Everyone seems to be enjoying this story, which is good, because I am enjoying writing it.

Our Erik is going to be taking a journey of the heart over the course of this story. His ability to trust and accept love and compassion are going to be tried sorely. It will be an interesting story to tell, so bear with me as I try to do it justice.

There are some new aspects that I will try to incorporate into this story that I have never attempted before. I hope you will stick with me throughout my own journey on paper.

God Bless.

DARK SIDE OF THE GLASS

CHAPTER 10

December 1875, Bangalore, India

Romir had awakened with a new happiness in his heart. His dreams were about to become reality and he would be rid of his bothersome daughter, both at the same time. Life was wonderful.

However, as he approached his desk, there was an elegantly signed envelope lying in plain sight. It did not look like anything he was familiar with, so Romir thought nothing of it. He broke the seal and examined the written letter encased within.

The handwriting was not unique and was written with great care and attention to detail. Nothing was familiar to him; not the writing, not the type of paper - nothing.

As he read the words, Romir felt the rage build within him and his eyes narrowed. His nostrils flared and he tightened his lips.

Romir Keshav,

As you may or may not have already noticed, I have taken your daughter. I demand nothing but her beauty to warm my bed each night and to grace my lonely days.

There is no need to search for me; I have left you nothing; no evidence to claim nor a trail to follow. I know your routine and I am well aware of the dark, clandestine secrets that you harbor – secrets that, if revealed in a certain circle to certain people, could prove unmistakably fatal to you and many others.

I have watched her for two years and I am well acquainted with her loathing of you and your plans for her. I am more than pleased to take her off your hands.

Remember, you do not know me – but I know you.

Signed,

Regrets

By mid-afternoon, a thorough search of the entire city had found nothing; Regrets – whoever he was – had been telling the truth; there was nothing – nothing that would lead them to her.

Lord Garrison seemed ultimately relieved, which made Romir even more furious. The man lifted his hairless chin and clicked his tongue annoyingly - making a sound that made Romir wish to pound his fist into his feminine face.

"This nulls any contract, written or otherwise, between us."

With a sweep of his cape and a turn of his hand, Lord Garrison disappeared; leaving Romir with nothing.

Seething and distraught, Romir sat down at his desk and buried his head in his folded arms. His fortune was dwindling and his one chance at renewed funding had gone missing.

"Any word?"

Sharad entered the room, looking disheveled and extremely distressed.

For once, Romir did not look at him with loathing and irritation.

"None…whoever he is, this Regrets has covered his tracks and there is nothing to go on…" his voice lowered to that of a barely audible whisper. "…this will be my ruin…I will never recover."

For a moment, Sharad thought his father was devastated with worry over Lavanya's safety. That illusion was shattered as soon as the next words came out of his mouth.

"The money I was to gain from her marriage to Garrison was going to help me rebuild my dynasty…my lucrative games were going to make a comeback."

Sharad's mouth took on a hard, straight line and his eyes grew as cold as ice.

"Lavanya is gone and all you can think about is your own sick perversions…" Sharad spit at the feet of his father, "...you disgust me!"

"If you miss her so much, you go find her…I have had it with both of you!"

Father faced son and son faced father; the hatred rolled off them like a raging river. The dam that had held for so many years and through so much had finally succumbed; there was no stopping the inevitable devastation.

"Seek whatever penitence you can, father, for you are truly alone now…"

Sharad had come to stand boldly in front of his father with very little between them but a few inches of still air. There was no mercy in his eyes and no compassion in his heart – there was nothing - nothing but pure, unadulterated hatred.

"…I am going to go find Lavanya – even if it kills me….do not look for me or her….ever."

No matter how hard he tried, Romir could find no regrets in his heart – no part of him that wanted to run after his son and stop him from disappearing from his life. All that he managed, as Sharad shrank into the horizon, was a guiltless smile.

Sharad kept up the guise of the ignorant victim for a couple of weeks, searching the surrounding areas for any clues as to where his sister had been taken.

"Sir, there is nothing…we have gone over every possible angle several times and there just is not anything to go on…she is just…" the young soldier seemed nervous with the conclusion he had to give, "…gone."

Sharad squeezed the young man's shoulder and dropped his head in thought.

"Maybe I should expand my search…perhaps it was a foreign abduction…I just do not know."

The young man agreed and offered his services.

"This is too important to risk the abductor finding out that I am searching for him…I must do this on my own."

"May I make a suggestion, sir?"

Sharad looked at the young soldier and shook his head, wanting to hear what he had to say.

"Lady Lavanya was always kind to me and I considered her the most beautiful woman I have ever seen….I know that I am not supposed to interfere, but I saw how your father treated her."

Sharad raised a brow and indicated for the young man to continue.

"I have a brother…a privateer for hire..." his words were whispered, the business his brother was in was very risky and he did not want to put him in danger. "…he will get you where you need to be, if I ask it of him."

This was perfect. Now there was a witness that could state he knew Sharad was on a mission to find his sister…what a stroke of luck.

"Is he in port?"

The soldier nodded and Sharad smiled. This was even better than booking a spot on a ship.

"When does he sail again?"

"In two days time; Thursday morning."

"Arrange it; I will be ready."

A description of the vessel was given and Sharad gathered what few possessions he was taking with him…he would travel light and take care of his needs as he went. Freedom was around the corner…he could taste it.

♠♦♥♣

Lavanya stood on the deck looking over the horizon at the endless ocean between her and France. They had been sailing for three months and she was anxious to set her feet on solid ground.

She had read the letter that Sharad had placed in her things. He had reiterated to her what he had done and she knew he had done what he thought was best - he always did.

Sweet Sister,

It is with a heavy heart that I send you away from India. I know that we shall see each other again – hopefully – within the next few months; but still, I shall miss you immensely.

I know you are a smart woman and will be wise with your words and deeds. Erik will do what I have asked him; in time, I hope you will forgive me. If there had been another way, I would have taken it. Our parting words were bitter sweet for I know you are angry with me.

Erik will not limit you nor imprison you. If, by some strange turn of events, he has married or promised in marriage to another, I have asked that he take you as his ward. However, the Erik I know thought himself unworthy of the love of a woman; therefore, I doubt he has married or committed himself to anyone.

Be good to him, Lavanya…for my sake.

I know that you will do what must be done. I love you, my sister; always remember this.

Sharad

"Contemplating life and all its complexities?"

Captain Delamater had been very accommodating – almost fatherly - in his care of her. He was a large man; towering over her with a commanding gentleness that seemed unusual for a man in his line of work.

"I just want to know what awaits me on the shores of France, that is all…I have never been there and I am feeling very anxious about starting over."

Trace tried not to think about what she could be getting herself into. He had promised her brother that he would see her safely to the shores of France; from there, she was supposed to have someone to take care of her.

"You know, I have a daughter your age…somewhere."

Lavanya frowned and looked at him with big, inquiring eyes.

"I have been married to the sea far too long, my wife could not stay married to a man she never saw…she took Jeanette and left."

Lavanya could hear the regret in the man's voice and see the sorrow etched on his face.

"I am sorry Trace, I really am."

He smiled, but the sadness still touched his eyes.

"If I had been a better man in those days, I would have gone after them…but ambition is an unforgiving mistress."

"Do you ever see your daughter?"

He stared endlessly out at the water before answering.

"I have not seen Jeanette for twelve years – she would be twenty-two now…" his words were quiet and strained. "…but enough of me; who is this Erik you are supposed to meet in France, your fiancé?"

She nodded with an assurance she did not feel within her.

"I was to marry an immoral, cruel man in India – my father had arranged it. My brother got me out, but I must marry a stranger to insure my safety..." her eyes were full of doubt and uncertainty, "…Sharad has promised I will not feel like a prisoner and that he is a good man…"

"But you doubt this."

His words were not questioning or degrading, just curious.

"…I have nothing but previous and personal experience from which to derive my conclusions…men tend to be possessive and controlling…" she smiled at Trace, knowing he had been the same way, "…I will not tolerate either."

Trace lifted a bushy eyebrow and then let out a hearty laugh.

"So you expect your husband to stand in the shadows while you enjoy having other men admire you and be in your company?"

Lavanya had not meant for it to sound like that.

"No, that is not what I mean…I just do not want a major argument on my hands if I find another man attractive and I look at him…I would never touch or be suggestive in any way."

Trace frowned slightly and then looked back over the water.

"This is your culture, more than anything…is it not?"

Lavanya nodded, "Indian women, at least those of the old ways, are taught to enjoy their sexuality and enjoy the power that a woman has over a man – especially with her body. I enjoy men – the way the look, they way they move…if I see one that attracts my eyes, I am certainly going to look"

"I see…so this Lord Garrison…why do you call him depraved?" Trace asked.

She nodded slightly and sighed loudly.

"He enjoys intimacies with men as well as women…" Lavanya shivered in revulsion, "…he disgusts me."

Trace nodded in agreement and looked as much disgusted as she did

"Understandably." He remarked.

"I have no idea what I am getting into – but I have Sharad's word that Erik is a good man and will treat me well."

"You know nothing of this man?"

She shook her head, but managed a smile.

"Sharad has told me some things…" she looked up into Trace's friendly eyes, "…do not get me wrong – I am thankful to be away from Lord Garrison – and in order to prevent him from claiming me, I must marry another."

She stared back over the endless miles of water.

"But I had hoped to fall in love and marry…I suppose a girl can dream…"

He touched his large hand to her shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze.

"Maybe you will yet find love with this man."

She laid her slim, soft hand over the top of his and smiled.

"Maybe."

"You have not talked a great deal about your situation, I am sorry to have neglected you for the majority of the trip; a captain's work is never done…perhaps you can tell me over dinner."

They turned from the deck and walked back below, sharing a meal in his cabin.

"What will you do in France?"

"Whatever I can…for once, I am free to make my own choices…I only hope he will allow me to pursue my own interests."

"Where did your brother meet him?"

"He was contracted with my father as something like a gladiator – I suppose…" she paused to think for a moment and then shook her head, "…my brother has only told me what he felt I needed to know. Sharad befriended him over time, and eventually helped him to escape from my father's chambers."

Trace furrowed his brow at her words. Unfortunately, he had heard of Lavanya's father and the "games" he promoted. For these reasons, Trace had been more than willing to be called kidnapper – he had been called worse. If this Erik had been a victim of her father's debauchery, he was of a dangerous sort – to say the least; but Sharad obviously trusted him.

"We should make the shores of France in two days, my lady, I shall be sorry to see you go."

He could see that she had something she wanted to say and he encouraged her words with his expression.

"I can not help but think about your daughter…she was ten when your wife left with her; she would remember you, Trace…" Lavanya arose from her chair and went over to the giant man. He looked her in the eye, even though she was standing and he was sitting. "Please try and find her…I would have given anything to have a father like you."

Lavanya left him with those words, and she could have sworn she saw tears fill his wise, brown eyes.

♦♠♣♥

Trace had called her on deck, as the land they approached became more than just a spot on the horizon. He held the scope up for her to look through and he saw her mouth drop from the view.

"It looks so small through that thing."

He laughed, making her smile at his boyish grin.

"It is not small, by any stretch of the imagination…it is one tiny part of the continent of Europe."

Lavanya grew more and more nervous as the land grew closer. What if he wasn't there…what if he was a horrible man who would keep her imprisoned, just as her father had.

She dismissed that thought, knowing that Sharad would not do that to her. There had to be some redeeming quality about this man named Erik, or Sharad would have never befriended him to begin with. Lavanya only wished she'd had more time to hear what Sharad had said about him.

Sharad had mentioned that he wore a mask to cover a horrible defect he had been born with. He had said that most people, including Erik, considered him ugly.

If they had children together, would they suffer the same affliction? Sharad had said it was a personal hell that caused him a great deal of grief and kept him in a constant state of loneliness.

If he is a good man, his ugliness will not matter.

She mulled over that thought and laughed at her own quivering insides. Her nerves were already shot and she wasn't even off the ship.

"He is supposed to meet you in at the train station, is that correct?"

Trace stood beside her, tall and foreboding. He towered over every other man on the ship; and every one of them followed him without question. She did not think she could be with a man that large – he would swallow her.

"Yes, that is correct."

The next few minutes were spent laying anchor and securing the ship. Lavanya went below and gathered what few things she had brought with her.

This was it. She had lived one adventure and was stepping off the ship into a new one. She had spent three months learning about France and its people, now she had arrived.

They docked in Marseilles and from there she would be taking a train to Lyon; from Lyon she bored another train to Paris. The trip had been long but uneventful; even crossing land in Egypt had not been too bad. The captain had had another ship waiting for them in the Mediterranean.

Even though she had not encountered difficulty during her trip, Lavanya hoped to never have to travel that far by ship again…the sea air had been awful on her hair and her complexion.

I hope he is not expecting a great beauty when he sees me. She examined her appearance in the mirror. I do look a fright, but there is not much I can do about it now.

She allowed a young man from the crew to secure her bag and headed up the stairs toward her new world….she had never been so scared in all her life.

"I am to make sure there is someone here to pick you up; the letter may have taken longer to get here, or may have been lost."

Trace gave her his arm and walked her off the ship and onto dry land. It was 2 March 1876; a good time to start a new life.

TBC