Chapter Eleven: Love Is Going To Conquer It All
They returned to Degardeau Cottage once more in high spirits, and it was immediately evident to the residents within that there was an excited electricity between the couple as they entered.
"The next question is, Erik, how soon do we deliver our other invitations?" Christine asked excitedly as they took off their cloaks in the front foyer.
"We only have three weeks, my dear, and I daresay that both Nadir and Meg would like some notice would they not?"
"I would certainly think so," Christine's reply was automatic. "How long do you think it will take us to get to Paris and then back?"
"A good two days or so to get there, and at least that back of course, and the rest, I would say depends on how long we stay in between. I know the two weeks that Andre and Firmin gave you is coming to a close shortly, and I'll daresay have to leave them another note."
Christine rolled her eyes in humor at Erik's statement. "You have them eating out of the palm of your hand, don't you Erik?"
"These new two are not as easy to deal with as Poligny was, of course, but I'm sure that La Carlotta has not been haranguing them in your absence. I daresay they will be in a rather ill humor upon our return, however. They never have quite realized the bargain they have in me. A good ghost is so hard to come by."
"You're incorrigible, Erik."
"Why thank you my dear," Erik replied with mock severity as he gave a stiff little bow. He paused then, as he gave the opera house a thought. "You do realize, Christine, that Meg's mother may not be very thrilled at the thought of her traveling to Rouen without a proper chaperone?"
"The thought had crossed my mind. I had rather hoped that Madame Giry would not mind Meg traveling with me, though."
"Hmmm quite possibly so. I can only hope you are right on that point," Erik mused as they finally made their way into the empty drawing room. Erik pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time, "Gerard and Marie should be back any moment now, no doubt they will be bursting with questions."
Christine smiled at the thought of their benefactors. She stood close to Erik, taking his hand in hers once more, "I am so glad that we found them, Erik."
"As am I, my dear," Erik smiled, albeit a smile that did not reach his eyes.
Christine quirked her eyebrow at his expression, but did not have a chance to ask the obvious question, for they heard the foyer door opening and the sound of laughter ensued.
"Gerard, you are impossible!" Marie chuckled.
"No, more like I'm incorrigible!"
"That too, my darling. Do you think they're home yet?"
"If they're not, we shall just have to contrive to amuse ourselves until they return and indulge our curiosity, won't we?"
"Yes, Gerard, did I mention I am quite looking forward to this wedding?"
"I'm not surprised, women usually love a good wedding, don't they?" Gerard asked as they entered the drawing room and found the couple in question. "Ah, Erik, Christine! We were just talking about you!"
Erik chuckled, "Yes, so we could hear. You're curiosity getting the better of you, then?"
"Yes, I must admit it is," Marie answered for her husband.
"Then let us help you with that particular problem," Christine offered as she walked toward the older couple. From her pocket, she took a piece of parchment and handed it to Marie. "Our wedding invitation, as it were."
Marie and Gerard came close together as they read it in tandem, and Marie was the first to break a smile as she left Gerard with the paper and came to hug Christine, "A Christmas wedding, how wonderful! I do love it. Have you given a thought to your dress yet, dear? If not, I do know a good seamstress or two who do wonders on short notice."
Christine glanced back at Erik as both of them remembered the dress that waited at the house on the lake. Erik shrugged his shoulders as he answered, "It is what makes you happy, my dear, that matters, you know that. Besides, is the custom not that it is bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the wedding?"
Marie and Gerard cast a questioning eye between the other couple, not catching the sobriquet of the discussion.
"That is indeed the custom," Christine replied.
"Then by all means," Erik gestured, his hands spreading in a manner that showed total acceptance.
Christine smiled shyly back at him, and then turned to the older couple.
"It's settled then," Marie put in. "We can go tomorrow, if you like."
Once more Christine turned to Erik, and he answered for her, "Of course. My dear, we had not discussed the journey we both know comes next, but I would say we can wait at least one more day."
"Journey?" Gerard questioned.
"We do have to return to Paris, as I said, we have a few other invitations to give out. And I have some business of my own to attend to," Erik answered in simplicity.
Gerard nodded in understanding, and gave a reply of his own, "It would probably make it easier all around, of course, if you returned with your guests, would it not? How long would your business take, Erik?"
Erik shrugged once more, "Not long, I should assume, more though, I don't feel quite comfortable to keep taking advantage of your generosity, Gerard. I fear you may tire of us yet."
"Nonsense, Erik, you're family, and your friends are our friends." Gerard waved the sentiment away. "Besides, there are certainly more details to tend to, even for such a small wedding. Only two or three guests besides ourselves, you said?"
"Yes," Erik answered solemnly.
"We'd both prefer it to be as private as possible," Christine added as she once more took her place at Erik's side.
Marie and Gerard nodded in understanding, and Gerard continued in his earlier vein, "Then having your guests here is not a problem. Is it, Marie?"
"Certainly not," Marie concurred. "The two of you tend to whatever business you have to, then hurry back. After, of course, out little trip tomorrow, Christine."
Christine and Erik exchanged a glance between them, and both relented to the generosity of the older couple.
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