The Devil In Me

Chapter 13

"Is this really necessary?" Klaus said, irritated by Kol's ministrations. Kol stepped back, regarding his handiwork.

"You should know, you cannot reach my level of perfection without some effort." he said with a laugh, indicating to his valet a change of jacket. Klaus sighed and held his arm out. He had been allowing his brother to change his clothes, and play with his appearance like a doll for at least an hour.

"There, I think that should do it." Kol finally pronounced, turning Klaus to the mirror. Klaus fought the urge to roll his eyes, and instead plastered a smile on his face. He was more dandified than ever, with every line perfect, starched and buttoned. His blue overcoat, cream waistcoat and starched cravat were immaculate, even his boots were gleaming.

"Now, what of his hair?"

"Kol, you are making me sympathise for Mr Beau Brummel." Klaus said through clenched teeth.

"That man could primp all day, and not be as handsome as us Mikaelsons" Kol scoffed. The valet approached with a hair brush and withered under Klaus's glare.

"Fine, let's not bother him further. His hair is probably a lost cause anyway." Kol said with a grin.

"Now, I have had some flowers delivered, which we shall take with us. And, a likeness of the horse drawn."

"It is too much, she will find it desperate" Klaus said, fighting the urge to loosen his cravat.

"No, she will find it romantic. You told her yourself she confessed to a lack of riding experience, despite a love of horses. What could she want more, than her own horse?" Klaus braced his hands on his dressing table, and took a deep breath. He desperately longed for a drink, but Kol had had all alcohol removed from his rooms, citing his temper as the cause for it. Klaus reluctantly agreed, the first place he took refuge was in a drink, and usually things rapidly deteriorated from there.

"Let's go and woo your fiance." Kol announced cheerfully, slapping his brother on the back.

"Against her wishes" Klaus reminded him darkly

"Well, that is why we come bearing gifts." Kol said, straining to keep up his positive cheer. Truthfully, the echoes of the awful night, that he was sure he would never forget, kept haunting him. He could see no way to make it up to Caroline, than to turn his brother into a man worthy of her, a process he had no idea, was even possible.

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As they sat in the drawing room, he began to feel his impatience build. Where was she, and why was it taking so long? Was she flat out refusing to see him? He wouldn't be surprised, considering the last time he had called.

The clock ticked, and Kol cleared his throat nervously. They had been informed that Mr and Mrs Pierce were not at home, though the daughters were. His foot started to tap. He had seen his brother's face light up, upon hearing that Isobel and John were not present, and he could stand sitting next to him no longer.

"Well, off you go to the kitchens then, and be quick about it." Klaus growled and watched as Kol bounded out the room. Standing up, he started to pace the room, nervously. A small creak from the door had him whirling around, and he spied the small face of the maid he had rather scared on his last visit. She saw him, squeaked with alarm and disappeared out the door. Going after her, he caught up with her in the hall, grabbing her arm to stop her flight.

"Please, I am not here to harm you..." he said as she quivered under his touch.

"I am here to see Miss Forbes." he saw the nervous way the girl dropped his eyes at her name.