1863 Mystic Falls, Virginia, was no place of grandeur. Not for women, at least. I am lucky my father, a respected businessman, ensured that money was no issue for my family. As a woman, my life revolved around the expectations of household chores sewing, cooking, fetching water on occasion. Meanwhile, my brothers, had far more freedom. They could roam freely, getting lost in the fields or lakes, spending entire days doing as they pleased. They were kind to me. Stefan gentle, Damon protective. They were reckless, careless even, despite being older. Their minds blurred when it came to beautiful women