This chapter is brief, a bridge into the next one. Please review for me. Your reviews have been helpful, encouraging and frankly, funny (strangle C. with something blue, C. must die, snake repellent for C.). Thanks to all.

Leesainthesky

Ch 53 The Rivalry

There is a sensation one experiences when a startling revelation blasts into the mind, an adrenaline rush which seems to begin in the pit of the stomach, spreads to all points of the body, and ends with a dull pang in the heart.

And oh, how I wanted to open that envelope. Did I dare? After all, I was, or would be, the lady of the manor. I had my rights. But then, so did Erik.

Hadn't I seen a movie where someone had opened a letter with sealing wax by putting a letter opener to the edge and then popping up the seal? Holding a flame on the wax for a moment, then pressing it back onto the envelope could reseal it.

Gab, that's stinking thinking. Do not go there.

In the hush-hush environment of the nineteenth century, I knew little and I felt obliged to find information any way I could…within reason. I was a reporter by nature, and I had a right to know who was messing with my honey. I had a good idea too. Women's intuition is not to be taken lightly.

Tucking the letter into the sleeve of my bodice, I rushed to my room. There I found a letter opener in the top drawer of my writing desk. One quick twist of the opener's sharp tip beneath the wax seal and, voila!

I slipped the parchment from its envelope. The fragrance of rosewater immediately hit my olfactory senses.

It was with curious trepidation that I began to read:

Dearest Erik,

I hope this correspondence finds you well.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered the esteemed composer attending his very own Grand Gala opening. Such joy and rapture to see you again! Yet in my heart there is also sorrow.

My life since leaving the opera has been primarily one of happiness; dear departed Raoul was a kind and loving man. Yes Erik, you encouraged me to the right decision on that fateful night in your home beneath the Opera Garnier; yet I find that when I think of you, it is with much fondness. I've never forgotten you…the special bond we shared, the nights of reading and of singing and the heat of passion, which set fire to my soul upon the stage with our duet from your Don Juan Triumphant.

And now, I find you betrothed.

I always knew that there were other women in this world who would appreciate your special beauty and be measurably more deserving of your affections than I.

I am pleased that you have found a suitable mate in Madame Thomassen.

Darling Erik, do forgive me if my intentions are not befitting a lady of my station. I cannot help but feel that you and I share a union of spirit that can never be broken, one that might possibly, may God strike me down, deserve attention.

It is not my wish to cause a division between you and your betrothed; however, I've a sense that you and I are meant to be.

Oh, how painful unrequited love is! This is surely my punishment for leaving you!

Please Erik, if you have any love left within your heart for me, do you not owe it to yourself to discover what may be your true fate? After all, darling, we have only but one life to live.

I await your expeditious answer.

Your obedient servant,

Christine

Incredible! I wanted to roundhouse kick her pale little hinny onto a slow boat to China. So, Christine pined for a man she'd once rejected; okay, as a woman I could understand that, but I was Erik's saving grace, not the woman who left him for a young lord with a pretty face.

Bitch, how dare she screw with my happiness! But I knew without question that if I could not let on my knowledge of the letter's contents. If Erik found me out, I would be in a heap of trouble.

From the safe confines of my room, I re-sealed the envelope and trotted downstairs to place it on Erik's desk. If only I could keep it from him one more day! Why was I so insecure? I knew the man loved me. I also knew the lure of a long lost love—the potency of the one last chance to grasp hold of a long lost dream.

I prayed over the letter, prayed that God in his infinite wisdom would not allow Erik and me to be torn apart by a ghost.

I'd no sooner opened my eyes and turned from his library desk when Erik entered the room.

"Hello sweetheart," I said almost too cheerfully. "Why, you're in your stocking feet! No wonder I didn't hear you come in."

"Yes, I deposited my boots in the mud room. The last thing I wish to do is draw the wrath of Madame Roux by muddying her clean floor." He walked straight to me and laid a kiss on my cheek.

"What have you been up to? You smell of fresh air and sunshine." I smiled up into his magnificent jade eyes.

"The joyous labor of mending the south fence."

"Ah, a landowner's work is never done, is it?"

"Indeed, Monsieur Roux is forever imploring me to hire help, but I see no sense in it. Most of my life I've made do for myself and I am quite capable of it now."

"Another trait to admire about you, lovey; you're not spoiled like most wealthy French landowners."

Erik peered around me, his eyes landing on the lone envelope in the middle of his desk blotter.

"My head must still be full of last night's excitement; I am sure I had sorted through the day's post already."

He moved past me and picked up the letter.

"Oh, that," I replied trying not to let my trepidation show. "A special delivery came for you about an hour ago. I didn't know where you were so I signed for it. I hope you don't mind, Erik?"

"No, of course not, dear." He flipped the envelope over. His eyes darkened when he saw the crest on the seal.

"Interesting seal isn't it? It must be from a business partner, although I don't know what man would prefer such a dainty color, do you?" I prodded innocently.

"Chagny…it's the Chagny crest," he spoke the words slowly and carefully, like a young boy sounding out an unfamiliar word.

"Oh," was all I could say.

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I can smell the estrogen from here…review!

XXOO

-Leesa