Chapter 52 Horse shoes, libraries, and claw foot tubs

Erik longed to walk straight and tall, this slouching was beginning to wear on his frame. He shuffled down the long sidewalk winding its way back to the stables. On the lantern-lit path he could make out two figures in the courtyard. He could tell by the gruff demeanor and stout silhouette that one was Joseph, the other he did not recognize. He approached slowly, coughing into his cloak not wanting to appear as though he were sneaking up on their conversation. He was but ten yards from them when the other man in a hat said "I'll go inside and make the necessary arrangements." He turned and left down another path disappearing into the back of the house.

Joseph was turning to go back to the stable but seeing Mr. Courtland, approached, hand extended. "My good sir, I've been meaning to come in for a talk." He looked up at Stephan, who although hunched from age, was still six inches taller than he. "It seems as though there will be an unexpected delay."

Erik was annoyed; it was already late, Nadir would be worrying. "A delay of what sort?" Joseph cleared his throat, knowing full well by the tone of Stephan's voice, the news would not be well received. He shifted his weight, putting both hands in his jacket pockets before he began, "it seems that one of the horses has lost his shoe, and.." Erik interrupted curtly "then replace it, surely you have one in your kit…you do know how to refit a shoe do you not?" Joseph knew he was likely not going to be employed beyond the next stop, as Stephan's irritation was obvious, and now he would have to admit he was an incompetent hansom as well.

"Yes, Sir, I do indeed know how to…" "Then do it so we can be on our way, it is late and the innkeeper whose lodging I've already paid for will be expecting us before midnight." Erik was turning, fighting the urge to fling his cape in Joseph's face. "Good Sir," Joseph's contrite voice continued "I'm very sorry to inform you that I have no spare shoes, I must have left them in my haste this morning." Joseph looked down at the ground, awaiting the verbal lashing he was certain would be forthcoming.

Erik drew in a heavy breath, exhaling slowly, calming himself. Flying into a rage would not be wise, as at his age, this sort of temper could kill a man. "I see, then do send someone to fetch a blacksmith, surely even in this small town they have one." Joseph looked up and then back down again. "Yes, they do have one….however he is detained this evening and cannot come."

Erik smiled. He knew of a way to persuade even the most reticent person to comply. Reaching inside of his cloak, he retrieved a leather wallet, extracting several francs. "Here," he said, handing them to Joseph, "perhaps this will convince him to leave his warm bed and help us." Joseph shook his head, handing the money back to Stephan. "I'm quite certain that even this will not help…his wife is giving birth to their first child as we speak…he will not leave her side unless God himself uproots him….those were his words."

Erik could not help but smile. "I see," he said, knowing that he himself would not leave Christine's side when she was bringing their new life into the world…one day…he smiled again. "Very well, then we must…" Joseph interrupted him. "I've already taken care of the necessary arrangements. The innkeeper is preparing rooms for you and your wife, and for your nieces." "And you and the officers?" Erik feigned concern. "We shall stay in the upper room of the stable. There are beds enough there for eight hansoms."

Erik looked at Joseph, nodded and walked back towards the house. Joseph turned and walked back toward the stables. A maid was coming from the house with fresh linens for the beds. "Madame," he said politely "we will be having that ale now seeing as how we will be staying the night." "Yes sir" she replied. Joseph opened the door, seeing the men had already found some playing cards. "Deal me in sir…deal me in."

Erik wished they were closer so that he could take a horse after everyone retired and go to Nadir so he wouldn't worry. They were at least five hours or more away by carriage, so four by horse. There was no way to go and be back before dawn. He shook his head, this was out of his control. He climbed the stairs of the front porch, pushing open the heavy front door. They'd be staying there tonight, so he'd need to explore to make sure they would have proper exits should the need arise, one could never be too careful.

XXXXX

A maid came in through the servant's door into the room where Meg and Christine sat now with Madame Giry. They'd just finished the last of their tea and were preparing to depart.

"Madame, miss, I'll be showing you to your rooms now." "No, we aren't staying the night, there has been a mistake, we've only stopped to rest the…" Madame Giry stopped as she realized the maid was waiting for her to finish speaking.

"I'm terribly sorry, I'm to inform you that the horses won't be ready until morning, you'll be staying with us tonight." She turned now motioning for them to follow. "We've several nice rooms for you, and I can draw a hot bath if you'd like, we've no other guests tonight being the middle of the week and all.." she was climbing up the stairs to the right.

"You'll have full use of the inn. We have a wonderful library, and.." she stopped abruptly. "Here we are," she said opening a room that was awash in candlelight.

It had two beds, rose-colored wallpaper, lace curtains, a vanity, a large window with a window seat, a desk and two chairs. The two canopy beds looked positively plumped, with small wooden step stools to climb into them. Lace fabric draping down both sides. To the left, there was a door, a private water closet, and a large claw foot tub was tucked in the corner. Meg inhaled. She'd never seen a room so lovely.

"This will be for you Madame and your daughter. We'll be bringing in your traveling cases and anything else you require." Madame Giry looked back and forth between Meg and the maid. "Thank you" she replied.

The maid now turned her attentions to Elizabeth, taking her by the arm she said "come with me. I've put you and your husband down the other hall. It is a bit quieter there, further from the stables." Christine smiled over her shoulder as the woman extracted her from the room, pulling her along by the hand.

They walked down the hallway, back past the open formal staircases, and down a few doors to the right. She smiled before she opened the door. Christine looked at her curiously, and smiled back. She opened the door, and Christine could see why she was smiling before. The room was vast. A large four-poster bed sat in the middle, a large hearth lay in front of it, a fire crackling in it. There were several chaise lounges, a large dark table with several chairs, a long vanity with a beautifully gilded mirror, a soft lamp sitting on one side. There were French doors along one wall that led out onto a private veranda that overlooked a rose garden; that now lay sleeping beneath the snows.

Christine's breath caught as her eyes turned to the head of the bed. There above it was a glorious stained glass window. Violets and sapphires, shades of emerald and gold, all glimmering from the growing light of the full moon outside, casting colorful rays across the bed. To the left there was another small room, a water closet, and a very large claw foot tub. Christine smiled, looking back at the maid said, "it is so very lovely." Nearly forgetting herself she almost told the woman that she was on her honeymoon.

"Yes, it is lovely….it is our honeymoon suite….never too old to appreciate this sort of thing mam." Christine smiled, if the poor woman only knew…. "thank you." The woman smiled and turned to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot, a message for you….please tell your husband that I've sent a messenger on to the next inn where you'd be staying tonight if not for the misfortune of the horse. He was a young man who was headed past there on his travels out of France. He delivers packages and the like so he didn't mind carrying the message for you."

"Oh thank you, I'll be sure to tell…Er..my husband. Thank you for your thoughtfulness." "You're most welcome. I'll be back up in a few minutes with your bags mum, is there anything else you'd be needing?" She turned looking back at Christine. "Just my husband, thank you." She smiled. "I'm sure I can find him around here somewhere." She said closing the door behind her.

Christine wandered around the glowing room. There was a small candelabra in the corner, heavy pillar candles nestled in that gave the room a golden glow. The kerosene lamp on the vanity made the smooth white marble of it gleam, its light dancing across it in the mirror. The window seat was surrounded by three large windows stretching toward the ceiling.

She walked over to the large wooden table, running her fingers along the polished top, it reminded her of a table that she and her father had once had at the house by the sea. She smiled, making her way over to the water closet, looking inside to see that there were four large porcelain candlesticks at each corner of the bath, a large mirror hanging behind it, making the light twice as golden. It was like walking through a dream.

She walked back into the bedchamber, peering out the window noticing how the stained glass widow cast its brilliant colors on the undisturbed snow below. Several large pines, formed a sort of secret garden on that side of the Inn, making it feel as though they were in the deep woods, nothing to disturb them. She turned going to the bed, her hands running along the smooth satin covering. It was of the darkest jade, deep black embroidery, all of hearts and cherubs. She stood in the middle of the room, turning slowly, taking in all of the beauty, it was truly like being inside a fairytale….a splendid dream.

She was brought back to reality as the maid knocked and walked into the room. "Here are your traveling bags, is there…" she paused "Madame, are you alright?" Christine said "Hmmmm, why yes, yes of course. I am simply admiring the room, it is so elegantly appointed."

The maid smiled, carrying the bags over to the vanity, setting them off to the side. She stood saying "this home was once owned by a Baron. He had it built as a wedding present for his new wife. It's sad really, she never made it here….she died of scarlet fever on her way." She looked down at the ground. "This was to be their wedding suite….the Baron never even spent one night under this roof…he couldn't bear it." With that the maid sighed and disappeared with a final "good night mum."

Christine's eyes dropped. How very lucky she was to have been able to love her husband from the very first. The house had been built for a family that never had time to occupy it before death knocked at its door. How very sad. She lifted a silent prayer, "Dear Lord, if it be in your infinite plan to allow Erik and I to have a family, please do not wait long to answer this prayer, for one never knows how much time one has on this earth." She opened her eyes. She glanced over at the bags, smiling she moved toward them, she needed to get ready, prepare, for when poor old Stephan finally reached the room.

Christine carefully dug to the bottom of the bag, extracting the long white lace nightgown and robe, a fresh ivory satin ribbon. She walked with purpose to the water closet, opening the faucet on the tub, letting the water begin to spill in. The miracles of hot water coming from a spout in the wall still amazed her even now. She ran her fingers under the flowing water, delighting as it became warm to her touch. She drew a small bottle from her toiletries, pouring a small amount of the liquid into the tub, the aromatic fragrances blending as the steam began to rise from the water. It would take some time for the tub to fill, as it was so large, so wide and deep. She silently hoped that the boiler had enough warm water to fill it. This would be such a treat after such a long cramped carriage ride.

She strode back to the bedroom, slipping out of her garments, trying and failing and trying again until she was able to reach the top of her corset. She was able to twist it around enough so she could grasp the last strings, releasing them, and slipping it over her head. "Oh my" she said, quite out of breath. She slipped into her nightgown, pulling her hair up into it, sliding it to the back of her neck.

Walking over to the window seat, moving the lace curtains ever so slightly to lean for a better look. A dense forest lay just beyond the yard, the snow here too untouched, save the few bunny tracks that dotted the surface. It was beautiful, and glittered under the light of the moon. like a vast ocean of diamonds.

She smiled to herself, a warmth filled her as she turned to let her eyes roam about the room again. It was far more beautiful a setting than she had ever been in before, it had a special allure all its own. It was ironic, they were to have been somewhere else tonight, sharing a room with Meg and Madame Giry, but instead, the heavens saw fit to deposit them there, here in this room.

She closed her eyes dreaming again of the warm sea washing over her feet, her toes digging into the sand. She could hear the seagulls off in a distance, and the laughter of children, the voice of their father teasing them. She couldn't help herself. She was smiling inside and out watching Erik running in the sand, a daughter's hand in one hand, a small son in his arms, clinging to his shoulder as they ran through the splash of the incoming tide. He turned to smile at her, sunlight beaming from their faces.

Suddenly she could feel she was not alone. Her eyes flitted open, adjusting to the light she peered toward the door, a smile still gracing her face. Erik's breath caught in his chest, seeing her bathed in a blend of moonlight and candlelight, flowing lace running down the length of her legs, piled and frilly under the weight of her dark tendrils pushed over one shoulder. How could it be that she seemed to grow more beautiful every day?

He put both bags he'd been carrying down on the floor. "Elizabeth, I see you've made yourself comfortable." He said smiling at her, raising his finger to his lips and pointing toward the door. He wasn't certain how far away his escort now was, and wanted to be sure that his initial glee at seeing Christine in more feminine attire did not betray their identities.

"Yes, I'll have a bath to ease my achy bones before retiring." Christine said as she made her way over to him. Erik was busily removing his jacket, slipping his boots from his feet. Her walk seemed to mesmerize him, the swaying lace, the look in her eyes, the look she reserved only for him. She was there in front of him now, reaching out touching his cravat, sliding her fingers through it slipping it from his neck. She pecked him on the cheek playfully and took him by the hand. "Here, let me show you something." Erik would have followed her anywhere.

His eyes quickly taking in the grandeur of the room, the candles, the mirrors, the stained glass window…the bed. Christine led him over to the window seat, opening the curtains to reveal the glittering snow. "It reminds me of our wedding night….how the moon danced across the snow….how the…" Erik slipped both hands around her waist, drawing her to him, slowly, gently, tenderly.

"Christine…." he gasped, kissing her neck, and then her lips. She turned to gaze at him, his eyes fixed on her, wandering her face as his hands held her upper torso close. "This room is magnificent," she said, her eyes darting around. "It was built by a Baron for his new wife, but she never.." Erik leaned down kissing her passionately. His mind reeled as he felt Christine's arms snaking up under his, pulling his chest closer to her own. How he had longed to hold her, and yet had set his mind upon ignoring that urge during the next days as they traveled with Meg and Madame Giry. It was a mystery how things had happened. They were out of his control, but became something of a wonderful surprise…he would get used to that.

Christine suddenly pulled away "the bath!" scampering off to the water closet, lace bathrobe trailing behind her in a flourish. Erik stood admiring her as she disappeared into the other room. He went about removing his remaining garments, wrapping himself in the deep red satin robe from his traveling case.

Christine reemerged from the room, her face flushed from the heat of the rising steam. "It's ready" she said, glancing back to Erik and toward the bath. "What's ready?" Erik said with a smile, standing now, moving slowly, deliberately toward her, head tilted slightly down.

Christine felt a shiver run up her spine, her lip quivered. In that light she saw the same Erik she had seen during Don Juan: masculine, purposeful, entrancing. A small gasp escaped her as she took a few steps to meet him. He put his arms forcefully about her waist, lifting her from the ground up to where their eyes met evenly.

She put her arms around his neck leaning in she kissed him at first lightly. He raised her even higher, and began to swirl her about in the room, her nightgown fluttering. She laughed a little, looking down at him, an almost childish thrill filling her until she could contain herself no longer. She went limp causing Erik to lower her to him until her neck was level with his face, pulling her close kissing her neck as he let her down inch by inch until at last their lips met. She never closed her eyes, she didn't want to miss anything.

Deep warmth filled her, she felt flushed again as she began to respond to Erik's advances with abandon. He gently let her feet to the ground, their gazes never parting. Her hands came to rest on Erik's chest, slowly sliding them over his muscular torso, up to his shoulders and beneath his robe, gently pushing it away from his flesh, letting it drop to the floor.

Erik stood there before her, wanting to grab her to love her, but wanting more to relish each tender moment between them. He reached down kissing her tenderly, his hands around her neck, reaching inside of her robe, massaging her shoulders as his hands slipped beneath the lace. He felt Christine shudder, a small gasp rising to her lips. "Eric…" was all she could manage. He slid his arms under her shoulders, lifting away all that separated them, releasing it to the floor.

Eric scooped her into his arms carrying her to the soft satin that was but a few feet away. The trembling of previous encounters gone. He no longer feared hurting her, she no longer feared loving him. As the passions of the moment overtook them, they shared the pure pleasures meant only for a husband and wife. Pausing to focus on one another's eyes, searching, their souls talking, exchanging promises, lighting fires deep within, breathing life into the farthest recesses of their beings, staking claims to future love yet undiscovered. If words could describe the bond that was forged during precious moments such as these they would have to describe the very hands of God meshing two beings into one…let no man put asunder.

Christine felt a tear escape the corner of her eye as Erik came to rest above her. He was gentle and tender, all she could ever imagine she would need for a lifetime. Erik caught the tear with his lips, trailing the kisses down her cheek and to her neck. "I love you Christine…." He gazed into her eyes. "And I love you, my dear, precious husband, I love you so" her breath drifting in and out airily.

He kissed her tenderly before moving to one side, taking her into his protective embrace, her head sliding to its place on his strong chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close as skin would allow. They lay a long while just glancing around the room, their eyes meeting and parting, as they drank in the serenity of the moment. Drifting into a sleepy slumber, a half conscious euphoria settled around them. The room was glowing, shafts of amber, ocean blue, deep jade, fiery red dancing over the two resting bodies.

Christine lifted her head, looking up at Erik who was smiling at her. "Come," she rolled up, grasping Erik's hand. He tilted his head wondering what she would rather be doing than laying there basking in the after glow.

She led him to the water closet, dipping her fingers in the water, reaching out and smoothing her wet hand over his chest. "It's still hot!" She said with a smile. Never letting go of his hand, she stepped up on the stool and put in first one foot, wincing as the hot water registered on her skin. "Oooo" she said, putting the other foot in.

She smiled at Erik as he stood looking at her "come, come" she said tugging at his hand. He hesitated, he'd never shared a bath with anyone….this was indeed odd, but how could he refuse her? Not needing the stool he lifted first one foot into the steaming water, and then the other. His skin tingling all over as the steam rose, and his spirit soared.

He too had never seen so large a tub, but immediately was glad for the length of it, as he came to rest next to Christine, his legs being able to fully extend. He slid down, leaving only enough of his chest out of the water to cradle Christine in his arms. She gratefully put her head on his chest, reaching up to put a bubble of soap on his nose, turning to look up at him playfully. "Christine…" he half laughed "my sweet Christine" he said. She slipped both her arms around his waist nestling her head to his chest once again, letting both his love, the warmth of the water, and the candle light wash over them.

XXXX

Down the hall Meg and Madame Giry enjoyed their surroundings. Meg was perched on the chair at the vanity, her mother standing behind her, brushing her long blonde locks. "Mother, are you humming?" Meg asked turning her head slightly, a small grin on her face. Madame Giry stopped, pursed her lips and replied "why yes, I guess I am" taking her hand and guiding Meg's face forward again.

Meg laughed. "It is so good to see you relaxed. The Opera House required you to be serious so much of the time….it is good to see you like this again…it reminds me of the nights we spent at home when father was alive…" Meg's eyes trailed down from the mirror and she stared thoughtfully into the kerosene lamp on the table.

Madame Giry's eyes looked like she was a million miles away, traveling back in time to when she and her husband would sit in front of the fire at night, their little Meg playing on the floor. He with a good book in hand, she with her needlepoint…those were precious times. She shook her head, and busied herself with braiding Meg's hair. "They were indeed precious times Meg, I miss them as do you."

"Mother, do you think you would ever marry again?" The look on Madame Giry's face was something between surprise and horror as the question registered. "Meg, I've hardly thought of such things…your father was…he was the love of my life…"

Meg immediately felt guilty for asking the question, seeing the pained expression that now spread across her mother's face. Madame Giry finished the braid, securing the end with a satin ribbon. "Why do you ask Meg?" she said, turning her daughter around on the bench.

"I was thinking of Sara…how lonely she seemed….I don't ever want you to be that lonely mother." Madame Giry raised her hand to her daughter's chin, sliding it beneath her jaw. "Meg, I shall never be lonely, I will always have my family close to me, for wherever you, Christine, and Erik go, I will follow."

Meg smiled, rising to hug her mother. "Now, my dear, let us slip down to the library and pick a couple of books. There are volumes and volumes down there, and I do believe I saw some of the poetry you like." "Ohhhhh" Meg said, slipping on her robe. "Poetry, I cannot think of anything more wonderful to read in such a fine room. Mother this is a bit like a fairytale in itself, don't you think?" Madame Giry smiled down at her daughter "why yes it is." They walked hand-in-hand to the door, and disappeared down the dark hallway to the staircase and down to the library.

XXXXXX

Raoul and his father had just finished their supper. The maid brought their coffee into the library, sitting it down on the stout table between the two leather chairs situated in front of the fire. The senior De Chagny stretched and settled into the first chair as Raoul paced over to the window.

"I wonder where they are now father….if she is alright?" Raoul was gazing out at the full moon as it shone brightly against the star-filled ink-black sky. His father clearing his throat, could sense the deep pain in his son's heart. "Son, sometimes we cannot know all things…there are things that will forever remain a mystery…things like when my dear friend never returned from the war…his body never recovered…no word as to his demise….we could only assume he gave his life in the service of our country…some things are never known by any but God himself."

The words, however true, brought little comfort to Raoul. Christine was not a soldier, she was an innocent girl, trapped and dragged to the depths by a monster…surely this was far more tragic than a soldier having been in harms way. "I understand" Raoul said, knowing his father could never really know how he felt. His father cleared his throat again, a signal to Raoul that he was to sit, his father must have something to talk about.

He complied, sitting in the chair opposite his father.

"Son, we will continue to search, although perhaps not on the same scale, but we will search. I've twenty or more men in my employee for the next two weeks, whose sole purpose it is to ferret out any information in regard to this affair. I've talked to many hansoms, who would have likely been employed by anyone leaving the city, that had not brought a carriage in. We've woodmen looking about all of their land for anything out of the usual. We've properly motivated the police officers. There is little else we can do now but wait."

Raoul hung his head, looking only at the fire hoping for some sort of absolution. "Thank you father…it means a great deal to me that you've assisted in this quest….knowing how you felt about our union…" Raoul said, looking up at his father now. The senior De Chagny nodding only and looking into the flames himself to avoid the pained expressions on Raoul's face.

"It is best now for you and me to focus our attentions on something constructive. I think I shall be needing to set up residence with you for a fortnight so we can focus on the reconstruction of our Opera House. An Opera House without performances is nothing but a financial burden. If we are to have any hopes of avoiding the financial ruin of the place, we shall have to return it to working order quickly. I've sent for my architect, and several of my servants to be of assistance to yours during my stay, so as not to overburden your household. We shall work from here until a proper office can be arranged at the Opera House. We shall have to turn this room into a drawing room and a small place for the inner circle to gather as we plan."

His father stood now walking around taking a mental note of the things that would have to be changed in order to accommodate the needs. "It is my hope that this will not meet with your disapproval?" Raoul longed to be alone, to sulk in the darkness until his broken heart began beating again, to drowned his sorrows. He knew however, that it was of no use to argue with his father, as he was thinking with only his heart, and his father was thinking with his head.

"No, that shall be fine…the plans you've made are fine." "Very well then, I shall dispatch a courier in the morning to fetch what is necessary. In the meantime, we should try to rest. Tomorrow is another day, perhaps it will contain news." His father lifted his cup taking it with him as he departed to his bedchamber.

Raoul stood by the fire, warming his hands. He then sank into his chair, resting his head against the back of it. "My dear Christine….please forgive me for what I have done…what I have left undone….please know that I will always love you…no matter what….always love you…." He closed his eyes, fighting back tears. Tomorrow would be a new day, further mending of the gaping hole in his heart. For as each day passed, the searing pain turned slowly to a numbness that would one day vanish too.

XXXXX

Out in the deep snows beyond the trees that surrounded the Inn, a lone man lay with his horse on a pile of pine needles covered by a thick horse blanket. No fire to warm him as he could ill afford to draw such attention to his presence. The large branches of the pine tree he was nestled under provided much shelter from the winds, and the warmth of the horse kept him from freezing. He was thankful that the winds were warming now a bit, some dripping could be heard as he drifted off to sleep. A tinge of jealousy struck him as he thought about those in the Inn sleeping in comfort while he, hidden in shadow slept with a horse. Tomorrow would bring a warm bed, and a handsome reward. He smiled as he tugged the cover up under his chin. "Yes a reward indeed."

Author's Notes:

Thank you to all of the faithful readers! I have been enjoying reading your reviews, and I hope you've been enjoying the updates! There are a few I haven't heard from in a long while….I hope I've not bored anyone into abandonment! Please let me know if you are still out there: Captain Oblivious; Ethalas Tuath'an; Glitter Queen of the Ice Show; Christine de Nuit; phantomadark; diveprincess; cinafran; angelheart13; super-girlcom; AJNemo; Twinkle22; Saphhire Tearz; Ankh of Hearts; Bexy; Orli's babe; inuvashas lover; Midnight Tango; Vixen519; Moonjava; mendedways; pimpernelunderthecelticmoon. You've become like family, and it's time for a reunion!

Waytoointoerik: Yes, out of Paris indeed, but not out of danger….oh…what sweet tragedy….. The future is turning for them, but which way it will go…only the future knows! It's funny you should mention therapy…my friends tell me I need some because of the way I light up like fireworks whenever I talk about POTO! Writing this has been therapy for me…I'm such a romantic at heart…this is far more intense than what I might ever know myself, but somehow just basking it as the story develops makes my steps lighter every day! I will be away now until July 5th (sorry) so I've posted another three chapters for you. I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July…that is…if you are in the Americas! This is the fun of cyberspace…we never really know where anyone is…although I have just revealed what continent I'm on now haven't I!

Crayann: Thank you for the compliment. I'm rather like that myself, when I find something I like, I cannot seem to get enough of it. I'm glad you're enjoying the journey!