men bitter enemies?" Elena said exasperated, almost to herself.
"Are not all men fools when it comes to women?"Mason sighed.
"Do you think he would come if I asked?" Elena said, avoiding the subject of men and women.
"To Damon's house? No, I cannot imagine he would."
"We would need to return to Atlanta, then…" Elena mused, biting her lip.
"We could leave right away," Mason said, suddenly enthused.
"No, I could not possibly leave without saying something to Damon – and to David."
"You do not have to answer to him, Elena. I understand you are fond of the boy, but he will not be sad forever. You, however, will be if you stay here."
"I cannot leave our guests…"
"You do not have to answer to them, either, Elena. You have been a gracious hostess and have endured such bad behavior from us all."
"I will leave in the morning," Elena conceded. "But I am still a married woman, and if we shall be traveling together, I expect you to respect that."
"I promise you, I will not behave badly," he said, his hands raised.
"Very well, I shall meet you at daybreak. Have Harper prepare the horses and a carriage."
"Until tomorrow, then," Mason smiled and kissed her hand.
"Goodnight, Mason," she said and picked up her skirts, hurrying back into the house.
Elena had barely closed the door to her bedroom before the connecting door to the master bedroom opened.
"What did he say?"
"Elijah Smith might know something. I must go to Atlanta to see him."
"Very well, I will go with you."
"You must stay with David, and our guests."
"Do not tell me you are going with Mason."
"What other choice do we have?"
"Forget the inheritance. I don't want it."
"Damon…"
"I would rather live in a poorhouse with you than in a mansion without you."
"It is not about me, Damon. It's about David and his future. And no, we would not need to live in a poorhouse. My inheritance will keep us afloat for many years to come."
"I do not wish you to waste your money on me, Elena."
"It is not a waste, my love," Elena said and caressed his cheek.
"When do you leave for Atlanta?" he sighed.
"At daybreak."
"You will have time to rest in the carriage, then."
"I expect so. Why?"
"Because…" Damon said and placed a feather light kiss on her collarbone, "I have no intention of letting you get a moment's sleep tonight."