Within Temptations©
Chapter Fourteen: A Gift
By Genevieve Lee

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"Feeling and longing are the motive forces behind all human endeavor and human creations."
-Albert Einstein

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Erik.

My heart clenched painfully at the sight.

Audrey sat at the window in the library; a book lay open and forgotten on her lap. She instead seemed more interested at the somber gray sky that seemed determined to hang around as it had done the past week. It seemed to match her mood of the past few days as well.

Ever since she had tried removing my mask, she had been nothing but melancholy and quiet, agreeing with seemingly anything I wanted to do. Although I had been angry at her trying to remove my mask, I could not stay that way. Had not Christine attempted the same thing? Not only that, Christine had succeeded. Audrey had not, nor did she remember it. She was drunk, which was also painful. Was this life so horrible that she had to result to intoxication to make it better?

The way she had been acting was very unlike her, and it had me worried. I had even wanted to call a doctor to our home and make sure everything was well. Nadir had convinced me otherwise and made what seemed a more appropriate diagnostic.

"She's bored, Erik!" he exclaimed as if it were the most obvious thing.

"Whatever do you mean?" I asked, quiet offended of his assumption.

"Think of it," he had replied sensibly, "she used to have a life where she was always on the go, at balls and teas, and always the center of attention. She was constantly surrounded by suitors, friends, and family. But now she comes here, and she is simply inside all day with nothing but you for company!" Noticing my glare, my friend attempted to backtrack a little bit. "What I mean is you cannot compare the companionship of dozens of people she's known her whole life to one of someone she barley knows, and locks himself up with his music all the time."

"That is not all I do," I had argued.

Nadir had snorted in return.

I had taken the last few days to think about it, and had finally decided what he said must be true. It had caused me immense guilt. Was it possible that I had only married her because I needed company, and not because I had said I was helping her in return? Was it merely a way to brush down the ruffled feathers of my conscience, something I had thought I had lost long ago, but seemed content to pop back up at random times? Was I fool to ever think we could make one another happy, even if it was only friendship? Maybe it would be best if I simply let her go, like an injured butterfly who was now healed. But I found that, selfishly, I could not. It hurt to think of the empty days I would spend alone again if I were to do that, and so letting her go was not an option.

But I found I wanted to do something for her. Something that would make her smile and happy again, and make her forget how unhappy she was with me.

"Audrey?" I asked in attempt to gain her attention.

Her head snapped around, for apparently I had startled her. She said nothing though, and her dull eyes focused on me questioningly.

"I am going out for a bit to run some errands. Will you be alright alone?"

She immediately straightened, adjusting herself as she looked at me with interest. "May I come?" she asked childishly.

I wanted to say yes, but in order for the surprise to be that, she would have to remain here. "I'm afraid not, my dear. But I won't be long."

She slumped back down, nodded and looked away again. Sensing there was nothing else I could say, I simply nodded, and left, donning my fedora and cloak in the process. I gave my driver the address to the place I needed to get to and then relaxed into the seats, feeling a slight sense of déjà-vu as the carriage began moving.

When I arrived over an hour later, Audrey's parents were nothing short of shocked to see me on their doorstep in the late morning. I was quickly ushered into the drawing room and offered tea and biscuits promptly, both of which I rejected.

"Is there something wrong with Audrey?" her father demanded as soon as he walked into the room.

"No, she's fine," I assured them, and then cleared my throat awkwardly. "I was just wondering if I could bring her sister over to visit her. She's a little depressed."

Awesome silence followed my request and I fidgeted uncomfortably, waiting for their response. I believed they were still afraid to not do as I wanted, least I take the entire deal back, as if that was possible. They exchanged glances and finally her father nodded.

"I don't see why not. I know Rachel misses her as well, and she has nothing to do. If you would allow her a few minutes to ready herself?"

"Of course," I said with profound relief. Her mother then left to ready her daughter, and Audrey's father and I exchanged stiff words about politics and business until the younger Miss Cross was ready. She came into the drawing room and greeted me cordially, a big grin on her face. She was obviously excited to see her sister and was well turned out in a gown that looked brand new. It was a light yellow that brought out the slight honey colors in her hair. Although Audrey and Rachel had different eye and hair color, their features were very similar and it was easy to see they were sisters.

"Thank you for taking me to visit Audrey!" she exclaimed quite suddenly. "Does she know I'm coming?"

I gave a small smile. "No, she does not. I figured it would be a good surprise. I would also like you to help me pick out a gift for her as well, if you are okay with that mademoiselle?"

Her eyes glistened excitedly. "Of course!"

We both then left, and I sighed, ready for an afternoon of awkward talk and even more awkward moments.

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Though Audrey and I had barley been wed a month, I had learned many things about her. My life alone has given me one strength, and that was the ability to read people and see the person inside. Although a more difficult case, Audrey had given me some insight to who she was. She was spoiled and arrogant, stubborn and willful. But she could also be kind and courteous, if it suited her. She could sometimes be outright unkind if it helped her gain what she wanted, or if the opposite helped, she would be pleasant. But most of the time she was simply downright pigheaded.

That afternoon with her sister, assuming they would be somewhat alike, I found how profoundly different they really were.

Audrey was a realist; while it was obvious Rachel lived in fantasies. Without having to say so, I could tell she thought mine and her sister's relationship was romantic, and the fact I was just trying to surprise her with a visit from her sister and a gift made her think I cared dearly for her sister. It was mostly out of guilt I was doing this, but I did not correct her.

While Audrey knew, most of the time, when it was right to speak and when to insert her little sarcastic remarks, her sister simply kept talking without prompting. It took very little to keep her going, even just a nod of the head would be sufficient. On the other side of the spectrum, she was very difficult to keep up with. I honestly thought my mind would explode when I asked on her advice on what to get Audrey. She went through countless things: jewels, furs, dresses, hats, gloves…but none of these suited my purpose. She had all these things. I wanted to get her something she had been unable to have before. When I interrupted Rachel, because quite honestly, I could not wait until she was finished for fear the entire afternoon would be used up, she fell thoughtfully silent for the first time in the hour.

"Well she loves animals," she mused.

"Oh?" I asked, latching onto the one hopeful advice she had given me.

"Yes," she said becoming excited again. "She always was wanting to horseback ride with the men when she was a child, but Mama would never let her. Jackie would take her though, and sometimes I was able to tag along."

I pursed my lips as she got off track, and I couldn't get a word in edgewise. Finally she seemed to be getting back to the point.

"She's always liked cats, but we could never have one because Mama is horribly allergic!"

"A cat?" I questioned, being able to see it immediately. Cats were vain and fiercely independent, much like Audrey. "Should we get her a kitten?"

I didn't mind cats, I might actually like them. They were quiet, knew how to use a sandbox, and they did not slobber everywhere. A cat in the house may make it more like a home, a quality we were definitely lacking.

Rachel seemed just as enthused, because she clapped her hands together and exclaimed, "Oh yes! She would simply love you forever."

I almost snorted, for I knew it would take a lot more than a cat to get Audrey, or anyone, to love me. But I knew her intent, and so with it decided, I instructed my driver to take us to one of the high-end pet shops in London.

We were there rather quickly, and the young lady and I were soon inside looking at all the different cats. Ignoring the man's questioning stares, I had considered sending Rachel in alone, but had decided against it, her parents probably would not take too kindly to the idea, we walked around the store while he named all the different breeds. Persian, British shorthair, LaPerm, Cornish Rex (I winced at that one), Scottish Fold…

But none of them pleased me. Rachel was cooing all over them, and soon I was on the journey alone. I was about to leave when a litter of kittens caught my eye. They were in the glass cases as the rest of them, but unlike the others, they were in the corner with a towel hastily thrown over them. I could only see them through one side.

Interrupting the man midsentence, I pointed to them and said, "What are those ones?"

He looked over and waved at them dismissively. "They are merely mixed-breeds from someone who left them on our doorstep last night. They will be given away." He immediately began moving onto others, but I stopped him.

"Let me see them," I commanded.

He looked at me strangely, before shrugging and leading me over, a curious Rachel following. Pulling the towel off, he gestured for me to look and I did. They were scraggly creatures, ones that obviously would have died if they had not been taken in. They looked to be about nine weeks and were all sorts of colors and fur lengths. I picked one up at random and held her up for inspection. She was a cream color with large blue eyes. She didn't cower in my hand, but seemed contented in it.

I turned and showed her to Rachel and asked, "What do you think?"

Rachel giggled. "She and Audrey will match!"

I looked back at the kitten, which was now curled up in my palm, at ease for a nap. "How much?"

The man, baffled, named a price that was almost as much as the pure bred ones. I narrowed my eyes.

"But you said would be giving them away," I countered.

Caught in his own trap, the man agreed he had said so, and said I could just take it.

Contented with my choice, I agreed but bought the rest of the supplied we would need. A box for its sandbox, a small porcelain dish, and a beautiful collar that had rubies in it, since Rachel said Audrey's favorite color was red, and a small bed.

We left a few minutes later, Rachel holding the kitten gently who was still sleeping and me carrying the supplies, as I had waved off having it delivered to my home. It was easier just to take it all now.

Thanks to the kitten Rachel sat quietly the entire way home, stroking the kitten and playing with it once it had awoken, leaving me to look out the window and be left alone in my mind.

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Back at the house we walked silently up, but not before I had secured the cat on my person. I selfishly wanted to get all the credit for the kitten, and had told Rachel I would give it to her that night. It was now mid-afternoon, and Rachel's driver would be here to get her after dinner. I could give it to her then. I was positive I could keep the little beast contained until that time.

We walked into a quiet house, of which did not surprise me. It was not as if Audrey was a puppy who would greet meet every time I walked into the door.

"I'll go get her," I said as I walked up the stairs, leaving Rachel in the foyer.

I found Audrey in the library, in the same chair, and in the same clothes. I wondered if she had moved at all. "Audrey." I waited until she looked at me to continue. "You have a visitor."

Her face erupted into panic at once. "I cannot see anyone like this! Erik, why did you let them in?"

I became instantly annoyed, and I suppose it was obvious, for she fell into silence right away. But not for long.

"Well who is it?" she demanded.

"If you are able to silence your vanity for a moment I would have an easier time telling you."

Her eyes narrowed, but she crossed her arms and made a gesture for me to continue.

"I have brought your sister here to visit with you, if you care to do so. If you want time to bathe and dress, I will simply tell her to wait in the—"

My words had their desired effect. I knew she would not care what she looked like around her sister and she stood up immediately. "Well why didn't you say so? Rachel? Rachel!"

"Audrey!"

She ran from the room, and noisily ran down the stairs, and after a moment I heard them squealing and yelling, and I sighed, retiring to my study to allow them time alone.

Once locked inside, I took the kitten from my cloak pocket after gently disentangling her claws from the soft material and let her down on the floor. She blinked her impossibly big eyes at the new bright light and sat there confused for a moment. It did not take her long to adjust, and she soon found something in my study to play with. I was not too thrilled at her choice of a toy, as it was a very expensive ink quill, and so I discouraged her from it by tossing a piece of crumbled parchment at her. This immediately distracted her and she was off tumbling and rolling with it.

I blew a deep breath from my lips, collapsing in my chair and removing my mask as to give my face some air. I felt quite tired after my day, for I was still unused to being around people. I was beginning to grow used to Audrey, but her parents and sister were a different matter entirely. How I wished to be born with a normal face like any other man! But I had stopped harboring those fantasies when I was a boy, and I would not start now.

And although married to Audrey and trying to make the best of it, I still was unable to stop thinking of Christine. Though the past few weeks I had noticed I was looking at her picture less, thinking of her less as well. I felt like I was forgetting her, and it scared me. So now, I took out my frame that held her picture, stroking the grainy photo with my thumb, wishing very much that I could see her again, just to see if she was happy. But I knew it would be disaster to do so. Even if she did not see me, I knew I would never be able to bring myself to leave her a second time.

No, it was best if I stayed away.

I set the picture in my lap, and rubbed my face, before running my hands through my sparse hair. Suddenly, the kitten sprang itself on my lap and sat on the frame, rubbing against my arm and demanding my attention.

"Perhaps you're right," I said, obliging her and rubbing behind her ears. "She's married with a child now, and probably very happy. It's time to let her go."

The kitten purred in reply, and I put the picture frame in my bottom drawer.

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Genny's Note: I have the next few chapters outlined, so yay for that(:

Review? And any ideas on what to name the kitten? Because I have none!