Jackson Palmenter married Lillian Graves/Lillian Palmenter (60)

Had daughter Georgina who married Magnus Stern. Georgina and Magnus Stern deceased.

Tamara (I like to pronounce it Tam uh rah) Stern/23 daughter of Magnus and Georgina

Rutherford Taylor-Lillian's lawyer Henry (Rutherford's father/deceased)

David Carmichael/Tamara's assistant/Lauren Michaels David's fiancée

Grandmother's Opera Ghost

Chapter One

Setting the Stage

When she had awoken this morning nothing had indicated that today would be a day that set in motion things that would take her life in a direction she had not hitherto seen coming. Tamara Stern a lovely young woman of above average intelligence and possessing a tender heart she kept well hidden, readied herself for the day ahead without any hint of any monumental changes about to occur in her life.

Dressing in an attractive trim lined suit of grey, she stepped out onto the pavement in front of her house not doubting the cab would be there as it always was. A well ordered life was something she demanded now that she had control of things around her and had put nonsensical ideas of what life was behind her. Being well ordered and intelligent did not mean she was not open to advances from young men or that she did not crave the same life that other women wanted, marriage, children, and love. Not necessarily in that order but she did want those things despite being a successful business woman at least privately. Everyone knew she was the power behind the business but let Tamara let her assistant, David Carmichael take the credit officially for the increase in revenue due to wise purchases on the stock market as well as private enterprise.

When she stepped into her office the first thing Tamara heard from David was that a request for her presence in the office of Rutherford Taylor had been requested. The note sent round had stated the utmost urgency prompted the request. The last part she thought had been added lest she consider ignoring the note. Any hint that the visit would be social and Tamara would not hesitate to deny him a second of her time. Rutherford knew this all too well so Tamara could only think this must have something to do with her grandmother. For him to request her personally did not bode well. Knowing how freehanded her grandmother had always been with her money she surmised there had been some entanglement about an expenditure Grandmother Lily had wanted to make. Rutherford couldn't deny releasing funding but he could make it difficult for her grandmother.

There were times when Tamara thought her Grandfather Magnus should have made stricter guidelines in his will concerning overseeing the estate. His trust in Rutherford's father had been well placed but the same could not be said for the son. He had wanted Lillian to have say in how her money was to be spent. Trust in her grandmother's judgment and his love for her had led him to make no real stipulation on her expenditures. As far as Tamara knew her grandmother had not ever taken any advice concerning where she placed her funds. Even her own granddaughter held no sway over any decision concerning money matters.

Not knowing a drastic change in her circumstances was about to occur, Tamara hailed a cab then traveled across town with a little bit of trepidation for what she might hear. In the past her grandmother had been less than a sound judge of character in those she dealt with daily or with business dealings in any sense. Lillian's philosophy had always been give to others and it will be returned a thousand fold. A little naïve in Tamara's opinion but a sweet outlook to have if one were in the position to live in that manner.

Rutherford had been waiting in the foray of his office building pacing back and forth. He had dismissed his assistant as he wished to greet Tamara personally. He could hardly keep his anticipation in check for what the next few minutes would reveal to this overly confident woman who rejected his advances on a regular basis. He would soon have the last laugh and perhaps Miss High and Mighty Tamara Stern groveling at his feet begging for a handout. That brought an evil glint to his eye and an insincere smile to his lips. He took pleasure in other's pain and held no kind regard for anyone he considered beneath his social status.

When Tamara arrived Rutherford felt his inside roil with anger to see her wearing her customary gloves whenever there would be any chance of them meeting. Being denied the opportunity to feel her flesh against his own made it all the more desirable to feel with his lips or even the palm of his hand. He felt pathetic to want such a small gesture from her when she wanted not to even be in his presence at all. He kept promising himself that one day he would have her under his thumb and make her pay. He did not know how this would come about exactly but he did have an idea what he wished would happen.

Once behind closed doors in his office he made short work about informing Tamara just what lunacy her grandmother had committed this time. He could have stopped this latest endeavor with a few well chosen legal maneuvers but it had fit better into his plan to let the disaster that would surely come happen of its own accord.

Tamara sat across the long expanse of desktop looking on in disbelief as her grandmother's lawyer, Rutherford Taylor, informed her of her grandmother's recent lack in judgment. Never really liking this man he now took on the persona of the devil incarnate. Really she couldn't blame him entirely for her grandmother's present predicament but in the past she and Rutherford's father had an understanding that if Lillian came close to beggaring herself steps would be taken to curtail her current spending. With his father's passing Rutherford had become the executor of her grandfather's estate taking over for his father.

Giving money to everyone who presented themselves as a lost soul had been a bone of contention between granddaughter and grandmother. Tamara did not mind helping where help had been needed but many who came to her grandmother had been charlatans. Her grandmother lacked judgment when it came to those who presented themselves as the downtrodden. It never occurred to her that some people lie about that just to remove funds from those who have the money to give.

Not needing the funds, Tamara did not object to her grandmother, Lillian Palmenter, spending her own money as she pleased, within reason. The last few years Grandmother Lily had been going through the funds left to her by her husband Jackson Palmenter, as if there would be no end.

She had still had enough to live comfortably until this last fiasco. What had possessed her grandmother to do something so ridiculous as to purchase an opera house sight unseen? To make matters worse it was located in Paris, France and rumored to have been haunted by a ghost or a man pretending to be a ghost. The lunatic had nearly destroyed the place when he cut loose the chandelier during a performance with a packed house of patrons attending.

Rutherford wore the smug look that Tamara always wanted to wipe off his face with a well placed slap. Propriety and good manners forbade her from exercising any such wish but her imagination could be very fertile at times.

It had not escaped her notice that for some odd reason Rutherford had it in his head that he would pursue Tamara romantically. Thus far she had been able to avoid any intimate moments by making sure her grandmother or others had always been near when she felt that a meeting with the dratted man seemed a possibility. His presence at several functions had curtailed Tamara's own enjoyment as she had to play cat and mouse all evening in order to avoid having to accept an invitation to dance. Her skin crawled just thinking about him touching her in any other way than the customary handshake. Knowing Rutherford would take that opportunity to place a kiss on her hand she always made sure she wore gloves when seeking his council at his office. In public she did her best to make herself scarce to avoid him. That did make it hard to find partners during social gatherings which added to the man's long list of reasons for disliking him.

The self-satisfied grin pasted on Rutherford sallow faced and squint-eyed look removed any doubt in her mind that the initial impression she had of him still remained her best decision in terms of his character or rather lack thereof. It galled her that this man was privy to so much information about her family and her grandmother in particular.

From the beginning Tamara had disliked Rutherford when his father had introduced them. He had looked oily and not just his hair. His look of dishonesty brought forth the reminder that she had meant to ask about the years past finances concerning her grandmother. It had been a while since Tamara had taken a look at her grandmother's portfolio. Even with spending an exorbitant amount on that ill judged purchase of an opera house there should still be a substantial fortune remaining. Contradictorily Rutherford had stated there was only a pittance remaining. She would make getting to the bottom of this her first priority. Her own investments would be safe in the hands of her assistant for a while. Tamara smelled a rat and not of the four legged variety.

With seeming calm Rutherford eyed Tamara as if she were a delicious delicacy set before him to savor at his leisure. What he wouldn't give to knock her down a peg or two. Her family may have wealth but his family had both wealth and good standing among the elite. Just one word from him could open many doors for a young woman looking to advance her position among the upper social stratus.

If he had not been dipping his hand in the till he would say to hell with her. She had already mentioned the files once. Knowing her bulldog attitude he doubted she would forget or change her mind about taking a long look over every minute detail. If only Lillian had not been so stupid as to purchase that damn opera house things could have gone on a bit longer. Now he would have to do some fancy footwork to cover his criminal activities. It galled him that his father had left him with a miserly monthly allotment of funds. For some commoner who cared nothing for the finer things in life perhaps the paltry sum would have sufficed but keeping up a lifestyle he enjoyed immensely had become more than his pocket could cover.

It would not do to let things slip into mere adequate necessities. Once the vultures among the snobbish crowd smelled blood in the water they moved in for the kill. He'd not be made a laughing stock by a mere woman. One way or another he would have Tamara as his wife. Once they were joined in holy matrimony only then could he let his true feelings about her shine threw. He had never hated anyone before but could honestly say what he felt toward Tamara felt like hate.

Never would he admit to himself that he had always been extremely jealous of her. His father had always spoken of her as if she were some beacon of shining light with all the correct virtues while his own son only earned a mediocre well done once in a while and halfheartedly spoken at best. He would have her then discard her in some very public and cruel way. Just imaging such a thing brought a tightlipped smile to his mouth. The smile did not reach his eyes. What glowed in those dark brown nearly black eyes was an emotion far removed from any Tamara had received from anyone in her life. Luckily for Rutherford Tamara's attention had been more on the contract for the sale of L'Opéra Populaire than on anything to do with him.

Bidding Rutherford a farewell with a reminder to gather all the paperwork detailing the Palmenter estate business, she took her leave of him. She didn't breathe properly until she reached the street outside the office building. Even the noise of people, horses and the trolley mixed with all manner of smells felt better than being cloistered in an office with that oily, cold-blooded snake Rutherford.

Absently Tamara rubbed the back of her gloved hand along her skirt. She wanted to wipe away any remainder of the man from her person and her memory. Now that her senses were clear of any smell emanating from Rutherford she could think better. What the dark look he had given her as she asked for all the financial papers had been about she had no clue or perhaps she did. It did make her wonder if he had been cooking the books and using those funds as if they were his own. It had been years since she had felt any need to take a look at the financial statements. Trust in the father did not extend to the son.

Hailing a cab Tamara gave her home address. She may as well go home as the afternoon spent with such disagreeable company ruined the rest of the day for her. Her Grandmother Lily had gone out of town visiting some friends so would not be at home this evening. Perhaps some time between learning of her grandmother's latest grandiose spending and facing her with questions would temper Tamara's approach to the older woman. Never would Tamara make the mistake of thinking her grandmother a frail and helpless woman. She may have a kind heart that got her into difficulties but frailty was not among Lillian's faults.

Having a sudden impulse to investigate Tamara called to the driver to take her to the London Gazette instead. They must surely have some headlines concerning a famous place such as L'Opéra Populaire. Even Tamara had heard of it. A niggle at the back of her mind told her that something recent had been making the gossip circuit among partygoers this last year or so. Something about an unrequited love taking a nasty turn. It would seem more than some madman claiming ownership had plagued the opera house.

It would be just like her grandmother to fall for a tragic love story. Romance had always been one of her greatest downfalls. Usually it concerned matchmaking between some unsuspecting man and Tamara. Countless times her grandmother had stepped in to maneuver her granddaughter and some young man into meeting at a party or dance. Meaning well had been the only thing saving Lillian from a sound tongue lashing from Tamara.

The editor had been all too happy to oblige a pretty young woman especially since she owned a large portion of the stock in the paper and publishing company. In a word the lady in question could have him removed from his job if the notion struck her. Tamara wouldn't use her power in that way just because of some slight against her. It wouldn't do to let all and sundry no that though. She always presented a rather all business attitude with those whose lives she could control on a business level.

Once she returned home the bundle of papers did cause the maid's brows to raise but no comment had been made. Shutting herself in her room Tamara removed as much of her constricting clothing so she could relax as she read through the newspapers. Striping down to only her bloomers and camisole she grabbed the top paper then dropped carelessly across her bed. Lounging in this manner had become a pleasant habit when her grandmother was not at home.

She had let the maid know to bring her dinner up to her room. When alone she liked to lounge in her room and eat her meals. The dreaded corset and pounds of underskirts could be tossed and forgotten in privacy. No one even knew that Tamara indulged herself by sleeping in the nude. Her grandmother would have a stroke but then again maybe not as her grandmother had been a little risqué in her younger days and still could shock her friends with some of the things she did or said.

Soon her reading became more than an interest to find out about the opera house and became more a search to make discoveries about the man. Over and over she returned to the article that had been accompanied by a drawing of the man reported as being the culprit who had committed the crime of murder and mayhem at L'Opéra Populaire. Without even knowing she did so Tamara traced along his strong jaw line. She couldn't tell what color his eyes were or the shade of his hair but something about him called to her.

The description said his hair did not cover the whole of his head. It was much thinner on the right side but not completely bald. The right side of his face had a horrible deformity that contrasted dramatically with the perfection of the left side. Beauty and beast the artist had been quoted when asked for a comment. He had been among the attendees of the performance and had given quite an extensive description of the man's face, body and voice.

Many had made the same comment about the man having the crowd under his spell until he cut loose the chandelier. Clearly the man had not been Senor Ubaldo, Umbaldo… Too lazy to look the man's name up she settled for just his sir name of Piangi. Whispers had said to have been quickly spreading during the middle of the scene of seduction between what was supposed to be the Italian tenor and Mademoiselle Daaé, that the person who stepped out from behind the curtain the second time was not Piangi singing with such enchanting musical tones. They had thought a new talent had been making a debut much as Mademoiselle Daaé had debuted earlier.

Strangely, there had been little written using quotes from the Vicomte Raoul de Chagny or his fiancée, Mademoiselle Daaé in any of the many articles. It had been left to conjecture what had happened to the man being blamed for all the destruction. A Madame Antoinette Giry had been said to be the liaison of this phantom and the owner/managers of the opera house. It had been by her hand that many of the envelopes had been delivered containing demands for payment and directions about how the opera house should be run.

According to other reports the woman had lost more than her employment that night. For years she had kept the man hidden. Looking at his youthful appearance Tamara assumed he must have been a mere boy at that time. Madame Giry gave a few details but not many. She told enough of his dreadful past to garner sympathy among the commoners. Even a few of the noble class had been very vocal about the poor soul's ostracizing from the world and the ill-treatment he had received. Others took the stand that ones harsh circumstances did not give one liberty to murder, extort and burn down a building belonging to others just to win the hand of the object of his affections.

Again and again Tamara found herself picking up the paper with the picture of this unknown genius. Fantasies whirled through her mind. Speculating about the color of his hair and eyes had her snuggling down into the pillows as she shut her eyes the better to free up her inner eye. The man from the paper took form in her mind and what a form he was too.

Tall, broad of shoulder, dark brownish hair, the eyes, ah yes, the eyes. She vacillated between light blue and piercing green. His lips, oh how she imagined them tasting upon her own. Not for him the oily hair or strange body odor. He smelled entirely masculine and seductive.

His voice would be smooth and silky with just a touch of a rumble when aroused. His hands were broad with long musician's fingers. They played along her skin with an accuracy that left her breathless. Oh my, the things he did with those wonderful hands and luscious mouth. He would kiss his way down her body causing heat wherever he placed a hot salutation with his mouth. His hands would leave a trail of wanton longings behind.

Sensing her desperate arousal he would climb back up to align his body with hers then…

Jolting upright in bed Tamara pressed her hands to her hot cheeks. Her bosom rose up and down in agitation. Lord have mercy, she had never been so vivid during one of her fantasies. Lack of experience had always kept her from going very far as she did not know what would come next. Being an adult of course she had knowledge of the mechanics of lovemaking but no actual experience to draw on.

Feeling embarrassed without any real cause, she scampered off the bed gathering all the papers to deposit them on the chair beside the bed. Deciding that was not a safe enough distance she took them to her wardrobe to place them on the topmost shelf. Gratefully she heard the knock at her door indicating her dinner had arrived. This would give her something else to focus on other than that attractive looking face that had stared at her as if he could see into her very heart and mind. If just his image could do that what would the man do to her if she were to come face to face with him?

Convinced out of site meant out of mind she enjoyed her perfectly prepared dinner, took a long relaxing bath then crawled into bed. If she thought her night would be dreamless she soon learned just how wrong she had been. The phantom she had read about became a phantom lover in her dreams and what a lover he was.

A/N: So yeah or nay? Any suggestions?