I haven't said it for awhile, so let me say here that I don't own Erik, or Christina or Nadir, not even Cesár, but I do own all the other OC's!
Christina, Chapter 12
Christina rearranged his pillows and straightened out the covers from their planning session and turned to leave.
"Leaving so soon?" Erik asked with a look of disappointment like a puppy being denied a treat.
"The commander asked for a word with me before he leaves. I'll be right back."
"Hurry back?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
She tilted her head with a questioning look, "I will." and was gone.
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She wondered what he could possibly want to know that she hadn't already told him? Or maybe he'd had word from her father? Excitedly she approached the kitchen table where the commander was seated with a cup of cocoa and another cup in front of an empty chair. He got up and pulled out the chair for her and gestured to it, "Please."
She sat and he pushed the chair in for her, "Thank you, Monsieur le Capitaine, what was it you wanted to see me about?" She only then noticed the cocoa, "For me?" and turned around to see Valérie at the stove with a saucepan with more cocoa, "Thank you!"
"I'll just take this in to Robért and Constantino. "and she left with the pan and two large mugs.
"Mademoiselle Oledotter," began the commander, "we've had word from your Madam Magnusson."
"Tante!" she exclaimed, spilling a bit of her cocoa on the table. "Where? How is she?" hastily cleaning up the spilled cocoa and wiping a tear from her eye at the same time.
"As you might imagine, there has been a problem with communications from that area, what with the war in the northern districts and then this blizzard that halted almost all travel and pulled down many communication wires… but she is safe and is very concerned about you. She has been in contact with your father and will arrive in a few days to take you back home."
Christina at first was overjoyed to hear that her tante was unharmed, but suddenly became quiet at mention of of her returning to Sweden. "Oh. Well, that's nice. Thank you so much, Monsieur." It seemed the decision of where to live was coming much sooner that she'd expected.
"She has asked me to convey to you to be prepared to return with her the following day as your father is waiting for you in Zurich."
"In Zurich! But … I… " What am I to tell him? I must meet with my father, of course, but how can I tell him I am not returning with him? And I cannot just leave Erik as he is… maybe I can convince Papa to stay here until Erik is able to travel? But that could be a month from now. And I can only imagine what Papa has been told about my impromptu excursion through Prussia, Switzerland and into France…
"Mademoiselle, did you have a message you'd like for me to send to your father?" asked the commander, watching her carefully, waiting for any hint of deceitfulness or rebellion.
"Yes. Could you please tell him that I am unable to leave here at present and for as long as perhaps two weeks and invite him to visit Genève? And also please convey to him that all of my belongings have been stolen or have been shipped to the home of the Vicomte de Chagny in Arles. If you could please tell him that much, I would very much appreciate it."
"He will not be very happy with such a message, although I am sure he will be more than delighted to hear that you are safe. And I have more news for you. The Vicomte de Chagny is in custody of the Army of France until such time as they decide what to do with him." He watched for any reaction from her that might indicate that she regretted any of what she had previously told him, but she only looked more resolved, even relieved, at the news of his being in custody.
He doesn't really deserve to be locked up in a jail, she thought, and yet it seems to be the only way they can keep him under control. How could he have changed so much that he has come to this? How could we have come to this? But he is where he needs to be, as am I.
"Thank you so much. I appreciate your taking the time to do all this on my behalf."
She finished her cocoa and got up to leave when he took hold of her wrist, "You're sure you don't want to come with me and say 'Good-bye' to your fiancé?"
She pulled her hand away and gave him a hard look, "I've told you, he is not my fiancé! I want nothing to do with him! You have my answer to my Tante Dagmar and a message for my father. Now, please leave!"
"You're pretty uppity for a fallen woman with no protector. Come on down to see the Vicomte off and we can go find your Tante…"
Erik entered the room and looked from one to the other, "I heard the shouting. Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing. The commander was just leaving!" she said, emphasizing the last word.
The commander looked from Christina to Erik before snatching up his hat and stalking out the door.
Christina turned to Erik suddenly realizing he was there "Erik! You shouldn't be up!" and she gently escorted him back into the bedroom. Once inside he turned and took her in his arms, "Christina, I am so sorry…"
And she pressed herself into his waiting arms. "I don't understand this! All I wanted was to send a message, but then even the commander… !" She pulled back and looked up at Erik as he wiped her tears, "Do I have a sign on me that says that I am free for the taking? How dare he!"
"Come sit down for a moment, Christina. I need to ask you something."
She followed him and sat down on the edge of the bed, puzzled by his sudden change in demeanor. He seemed nervous and almost feverish, unsure of himself.
"Erik? Are you OK? Maybe you need to get back in bed. You know you shouldn't be up…"
He smiled and shook his head, placing a finger on her lips, "Hush now. I think I have a solution to many of your troubles right now." He leaned over as if he were about to fall and Christina turned, prepared to catch him when he righted himself on the floor with one knee bent under him and the other supporting him upright. "Christina, I asked once before, but not in a formal way, so…"
She looked at him with those huge brown eyes, now filled once more with tears and took in a sharp breath.
" I think it's about time to… " and he was fumbling around with a small wrapped paper package..." to ask you if you would do me the honor of being my wife? I know that I have an awful temper at times, and I have done some awful things in…mmmfff" The rest of his words were muffled by her kiss. He pulled away with as many tears in his own eyes as she had in hers and yet both of them were smiling like children on Christmas morning. He fumbled some more with the package and pulled out a glorious diamond and citrine ring and slid it onto her finger. "There. Now perhaps you won't be bothered by men thinking you are not spoken for!"
"Oh, Erik!" and she leaned over to kiss him but it made him lose his tenuous balance and they both toppled down to the floor, laughing.
"Ohh, oww!...haha! Ow!"
"Oh, Erik! I'm so sorry!...haha! Come on, let's get you up on the bed..." And she started to get to her feet before he pulled her back down.
"Let's just stay here…" and he kissed her and pulled her back down to the floor beside him as she returned his kiss. Not only was this a good excuse to cuddle with her, but it was much easier than getting up again!
"Erik, you can't stay here … on the floor… like this…" He was giving her playful kisses on the brow and on her face and neck in an increasingly hungry manner. She watched his eyes and they had been sparkling with mischief but soon turned to dark aqua, almost smoldering and though he was acting playfully, his expression was serious as he studied her lips. Soon Cristina could feel the fire rise as she returned his kisses with equal effort.
"(Kiss)… why not?... Hmm?" He pulled her to him and could feel her heart beating wildly and realized that his was beating in time with hers, the two creating their own symphony of ethereal melodies. He ran his hands down along her sides and back up again to her chin and kissed her neck and caused her to have gooseflesh from his touch. She was beautiful, and he could feel her flinch slightly whenever he passed his hand over an especially sensitive spot. His lips found hers once more and he kissed her deeply and passionately, as thrills began to run up his spine.
"Oh, Erik! You make me feel…"
"Like what?"
She returned his kiss with equal passion, feeling the heat of his body through his clothes and the pulsing of his veins and hearing the breath moving in and out of his lungs, and feeling the strong muscles of his chest, until she became aware of a bulge against her belly and looked at Erik with surprise before turning beet red. "Ohh! Erik…!"
He pulled her tight up against himself, reveling in the feeling of having her close like this, "I feel the same way … I have never felt such wonder before. I don't see how being together as husband and wife could possibly be more exquisite than this." He felt like he could stay like this forever. Every movement of her hips sent thrills tingling up his spine … and down again and ending at his groin, making his manhood stiffen even more, but too soon making it ache with increasing pressure. "Um, I think we had better get back up." He said softly, developing a blush of his own. "This may not have been the best thought-out idea."
She gave him a look of love and sympathy as she helped him up onto the bed and got him settled under the covers. "Are you OK?" she asked with a small grin. He grimaced as he settled himself into the bed once more.
"The only thing that would make me feel better right now is if you were under here with me," he said with eyes filled with love and yearning. "Your love for me is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. I have come to love you as well, Christina. You complete me."
"Erik, I can no longer imagine being married to any other man but you. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."
"Come here," he told her softly, extending his hand toward her, beckoning.
She hesitantly came over to him and he wrapped his arm around her, drawing her down onto the bed. "So, woman, where would you prefer to live – once we're married, I mean?" She was now sitting on the side of the bed with one of his arms encircling her waist. The strange feeling of the ring on her finger brought her to toy with it and to watch it sparkle in the light.
"Well, I hadn't given it much thought, really. I do like it here, well, maybe not here, but someplace nearby? I do like your Uncle and Aunt Boivan…" She leaned in to his hand as he drew circles across her back, "But I wouldn't want to totally abandon my family in Sweden. What about you? Where would you want to live?"
"Well," he began. "It would have to be someplace where we would have some seclusion, but not be entirely separated from civilization, someplace with lots of snow in the winter so you can teach me how to ski…"
"It would have to be someplace near an opera house," she added with a sly smile.
He looked up at her and grinned, "Yes, that would be nice, but not too close to the city...OW!"
"What is it?" she asked in alarm and turned to look at him.
"My neck!" he said with a grimace and looked at her to be sure she was watching him. "It hurts!"
"Where?" and she started rubbing on the side of his neck…
"A little lower… to the left… that's better…" as she continued to massage his neck. "Much better…. You know what? I think it's from craning my neck to speak with you…"
"Oh? Are you telling me to leave, Monsieur?"
"On the contrary," he murmured slyly, sliding over a bit on the bed, "Come here." And he patted the bed beside him.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't that be rather… scandalous?" she asked, making big cow eyes at him.
"Oh, I don't know … the door is open, and it isn't as if we haven't done this before," he said drawing her closer to him on the bed. "And it's so much easier for me to talk to you when you're so… very… close…, and I wanted to ask you something," he murmured, smelling her hair, thinking it smelled of roses.
"Um-hm?" She turned to look at him, not realizing his face was right next to hers.
He studied her for a minute before grinning and giving her a little kiss."Perfect!"
"Mm… Is your neck better now?"
"My what?" he murmured softly, gazing into those luscious eyes.
"Your neck. You said it hurt…"
"Oh that! Yes, yes it is better …thank you… now, where were we?"
"You said you wanted to ask me something."
"I did? Oh yes, I did, didn't I?… Sing for me? I do so love to hear you sing. Just a lullaby, in Swedish, if you like?"
And so she sang, and as she did, he began to hum along, and soon they were singing together in a very soft and simple harmony … and it wasn't long before he was singing by himself as she slept, curled up against him. It was heaven having her curled up next to me, feeling her warmth and feeling her snuggled up, fitting perfectly against my side. I want this to go on forever.
When Valérie looked in to see why it had grown so quiet, Erik winked at her and signaled her to come over to his other side, whispering, "Could you please find a blanket for her?"
Valérie rolled her eyes and left to find a blanket. When she returned he told her, "She was so tired after all the excitement yesterday, she just … fell asleep!"
Valérie grinned slyly at him, saying, "Uh-huh."
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Raoul was not about to let that freak have the last word. He might be under arrest in this little backwater gendarmerie, but he was, after all, a vicomte and that had to count for something. As soon as they reached the Gex police station he sent a wire to his father, telling him his version of recent events, including the fact that a circus freak had teamed up with some gypsies and kidnapped Christina. He also asked to be appointed to an army office posting, as he had been detained while attempting to reach his army unit, which he had unfortunately then missed. While writing his message to his father, he noticed another message lying on the desk, this one from someone called Mon. le Comte de Ragnvaldsson. What an odd name. Certainly some foreigner. Wait! Could that be Christina's father? He picked up the message and saw that it was indeed her father asking for information on her whereabouts. What an amazing stroke of good fortune! He quickly penned a message to him, informing him that they had been abducted and that she was currently being held by gypsies and circus freaks in a hideout shack near Genève. That ought to get the ball rolling, he thought. Time to get that freak out of my way and get Christina back under my thumb, where she belonged!
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The next day, Erik and Robért had settled in Robért's workroom behind the bedroom where the light coming in through the tall window made working on projects easier. They were busy discussing variations to a home design that Erik was thinking of building for himself and Christina. He had three sites in mind where he might want to build, thanks to Robért's knowledge of the area, but couldn't decide on the style he wanted. He liked the chalet style because it looked a little Scandinavian (but that might have been simply because all homes built in the mountains had the same fundamental look for practicality purposes?), however, maybe the block design would be more functional? As each plan was put forward, Erik would quickly sketch what his vision of the home would look like and Robért would nod in approval.
"You are no help, Robért, you like them all! At this rate we shall have a host of home designs from which to chose and be no closer to making a decision!"
Robért threw his arm across Erik's shoulders, causing Erik to stiffen slightly, telling him, "It's your own fault, you know. You're just too talented and they are all very attractive, as well as practical!" protested Robért. "Perhaps we should ask the ladies for their opinion?"
Erik sighed, holding his side, "Well, we've tried everything else; why not? … No! Wait!" and Robért turned back from the door he'd been about to open. "I have one more idea," said Erik, again picking up his pen and he drew a home that looked like a tall chalet that was nestled into the side of the hill. "The cellar will be dug into the hillside, rather than under the house, and the stable will be accessed through the wood house, like yours is!"
"Hmm… that would require a site with an exposed but low cliff face. Let me think…"
"Yes. We wouldn't want there to be a chance of more of the cliff breaking off and falling onto the house!"
"I'm sure I have seen such a place. You finish your plans and I'll look through the maps again.
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Zurich was a beautiful old city with its many old churches and the massive bahnhof in the center of the city. There were many shops with an international flavor as well as places outside of the city that felt almost like Sweden, if one closed their eyes for a moment and used their imagination. The many rivers converging in the city provided opportunities for long walks along their banks and tour boat rides in the warmer months to view the many historic edifices clustered along their shores.
But Oluf wasn't here as a tourist. He was here to rescue his daughter, his only daughter, his lovely, beautiful, wonderful, innocent daughter, from what he had been told were a band of gypsies who had kidnapped her and her fiancé, although he questioned why. Why were they the only ones kidnapped? Surely there must have been others more wealthy among the passengers on that train? And why would gypsies attack an entire train of travelers in the first place? It seemed rather non-typical. And if they had kidnapped Christina and the vicomte, why let him go? They could have held him for a large ransom, as well as Christina. And how had he gotten away from them? And why did he leave her there with a gang of gypsies? From what he knew of gypsies – which was of course not very much – they traveled from place to place, often in caravans, remaining in one place only for a short time. Why would they remain in a populated place like Genève? Was their leader injured and unable to travel? He wanted to seek out the gendarmerie nearest to this hideout to see what he knew of the situation, but the vicomte had said that he was in collusion with them.
It all sounded rather suspicious and he hoped a meeting with the boy's father would clear things up and provide some simple explanations for this strange affair. But in the mean time he had made some inquiries on his own and learned some disturbing facts. The Vicomte de Chagny was an officer in the army of France. France was presently at war with Prussia. Why, then, was the vicomte not with his unit? According to Dagmar, the vicomte had taken them off the train and begun traveling with them in a rather circuitous route through the high plain of Switzerland. Switzerland? In an attempt to reach his unit in Alsace? That seemed like an altogether peculiar choice of action to take at the start of winter in a strange land, with two women to make allowances for, and arrange accommodations for along the way? Especially after shipping their winter accessories to the south of France; on the whole, a fairly erratic way of thinking. If this vicomte had so little regard for his daughter's and sister's well-being and so little foresight in his journey plans… ; this was beginning to look as if the vicomte were trying to avoid his unit and make for the family home in the south of France, thereby by-passing the war altogether. Maybe choosing him as his son-in-law was a mistake.
Maybe allowing the vicomte to travel with his daughter was another mistake, but there were two other people with them. There were the vicomte's man, oh what was his name – Hugh? Harry? – and his sister, Dagmar, but was that enough? At least she had been returned unharmed, unlike Henry, who had been killed. He didn't want to think about what he would do if Christina had come to any harm – ANY harm!
This whole affair had his stomach in a turmoil. If only Mama were here to help. She would have known what to do, she always did. Maybe a nice glass of milk will help, he thought. He pulled out his watch and saw that the person he was meeting wasn't due to arrive for another hour so he took himself down to the hotel bar and ordered a glass. That's one thing he could say for this country, they had good milk! Almost as good as home. And good cigars, too.
At long last a gentleman who had the look of a Comte entered the bar, scanning the tables. Dissatisfied, he was about to leave when Oluf stood up and asked ,"Monsieur le Comte de Chagny? Are you looking for someone from Sweden, by any chance?" Philippe hesitated when he saw the tall, gruff-looking gentleman. Oluf was well over six feet tall, with sandy blonde hair and a lush moustache that curled up slightly at the ends. He wore a heavy jacket with a red wool plaid vest with a gold watch chain draped across it. A short top hat and coat with a removable shawl collar were waiting on the chair nearest him.
"Monsieur le Comte de Ragnvaldsson? We meet at last!" The French Comte wore an overcoat on top of a dark blue suit with a gray and green ascot tie at the neck above an orange brocaded vest.
"Care to join me in a drink. Monsieur le Comte?", asked Oluf, raising his glass of milk.
Philippe smirked and said, "I have rather stronger tastes than that, Monsieur le Comte," and he turned to the barman and asked for a bottle of their finest cognac. Turning back to Oluf he told him, "and please call me Philippe; titles are too long and waste the breath."
Oluf laughed, "Yes, and are too long for foreigners to get their tongues around! You may call me Oluf."
"Thank you."
"Now, tell me, do you have any idea what all this nonsense is, about gypsies and circus freaks? I have received a message from your son saying that Christina is being held captive and on almost the same day I received a note from my daughter to come and visit Genève!"
Philippe scowled a bit while pouring himself some of the cognac, "That's strange. I was sent a message that my son had been arrested because he could not join up with his army unit before they deployed for the front. He said the reason he had missed his unit was because he had been detained by gypsies. "
"Yes, now that's the part I don't quite understand, why did they leave their train to begin with? And go wandering around on Switzerland's high plain? And if He could get away, why did he leave my daughter at the mercy of those vagabonds? What was he thinking?"
"I think it's time we paid a visit to the commander of the Gex police station, maybe get some answers from him!"
"Agreed. How do we travel? Horseback would be the fastest way, though perhaps not the most comfortable.?"
"Comfort be hanged!" roared Oluf. "We're talking about my daughter's safety! Even by horseback it could be four days before we arrive there!"
"Then I suggest we leave immediately. I have two horses and three men besides to accompany us waiting outside."
Oluf grinned, donning his coat and grabbing his hat and a walking cane before following Philippe to the door. "Good thinking, Monsieur!"
"My daughter set off from Uppsala with Raoul, her aunt and uncle and Raoul's man, heading for Paris. From what I gather, Raoul's man was killed, my brother-in-law had to return home with some stomach complaint, and my sister was captured and detained someplace south of Lake Constance, leaving Raoul in charge of my daughter – NOT a proper situation!"
"Hmm, yes, the younger generation does not seem to care to abide by social norms and proprieties. If any of this is true," speculated Philippe, "and Raoul and Christina are on their own hook, Raoul will not be able to take her as a wife."
"What?! After all this? Well, I'm not sure I would want my daughter married to such an irresponsible … person," he spat out.
"But you must surely understand that as Nobility, it is our duty to maintain the purity of our bloodline…"
"Purity of the bloodline be hanged! Nobility is not dictated by bloodline! But…" (he took a deep breath) "let's not be too hasty in our judgment until we ascertain the truth of the matter."
"Agreed! Then let's be off!" And the party of five headed for Genève at a brisk trot.
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Read and Review if you like! And thank you to all the reviewers and followers and favoriters! You make this so exciting for me! And a HUGE THANK YOU to Filhound for all her help with timelines and European history! Thanks for keeping me on track!
