The Devil In Me

Chapter 33

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October 1812

It was the type of Autumnal day that was written of in story books. The leaves were orange and red, crisp in the slightly breeze. The sky, a beautiful blue, cloudless, and though the air held a nip in it, it was welcome.

Caroline strode to the stables and readied her treats as she went. As she came closer, the sound of Lelantos and Theia, greeting her made her smile. She went to each one, stroking them, speaking to them and feeding them their daily treats. Theia was her treasure, and she rode her almost every day. Lelantos, she had more trouble with, finding someone who could keep their seat on him. If he missed his master, however, he did not show it, instead showering his hard won affection on Caroline. She had thought about selling him, but could never bring herself to do so. She reasoned that she would be depriving herself of seeing Kol attempt to ride him sporadically, which was worth the cost of the upkeep alone. She thought a lot of bills and upkeep these days. Whilst she lived inexpensively, a virtual recluse from society, she did not like to be a burden on her family. The remaining Mikaelsons had become brothers and sisters to her, and Katherine and Bonnie, who had remained in England, even after the Pierces had been called home.

She left the stables and followed her usual route, down to the river along it, and back toward the main house. It was so imposing , Mikaelson manor, with far more land than any of them ever needed, unlike Westmere, her mind shied away from the thought. She never thought of Westmere any more, it was too painful. The intimate house, the cozy grounds, she wished to forget it, forget all of it... to suffer less the pangs of nostalgia that sometimes crippled her.

As she came closer to the house, she saw Rebekah waving on the terrace. She strode faster.

"Elijah has arrived, he has news!" Rebekah called and Caroline pulled off her hat and gloves as she went. Stopping inside the house, she pulled off her riding boots, now lashed in mud and slide on slippers, and then hurried through the house to the drawing room.

Entering she saw that Katherine and Kol had already gathered. Rebekah appeared behind her, and they sat down together. Elijah smiled at her tiredly as she came in. He too was a changed man in the time since his father's death. Running the estate, and managing the family business, whilst trying to clear his brother's name had left him little time for anything else. Caroline glanced at Katherine, who was pouring him tea, and thought how she had changed. Seemingly content with waiting for a proposal, Katherine had committed her life to the Mikaelsons and Caroline, and spent all her time with them. One of them, in every way except name, Caroline wondered how long Elijah could continue neglecting his own happiness, how long she could let him.

"Thank you, my dear" he murmured to Katherine, pressing a kiss on her departing hand as she set the tea in front of him. He sat back and looked at the assembled group.

"Well, do not keep us in suspense!" Rebekah whined. Damon had been called to America for business, and after her father's death, they had decided to postpone the wedding. She claimed it merely gave her more time for planning, yet that too must be taking it's toll, Caroline thought wearily.

"Of course sister, allow a man to catch his breath" Elijah said, massaging his brow.

"I have spoken with the magistrate and the chief of the Bow Street runners, they have agreed to let us present our own evidence as well as re-examine that produced by former runner Mr Vaughn."

"Excellent news, is it not!" Kol exclaimed, beaming. Elijah nodded carefully, and looked to Caroline.

"It certainly is, however, the next stage, our key defence will rest on you Caroline... will you make your testimonial in person?"