Chapter 11

"Where the hell have you been?" Damrosch followed me into my office, shutting the door behind him to keep our words from being overheard by the throng packing Carnegie Hall's corridors. "You are three hours late!"

Stripping off my cloak, I flung it unceremoniously upon the chair before adjusting the cravat I had hastily tied about my neck on my way over to the hall. "I know. Accept my apologies."

"Erik, did you forget today is the Youth Music Festival? We have less than an hour!"

Straightening my vest, I spared him a weary glance. "I repeat, accept my apologies. The delay was unavoidable. This morning has already been a great deal longer than expected. Carnegie had another telegraph wire crisis that required my immediate attention. At the site of the Ballard mansion I had not anticipated the need to take up a chisel, nor the client requesting in person yet another alteration to the plan. On site, I was required to produce no less than four more drafts. By the time I had managed to excuse myself, I had no choice but to ride Faust as fast as his hooves could carry him from the work site. We are both lucky I had not fallen and broken my neck. Fortunately, Christine had seen fit to lay out my attire for me or I should have been even later than I am now. I am certain that marble dust is not the latest fashion."

Leaning upon my desk, he hung his head. "I cannot believe you went up on the scaffolding to carve today. You know how much this event means to the hall."

"Damrosch." With a slight tug I pulled the edge of my sleeve enough to peak out from my coat. "Need I remind you that I am the master stone mason of Shadowcrest Industries. I have clients who are waiting for their homes to be constructed. That means that when a problem arises I need to make myself available to address it."

He straightened up, eyeing me. "Need I remind you that you are also the director of the arts here and that you made an honor bound promise that you would fulfill your duties to both Carnegie and myself. We're in a pivotal year now and I need to know I can rely on you."

"We have less than an hour." Opening the door I was assaulted by all the noise. "We can discuss time management later."

"Erik, wait a moment." Catching up to me as we pushed through the group, he had to shout to be heard. "Is everything ready for after the festival? Please tell me you remembered the social for the children!"

I did not pause as we dropped down a flight of stairs. "Of course, I instructed the household staff on the festivities yesterday. My ballroom has been entirely prepared to receive them." I huffed a short laugh. "Children, inside my home. Damrosch however did you convince me that was such a good idea?"

Checking the time, he rammed his pocket watch back into his vest. "Because your home is two blocks from the Hall and being the director of the arts it is a nice gesture for you to host. It was actually your wife's idea."

"Ahh." Cutting across a back passage, I made for the recital hall where I knew the children would be gathering for the performance. "That explains a great deal of it, the ballroom hasn't been used since the wedding. Of late the room has become part of a conversation no less than a few times."

"Every time I see her at a social gathering, she seems to be enjoying herself. You have that gorgeous marble dance floor that never sees a celebration. It seems a shame."

"Yes, yes." I paused at the door to turn and face him. "Is there some secret ploy between you two to entice me into becoming a regular host? I can assure you that is not likely to happen. I am a man who enjoys privacy."

Trying to find a few words, Damrosch fingered his gloves.

"Relax." I laid a hand on his shoulder. "I am not upset about this in the least. Merely stating there are no promises of this becoming a scheduled occurrence."

Pushing open the door, we were greeted by a group of boisterous children of various ages all accompanied by their chaperons. Some of these gifted youths had musical tutors here at the Hall. In fact a couple were my own students. The whole lot of them were dressed smartly for the recitals. The older children were warming up, if their instrument allowed it, while a few of the younger children dashed about the room adding to the chaos.

I clapped my hands sharply and the room dashed into silence, all eyes upon me. "Very shortly, many of you will take to the stage for the first time. We ask that you treat this opportunity with decorum. Gather your instruments if you have one, and be ready to enter the stage when either Maestro Damrosch or I announce you."

Damrosch cleared his throat. "You have ten minutes before we'd like you to be upstairs. Have respect for your fellow performers and remain quiet until you are called. Are their any questions?"

One little boy tugged on his governess's sleeve. "When do we get ice cream?"

"Afterward." Striding into the group, I tried not to pause overly long at where my son sat upon the piano bench beside his schoolmate, Dario. Christine had selected a fine suit for Charles. I could not help but to notice that he was maturing quickly. Dario leaned over toward a figure concealed behind the piano.

"Somebody has butterflies in her stomach!" Dario laughed. I noted my son stiffly glanced away from his friend's victim. "It's because you know I'm better than you."

I coughed into my glove to capture the boy's attention. Both Dario and Charles looked up. "Young Master Dario, I believe it is." I waited for the blush to bloom on his cheeks. I had been correct in the name. "Should you not be tuning your viola?"

There was no verbal reply, only a swallow as he slid off the bench in a hasty retreat. Charles briefly met my eyes before he cast them down upon his hands.

Laying a hand upon his shoulder, I smiled. "You have worked very hard for this. I am most anxious to hear you play today. My finest student."

He nodded, but the whites of his eyes shown as he hid a glance behind the piano. The moment I lifted my hand, he slid from the bench and vanished into the crowd without a word.

Curious. What would have caused him to retreat so? Peering around the edge, I spied a girl who bore remarkable resemblance to Dario. Ah, yes, his twin sister, Simonetta. Tugging on her pinafore, she stared at the edge of the piano with haunted eyes.

Crouching down so as not to intimidate the nervous child, I whispered, "Is this some new approach to playing the piano through some feat of concentration? If so, I should like to learn."

Taking a step back, she snapped her eyes to me. Stuttering to find the proper address, she finally blurted out, "Maestro, I was just … my … oh … "

"This is your first recital, Simonetta?" I inquired as I adjusted my dress glove.

At her name her eyes fell to the floor. "How did you know my name?"

"My son and your brother have become close friends. The deduction was simple enough." Lifting my hand, I stole her attention and drew her eyes to look up at me. I noted she was trembling where she stood. "What instrument do you play?"

She cast her eyes at the piano once more and gave a slight nod.

"How long have you had lessons?"

Turning a foot on the stage she replied timidly, "Quite a few years now. Father hired a private tutor for me, Maestro Baleforio."

"An excellent tutor, I have come to know many of his students." Lifting my chin a touch, I continued. "So, why are you worried?"

Swallowing hard, she looked away from me. "I … well … my brother is right. I am not as talented as he is."

"Truly? Were that so, Baleforio would not have continued your instruction." When her shocked eyes turned back to me I nodded. "It is the truth. I have known of no less than a dozen pupils he refused to instruct. He does not linger with mediocrity."

Wringing her fingers, she shook her head. "What if I make a mistake?"

I laughed softly. "Let me tell you a little secret. Few in the audience will know every note you should be playing. So long as you play with confidence, they will likely have no idea a mistake even occurred."

"Dario will know. He will never let me forget it happened." Tugging on the lace of her pinafore, she whispered, "I wish he would make a mistake."

"Now, that is not how a proper musician thinks." Seating myself upon the piano bench, I held up my index finger. "That is how a spoiled diva might behave."

Simonetta looked down at her feet.

"Your brother likely worked hard on his piece. This festival is intended to showcase the emerging talent, not to draw attention to the short comings of fellow musicians."

"I didn't mean that." She murmured. "Besides, Dario won't mess up. He never does."

Taking my pocket watch out, I checked the time. As I returned it to my vest pocket I replied. "You will not make a mistake either. Just play from your heart and your tutor will be proud."

Climbing to my feet, I offered her a little bow. "If you will excuse me. I have already made Damrosch wait for me once today. Twice would be unforgivable."

"Maestro … " She took a step towards me. "Are you by any chance the father of Charles?"

"Why yes." Well now, she had noticed him after all. "Tell me how you came to such a conclusion."

Grasping her hands behind her back, she blushed. "He sounds so much like you." Giving a curtsy, she turned and followed the rest of the performers up the aisle, tailed closely by her governess whom I noted never altered her expression from a frosty scowl. It appeared some sculptor had chiseled her features in such a way. I now had a goal this afternoon, to see if I could somehow crack a smile into that stone gargoyle once the children were in my ballroom for the post festival social.

Striding leisurely through the corridors, I came upon Damrosch as the crowd was settling in. Peering through the shaft of light, we watched from the shadows. It may have been a youth festival, but both of us had agreed to treat it with the same calibre we did every concert at the hall. At the appropriate time, Damrosch pushed the door open and we walked onto the stage to the applause.

Holding up his hands, he waited for silence to descend. "Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Carnegie Hall on this extraordinary afternoon. On behalf of myself and Maestro Erik we would like to present for you a concert unlike any presented upon this stage before."

"Indeed." I took a step forward and the limelight followed me. "Music is the great art of expression. A skill that does not simply manifest itself in an instant. Even the grand masters once stood upon a stage for the first time, often when they were naught but children. And so, without further ado, we present the youth of our great city in the first Youth Music Festival held at the auspicious Carnegie Hall."

Damrosch waved a hand to the door where Charles stood with his fingers twisting a cufflink. "We open this afternoon with Charles Daae on the piano."

"His selection is a composition from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The playful piano sonata number 9 in the key of D." I held out a hand to beckon my son forward.

Sheltered by the door, Charles's eyes wavered in the shaft of light. They searched over the crowd before coming to rest on me. He hesitated, apprehension shining in his brown eyes. Taking a step back, I offered a small bow and was rewarded with my son sliding through the doorway onto the stage. The moment the light hit him, his shoulders fell back into place and he appeared to own the stage.

My boy. My son.

Damrosch and I dissolved back into the shadows as the limelight washed over Charles seating himself at the Steinway's bench. A slight pause as his fingers rested upon the keys. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath. Then the music poured forth from the instrument as he bent it to his will. In a merry chase, Charles let his fingers dance upon the keys as he became a conduit of pure emotion. No written music lay within his sight on the piano's stand. He was playing from his heart as I had tutored him … well, as I had once tutored him. Lately he had been less inclined to linger in the music room beside me. I relished this moment to hear him express his gift, even if it was from a distance. A warm smile graced his perfect face as he shifted on the bench to the movements of the piece.

My son was a true artist. And I could not have been prouder to present him to the world!

Finishing with the final bold chord, Charles rose from the bench to an explosion of applause before turning to bow.

The festival had begun. It was a parade of varying talents. The next few hours held a handful of musical gems amidst the general moderately talented lot. Only a few had been unprepared for the stage, one of which burst into tears and dashed to the wing. The poor child had seemed a little young for such a challenge. I was of course eager to hear Simonetta and was pleasantly surprised. Her fingers upon the keys showed great potential. Indeed, Baleforio's influence was evident. Given time, there was a chance she could acquire enough talent to be a concert pianist. Her brother Dario, while certainly skilled on the viola, was only of moderate talent.

As the crowd filtered out, Damrosch whispered into my ear. "That wasn't as painful as Wexworth thought it would be."

I chuckled before leaning over. "That is because Wexworth's son doesn't practice and he has a rather skewed view of youth recitals. Will I see you at the social?"

"I would love to, Erik. However, there is another invitation I must attend."

I eyed him suspiciously. "Do not tell me that you will be dining with the parents while I have been conned into taking care of their children."

Damrosch attempted to turn but I reached out and grasped his arm. "Honestly, you will probably have a better time than I will."

"Erik dear." Christine's hand reached around the back of my neck, the pressure causing me to turn into her embrace as I released Damrosch. "We should be getting back to the manor. Do you really want the children to start arriving before we are home?"

What a terrifying prospect. "I hope I remembered to disarm all the traps," I whispered with a grin.

"What traps?" She grasped my arms and made me look at her.

Twisting, I snatched her hand and gave it a quick kiss. "Of course I am only joking, my darling. You are right, we should be making certain all is ready. I need to fetch my cloak from the office. Wait for me here."

"Fourteen, fifteen … "

"Erik dear, you're counting the children again." Christine whispered. "They are all still in the ballroom."

Indeed, they all were. A mass of petite human beings ambling about the marble columns that glimmered with inset gems. In the keystone of the arch that housed my third piano, an immense diamond winked in the shafts of the afternoon sunlight. No mere cut of glass, this precious stone had once been mounted in the throne of the Shah of Persia. I should know where it had come from, after all it was my own dagger that liberated it from its initial setting. So captivatingly beautiful, that spoiled child did not deserve it.

The staff had prepared the room well with an ample supply of iced cream. It was an indulgence even I partook of with great interest, finding more than just a few ample servings in my hand over the course of the event. The melting treat kept the children contained as they returned to the tables to be served more. Their dinners would be truly spoiled. I would not confess it aloud, but I found a slight amusement in the natural effect a gathering of children caused. Despite the efforts of the chaperons, any attempt to maintain proper decorum repeatedly dissolved into a level of chaos. It reminded me of the anniversary party, when the champagne reduced us all to such juvenile behavior. It must be human nature.

Christine kissed my lips, forcing the semi-conscious counting to cease. "Everything is fine. The children are all enjoying themselves. Let the chaperons keep them contained for a little longer. Their parents should be picking them up shortly."

Placing a hand across her shoulder, I nodded to the group bustling in the room. "Time has passed rather quickly, and I have yet to achieve a certain goal."

She cocked her head curiously as I set aside the dish I had just emptied. "What are you up to?"

Whispering into her ear, I reached into my pocket searching the hidden recesses. "While the children have been having a good time, it appears that some of our guests are entirely too rigid to have enjoyed themselves. Time to remedy that."

As I slid from her reach, I saw her eyebrows raise a bit as she stepped back. "Don't tell me … "

"Enjoy the show." I quietly called over my shoulder as I glided toward the center of the room. A series of small glass orbs appeared in my hands as I tossed them about. One by one, the eyes of the children were drawn to me as I varied the speed. Once I had all their attention, I let the objects disappear.

They applauded briefly as I let one orb wander idly along my arm, drawing it back and forth across my hands. I wasn't really watching the progress, just seeming to let the ball carry its own course … right off the end of my fingers.

The children gasped! Only to hold their breath as the orb hovered in the air.

"It's magic!" Dario exhaled in awe.

Charles chuckled and leaned over to Dario. "Father can practically do that in his sleep. In fact I saw him do it once when he fell sleep while pondering something."

Tugging on his sleeve, Dario insisted. "But it's floating!"

"Yes, it is floating." I replied, flicking at the little ball and sending it higher into the air. "There is no water here for it float upon. There is only air in this room." At a gesture, the ball's path carried it high into the air accompanied by the wall sconces and candles extinguishing.

The children clung to each other in the dimmer room. From the corner of my eye, I noted my target, the gargoyle governess, still as ever. I was only getting started.

"Yet, there is nothing in this world that is beyond manipulation." Snapping my fingers, another orb appeared there to an explosion of light as the wall sconces and candles once more came back to life. "That's better."

Framed in the light, I saw the governess trying to hide her curious glances at the trick. As stony as she remained, there was a moment where the scowl cracked ever so slightly.

The children gathered about me, looked in awe as I casually flicked out one of the fire rings, minus the ignition fluid of course. Flipping the orb through the center of the ring, I caused the simple glass object to change each time it passed. First in color, then it became a flower bud, next it was Damrosch's watch. I hoped he didn't try and check the time during his own gathering. Secretly switching the objects from my pocket, at last the orb simply vanished, leaving my hand empty. In mock surprise, I stared through the ring which now framed the governess across the room.

"Master Dario. It appears that your governess has acquired something that belongs to me." I gestured for the boy, who climbed to his feet and crossed the room with curiosity.

The governess rigidly stood her ground against the wall. "Master Dario, this is most inappropriate."

His eyes flashed wide as he pointed to behind her back. Not a word did he utter, he just stared.

"Pointing is rude. Staring is even more … " But her voice halted as her hand reached into the loop of her large bow and from it came my clear glass orb with the flower bud directly in the center. The scowl melted into an expression of awed shock, as at first she studied the impossible object then slowly turned her wide eyes to me, staring. Like brittle clay, her face cracked as her expression changed. "That is not possible."

Holding out my hand I replied, "I assure you that is real."

"But how did that get inside there?" She studied the solid glass once more. Her head snapped up. "How did it get over here? You never stepped toward me!"

I laughed. "Give it to the boy, have him bring it here."

Dario placed the orb in my hand. With a series of wrist flicks the flower emerged from the orb. One more turn and the bud bloomed in my hand. I let them stare for a moment before a snap of a fingers caused the flower to vanish in a ball of flames, leaving my hand empty. However, in a quick wave of my hand, a shower of coins cascaded carelessly onto the floor. The children darted forth to gather up my spare change. The last coin I flicked to the governess with a slight nod of my head as she caught it and examined it for authenticity.

The governess had now replaced her scowl with an expression of quite shocked contemplation. I noted she brushed the back of her hand against her forehead, presumably to check her temperature. Satisfied with achieving my goal, I now discovered a hungry throng of children eager to see more of the unbelievable.

"That is enough for today." I tried to make a pathway through them without much effect. "There is actually a law on how many times in one day one can break the laws that govern the universe."

Christine was unsuccessfully trying to hide her laughter in her hands. Giving up, she began to clap quietly. "Well done, Erik. Now every time they see you they will be begging for more."

I shrugged as I pushed through the shorter crowd. A voice called out for the Wexworth children, their carriage awaited outside for them. As they scurried through to their chaperon, I passed by Charles and Dario.

"You won't have a thing to worry about." Dario gasped. "I mean just look at your father and the opulence of this place. Clearly he has a fortune. You have it made, Charles!"

"I know." Charles reached up and plucked a cherry from the plate on the table. "What's the point of me needing to find some career to support a household? Once I get my inheritance from Father I should be set for life."

No. My breath stuck in my chest. Oh no, Charles, you can't believe such a thing! You cannot become like the man you once believed to be your father … that is the danger of aristocracy—the feeling of entitlement. So much potential would be wasted.

No words came quickly enough to me before the rapid departure of the children stole my attention. In a whirlwind of departures, we came to find but one family left, the twins and their governess in the now eerily quiet ballroom.

Seating myself at the piano, I found Christine leaning on it with an expectant smile. My angel of music wanted to sing. My fingers danced across the keys launching her into her solo for an upcoming concert. It was good practice for her and I shivered in the pure music.

"Madame Daae, that was very lovely." Simonetta hovered beside the piano.

"Thank you." She smiled and stroked the piano. "I always love it when Erik plays my favorite pieces for me. Especially the ones he has written. As though they were meant to entertain the courts."

"That must be a rather serious affair." Simonetta's fingers once more lingered on the lace of her pinafore. "To entertain the court."

I stifled a laugh. "Tell that to Mozart. It was said he had quite the flare for causing a disturbance in the courts. Playing a piece while held upside down was among them. However, I must say as challenging as that is, playing a piece transposed backwards is about the most interesting one can do."

"Backwards?" Dario placed his hand on the edge of the piano's keyboard. "You mean playing the chords reversed?"

"Of course. To start at the end of a composition and complete it at the beginning."

Dario snickered. "That's silly. Why would anyone want to do that."

With a smile I hit the final chord of Mozart's piano sonata number 9 and rapidly proceeded to produce the movement chord for chord backwards. "Because it can sound rather interesting, and also shows no small amount of skill."

Christine glided over and placed her hand on Charles's shoulder. He was grinning a bit. "I remember that rehearsal when Damrosch shouted out that if the Symphony Society didn't get the sequence correct he would make them play it backward."

Swaying with the strange rendition, I cocked an eyebrow. "He had not noticed I had been lingering by the piano. It seemed like such an amusing challenge. I simply could not resist."

The children laughed as I played the final chord, which was actually the first chord.

"Monsieur Erik." I swung around the piano bench to find one of the footmen in the doorway. "The Chantelli's have been delayed. They sent word that they shall be picking up their children here as soon as they can. They apologize for the delay."

I nodded as Christine seated herself beside me on the bench. She bid the children to gather around us. "It is no matter for a slight delay. I am certain we may find enough to keep ourselves entertained."

My mind mulled over the name. Chantelli. Chantelli. "Chantelli … " I had mused aloud without intending to do so. "Any relation to Signora la Serenissima?"

Simonetta grinned. "Yes, that's our Aunty Clareesa."

I sat back rather more suddenly than I had wished, nearly hitting the keyboard with my elbow. "That self-centered, tone deaf diva is your aunt?"

A sharp pain erupted at my ribs. Christine threw me a dark scowl as I rubbed the ribs she had elbowed.

"What?" I mouthed.

Twirling around, Simonetta continued. "Aunty Clareesa was a singer on the stage. Men used to compete for her."

Dario began to laugh. "They were after her money, Simonetta, not her talent. Father told me her singing voice was terrible and her attitude an embarrassment to the whole family."

"I should say so. She had quite an ill-reputation." As I permitted my tongue to get the better of me, I glanced at Christine who's continued glare remained locked on my eyes.

Narrowing his gaze, Dario studied me for a long moment. "She attempted to perform at Carnegie Hall and some man who became the director of the arts forced her out. Ruined her career. They say she never sang again after he gave her a blistering critique."

Never sang again? My actions caused her to finally realize she couldn't sing! I couldn't help the fidgeting. I wanted to leap up with elation. No wonder I had not been troubled with word of her further attempts. There were none!

Simonetta crept forward. "Was that man you?"

"Yes!" I blurted out, unable to hold back any longer. Of course, this was followed by a pained howl as Christine kicked my shin, hard!

"Erik! Mind your manners." She stood up, placing her hands on her hips.

"You were there." I rubbed the already rising bruise. "I only told her the truth about her voice. If anything, I assisted her in not wasting any more time developing a career around a talent she did not actually possess."

Across the room, Charles glanced nervously at Simonetta.

Dario and Simonetta giggled into their hands. "It's alright. The only one who misses Aunty Clareesa's singing is Aunty Clareesa." Simonetta confessed.

I held out my hand in point. "Your aunt thankfully stopped singing before her wretched voice made all the ears in Manhattan bleed."

That earned me an icy glare from my wife, cold enough that I swallowed my next remark even as the children continued to chat.

Hours later, after a rather quiet meal in the dining room, I followed Christine upstairs. "That was a wonderful success of a day. Damrosch and I would be fools not to make this an annual event." I was about to cross the threshold into our bedchamber, when Christine placed the flat of her palm against my chest.

"You would be a greater fool in thinking you will be sleeping in here tonight." The fire burning in her eyes warned me I had risen her ire.

"My love." I began holding my hands out. "What is the cause of this?"

Rising to her full height, she glared into me. "If you think hard enough, you should know what you have done, Erik."

"La Serenissima?" Oh yes, that was it. By the darkening of her expression that was undoubtedly it. "That was years ago, and even the family has enough taste to know that the woman cannot sing."

Tapping her foot on the ground, she narrowed her eyes. "You insulted a relative of the girl Charles has his heart set upon marrying. Do you wish to spoil his chances by some rude remark?"

"Well … I … " Hrm, when she put it that way. Dropping my shoulders, I tried once more to enter my room. "I will find some way to make amends."

"Good. You may think about what you have done on the couch tonight. Good night, Erik." The door slammed shut, leaving me in the study.

Wriggling the knob, I noted she had locked the door. "Christine, my love. You know a lock will not keep me out."

"Erik." Her voice came back mockingly. "You know that little electrical device you and Charles built? Do you wish to find out what it feels like to grab a metal knob attached to it?"

Of its own will, my hand increased the distance from the potential threat. My devious nature had indeed inspired a few well deserved retaliations.

"Did I hear a door slam?" Nadir walked into the study as I left the door, glancing over my shoulder with a soft chuckle.

"You did."

Observing me briefly as I strolled over to the sofa and dropped down upon it with a sigh, he stole a glance at the bedchamber door. "What did you do this time?"

Studying my fingernails idly, I mused, "You remember La Serenissima?" When he nodded, I continued. "The last time she sang was my critique at the Music Hall."

He half-smiled. "What does this have to do with you spending the night banned from your bedchamber?"

I rolled my gaze up to meet his eyes. "I apparently caused the end of her career."

"A blessing, if that is true." Nadir laughed. "I only suffered her voice once."

Laying my arm across my eyes, I chuckled. "All of Manhattan may agree. But I am forbidden from celebrating that great success within the vision of my sweet Christine."

"Forbidden? I thought she wasn't fond of the diva either."

I nodded. "It does not matter. I neglected my manners in public and I now have a rather large bruise on my shin for my pains." But I was smiling anyway. La Serenissima had never sung again after the sting of my words.

Complete victories were rare in this world. One had to relish them when they came.