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Ch 10

Children were swimming nude in the river when the ferryboat lurched its way to the dock on Hughli River. A small Indian girl, no older than five or six, stood sucking on her fingers and waving to the passengers.

Over the course of the afternoon Erik had entertained Corinna and Lilian, and even Ursula, with several coin tricks that elicited 'oohs' and shrieks of joy from the ladies. They were easily entertained, which Erik enjoyed. He noticed several other people onboard craning their necks to get a look at his illusions. He enjoyed being the center of attention. He was amazed that even Ursula had shed her sullen expression for several moments.

"How long are you staying in India?" Joseph DeChantel asked once the women took to fanning themselves and chatting about their clothes.

Erik, Joseph and Lilian stood out in their European garb. Even in the shade, the air was unbearably warm. Dressed in waistcoats and fine white shirts it was impossible to find relief from the heat.

"A year. And you?" Erik questioned. He ran a handkerchief over his brow again and blew air past his lips.

Joseph shrugged. "Several months at the most. The little wife has missionary work in Africa. It's inspiring to see such a petite thing so interested in saving the souls of the godless." Joseph nudged Erik in the ribs and whispered. "You should think about coming with us. You know many of those African tribal women don't wear anything more than a loin cloth."

Erik raised a brow. "So along with a Bible, you provide a blouse, corset, petticoats and drawers, I suppose?"

Joseph's laugh reverberated over the wide river. "Not exactly. So you're building a house?"

Erik smirked. "A palace."

"You always were pompous."

Erik's lips straightened. He had forgotten how insulting Joseph DeChantel could be sometimes. "It's for the Patel Family."

"Never heard of them."

"They're gold exporters. Mr. Padir Patel owns a plantation in Dareesh."

"Interesting, really, simply fascinating, Erik."

"Thank you," Erik replied blandly. He knew full well that Joseph wasn't even listening.

"Well, luck to you in building your 'palace'—your Indian Palace, eh?" Joseph laughed. "You'll have to tell Lilian all about your building when you come to lunch with us tomorrow. We're only in Chandernagore until Friday morning and then it's off to Calcutta again."

"It would be my pleasure."

"Good. She enjoys little things like that. You know how women are, don't you? Of course you do. I saw that little Indian girl…very nice, you scoundrel. Building a harem as well, are you?"

"I'm looking after her," Erik answered in wide-eyed defensiveness. He pushed his shirt sleeves up, preparing for another insult and a reason to turn to fisticuffs.

"Sure, sure, I know how it is. Oh, say, we're docking. We'll see you tomorrow for lunch at the Chateau." Joseph slapped Erik hard on the back, winked, and went to find his wife.

It was only after Joseph left that Erik let out a sight of disgust. He hadn't meant to agree to lunch. He hadn't meant to agree to anything at all. His initial elation of seeing a familiar face had all but left him.

Corinna came up beside Erik after the boat was docked. She stood back and watched several men unload trunks and boxes from the ferry. "What was that all about?" she asked.

"Nothing more than a pig in fine clothing," he mumbled. He offered his arm. "I agreed to lunch with the DeChantels. I hope you and Ursula don't mind."

"I agreed to see Bohemian Girl Thursday night," Corinna replied. "I hope you don't mind."

Erik only smiled in return. "Next time, we come to an agreement before we plan."

"Yes, husband," Corinna smirked.

Chandernagore bustled with French men and women shopping and selling wares. Music carried over the river from a small assembly of violinists and cellists that had situated themselves before a small café.

The Hughli riverfront was lined with elegant old houses, most of which had been erected after the British had lost the settlement to the French in 1816. Almost forty years later, all memory of the British had been erased. It was the only part of West Bengal where the English no longer ruled. The French no longer claimed the territory though the influence was still evident in the smells and sounds threaded through the streets. The mix of citizens was balanced between East Indians and French settlers which Erik saw had delighted Corinna.

Erik looked and felt a long way from home. He didn't want to be reminded of home. The last year spent in France had been disastrous, as had the two years he had spent in Persia. If anything, it suddenly seemed very depressing to hear French spoken in all directions. He had left the country as a disgrace to his family.

He had thoughtof his parents often over the last weeks. His father hadn'tfelt well after he had lost his hand. The old man had appeared weathered, his leathery sun-bronzed skin had paled as he locked himselfinside the house and shut the windows in the parlor. The rugs began to smell like cheap brandy, the curtains like stale cigar smoke. Days would pass and the elder Levesque would not emerge from his hole.

Erik couldn't understand how anyone could live in darkness and seclusion. A miserable existence, he thought, for a man who had once been respected. Losing a hand had taken away his father's will to live.

Arguments hadbegun in the Levesque home. Monsieur Levesque emerged from the parlor once in a drunken stupor and had driven his remaining hand into a wall. He was useless and melancholy. Erik, as the only child in the house, was expected to work but he hadpreferred music and art. He spent hours a day playing the organ at the DeChantel house and creatingplans for buildings with Monsieur DeChantel.

Erik hadn't told his parents of how Monsieur DeChantel had been teaching him design, how he had introduced him to Monsieur Lefuel and encouraged his desire to become an architect. Erik knew he would have to attend university—and that his parents would never allow such a thing—but he wanted it. And when he wanted something, nothing in the world would stop him.

When he returned to his home each night, only angry words would pass between Erik and his mother. She told him to take up the work his father had done for the DeChantels instead of entertaining himself.

"You are a selfish, selfish miserable ingrate! Your father needs you," his mother had said when she met him at the doorway.

"He doesn't even know what I do. He doesn't know anything at all."

"You must make money or we will lose our home."

"I will take up work in the opera. I'll audition to play in the orchestra."

"The opera? You are a coach driver. Why would they have you play in the orchestra? Yu have no talent, Erik, you are a man of horses."

"I will not become a simple coach driver. I want to build, andI want to be a musician—"

"You are a Levesque, not a Wagner, not a Mozart, not a Visconti or Lefuel. A servant, Erik, you are a dreamer and a servant." She slapped his ears back until the left one streamed with blood. "Your father has told you the same thing."

"Madame DeChantel said I show talent in music and Monsieur DeChantel said I am a natural at design."

"Your work is with a horse and carriage, not a damned violin and not a ridiculous organ."

"Why would I want to do the work that destroyed him?"

"Don't talk back to me. Dreamer, dreamer, dreamer! There is no money in dreams! You'll starve for your foolishness!"

"A dreamer? No. I will do this whether you like it or not," he said as he cupped his hand over his ear. "I will be a musician, I will build things—"

"Where, Erik? Where will you build things?"

"Wherever I wish."

She had hesitated long enough for her French blood to boil over. "Get out of my house and don't return until these foolish dreams have died and you have come to your senses."

"I will never return. Not for as long as I live. You and Father no longer exist in my mind."

She had slapped him across the face and spit on him. Without another word he left with two of her rings in his pocket and headed to a shipyard. There had been no sense of remorse, not until he had stood with his hands bound behind his back and an execution warrant read by the Sultan's chief advisor, Rameed. It was then Erik felt as though he had failed, just as his parents had expected from a simple dreamer.

"Ursula said she isn't feeling well. She should rest a while," Corinna commentedwhen they were walking down the main street toward an old inn her uncle co-owned.

Erik nodded, startled from his daydreams. His mother had been correct. He was a dreamer, a young man of boundless ambition. Thinking of her as they walked alongdiminished his confidence. In the three years since he had left home, he had not designed anything he was proud of enough to call his own.

"Was it the river?" he asked absently.

Corinna turned to Ursula and the two exchanged words. Erik watched children run down the street with a large black dog until Corinna squeezed his arm.

"She said it was the sun and the boat."

"Perhaps she should eat something."

When Corinna told Ursula what Erik had suggested, Ursula moaned and pointed at her stomach. She shook her head, which was answer enough for Erik.

They crossed a bridge and stood before a whitetwo-story building, with columns on either side of a red door. The inn was called the Sanoir House after the man who had originally built it. Ravi had sent a telegram to the manager to let him know two roomswould be neededfor Erik, Corinna and Ursula.

Once they made it up the stairs to the double doors Ursula stumbled. She managed to seat herselfin a wicker chair with Corinna standing over her.

"What happened?" Erik asked. He took off his hat and fanned Ursula while Corinna used her hands to do the same.

"She's dizzy. She'll be fine. Why don't you see aboutour rooms?"

Erik hesitated. Ursula was still sitting in the sun. He grabbed the back of the chair and pulled her toward the building where she was in the shade.

"Call if you need anything," he said before he disappeared inside the building.

"That man is trouble," Ursula groaned with her eyes closed. She sat with her head tilted back while Corinna fanned her.

"He is not. He's a gentleman. He moved you into the shade so you would feel better."

"Your father shouldn't have sent us with a stranger. He could be dangerous."

Corinna tisked her companion. "He's been good to us, Ursula, and he made a promise to my father to watch over me. It's been two months and look! We're both still safe."

"How do you think your father wouldfeel aboutthe way you look at that man?"

"I don't look at him any different than I do Ravi."

"Pah!" Ursula exclaimed. She opened her eyes and groaned after her sudden outburst and turned her head to the side. "Your father said he rescued him from Persia. He must be a man of questionable integrity."

"Papa exaggerates. You must remember he considers you rescued from poverty."

"Well, Mr. Lavesque will need rescuing from Dareesh if he continues to ogle Anisha. You know why Ravi sent him here, don't you?"

"Yes, I know," Corinna said with a roll of her eyes. "Is this why you said you weren't feeling well?"

"Don't do anything foolish. He's not worth the trouble, Corinna. He'll only disrespect you while his eyes remain on his true prey."

"You make him sound like a tiger waiting in a tree."

Ursula raised a brow but said nothing.

"You stay here. I'll see if I can find you cool water."

"Corinna," Ursula warned.

"Water! I'm only looking for water."

Corinna passed through the doorwayas Erik was returning to check on them. She blushed and turned away.

"How is Ursula?"

"She will survive," Corinna answered with her back to him. Her heart had started to pound faster, her palms turning clammy in his presence. She couldn't help but smile.

"What? Are you ill as well?" Erik questioned.

Corinna turned and did her best to look him in the eye with a straight face. "No, I'm fine. I'll be fine."

"Maybe you should lie down for a while."

"Yes, maybe I should."

"Shall I escort you to bed?"

"I don't think that would be appropriate."

He gave her a strange look but said nothing.

"Ursula and I will walk together."

He half-smiled, though by the look in his eyes he was still concerned. "I'll check on you soon. Stay in bed until I return. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I know."

At least he noticed me, Corinna thought. With Anisha back home in Dareesh, Corinna secretly hoped Erik would notice evenmore of her in Chandernagore.

This was her chance. This was her time to reach for his heart.