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Another EARLY posting...why? I will explain at the end of the chapter.
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Guest Reviews
Melstrife: Still loving your theories! No, Erik can not keep things hidden from Christine forever. I think even HE is beginning to realize that. I just hope it isn't too late when he figures that out. Yep, there is a new person...and you will find out who as soon as you read this chapter. WHAT? Children throw fits? Who knew? Glad to hear I can count on you for future reviews! I hate to lose ANY of my readers!
Musicalis: Thanks for liking my story. Yes, cliffhangers are often a pain...but they keep you coming back for more!
Roseilea: Where did you go? Did I scare you away?
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OK now let's go find out WHO this person is...and why Erik seems to have an adverse reaction to him. Oh the suspense!
Also as you are reading - the music I envision that will be playing is Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Suite (at about 1:50 minutes in when the music really begins to pick up). Probably not cannon for the time, but in my mind that is what is playing. ;)
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Chapter 25
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"Not a pleasant one, from where I stand," Erik retorted, hating everything about the older man who stood in front of him. "What are you doing here, Simon?"
"The same as you, I suppose. Enjoying the fine hospitality of Lord Kingsford," the man explained, lifting up the glass of alcohol he held in his hand. "I may not be in this part of the country often but the Radcliff name still holds sway and I find myself invited to most social events. Speaking of, I hear congratulations are in order. Your father was kind enough to notify me of your recent wedding. Unfortunately I was otherwise engaged and unable to attend."
"You were not missed," Erik assured him.
"Come now, where are your manners, boy?" Simon scolded, yet the evil grin never left his lips. "Is that anyway to speak to an old friend? Can we not be civil?"
"You are no friend of mine! Neither was that sorry excuse of a son you whelped. Good riddance is all I can say!" Erik spat, stepping forward, more than ready for any confrontation that might arise over his scathing words. Simon Radcliff was still a large man, tall and in relatively good shape, but Erik had youth and hate on his side…he was pretty sure he could take him.
"You watch your tongue, boy, or I will see that it is cut from your disrespectful mouth," Simon threatened, his ice blue eyes shooting daggers at the defiant man in front of him. Yet after a few seconds, the condescending stare returned and he seemed to regain his composure. "Now wouldn't that be something, not only hideously deformed but mute as well. Your poor bride already has so much to deal with, you would not wish to inflict any more humiliation on her, now would you?"
"You leave my wife out of this," Erik threatened, taking another step closer.
"Oh yes, what was her name again…Christine, was it not?" Radcliff continued, either not aware he was treading on dangerous ground or too stupid to care. "From what I was told, she is an innocent little convent girl and niece of Maximillian Daae. Or was I misinformed?"
Erik was a bit taken back by the knowledge Simon had about his wife. Of what concern was it to him who Erik had married and why did the hairs stand up on the back of his neck at the familiar way he had mentioned her uncle's name? What was Radcliff hiding?
"I said to leave my wife out of this. Do not make the mistake of forcing me to repeat myself a third time," Erik hissed, his tenuous hold on his temper being stretched to the limit.
"I see that you are quite protective of her," Radcliff continued, taking a long drink from his glass before setting it down next to Erik's. "But then again you always were rather obsessive about the women in your life, were you not? Is she here tonight, I would love to meet her and convey my congratulations in person."
That did it! Erik lunged forward and had the older man by the throat in the blink of an eye, slamming him against the wall with a force that rattled the paintings around them. It would not take much to snap the man's neck – and from the sudden look of fear in Simon's eyes, he knew it as well. By killing Radcliff, he would be doing the world a favor, Erik thought, and his fingers inched their way beneath his finely tied cravat, searching out his racing pulse.
"You stay away from me and my family, or so help me…" Erik growled, but a hand on his shoulder halted his next words. He turned his head to the side, seeing Amir looking at him with concern in his eyes. Erik was about to shake him off, unwilling to halt his plans, when he heard George Kingsford's voice from behind him.
"Do we have a problem here, gentlemen?" he asked, his tone a mixture of confusion and fear.
Out of the corner of his eye, Erik could see that a small crowd had formed, all of them silently staring at the confrontation before them. Simon Radcliff had been a thorn in Erik's side for years now, a prying, tenacious villain to be sure and one he wished to rid himself of once and for all. Yet he knew killing the man this way would only result in his own incarceration on charges of murder. While a month ago that threat might not have stayed his hand, now he had a wife, his beautiful Christine, who depended on him and he would not let her down. So with a heavy sigh, he released the man's neck and took a step back.
Simon staggered, his knees giving way a bit as he leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. He shot Erik a look of pure hatred as he tried to right the cravat that now hung loosely around his neck, doing his best to regain his composure.
"No…there is no trouble here," Radcliff assured his host, clearing his throat a few times before he spoke, his voice now harsh and raspy. "But I believe I have had enough socializing for one evening," he continued, his cold eyes shooting daggers at Erik. He then looked at George Kingsford and gave a quick nod before turning on his heels and leaving the room.
"I knew extending that man an invitation was a mistake," George said, downing the last of his cognac in one nervous gulp. "I just did not know how to refuse him when he cornered me the other day and all but begged to be put on the guest list."
"He requested an invitation?" Erik asked, shock and a bit of fear evident in his voice.
"Yes, for he certainly would not have been one of my chosen guests," Lord Kingsford said with a look of disgust. "The Radcliff name is tied to far too many shady deals for my tastes. But like I said, I did not know how to turn him down." He then looked at the door the vile man had just left through and gave a snort of derision. "Yet after this display, I will not be making the mistake twice!"
"I must apologize for my part in this rude scene." Erik began, now feeling badly for disgracing his host with his murderous intentions. "Simon Radcliff and I have never seen eye to eye and I…"
"Please, Erik, no need for that!" George broke in, holding his hand up to stop him. "I am the one who should apologize for subjecting a man such as him upon one of my honored guests. You have done me a favor by encouraging him to leave. I am just glad he only guzzled down one glass of my expensive cognac before he left. Any more than that and I would truly deem this evening a travesty!"
Lord Kingsford's jest had the desired effect and any who were still listening to the conversation began to laugh and go back to mingling. Even Erik and Amir were forced to chuckle a bit at the man's humor.
"I appreciate your understanding on the matter, but please know that I intended no dishonor to you, or your other guests, in any way," Erik guaranteed him.
"None was felt, I assure you," George nodded, placing his hand on Erik's shoulder, conveying that the matter was closed. "Now, may I offer you another glass of cognac?"
"No, thank you," Erik declined. "It was a marvelous vintage but I believe it is time I return to my wife. I do not want her to think I prefer your cognac over her company."
"Ahhh, yes," Lord Kingsford laughed. "Such is the way with a new wife. I hope you continue such feelings long into your marriage, Erik. And with a bride as beautiful as your Christine, I am sure it will not be too much of a trial to maintain." He then lifted his empty glass to Erik in a form of salute and excused himself with the intent to find a bottle to see that it was refilled.
When they were alone, Amir pulled Erik aside with a worried look on his face.
"What did he say to you?" he asked in a hushed tone. "And why do you think he was so adamant about getting invited here tonight?"
"I don't know and that is what has me worried," Erik told his friend, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "He seemed to know far too much about the goings on at Summercrest for my liking. Including things about Christine, which has my nerves on edge. Do you think he might have been trying to threaten me somehow by mentioning her?"
"I would not put anything past that damned Radcliff clan!" Amir fumed, the rage in his own eyes now rivaling Erik's. "I thought that things were over once William was dead and buried. However, it seems we may have cut the head off the wrong snake!"
"Hush! And mind your words," Erik hissed, looking around to make sure his friend had not been overheard. "Now is not the time or place to be bringing up the past, especially not Radcliff's blasted son. We will need to look into this and see if Simon is up to no good, or if it was simply by chance that he showed up tonight. Now…keep your wits about you and don't do anything foolish." Erik scanned the room once more but seeing that no one seemed the least bit interested in them, he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't believe for one moment that Radcliff showing up was a coincidence but there was nothing he could do about it now. "I think it is time we rejoin the party, I am anxious to make sure Christine is safe after what Simon said about her. I will not have her paying for my past sins."
"Our sins," Amir amended, not wanting Erik to take all the blame…or the credit.
"Well, yours or mine, Christine will not be the one to suffer for it," Erik insisted. "Now, let's get out of here."
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The dinner buffet was just being served when Erik and Amir emerged from the gentleman's lounge. Searching the room quickly, they were able to spot Christine immediately. Erik breathed a sigh of relief, the mere sight of her laughing and talking eased his fears considerably. She was speaking with Clair and a small group of women, the majority of which he did not know, yet that suited him just fine. Women who had no prior knowledge of him seemed to have a lot less to gossip about. Erik knew he had been a bit of a rake in his youth but tragedy - and a mask - had a way of maturing a man quickly and well beyond his years.
Slipping up behind her, he lightly placed his hand on her waist, his touch making her jump with a start, turning around with a look of fear on her face – yet it eased into a smile at the sight of him.
"If you ladies will excuse us, I wish to spend some time with my wife," Erik's smooth velvety tones seemed to not only affect Christine but several of the other woman in the group as well. Erik, of course, did not notice this, his attention being solely directed at the beauty before him.
Christine willingly bid the women farewell and allowed herself to be escorted over to the buffet table, where they were able to pick and choose a light meal to sup upon. Amir had found the beverage table and was now on his second glass of champagne, hardly touching the fare that had been laid out for the guests. Erik was a bit concerned about his friend. He knew that Radcliff's appearance had stirred up a lot of bad memories, for the both of them. Yet, where Erik had Christine to soothe his troubled heart, Amir did not. He would have to watch the Persian closely and make sure his friend did not succumb to dark thoughts this evening.
"Are you having a good time, Christine?" Erik asked, as he handed her a glass of the sparkling wine.
"Yes, I am," she assured him, taking a sip of the bubbly liquid, liking how it tickled her nose a bit as she drank. "Clair introduced me to several very nice ladies this evening and I enjoyed talking with them quite a lot."
"I am glad to hear that," he nodded, happy that Clair had spoken true and looked after his bride well. "Were those ladies the only people you met tonight? No one else came to speak with you…no gentlemen perhaps?" Erik realized he was being a bit obvious but he needed to know if Radcliff had accosted her in any way during his absence.
"Any gentlemen?" Christine asked, cocking her head to the side quizzically. "Why Erik Morant…are you jealous?" She tried to hide her smile behind her gloved hand.
"Of course I am jealous!" Erik assured her, knowing it was true even if that had not been the original reason for his asking. "I told you before, I protect what is mine and I assured you, Lady Morant…you are mine."
This made Christine smile even more but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her excitement at his statement as well. She could practically feel the desire radiating off of him and she wondered if he could sense the same coming from her.
"Then it will ease your mind, Master Erik, to know that other than waiting staff carrying trays of hors d'oeuvres, no gentleman dared approach me this evening." She then reached out and covered his hand with her own, giving it a little squeeze. "Besides, I believe that no man, except you, would have been brave enough to approach such an imposing group of women as we appeared to be."
"Nothing will ever stop me from getting to you, my little daisy," he assured her, lifting her hand to his lips and gracing it with a kiss.
"Would you two prefer I left you alone?" Amir broke in, having just returned from his latest pilgrimage to the beverage table, a fresh glass of something in his hand.
"I am tempted to say yes, however it looks as if you need more looking after than either of us," Erik retorted, reaching out and taking the glass away from his friend, earning a scathing look for his efforts. "I think you have had enough."
"Your husband can be a real wet blanket at times, Christine," Amir pouted as he sat down next to them with a grumble.
"Perhaps I am but I would prefer that you remain conscious for the remainder of the evening and not make a spectacle of yourself," Erik told him, giving him a stern look.
"Very well. I will do as you ask and try to comport myself with dignity," Amir assured them. "But the odds are not in your favor."
"Good thing I am not a gambling man then," Erik chuckled sympathetically, knowing full well the turmoil his friend was experiencing. He was certain that seeing him so happy with Christine was only adding to his friend's depression. Damn Radcliff for showing up and causing all this trouble!
Soon the musicians began to play a lively tune and many of the guests paired off and began to partake in some traditional English dances. Erik had never been one for the stilted, orchestrated steps of weaving in and out of a line, circling their partners as they bowed and touched hands only occasionally. They made him feel like he was marching in some procession rather than dancing. There were always so many steps or hand movements to memorize, leaving him concentrating more on them than his partner. Yet Christine seemed to be fascinated with it all, her eyes alight with excitement as she watched the other guests all move in synch.
"They are like graceful birds, all flying in formation," she whispered, never once taking her eyes off of the dance floor as she went to stand at the edge so she could see them better. Erik set his glass of sparkling wine down on a nearby table and followed her, taking up his position at her left side.
"Would you like to join them?" Erik found himself asking, quite surprised to hear the words springing from his own lips. Yet the idea of doing anything with Christine was no chore, even if it was dancing.
"Oh no, I wouldn't know how," she confessed, a panicked look on her face. "I have never danced like that before and I would feel extremely out of place."
"Do you know any dances?" Erik pressed, wondering just how sheltered she had been in the convent school.
"Well, occasionally when the sisters had gone to bed, one of the older girls from France would show us some dances she had learned at her previous boarding school." Christine's eyes took on a wistful look as she recalled those secret midnight lessons in their dorm rooms. "The only ones I ever seemed to do fairly well with were the ones that were face to face and required a partner – and only if they took the lead. I am afraid, even then, I stepped on the girl's toes more often than not." This last revelation left her giggling as she remembered her clumsiness.
Erik was quiet for a moment, allowing her to continue to watch uninterrupted. He had not given any thought to dancing, since he had not expected this to be a full ball. And while he did not wish to bring any undue attention to himself – after all, his mask did that well enough for him – he suddenly found he wanted nothing more than to hold Christine in his arms as he whirled her around the room. Dancing was often described as a prelude to more intimate activities, many of the movements and positions mimicking such sensual acts. While he would never dream of displaying his more personal affections for Christine in such a public forum, he was not restricted from merely dancing with his wife. Oh no, this was not only allowed but expected as well.
So taking a few steps back he slipped away without her noticing and approached the conductor, pulling him aside for a moment. After making his request and slipping him a rather large amount of money in order to see his wishes were carried out, Erik made his way back to where Christine stood. Amir had noticed his friend's absence and had moved in to look after Christine, as a good friend should. He gave Erik a quizzical look once he returned, silently asking him with the raise of an eyebrow what he was up to. Erik ignored Amir and instead continued to look straight ahead, keeping his eyes trained on the dancers. When the song ended and the group gave a respectful bow to their partners and left the floor, Erik took a step forward, taking hold of Christine gently at the elbow.
"May I have this dance, Lady Morant?" he asked, causing her to look up at him in surprise.
"I…I told you, I can't do these dances," she insisted, pulling back slightly, yet he would not be deterred.
"It shall not be one of those but instead one you are more familiar with," he assured her, watching her face as the musicians struck up a beautiful waltz, causing many more couples to flock to the dance floor in eager anticipation.
"How did you…" she began, but stopped when she saw his wolfish smile, obviously pleased with himself for orchestrating this.
"Just say yes," he urged, once more leading her forward as the music began to swell around them.
Christine was helpless to resist and soon found herself standing among the throng of guests as they whirled around her.
"Erik, I really don't think I can do this," she pleaded as he positioned her one hand on his shoulder and took the other in his own. He then pulled her towards him, molding her body to his as he held her around the waist, his grip both gentle and possessive.
"Just follow my lead, ma petite marguerite, and enjoy the music," he whispered to her, his voice deep and husky.
Now completely under his spell, she locked eyes with him and began to glide in the direction he instructed her, amazed at not only his grace and poise but how they seemed to move as one. It was amazingly romantic and Christine could feel her mind begin to swim, as if she had drank too much champagne. Erik was literally seducing her with his movements right there on the dance floor...and she was loving every minute of it.
After a few turns around the room Christine was getting the hang of the steps and felt more comfortable, no longer even noticing those around her. It was then that Erik decided to change things up and pushing her a bit away from him, he took his hand from her waist and allowed his other to spin her around, holding his arm up high so that she could easy maneuver under it. He loved how graceful she was and that she seemed to trust him implicitly to lead her in the dance, following his steps wherever he took them. He heard her giggle when he pulled her back to him, a playful grin on her flushed face as he crushed her to his now heated body.
"I knew this particular dress was the right choice for tonight," Erik said proudly, as they glided on. "When I spin you, it flairs out perfectly, making you look like a spring flower in full bloom."
"Perhaps then I should ask your opinion on what I am to wear each day. Though I fear that would leave poor Meg without a job," she laughed, once more enjoying the feel of his arms around her as they continued to dance.
"I will be sure to find her a spot in the kitchen then," he assured her, enjoying her little jest. "I do hate to see good help go to waste."
"Be serious, Erik," she chided, giving his chest a playful slap for his cheekiness.
"Oh but I am, my lady," he told her, his voice once more dropping an octave so that it was deep and full of promise. "I will take an inordinate amount of pleasure in being the one to dress you each morning…after I have had the privilege of undressing you the night before." Thankfully no one had been near enough to have heard his seductive suggestion but the words had the desired effect on Christine. Erik had to laugh at the way her eyes had become large so quickly. He was not quite sure if he had crossed a line there, so to be sure, he hurriedly added, "With your permission, of course."
Christine had been waiting all evening to tell Erik that she was indeed more than ready to offer her consent on the idea and while she would not have chosen the middle of a dance-floor as the perfect setting, it now seemed more than right. So moving in even closer, if that was at all possible, she looked up into his eyes and whispered back in her most seductive voice.
"Oh you have my full permission, my husband," she told him, watching as this time it was his eyes that grew wide with surprise. "What do you think I meant to tell you last night before the children interrupted?"
Erik was so taken aback by her words that he actually stumbled a bit on the next turn, righting himself just in time to avoid making a fool of himself.
"I…I had hoped," he confessed, his throat now dry and his blood suddenly pounding mercilessly through his veins. "But I dared not assume." He couldn't believe his own ears, yet his eyes confirmed it as he saw his own emotions mirrored there in hers. "Are you sure, Christine? I do not wish to force you into something you are not ready for."
"No one is forcing me, I do not feel at all coerced," she assured him, allowing him to spin her once more. She enjoyed how tight his grip was on her when they came back together, a hold she hoped would last forever. "I am ready to give myself to you completely, Erik…if you still have want of me, that is."
The low growl that emitted from deep in his throat and the way he shut his eyes as if in pain told her all she needed to know, yet his words sealed the deal.
"I have wanted you from the moment I saw you, Christine," he assured her, allowing his feelings to overtake him. "Even when I thought you were a spy sent by my father, I wanted you. But now…now I not only want, but I desire as well. I desire you like no other, my innocent little daisy. If I could, I would whisk you away this very moment just to hold you in my arms."
"But I am in your arms," she coyly pointed out, a teasing smile coming to her lips. "So perhaps we should finish the dance and then see about making our departure?"
"I could not agree more, my sweet," he moaned, continuing the dance with renewed vigor, praying for the tormenting music to end.
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Off to the side, watching the proceedings, Amir's excellent hearing made him privy to a conversation to his left. It was between two ladies, both standing there speaking behind their fans as they watched Erik and Christine spin before them.
"I wish my husband would dance with me like that," one of them said to the other with a heavy sigh.
"I wish my husband looked like that!" the other one lamented. "Just see how he stares at her, as if she were the only woman in the room?"
"My husband won't even look up from the buffet table to answer my questions, let alone ask me to dance!" the first one interjected.
"I hope Lady Morant recognizes what she has. Mask or not, I would still trade places with her in a heartbeat, even for only one night, if it meant being adored like that." The first woman nodded her head in agreement and with another longing sigh, they walked away. Leaving Amir biting his lip in order to keep from laughing out loud.
Oh if only Erik had just heard what he had, his friend would have died of shock. So it would appear that the stigma of his mask no longer seemed to matter in the face of his obvious virility and sexual attraction. He wondered if he should warn Christine that she had competition but then he decided against it. For in truth, the way Erik was looking at his wife, there was no need for her to worry in the least. Amir could not recall the last time he had seen his friend this happy, this content. They had both toured Europe and his native land of Persia, sampling the pleasures of both wine and women. Yet even then, Erik had always been detached, never giving more of himself than was necessary to secure a woman for the night. But now…here he was, having placed his own desires on the shelf in order to properly woo a woman who was by all rights his to take. Dancing with Christine in such a way that made other women green with envy. As Amir glanced around, he could see that many of the other guests were watching the captivating couple as well. Even those dancing around them would slow down and stare as they spun by, all the while Erik remained completely oblivious. Yes, Christine had done a wonderful job in restoring his friend, bringing him back to life and pointing him towards the hope of love. And if he was any judge of that elusive emotion…he could tell she felt just as strongly.
Amir was truly happy for his friend, he honestly was. Yet, at the same time, seeing them dancing there together reminded him of the one night of dancing he had shared with Emily. The night that led him to realize that he too had forever lost his heart to a fair young maiden. The memory both brought him joy and heartache, as his arms once more longed to hold her and see the love in her eyes shining back at him. Yet that was no longer possible and this knowledge tore at him in ways he did not wish to feel. So heading to the beverage table, he passed over the pre-poured glasses and grabbed an entire bottle, heading off to the balcony to see about drowning his sorrows.
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The dance finally ended and Erik did not even spare a moment to show his appreciation for the band, before pulling Christine off the dance floor and towards the door. Unfortunately their hasty departure was thwarted by Clair Kingsford as she stepped directly in their path.
"That was simply lovely," Lady Kingsford crooned, referring to the sight she had just witnessed. "Tell me, Erik, did you take dance lessons as a child or are you just simply that talented?"
"Yes, Erik…where did you learn to dance so well?" Christine chimed in, always wanting to know more about her mysterious husband.
"Yet another one of my mother's professed requirements for a gentleman," he smiled, looking down at his wife affectionately. "Though I have to admit that on this particular occasion, it did come in quite handy."
"I should say so," George agreed walking up just then and catching the end of the conversation. He was flanked by another couple and he turned to introduce them. "May I present to you, Baron Louis Bouchard and his wife Marta, the Baroness." Erik gave a polite bow and Christine the customary curtsy as they greeted the fine looking couple. "The Baron and his wife asked if I would introduce them as they wished to extend an invitation to you both."
"Indeed," Baron Bouchard agreed, stepping forward with a pleasant smile. "My wife and I are hosting our annual costume ball at the end of the month. We would be very pleased if you and your wife would attend."
"A costume ball?" Christine repeated, extremely interested by the whole idea.
"Any costume that pleases you," Marta continued, picking up on Christine's excitement. "We throw one every year and it just amazes us to see all the intricate and clever costumes the guests come up with. Please say you will come."
Christine looked up at Erik, her eyes pleading for him to comply. Of course, because she had him so enraptured, he was powerless to refuse.
"We would be honored to accept your grand invitation," he assured the Baron, extending his hand in friendship and appreciation.
"George has already informed us that you have a close friend named Amir that is here in attendance as well. Please apprise him of the fact that he will also be placed on the guest list if he wishes to accompany you. I would extend the invitation myself but I can't seem to locate the man at present." Louis confessed, looking around the room yet still not seeing the Persian anywhere.
"Yes…where has he gotten off to?" Erik mumbled, also turning about in hopes of spotting him.
"Perhaps you should go looking for him," Christine suggested, recalling the strange mood the normally jovial man had been in.
"It might be best if I did," Erik agreed. Then he turned his attention back to his host and the Baron. "Yet when he is found I fear that my wife and I must take our leave. It was a pleasure to have met you, Baron, Baroness. We look forward to your costume ball with great anticipation." With another polite bow he excused himself to search for Amir.
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It didn't take Erik long before he found his friend slumped down on a stone bench out on the patio, the bottle he had absconded now half empty. When he saw Erik, the man did his best to straighten up but his inebriated state was too obvious to hide and after a few moments he quit trying.
"I thought you said you would behave like a gentleman this evening," Erik reminded him with an exasperated sigh.
"I said I would try," Amir corrected him. "Apparently I failed." He took another drink from the bottle and held it out to Erik, offering him a taste.
Erik had other ideas and taking the bottle he walked to the railing, tipping it over and watched as the last of the spirits watered the shrubbery. Amir gave a cry of protest but was too intoxicated to make any attempts to stop him.
"That was very wasteful, Erik," Amir scolded, laying his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He had begun to notice that as more time passed, he was forced to use stronger libations to ease his sorrows and he knew that Erik was aware of this as well.
"Wasteful or not, you need to get up," he told his friend as he came back over and took him by the elbow, assisting him to his feet. "Christine and I are leaving now and I think it best you let us take you home. You are in no condition to travel and I do not think the Kingsfords will appreciate putting you up for the night."
"You and Christine looked marvelous out there dancing, you know," Amir told him as he stumbled across the stone patio that led to the front entrance. Erik thought it best to make their way around the outsides of the house instead of crossing through inside, thus avoiding the chance of anyone seeing the condition of his friend. "Everyone was looking at you. I even heard a few women comment lasciviously on you and your personage, Erik. In fact, I believe you were being ogled tonight."
Erik raised an eyebrow as he continued to assist Amir to walk straight.
"Just how much have you had to drink?" he asked, unwilling to believe his friend's outlandish tale.
"Not quite enough," he lamented, having hoped to consume the proper amount to dull the ache in his heart.
When they finally made it to the front steps, Erik left Amir leaning against a pillar while he went back inside and retrieved Christine, telling her of their plans to escort Amir home as well. When he saw the look of disappointment in her eyes, he quickly assured her that it would not delay their plans.
"Since Amir's estate is located just past Summercrest, we will have Joseph drop us off first and then he can make sure our inebriated friend reaches his home safe and sound." This explanation seemed to please her as much as it had Erik when he thought of it.
So together they helped their friend down the steps and towards the awaiting carriages. When they located their own, Erik was perplexed to see that Joseph was not standing there beside it, like many of the other servants were. "Now where the blazes has he wandered off to?" Erik grumbled, just one more delay testing his already limited patience. Opening the door he helped Christine up inside and then they both worked to get Amir in as well, watching as he flopped down on one side and immediately fell fast asleep.
"You keep an eye on him while I go find Amir's horse and see if I can locate Joseph," Erik was not happy about this at all and would have words with the man if he found him drinking or gambling instead of doing his duty.
Amir's horse was tied nearby and Erik soon had the Arabian secured to the back of the coach. His stablemaster had yet to appear and Erik was now forced to set out in search of the delinquent man. He might have simply driven the carriage home himself to save time, however the idea of being separated from Christine during the ride kept him looking for Joseph. Erik had not gone far when he saw the portly man come around the corner of one of the outer buildings. When he spotted Erik, he hurried towards him, a look of panic on his face.
"Where the hell have you been?" Erik growled when he was only a few feet away.
"I…I was just taking a walk," he stammered, still looking nervous. "I just wished to have a look around this fine estate."
"Well I do not pay you to sight see," Erik replied gruffly, turning back towards the carriage, the sheepish looking man following behind. "The next time you decide to slack off on your duties, it might be the last, do you understand?"
"Yes, sir. Of course. It will not happen again." Joseph assured him, quickly untying the horses and climbing into the front of the carriage.
Erik had just made it inside when the horses took off, causing the coach lurch forward. Normally he would have yelled at the man to mind how he drove – but when the jostling landed Christine into his lap, Erik found he didn't mind it one bit. She immediately began to push herself off, amid a few embarrassed apologies, but he stopped her words by pulling her back down on him securely.
"I see no need for you to move," he told her, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the sleeping Persian on the seat across from them. He had rolled over onto his side and was now facing away from them and that gave Erik all the incentive he needed to keep his wife right where she was.
"Erik!" she hissed, glancing over at Amir as she pushed her hands against his chest in protest. "What if he wakes up and sees us?"
"Then we will just have to hope he remains asleep," Erik laughed, pulling her back to him once again…but this time without protest.
"You are a truly wicked man if you think I would allow you to take such liberties with me in the back of a carriage," Christine scolded, yet her voice betrayed more mirth than outrage.
"Ah, ever my innocent little daisy," he laughed as he leaned in and began to place kisses up her jaw line until he found the spot on her neck, just below her ear. "I think you need to learn that you cannot say such things to a man, things such as you did on the dance floor, and not expect him to take advantage of any situation that might present itself."
Christine gave a gasp of surprise as she felt Erik's hand slink under the hem of her skirt and begin its way slowly up her leg, stopping midway as he let his fingers do sinful things to the tender flesh at the back of knee. She released a moan of pleasure as she shut her eyes, feeling his own lips against her neck curve into a smile at the sound. Oh that man was pure temptation and she found herself giving thanks that they were truly man and wife. For she was not sure if she would have the strength to resist him if they weren't.
"Oh really?" Christine whispered, doing her best to catch her breath as she tipped her face upwards in order to give him further access. "Is there anything else I need to learn, Master Erik?"
"You both need to learn how to speak softer if you wish to carry on such intimate conversations in my presence," came the muffled voice of Amir, still curled up on the bench in front of them.
The revelation that Amir had been awake and listening to them made Christine blush deeply and scramble off of Erik's lap. She positioned herself as far away as possible from her husband, giving him a silent stare that spoke volumes. She still desired his touch and his kisses but she was not about to give into such pleasures while riding in a cab…especially not one occupied by his best friend.
Erik could not help but chuckle at the mortified look on Christine's face but the fact that she was obviously not going to allow him to even hold her hand until they were back at Summercrest, left him painfully disappointed. So Erik sat back and watched out the window as the rain began to come down once more. The thunder followed soon after and even though he could see that the noise was bothering her, Christine still refused to come any closer or seek shelter in his arms like before. Damn you Amir!
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After what seemed to be the longest ride of his life, Summercrest came into view. When the coach stopped at their front steps, Erik jumped out and gave his instructions to Joseph, to see that Amir was taken home and safely escorted inside. He then opened the cab once more and reached in to help Christine out.
"Pleasant dreams, my friend," he told Amir as he shut the door none too quietly behind him. He heard a murmuring of something from the prone Persian but was unable to quite make out what he said. With a shake of his head he turned and hurried up the steps to join Christine under cover, as the carriage headed off towards Amir's estate.
"Are you sure he will be all right?" Christine asked as she watched the coach disappear into the rain and gloom. "He did not seem quite himself tonight."
"Amir has a lot on his mind," he told her, knowing she deserved more of an explanation than that but was unable to give it to her. "I will be sure to check on him later tomorrow, but for now it is best we let him sleep it off." He then turned and snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her towards him seductively. "Besides, I have a few things I wish to discuss with you in private…up in our room."
"Then what are we doing standing out here in the freezing rain?" she asked, eager to reinstate some of the emotions he had kindled within her on the dance floor…and in the carriage.
Erik was just about to sweep her up into his arms when the front door was yanked open, revealing a very flustered Mr. Bower standing there, silhouetted by the lamp light from inside.
"Thank heavens you are home, Master Erik!" he panted, as if he were out of breath from running. "You must come inside quickly, there has been an incident."
Instantly both Erik and Christine froze, both terrified by what the butler's cryptic words could possibly entail.
"What is it Bower?" Erik demanded, taking Christine by the hand and pulling her inside quickly. "What has happened?"
"It is Robert, sir," the man stated, his face ashen with fear. "He…he seems to have gone missing!"
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Thanks again ROMANTIC FAN for your continuing reviews and kind words. I hope you have been getting these little notes I have been leaving you to say thanks for your reviews. I am getting them all and enjoying them very much. Since you log in as a guest, this is the only way for me to contact you. Please let me know if you ARE seeing these...OK?
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OH NO! Little Robert is missing? Wherever could he be? Well, while you all form search parties, I will sit here and file my nails and eat bon-bons until the next chapter...OK? (evil grin)
And what did you think of the new information you just got? Simon Radcliff...what is HIS story? And I do believe we know a little bit more about Amir and his sorrows now, don't we. And what did you think of the hotness on the dance floor and in the carriage...SHAME ON THEM - such a wanton display! ha ha. But don't worry, Amir put a stop to that, now didn't he? ha ha ha ha ha
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NOW...as for WHY there was another early update:
One - because I wanted to announce that'Mystery Behind the Mask' is now available for download on Kindle. (soon for sale in book form as well) You can find it by going to Amazon and just typing in the title and then you can automatically download the whole story for your reading pleasure - but PLEASE...if you do, don't stop sending me your thoughts in the form of reviews! Just be sure to not reveal anything in them that the normal reader would not know yet...don't spoil the surprise for everyone else.
Amazingly enough, in the very short time it has been up and live on Amazon, I have already had over half a dozen sales! Were any of them YOU? I want to know! (squeals with delight)
Two - I also posted early because as a reward for your continued loyalty and wonderful reviews...I plan on moving my posting dates to THREE times a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - starting this Monday. So this way you don't have to wait so long in between chapter. I hope you enjoy the new schedule.
Now...please take a moment to drop me a line and tell me what you thought of THIS chapter!