Disclaimer: I own nothing of POTO...well that's done =) so here we go *fingers crossed* A TALE NEVER TOLD
CHAPTER ONE:
A brief nod from the receptionist told Gustave Daae that he was allowed into the room. He entered and was met by an old friend who was also the manager of The Clarkson Bank. He was sitting in a chair, signing documents that were scattered around his desk.
"Richard?" whispered Gustave.
The clerk looked up and barely recognised the man who stood before him now. A man who once ran a very successful business and now he was going to the dogs. In the past few years the business has been making less and less each year, resulting in Gustave taking on many debts – most of which he couldn't pay. He could already tell where this conversation was going and did not want to lose an old friend, a friend who stood by him in the years of his life where he needed support. In fact it was this man who made it possible for him to have the job he currently had.
"Gustave! My old friend. It has been so long." Richard stood and greeted Gustave. He then gestured for him to sit in the chair opposite from him. An awkward silence filled the room just for one moment as they both wondered how to start the conversation. "Well what can I do for you?"
"Richard, you know of my financial needs already and because of that I am going to cut straight to the point. I need to extend a loan and possibly delay the payments to come." Gustave looked the man into the eyes. He knew that there is very little chance of this happening and yet he held on to the hope that it might.
"Gustave, I cannot. Not without the risk of losing my job. I'm sorry." Richard looked away, not being able to look at Gustave in the face.
"Please. What am I to do if you do not grant me this loan? Please I will do anything. Anything." Gustave was at breaking point. Several thoughts ran through his head at once, many of them resulting in him and his two beloved daughters living on the streets with no possession of keep.
Richard looked at the man before him – if you could call him a man. He just wanted to help his friend so much, but did not know what to do. Gustave and his two daughters would be forced out of their home within the next month if payments are not made, as well as his friend going to jail. If he did, what would become of his two daughters? That's when the thought occurred to him.
"Gustave! Stop that at once! What has become of you? Think of your dignity!" Gustave looked at Richard in silence – not knowing what to do. "You have two daughters – am I correct?" Gustave nodded. "How old is the eldest?"
"She will turn 20 this autumn." Gustave was wondering where the man was going with this and then it occurred to him, marry Christine off. Marry Christine off? I could not do that. I wouldn't do that. If I did, I would be disrespecting their Mother's last wish, that he would let Christine and Amelia marry a suitable man of their choosing. "No Richard, I cannot and will not do that." The cheek of this man to suggest such a thing!
"Gustave, you know this makes perfect sense. It is the only way you can get you out of your debts. I'm sure if you explained it to your daughter, she'll understand." Richard was silent for a minute, allowing that to sink in. "Think about your daughters, do you really want them to live on the streets? At least by marrying one daughter you will be able to know that there is also a home for the second should anything happen to you. She is already 2 years above the average age of a married woman. Imagine if something happened to you, all they would be left with, is your debts and no home, no future-"
"But-" Gustave started, but was quickly interrupted by Richard.
"There is a bachelor; he is not far from this town. Rumour has it, he is searching for a bride and not only that, he will be able to pay off your debt and offer your daughter a life of luxury." Richard took a deep sigh. "Meet me back here in an hour. I will see if the rumours are true as well as discuss the details."
Richard looked at his watch. It should be this time when she comes to the market and then he saw her.
"Madame Giry!" Richard ran to catch up with her. "MADAME GIRY!" he shouted again which caused her to stop.
"Mr Becket, is anything wrong?" Madame Giry asked completely confused to as to why Mr Becket was pursuing her.
"Is it true? Is Lord Leroux searching for a bride?" He asked panting feel disastrously out of breath.
"Bride?" Where on earth did this come from? Lord Erik married? She could not imagine him being married, but an idea was already forming in her mind. If he married he may come out of that God forsaken room more often, also it would be good for Angelina to have a mother. Yes he would be married. Why hadn't she thought of the idea? "Why yes, but he has not found a suited prospect yet. Why have you any?" she asked with a small smile.
"Yes well, a very dear friend of mine has a lovely daughter. She is to turn 20 later this autumn. He owns a business and I know for a fact that she has been raised in good environment-"
"Mr Becket, how about we go to the café over there and talk this over a good cup of tea?" She gestured to the café over the road, "Don't you think?"
"Yes. Of course, right this way then Madame." He nodded for her to lead the way.
Once they reached the outside of the café. Richard opened the door of the café, holding it open for Madame Giry to walk in before he slipped into the building himself. Once inside they were shown to a table at the back where there were it was private. Richard waited for Madame Giry to sit before he did so himself.
"What would you like Madame Giry?" Richard asked politely.
"Cup of tea with slice of carrot cake please." She replied after looking at the menu.
"And I too would like a slice of carrot cake with a strong cup of coffee please." Richard told the waiter who was waiting by their table. The waiter nodded and walked away to collect their orders.
"So, now I would like to know more about the family of course." Madame Giry asked curiously.
"Well, the father is Gustave Daae. He owns a business that was successful and is now in the verge of ruin. I have suggested to him to marry off his eldest daughter Christine who is 19 presently. She has a younger sister named Amelia. Their mother died 7 years after the birth of Amelia due to a severe fever one late winter night. After that I think that Christine has brought her sister up as well as look after the threshold."
All the while Richard was speaking, Madame Giry couldn't help but think that Christine has had experience bringing a child up, but there was still the matter of-
"Now I am guessing the dowry is going to be how much the business needs to get out of ruin? Am I correct?" Madame Giry questioned.
"Well yes, but I am not aware of how much it is you see. I am to meet Gustave in 10 minutes, perhaps if I send someone over to the bank and tell them to lead him here?"
"Yes, do that."
Richard then got up and went to the desk of the café. He asked for a piece of paper and pen and wrote:
Gustave,
It is true that he is marrying.
You should come to the café just opposite the butchers as soon as you have read this.
Richard
"Could one of you go to The Clarkson Bank and give this a Gustave Daae? You may have to wait a while, but none the less make sure he gets this note. I will give 15 pence now and 15 pence later when you have escorted him back here." He looked at the young waiter who merely nodded and then walked out of the door carrying the note.
15 minutes later the waiter came back bringing with him Gustave.
"Gustave there you are!" Richard exclaimed when he saw his friend, "Come over here and let me introduce you to Madame Giry, she is the head of housekeeping at Castle North." He then looked over to Madame Giry. "This is Gustave Daae." They both mutely nodded towards each other. While in the meantime Richard passed the waiter the money he owed.
"Excuse me, but I have to go back to work – papers don't sign themselves!" Richard boomed and then left the café without another word.
An awkward silence filled the room. Madame Giry looked at the man sitting in front of her. He didn't seem like a man who was filled with greed but instead one who was very genuine.
"You are Gustave Daae, no?" she asked wanting to get the man to talk.
"Yes, that is I, Gustave Daae. I am sure that Richard has informed you of my business status and that I am looking for suitable suitor for my daughter, Christine." Madame Giry suspected a tone of failure – maybe failure towards his daughter?
"Yes, I was also told you have a younger daughter named Amelia?" She looked at Gustave to receive a brief nod. "And would you mind telling me, who has looked after Christine and Amelia since your other half has passed away?"
"Well Amelia was aged 7 and Christine 12 when Elizabeth passed away. Since then…"Gustave paused, taking a moment to think "…well I guess Christine took on the responsibility of caring for Amelia for the most part. I think she felt that it brought her closer to her Mother in a way. She also took on the responsibility of the house as well as the cooking."
"I see." Madame Giry replied. She couldn't think of anyone better for Erik to marry. "I guess it is my turn now. I work for Lord Erik Destler. I am the head of housekeeping at Castle North. He is just person and has designed architecture for many people, such as the Duke of Nottingham. He is also the strategist adviser of The King of England and he also has the task of looking after the North of England. Anything else you wish to know Sir Daae?" Madame Giry asked.
Gustave Daae fell silent for a moment, taking in all the information that he was given. This man seemed to have a lot of power and all the requirements needed for his daughter to live the rest of her life would be met. Everything except love – but love could grow, couldn't it? That is what he hoped, for his daughter. He gave a nod to Madame Giry letting her know that she could carry on.
"Now the dowry, I am assuming the amount is whatever you will need to get your business out of ruin?" She looked at Gustave to receive another nod. "How much are we talking about?"
"Well, you see I also have quite a few debts that will need to be paid to see that my business is refurbished, if you know what I mean." He looked Madame Giry in the eyes. "I am need of £100,000."
"Done, I look forward to our next meeting. You are to go retrieve your daughters and bring them to The Castle of the North as soon as you can." Madame Giry gathered her things, getting ready to leave but just before she left the building she looked back. "I am sorry about your financial problem. I can see that your daughters mean very much to you. The wedding is to happen the beginning of next week. Also, I have forgotten to mention that Lord Leroux has a young daughter Angelina aged 6 and Lord Destler himself is a little different. Now I must leave you Sir Daae." With that she left, without giving Gustave a chance to speak.
He knew that there was a catch. Was Lord Destler crippled? Old maybe? And also a daughter – but where from? He wondered. Then the thought occurred to him, he now had to go home to tell his daughters of what is to happen. His daughter to be married next week!
It's my first POTO story thing so hoping that it all goes well =)