Chapter 48
~Nadir~
I had never seen such a spectacle since the Paris Opera. Men attired as though they were to going to the opening of a grand event. Their ladies dresses shimmering with silks, dripping with lace and jewels. Erik's vast ballroom was aswirl with colors. The opportunity to tour his mansion had attracted quite a crowd. Truly, they had been as astonished as I had when I first saw it.
The vast library with its polished oak shelves was only half stocked with books. Wood carved beasts commissioned from a carpenter perched upon pillars, kept watch over the hall. His laboratory was nearly ready for use with the gas lines installed for the burners. The lavish polished marble bathroom was complete with all the newest plumbing. Every room promised splendour and luxury. The mansion was completely built, however Erik still intended to add carved friezes throughout the interior halls over the winter months. He had concentrated on the entryway with the large staircase and oaken door. Undoubtedly every guest was left with a staggering impression the moment the door opened. A stately chandelier hung from the ceiling, spreading its gaslight into the tall space.
Everyone had long since gathered in the ballroom, a two story space with stained glass windows and patterned marble floors. Sipping the champagne, I tried not to feel out of place as I wandered through the crowd. I only recognized about half a dozen of them. The rest were complete strangers. To my wonder, Erik was chatting away with a number of his guests, revealing only a little of that stiff reservation. More than once, I spied his chest rising with a bit of pride. And it should. This place was everything he had said it would be. As of yet I had found no hidden passageways or strange tunnels. Only one locked door on the third floor neatly concealed in a corner. The room behind could hardly be large.
A glint caught my eyes. I looked up and felt the blood rise to my face. Right in the middle of the ballroom, Erik had mounted the diamond he had stolen from the shah's throne! It truly was lovely—but he had stolen it! I had witnessed it.
Somehow I had known he had kept the damn thing all these years. After all he adored things of beauty and the way that diamond split the light was breathtaking. Oh, once this party was over he and I would have a little talk. That could not stay here. Not in public. If anyone recognized it …
Who would possibly know? Taking a sip, I had to quell my temper. The crime had been committed over three decades ago. What good would it do me to berate him about it now?
Besides, he had fought so hard this time to bring us both up out of the tenement we had landed in. It would be cruel not to afford him a little bit of a secret laugh at the shah's expense.
Beneath an arch, Erik set his glass of champagne on a table, both his hands becoming animated as he gestured up to the structure. Beside him a man gazed up, enamoured by the sight. This was Erik's time. At least he had listened to me when I had informed him there was no conceivable way for the two of us to maintain the house his zeal had built. He had reluctantly hired staff to care for it. That had taken many conversations. He was adamant about maintaining his privacy.
Some things would never change. I placed my empty glass on a passing servant's tray when a loud voice parted the crowd.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Let the celebration begin!"
A terrible murmur infected those around me and I picked out the uttered name … VanHollus.
I had to blink. That was VanHollus? The same man who had been at the duel? How? Clothing that once fit snugly on him now hung shapeless and unwashed. He swayed as he walked up the center of the crowd toward Erik.
A slight tension invaded Erik's stance as he lowered the arm that had been pointing at the ceiling. No one said a word. We all just stared as VanHollus swaggered up to deliver a sloppy bow before Erik.
"Evening. This is a quite a palace you have built here," he chuckled.
"I must say, I am genuinely surprised to see you here, VanHollus." To his credit, Erik kept his voice level.
Sauntering about, VanHollus replied, "I brought my wife tonight as the papers have all been saying your work is a delight for the fairer sex to behold."
That was not what I recalled being in the articles. Something told me I was missing an insult due to translation. Erik's hand, flexing against the stem, confirmed it. He didn't reply. Instead he remained still, everyone in the room watched the pair.
"Please." VanHollus set his glass down beside Erik's and held out his hand. "I come here to offer truce."
"Truce?" Erik cocked his head. "I was unaware we were at war."
"A simple misunderstanding. All I wish to do now is pledge a toast."
In one elegant motion, Erik reached down and embraced the stem of a champagne glass. He said nothing, only gestured for VanHollus to continue.
Plucking the remaining glass from the table, VanHollus lifted it high and called out for everyone to hear, "Every now and then a man comes around who is unlike any other. Truly Monsieur Erik is creation all his own. On this auspicious evening, I raise a toast to his health." He lowered his glass, and watched as the crowd mimicked his gesture. Erik raised his and both men drank their champagne to the final drop.
VanHollus lowered his glass. A moment later, he burst into hysterical laughter, doubling over.
Stock-still, Erik observed the strange behavior with only a slight turn of his head, the glass still in his hand.
