Chapter VII

Written words


"You never know a woman until you have a letter from her"

Ada Leverson


The thin nib of a fountain pen scratched almost inaudibly over expensive paper, creating lines of dark blue. Spreading over the creamy surface, the precise but feminine scripture provided the answer to the note lying next to the writer's still left hand.

Its right twin moved fluidly, tying letter on letter till finally the last sentence was formed. Then the woman in front of her desk leaned back to regard her work while outside the signs of the beginning dawn could be seen. Hesitant yet relentless, the sun sent her first rays peering over the horizon and a soft golden light illuminated the study of Cassandra Graham.

She had needed the whole night to compose the response to the Count's message, the disposed sheets in her waste basket telling of the difficulties she had come across on her way. Six and a half hours. Never before did she have such troubles to find words. But now, at last, the product of her nocturnal activities could be signed and sent away. Satisfied she reached for an envelope.


Dear Count,

Please allow me to thank you profusely for a gift that is not only extraordinary but also more than generous and will make a fine addition to our library.

Of course I had heard of de Laclos Magnus Opum before but I have to admit I never thought about reading or even possessing it. A grave mistake on my part it seems and I'm grateful that you brought this piece of literature to my attention. It is undeniably interesting even if I have only read the first few pages until now.

Indeed I'm fond of getting lost in a book but my time for such indulgences is limited and so I'm not exactly able to tell you my whole opinion yet. Nevertheless you will be informed of it the moment I finish the tale.

For that reason I also have not been subjected to the inspiring effect you mentioned. Maybe this will come later. At the moment most of my imagination is needed to find new hiding places for the books and having encountered my sisters I think you might know why. It is after all because of my youngest that we have started this discussion. However I enjoy resuming where we left off although I wasn't expecting we might come back to the topic.

In addition and if it's not too bold I'd like to enquire about the source that told you about me being familiar with the French language. I confess I was a bit surprised when I saw that the books were written in de Laclos mother tongue.

Furthermore I want to return the favour you bestowed on me. Yet I don't seem to find a proper way to do this. So please let me know if there is anything I can for you.

Sincere regards

C.Graham


--O--

French baroque music weaved its lithe path through the air entwining with the glow of a dozen candles, creating a decadent background for the creature that moved across the room. Expensive black leather shoes paced leisurely back and forth, the noise swallowed by the lush carpet as Dracula studied the letter that had been delivered just some minutes ago.

It dated back to the day before yesterday. Miss Graham obviously used connections similar to his, her part of the correspondence arriving earlier in Paris than the usual mail he got from the States. While unforeseen this would work very much to his advantage. The more she would write the more he would find out about her.

Sinuous lips curled in malicious amusement when he read her last few sentences. Oh he had an idea how she could thank him though he would have to exercise patience first. A woman like Cassandra could not be seduced in haste. Similar to a good wine - there was a certain ceremony to be followed.

From the opening of the bottle to the first taste, time was needed yet every step in the progress a gratification in itself till the velvet liquid finally touched the tongue. This one sip indicated the beginning of the highest pleasure that would reach its peak through each single drop, finding its release in the last swallow.

Nevertheless, with Cassandra, he had to be careful not to overdo it. Although neat and precise, her writing spoke of circumspection. The woman sounded not only tired but wary and definitely not as eloquent as he was used from her.

The idea occurred to him that maybe she wasn't used to that much attention from the male species. Yet, this was hard to imagine. Men, real men, would see Cassie Graham as a woman ready for seduction, her whole character presenting a challenge that was hard to resist. And because of her qualities many would not leave it at seduction. So why, if he read between the lines correctly, was she so anxious? If he was honest he had hoped for a bit more.

The clock chimed the hour and the letter was put aside. His cloak swirling dramatically when he threw it over his shoulders the Count left the room. He would think about this later. Now he had an appointment. A brunette one.


My dear Miss Graham,

I was delighted to get your answer and so fast, too. It's a pity your opinion about "Les Liaisons" has not progressed thus far but I'm able to wait so take your time. May I inquire if you found an adequate place of concealment for the volumes? But maybe a cranny as this won't even be needed. A locked door should do the trick, too, I think.

How did I know that you spoke French as a second mother tongue? Why, Miss Graham, a little bird told me and before you ask, no, I won't tell you the name. I never give my informants away.

You asked me how to return the favour. I assure you, there is no need. Knowing that you find pleasure in my gift is a sufficient reward. Let us not speak further about this.

Tell me, how is your family? Yesterday I attended the performance of a string quartet and had to remember the delightful concerts I had the honour to watch at Graham Manor. Tonight I'm invited to a "Melodic Evening" where the reigning opera diva will grace the audience with her abilities. May I ask if you were taught the baroque singing technique?

V.D.


The dust flying through the air made him cough although he did not need to breath for 70 years now. So long a time since his master had turned him. And it was by order of this master that he now was buried in the archive of a French tabloid up to his neck in old articles looking for information about a certain female and her family. Mikhail opened the next folder.


Dear Count,

My family is well and my sisters send their greetings. They ask when you will visit us again. Oh and I know now about that little bird you mentioned although she is not so little anymore. Theresa confessed that she might have revealed my bilingual upbringing during your stay. I have to commend you on this Sir as my sister rarely talks while dancing she is a bit afraid of doing a wrong step. However, I think you are aware of that already?

Paris is a wonderful city that provides much entertainment especially of the musical variety. To answer your question, no, I don't do the baroque songs but I like to listen to them very much, vocal and instrumental. They come with a certain feeling that most of the modern songs lack and the French capital is full of people who perform those old pieces. Was the singing of Angélique Mariveux to your liking? I hear that she has a full voice with a beautiful coloratura. My grandfather enjoys her talent very much. He is an old friend of Mademoiselle Mariveux's uncle who has a small wine shop in a small side alley near the Rue de Faubourg that sells an excellent Zinfandel and has supplied our family with some of its products for years now.

It might interest you that I finished the first of the books yesterday, which was for that matter accompanied by a glass of that aforementioned Zinfandel. I hope I'll be able to start the second one tomorrow. Alas I don't have the time to resume my reading tonight as the Westhams are giving their annual summer ball. My sisters are already teasing me that if I don't get ready at this instant I'll have to go dressed in trousers.

This is the reason why I now close my letter, looking forward to your response.

Kind regards

C. Graham


The cool satin of his black evening gown covering his otherwise naked skin the Count sat in an armchair studying the latest addition to his correspondence with Cassandra. Although still a bit superficial in some phrases it was definitely an improvement to her first answer.

So she was reading the epistolary novel, he had feared a bit that she wouldn't. But if she had already finished the first book, it was clear that she was interested, which was not only a good start but also a solid base that would help him with his further steps.

Just when his mind was occupied with composing a reply a small hand crept over his shoulder under the dressing gown to caress him languidly. Obviously his nightly entertainment had awakened.

Without turning his head he laid the letter down on a small side table before he caught her hand with his, playing with the slim fingers.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"The music woke me. It's interesting to hear ones voice at three o'clock in the morning. One notices the mistakes more."

Lully's "Isis" still playing in his ear Dracula had to smirk when she came to stand in front of him wearing nothing but his white shirt he had discarded on the bedroom floor some hours ago. The buttons weren't done and so his eyes had unlimited access to her full breasts and the dark triangle between her legs.

"Not very modest, are we?" Amused he noticed how she made a grimace.

"Not in this regard. But when you wake up and the man you had fabulous sex with just a short while ago is not in bed with you but sitting in the living room reading a letter…well then, no, I'm not too modest."

Her bluntness struck a bit of a wrong cord within. Suddenly he had to think that Miss Graham would have never spoken like this, a contemplation he banished immediately to the back of his mind. At the moment there were other things to consider, least of all Cassandra's manners. Dracula's smile became feral when he let go of the woman's fingers to softly caress her thigh.

"Don't worry your pretty little head off. And now," his eyes raked up her naked figure. "…that I've woken you…what should we do?" Upon that question her face began to glow.

"I might have an idea." His raised eyebrows were the only reaction she got. Carefully she sank to her knees in front of him, one of her hands opening the tie that held the dressing gown together.

He still watched her when she at last broke their eye contact to lower her head. Despite the pleasure she was giving he never let her out of his gaze. He could see she was startled when after some minutes he grasped her by the shoulders to pull her up and while growling the words, "Enough prelude. Let's get to the main theme." drew her down on his lap.

Her head fell back, her hips bucked when they moved. His hand found the back of her head and Dracula buried his fingers into her hair despite the blonde strands being almost too short for this and his never closing mind decided that this would be the last time Angélique Mariveux would share his bed.


The picture that was lying on the coffee table was showing her and yet it wasn't. The curls on her head were a surprise to the viewer who only new that particular mane to be sleek and smooth. Perhaps puberty had made short process of those big locks that framed a face more similar to her youngest sister than it could be seen today. Maybe it was the age. Thirteen years old, dressed all in black, her mimic stony and without a tear Cassandra Graham stood at the funeral of her grandmother.


Their letters were frequent and the Count sometimes caught himself waiting for her part of the conversation which within time had become more playful a lighter tone replacing the superficial one and he detected that this particular female possessed a certain kind of humour to which at some occasions he did not know how to respond to.


Miss Graham,

never mind the polite phrases at the beginning of a letter. You knew it, didn't you? You knew that cheese seller would not only try to hit on me but that he was older than bituminous coal and that he also reeks like he does not sell cheese but fish from the era of Methusalem!

"Middle aged and a bit eccentric….!" Indeed. Remind me not to trust your judgement of cheese sellers anymore!" (...)

--O--

Dear Count,

(…) I'm absolutely sorry about your experience with Monsieur Agur. Yet I assure you I did neither know about his sexual orientation nor his smell. I should have considered that he has aged since I have last seen him and I apologize for not thinking about this. But I have to ask: Isn't the Gouda superb? (…)

--O--

My dear Miss Graham,

(…) not knowing about this? You should know better than to try to lie to me. You knew or at least had a suspicion. But never fear the revenge will be mine. (…)


The topics ranged from literature to music from the weather over foreign cities to the progress of his estate. They by no means spoke about politics and rarely about her family and they never touched the picture of his or her past. Dracula knew more about the last one by the information Mikhail had gathered for him.


The black and white press photograph was a bit more than a year old showing the sisters at a concert conducted by Maestro Dumont. It was taken from the side, displaying only the profiles as each of the ladies leaned forward at another angle to listen. The resemblance between them from that point of view was astonishing.


Of course they talked about the "Liaisons". But as precise and to the point as his questions were, her answers were as hesitant. She liked the books that she had told him but even this opinion he had to worm out of her. It seemed to him that she would have preferred to leave it at that and change the subject. Yet his natural cruelty did not let her get away with it. Dracula asked and suggested and was able to notice that she got more comfortable with his enquiries, which were not even of a sexual kind. However Cassandra appeared to still have some difficulties with the matter of the books and when he wanted to know what Madam de Tourvel should have done in her opinion, giving way to Valmonts doings as she did, or maybe something else, Miss Graham was not able to respond.


The six year old article was as vulgar as it was disturbing. Mikhail had found it in the files of an American gossip rag, explaining that the issue with the piece in it had never made its way onto the market having been stopped just a day before the delivering date. When Dracula read the content he knew why Richard Graham might have paid to never have this published.


Oldest Graham daughter trying to commit sucicide?

-Youngest sister saw everything.-

Cassandra Graham (20) daughter of real property tycoon Richard Graham was delivered Monday night to North Shore University Hospital with a severe case of blood loss. Eye witnesses claim that Miss Graham was unconscious having a wound on her left arm which "the medics tried to cover up in vain." and that she was brought to an OR with the utmost hurry.

In another ambulance was her youngest sister, Stephanie (6) who quite assumedly witnessed what happened to Miss Graham and was more than distraught of the events. A woman who was waiting at the casualty department to have her turn told "People of America":

"They came in running, first the medics with the young woman on that stretcher. She was pale and her arm…her left one I mean it had a bandage on it but it was not holding the blood anymore it was already leaping through. And then there was that other woman a medic, too and she had that screaming little girl in her arms which was crying and yelling for her sister on the stretcher. I thought she was begging that the older would not die and could not be calmed down till a doctor injected something and was brought away. And then the medics just stood there looking at each other shaking their heads (…)"

Obviously whatever happened disturbed not only Stephanie Graham but also those that see blood, death and sorrow everyday and no doubt they all ask themselves the same question: Why would a young woman who has everything, a loving family, a sweet boyfriend (PoA reported) and not to forget money try to kill herself?

Because despite the statement of Richard Graham's PR manager what person could be dumb enough to believe in a kitchen accident of a woman who has two cooks at her beck and call?

LGw/Poa


Miss Graham,

(…) don't mind the response to my question about Madam de Tourvel. Take your time to think about it and tell me when you have found an answer. You might be able to do this in person as this is my last letter from Paris. Business matters demand that I visit the States for a longer period and I have the pleasure to inform you that I'll call on you soon. (…)


Hello everbody! Yes I know I promised I'd update soon but well…real life interfered. What else is new?

As always you'll find the links for the music in my bio. There are two music pieces, the first when Dracula reads Cassies first letter, the second when he is sitting in the living room at night.

That chapter is one of my favourites I have to admit because it allows a teeny-tiny peek on the other side of Cassandra. But only a small one. Do you like the chapter, too? I'd be very happy indeed if you would tell me.

A great thank you goes to Nienna Silmarwen who betaed that chapter. I have a beta! Yay! Although I really pity her to have to read through my grammar I'm very excited that now someone is going to check my work and she is really good at this. As in really really REALLY good. The small things she suggested changed this chapter for the better and I look forward to work with her on the rest of the story.

Many other BIG thank yous to those who reviewed. This chapter broke a record: 9 reviews, not counting Charcoal who reviewed twice. Then it would be 10 reviews. I was making googly eyes when I saw that number. Folks I love you. Don't stop reviewing! And to those who review anonymously…yes I know it's faster and everything but maybe you want to think about leaving me your email-address. Then I could thank you and answer the questions in the reviews much sooner and you would not have to wait for the next update to read my little message to you.

But on to the wall of honour now:

ForeverACharmedOne: Hehe, who doesn't like the descriptions of Dracula. I myself am a HUGE fan of them. So…I updated. It's your turn again!

Charcoal: OMG!! Twice as in…two times! I hope some of your questions were answered in this chapter. If you want to know more about Cassie's scar you'll have to read further….much further. Yes I'm evil! Bastide as James Bond? Now that's a brilliant idea. You are right he does sound like he is on a mission. Well he is Dracula's second in command and so he has to report to his master. And he will play a big role later. He is going to be whisper whisper.

Nienna Silmarwen: THANK YOU. For the review(s), for your ideas, for working with me,…just thank you. Ttyl.

v: Thank you very much for the review. I hope you like this chapter.

Kairi's-twin/Alanna: Did your imagination imagine this? Or is it still running wild? I'd love to know. There are some excellent websites about the language of flowers and I stumbled (not so accidentally I admit) upon them. I love the grandparents, too, they provide some comic and even I have to laugh whenever I think about the scenes with them.

Remember: sigh If I write everything that comes to my mind in here it would not only be long but I'd need the whole night. If that's enough…you'll get a letter soon I think. So for now just a huge thank you for being there. Love ya!

CherryBlossomKitty x: Shall I tell you how much I prefer a short review to no review. Every review, no matter how long, has me grinning all day to the point of being giddy. Reviews are exactly my kind of drug! Care to be my dealer?

twilightalcoholic92: As I told you in my answer: Yes you did. And I can't get enough of it.

NotAfraidToLive: Here's the update. Tell me how you liked it?

May I ask you to press that sweet, little, absolute adorable and overall very cute, pale blue button?

See you all later (I hope)!

-Roux