The Devil In Me

Chapter 21

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"How are you feeling this morning, brother?" Elijah asked as he accepted tea at breakfast and looked over at his younger brother, slumped in his chair. Klaus gripped his head, pounding for lack of slept instead of too much drink for once. Caroline haunted his dreams and he found night the most unrestful time. Elijah, deciding that he was to receive no answer turned to his food.

"Have you decided when to depart? I am sure Caroline will be worried over your absence."

"I would not be too sure" Klaus muttered with a grim smile. Elijah caught the defeated expression on his face, and set his cup down.

"Niklaus, you know you are always welcome as my guest, however, I cannot condone this... this hiding from reality any longer. You must address the issues between Caroline and you, and resolve them. Do not forget brother, you promised to make her happy, and you are far from it presently." Elijah finished seeing Klaus clench his eyes shut, rubbing a hand over his face.

"As it is, I'm afraid I will not be home much longer to host you"

"Why? Where are you going?

"Europe, for the business. I leave tomorrow"

"And you did not think to tell me this before?" Klaus asked irritably

"I saw no need, I had assumed you would have found the courage to return home by now" Elijah said, raising an eyebrow at him, and hiding his smile as Klaus's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Niklaus, you cannot stay here, staring at walls and snapping at everyone, when there is a very real woman waiting for you at home."

"Again, you misinterpret. I am sure she is relishing each and every day without me."

"Well, that may be the case, but you will not know until you go home." Elijah said with a sense of finality and Klaus knew he was right. He had to return, and face his wife, for as long as she may continue to be so. But the longer he stayed away, prolonged the inevitable, the longer he could delude himself that all might be forgiven.

As he wiped his mouth a servant entered, carrying a message on a tray, he quickly passed it to Elijah.

"It is from Rebekah. Mrs Saltzman has been secluded for the birth of her child. It should come quickly from now." he surmised scanning the contents.

"You must return home, and escort Caroline to London. They are family to her." Elijah said firmly.

"Of course, I shall depart immediately" Klaus said, this mind already racing ahead to Caroline and her reaction, how long it would take them to reach the capital. A small voice whispered in his ear, that now, she would be going back to the city... with all it's temptations, he would have no chance to win her over in his isolated estate, where the deck was as stacked in his favour as it ever would be, as little as it seemed to be when it came to her. Yet, the more reasonable voice knew he must take her, and that Caroline would not want to miss such an important event for her family,and he could no longer be selfish with her.

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Caroline had watched him go, tears falling, then she had got into bed, with her heartbreak and tears and slept for two days. Now, eating breakfast on the terrace, her eyes kept going to the stables and she quickly averted them, when she realised who she was waiting to see. She was tired of feeling sad and hiding in her room, if the servants had opinions about her and Klaus, they could keep them to themselves, she thought, as she investigated the estate and tried to make herself feel at home.