Erik pulled his pocket watch out from within the front pocket of his borrowed coat. He'd worn the same suit for three days now, and it was truly beginning to grate on him. He'd never been a particularly vain man (because realistically how could he be) but he'd always prided himself on keeping a tidy and neat appearance. If this blasted rain would simply cease, then he could go out and retrieve his things. It would be nice to be back in his own comfortable and familiar clothing. And he really did not care for relying upon the charity of others.

She was ten minutes late.

He scowled at his pocket watch as the seconds hand made its lap around the dial and time marched on. At fifteen minutes past ten, on the dot, he heard her heels as they clicked on the wooden floor just outside of the music room. Was the silly girl late on purpose? She truly had no idea that she was trying his patience, and that she was in severe danger of getting on his last nerve. If she continued this little game then she might force his hand into doing something quite unpleasant for the both of them.

When she sailed into the music room he had to force himself to remain impassive as he lounged nonchalantly against the piano. Dear God, he hadn't known that she could get any prettier. He was not prepared for this at all. But the cream and ice blue lacy dress that she was wearing made her look absolutely angelic like her namesake. The fates were cruel indeed to put such a creature in his path. Thank goodness that she had the personality of a viper. Internally, he flinched at that thought as he was reminded of her moment of desperation the other night. She'd been entirely innocent and vulnerable as she'd clung to him and cried. She was a decent actress, but he was certain that those tears had been quite real. But this cold, hard creature before him right now seemed like an entirely different person. He was left to wonder which Evangeline was the real one.

Outwardly, he was as calm and collected as he could be. Internally, he was reeling as he struggled for control. For God's sake man, get a grip. What would Nadir say if the old man knew that Erik had been reduced so low by a pretty little face with a smart mouth?

As she entered the room and opened her mouth to speak he smiled at her wickedly and held out a packet of sheet music towards her. He didn't want to hear her excuses. He knew that she'd arrived late on purpose. But would she appreciate his punishment? Probably not. He wanted to laugh, but he couldn't, or he would give it all away before it had even begun.

She took it from him warily as she assessed him with a keen eye. Erik managed to keep his posture relaxed and his face neutral and as pleasant as it could look while it was half hidden under his white leather mask.

"Our lesson for the day," he informed her, putting a little extra honey in his voice. He was wildly pleased when he saw the faintest stiffening of her shoulders in response.

Her eyes narrowed at him as she glanced between him and the pieces of sheet music. He enjoyed watching her as she read the title and scanned the lines. When she groaned, he couldn't keep the wicked smile from his face. With a practiced flourish he sat at the piano bench as if it was a throne and he was the king. He was amused as she sat primly beside him on the bench and placed the pages of sheet music upon the piano.

Evangeline set her fingers to the opening bar and he was heartened to see that she'd at least learned something in the short amount of time that he'd been teaching her. She kept the heels of her hands from resting on the piano's wood, and her wrists were soft and fluid as she played. He wasn't surprised when she stumbled on the bridge. It was a difficult piece even for most pianists and Evangeline was not much more than a proficient beginner. He'd sought to humble her with this song and he wondered if it was working. The expression on her face made him think that it was. When she made a particularly jarring mistake he stopped her.

"Your left hand is too slow for your right. Try it again but this time play only the left so that you may get a feel for it," he instructed her softly.

When she did as he said without complaint he looked at her warily from the corner of his eye. What trap was this? Normally she'd be making rude comments or sarcastic remarks by now. Surely he hadn't humbled her so thoroughly, had he? For some odd reason he found that he liked a complacent Evangeline even less than a saucy one.

The music lesson continued along this similar vein for the next hour and a half. Erik felt his silent anger growing with each and every minute that ticked by. Where was her fire? That spark that had danced wildly as she teased him mercilessly? It was strange that he should miss it now when it had done nothing but irritate him before. Well, that wasn't completely true. It had amused him as well if he was being honest. True, she'd a little progress in her playing today but it would be a long and grating summer indeed if this kept up.


At dinner that night Erik noticed that Evangeline had changed her clothing yet again. What was the point of all of that? It seemed like a rather useless waste of one's time. And it's not like she'd done anything to dirty her dress from that morning. What was wrong with that morning's dress?

Erik felt his throat go dry as he really took her in and when he tried to speak his tongue felt thick and useless in his mouth. He thought that she'd been fetching in pale blue and cream lace. But she was even lovelier in this off-the-shoulder gown with its elaborately embroidered gold trimming. Was it green, or was it blue, or some indeterminable shade in between? He was sure that the particular hue had a name, although it escaped him in that moment as he tried not to stare at her like an uncouth boy. For the first time since he'd met her he saw her now without long sleeves or a high neckline. The short, off-the-shoulder straps of her gown left the smooth, creamy expanse of her decolletage and lithe arms on display. And her hair tumbled down her back in ringlet curls instead of her typical intricate updo.

Aunt Mabel was asleep in her chair, as usual, but the old woman awakened as soon as Evangeline entered the room. The whole thing was entirely suspicious to Erik, who now wondered if the old woman feigned being asleep whenever it suited her needs.

The old woman smiled at Evangeline and the two exchanged short pleasantries until the matron tugged on a little velvet rope that dangled from the ceiling. A moment later the dining room doors opened and the butler was helping Aunt Mabel to her feet and escorting her into the dining room.

Erik tried to swallow over the lump in his throat as he held his arm out for Evangeline to take ahold. Her arm slipped easily into his, and he was grateful that the material of his jacket was thick. He wasn't sure what he might do if he felt her warm skin next to his.


After dinner Aunt Mabel requested that Erik play more music for them. He inclined his head and murmured nonsense pleasantries of agreement. He wanted to play the Stradivarius again anyways, so what did it matter if he had an audience?

The trio made their way to the music room and only aunt Mabel seemed surprised when he bypassed the piano to take up the violin instead.

"Oh!" the old woman exclaimed. "I was not aware that you played the violin as well. How delightful. My late husband George was a hobbyist violinist, you know," she murmured. Apparently she had forgotten that they'd already discussed this.

Erik fine tuned the instrument as the ladies settled themselves onto the sofa.

"I play seven instruments, actually," he informed them, feeling a bit proud.

"My goodness, I had no idea. Well, we are honored to hear you play for us," the elderly woman added kindly.

Evangeline was strangely quiet as she sat there on the sofa with her hands folded delicately in her lap. Her golden hair shone brightly in the dim lamp light and she held herself so still and prim and proper.

Erik set the violin to the hollow of his neck. As he wrapped his slim fingers around the strings and set them into place he began to play.

One song melded into another as he enjoyed the experience of playing such an amazing instrument. Under his skilled fingers it sang and together he and the violin soared into the heavens. When he came back down to Earth he opened his eyes saw that Aunt Mabel had left them at some point in the evening. He glanced at the clock and noticed that over an hour had passed since he'd placed the violin to his neck. When the music was good like that he often lost track of time in such a manner. The violin tapped against his thigh as he relaxed his arms and enjoyed the familiar ache of playing.

"I have never seen someone lose themselves so completely while playing before," she admitted softly from the sofa.

"It does not occur every time that I play," he admitted in reply.

"It does whenever you play the Stradivarius," she remarked insightfully.

He glanced at her for a moment before moving to replace the violin in its glass case.

"It's a very fine instrument," he surmised with a touch of envy in his voice.

She was silent, and when he turned around and glanced at her he saw that she appeared to be considering her words.

"My great-great-grandfather won it in a game of cards in 1785. He was not even a musician, he merely loved the thrill of gambling. In fact, he nearly gambled the family to ruin. We were very fortunate that he did not lose in the end, because he had bet the estate as his own collateral," she told him quietly.

"That was very lucky, indeed," Erik replied, a little surprised that she had told him what he assumed was a family secret.

"He was a foolish man," she admitted sternly.

"Men often are," he joked dryly.

She chuckled softly and the sound of it stirred something deep within him. He realized that he would like to hear her laugh more often, and the thought surprised him.

"That's very true. What would the men do without us women there to guide them?" she chided with a gentle, facetious tone.

He inclined his head towards her. "Surely we would perish," he murmured. And she laughed again.

"Truthfully though, I am glad that it seems to bring you so much joy. It was never thoroughly appreciated here before you arrived. And it seems like such a waste to lock it away for viewing only," she remarked.

Erik merely nodded in return.

"I never said thank you, by the way. For the other night, I mean…" she said hesitantly. Her voice wavered with emotion.

He was at a loss for what to say. How did one reply to such a thing? He'd never been in the life saving business before. Usually it was quite the opposite, actually.

Before he could think of some response she rose from the sofa and gathered up the train of her skirts in one hand.

By the time she had reached the doorway he'd finally gathered up his courage to voice his reply.

He placed a hand against his stomach and gave a little half bow in her direction. "Consider me your obedient servant, mademoiselle."

Evangeline placed one hand on the door frame as she looked back at him over her shoulder.

"Obedient?" she questioned coyly, her voice betraying her amusement. "Oh, I think not. But I appreciate it all the same. You saved my life, and I won't forget that."

He opened his mouth to protest, to say that he had not done anything particularly heroic and that anyone would have helped her in such a situation.

But she continued before he could get a word in edgewise.

"And… servant?" she murmured softly.

She made a great show of looking him up and down before her eyes met and held his in the flickering gas light of the music room. She laughed again, her voice husky and electrifying.

"I doubt that very much," she whispered. And then Evangeline smiled that sly little grin that made her cheek dimple on one side.

He smiled at her conspiratorially in reply. And there it was! Her saucy attitude. Yes, he liked this version better. The sad, meek girl from today's lesson had been unsettling. He would be the butt of every one of her jokes if it only made her laugh that way and grin at him like that again. Her smile spread a trail of warmth inside of him. He'd forgotten how wonderful it was to feel this way about something… anything.

"Goodnight, Evangeline," he said instead of a proper response.

She seemed surprised, and he wondered what misstep he'd just committed. She glanced away for a moment and when her eyes returned to his he could have sworn that there was a faint blush staining her cheeks.

"Goodnight, Erik," she whispered in return.

And then she left, and he was staring at an empty hallway as the sound of her heels struck against the wooden floors and echoed down the hall.