The Vampire Diaries: Stefan’s Diaries #3: The Craving Read Online Free PDF

of Virginia. The war put a stop to that.”
    “War is good for no one,” Winfield said as he stabbed a piece of bacon with his fork.
    “The war put a stop to much casual travel back and forth between the states,” Margaret added.
    “What’s that to do with anything?” Bridget demanded.
    “Your sister is suggesting that it’s an odd time for me to come north,” I explained. “But my father recently died. . . .”
    “From the war?” Bridget demanded breathlessly. Lydia and Mrs. Sutherland glared at her.
    “Indirectly,” I answered. A war had claimed my father’s life, a war against vampires—against me. “My town . . . it burned, and there was nothing left for me anymore.”
    “So you came north,” Lydia said.
    “To try your hand at business, maybe?” Winfield suggested hopefully.
    Here was a man with three daughters, three beautiful daughters, but no sons. No one to share cigars and brandy with, no one to push and encourage and compete with in the world of business. I was both worried and amused by the gleam in his eye when he looked at me. Surely there were families with sons in Manhattan who would make for more auspicious marital alliances.
    “Whatever I can do, I aim to make my way in the world on my own,” I replied, taking a sip of coffee. I would have to, without Lexi or Katherine to guide me. And if I ever saw Damon again, the only thing he would guide me toward was a newly sharpened stake.
    “Where are you living?” Margaret continued. “Do you have family here?”
    I cleared my throat, but before I had to tell my first real lie, Bridget groaned.
    “Meggie, I’m bored of this interrogation!”
    A hint of a smile bloomed on Lydia’s lips, and she quickly hid it behind her napkin. “What would you prefer to talk about?”
    “Yourself?” Margaret said with an arched brow.
    “Yes, actually!” Bridget said, looking around the table. Her eyes glowed as green as Callie’s, but with her petulance on full display, she no longer reminded me of my lost love. “I still don’t know why I ran out on the party.”
    Margaret rolled her eyes. Lydia shook her head.
    “I mean, you should have seen the looks I got!” she started up, waving her knife in the air for emphasis. “Flora’s dress was the worst, especially considering she’s a newly married woman. And my new sash—oh no, was it ruined last night? I would hate to have it ruined! Mama! Was it on me when Stefan brought me home? We have to go back to the park and look for it!”
    “How about we go back to the park and look for the person who tried to kill you ,” Margaret suggested.
    “We’ve already had a discussion with Inspector Warren about it. He promises a thorough investigation,” Mrs. Sutherland said. “But, Bridget, you must promise not to run off from the Chesters’ ball this evening or I will be forced to stand watch over you in your bedroom.”
    Bridget crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.
    “And neither shall you run off,” Mrs. Sutherland said more pointedly to Lydia. The middle sister blushed.
    “Lydia has fallen in love with an Italian count,” Bridget confided, her pout evaporating as she indulged in gossip. “We all hope he asks her hand in marriage—wouldn’t that be splendid? Then we’d all be like royalty, sort of, and not just rich merchants. Imagine, Lydia a countess!”
    Winfield laughed nervously. “Bridget . . .”
    Bridget fluttered her thick eyelashes. “It’s so wonderful that Lydia has a suitor, much less a count. After Meggie was wed, I was afraid Mother and Papa would become traditional and not let me marry until Lydia did and who knew how long that was going to take.”
    “Lydia is . . . particular,” Mrs. Sutherland said.
    “Oh really, Mama,” Bridget rolled her eyes. “As if anyone even had an interest before. And now she has a count . It’s really . . . it’s really not fair, you know, if you think about it . . . if I had a proper coming out . . .”
    I shifted in my seat,