Chapter 6: Loving The Comte de Bellamont

Day after day, Erik worked with Charlotte and trained her in the art of music. Her senses were trained with pitches and the desire to taste the passion of music. Charlotte rode with Erik through his lands, she on her white mare and he on his black stallion. Charlotte felt free when she was outside and took off.

" Come and get me," she called back as she jumped a fence

Erik followed her and caught up with her and grabbed her horse's reins. She looked at him as he pulled in the horse, towards his wild stallion. He reached over and kissed her and she kissed him back. They tied the horses up and went down towards another lake, where wild flowers grew. Charlotte ran ahead and looked at Erik as he went after her. He caught up and grabbed hold of her. She laughed and tried to get out of his hold, both fell into the soft grass and tumbled down the hill. They came to a stop and both had pleasant looks on their faces. She laid there breathing deep and Erik looked over at her. He then sat up and leaned over Charlotte, she looked up at him, with a delicate smile. Erik touched her soft skin and then leaned down and kissed her passionately. Charlotte kissed him back as he kissed her with a fuller kiss than before. She wrapped her arms around him and Erik gently pulled away. He looked at her and traced her lips, then kissed her neck. Charlotte looked at Erik and kissed his head and he glanced down at her, she had a pleasant look on her face.

" Oh, Erik," she whispered

Erik kissed her and then laid in the grass and she laid her head on his chest. She picked a wild flower and gently dangled it in his face. He looked at her and she smiled softly, he pulled her close to him.

" Charlotte, are you happy here, with me?" he whispered

She looked up at him and saw a sadness in his eyes, fear took over.

" Yes," she whispered

She kissed him, he kissed her back, the two remained laying in the field, laying in each others arms. The weather as perfect as a new spring day, they fell asleep for most the day. They were awaken by the call of the servants and Erik sat up.

" We must go," he said, " We have spent the whole day out."

Charlotte looked at Erik and nodded, then stood up, he got up and both walked to the horses.

" Tomorrow Erik can we come out again?" she asked

" Yes," he whispered

They rode back side by side, then Erik helped her down from her mare. She fell into his arms and he caught her once more. She smiled and he cradled her face into his perfect hands.

" Come my dear, it is late," he said

That even Erik taught Charlotte a lesson and she played the violin. She looked at Erik and Erik watched her as she swayed with the gentle playing. He got up and walked to her, he took the violin, he opened the curtains and let the moonlight in. He then blew out 16 out 20 candles and took Charlotte into his arms. He gently sang for her and they danced together in the moonlight.

Later Charlotte was drawn a bath and she told the servant all about her day.

" He's rather charming isn't he?" the servant stated, " Your young, just like she was."

Charlotte stood up and the servant wrapped her in a fresh towel.

" Who is she?" she asked

" Lady Alexandrie de Bellamont," the servant said

" The woman he married?" Charlotte asked

" Yes, she was about your age when he took her as his bride. A beautiful woman. The Comte was in his youthful days, his age grows and he because afraid that he will past away without an heir to his estate," the servant said

Charlotte was dressed and her hair was braided, then her bed was turned down.

" Sleep well Mademoiselle," the servant said

" Good night," Charlotte replied

Charlotte laid awake that night and closed her eyes, but she could not sleep. She opened her eyes and then slipped her robe on. She grabbed a small lamp and walked down the hall. She stopped at the second door and turned the door knob, finding it was open. She gently shut the door and set the lamp down on a table, she gently walked to Erik's bedside. Charlotte climbed into the large bed and came beside Erik. Erik opened his eyes and saw her. Her grabbed his mask and placed it on and looked at her.

" Charlotte," he whispered

Charlotte silenced him and Erik looked at her, she saw his chest rising from his heavy breathing. She removed her robe and tossed it to the side and she kissed Erik gently. Erik kissed her back, with the same anxiousness she kissed him with. Erik looked at her as she reached for his mask.

" No, more hiding," she whispered, " Master."

She removed and gently touched his disfigured side, she looked at him with a smile.

" Erik, please," she whispered, " Please let me be with you…just for this night."

Erik looked up at her and then looked at her face to face. She looked at him, tears fell from her face, she touched his disfigured side.

" Your no gargoyle, you're beautiful," she whispered

" Charlotte," he whispered

" I love you Erik, I can't live without you," she whispered

Erik breathed deep and found himself drawn to girl, that spoke his name so gentle. He could not longer resist fighting back what he desired most.

" You have decided," he whispered, " You can't turn back."

" Why would I turn back?" she whispered, " Why would I leave you behind?"

Erik kissed her deeply and laid her down gently on his bed.

" This is the point of no return," he said as he kissed her

" I've decided," she whispered

Erik nodded and kissed her and pushed away doubt in his mind. Charlotte was nervous as Erik assured her that there was no turning back, but she was sure she loved him.

Morning came and Charlotte laid in his arms, head resting on Erik's chest. The covers, covered them both as the two lovers laid sleeping.

Gabriel sat in the dinning room and looked at the rose that laid wilted on the table.

" Comte de Bellamont, what games are you playing?" Gabriel whispered

By late morning Erik opened his eyes and looked at Charlotte as she rested in his arms. He kissed her head and gently stroked her bare arms and back. She stirred and got closer to him, then opened her eyes.

" Erik," she whispered

Erik looked down at her as her eyes met with his. The morning light traced Erik's face, every last detail. She looked at his disfigured half and she touched his face trailing her whole hand down his face.

" A woman of your status could not accept this," he whispered, " But you have suggest differently."

" It's not the surface, its beyond," she whispered

Erik stroked Charlotte's face and kissed her deeply. He sat up and looked at Charlotte, then smiled at her. Charlotte sat up and wrapped the covers around her. She reached up and stroked his face gently with one hand.

" Oh, Erik," she whispered

She leaned her head against his chest and he wrapped her arms around him. He looked down at her and kissed her head and wrapped his arms around her.

" Don't let me go," she whispered

" No, I won't," he replied

Later, that morning Charlotte went to her room and changed, then came down to eat breakfast. Erik escorting Charlotte to the dinning room, where Gabriel still remained.

" Good morning Gabriel," Charlotte said

" Good morning Mademoiselle," replied, " I trust you slept well?"

" Yes, very well," she answered

The servants brought out breakfast and for once Charlotte ate everything. Gabriel looked at Charlotte and saw she was happier than when he first saw her. Her skin looked healthier, the cold no longer became her enemy. Erik looked at his young apprentice seeing he was staring at Charlotte, this made him jealous in away.

" Gabriel, these papers will need to sent to Paris," Erik said, " I do not wish to have them late."

" Yes, of course master, I will send them off right away," Gabriel answered

After, breakfast, Erik and Charlotte went to the lake, he had ordered the servants to bring them lunch there, he would also be teaching her outside. The weather once more beautiful to stay out and not in. Charlotte looked out on the lake and took a deep breath, as she felt the wind break through the hair. Erik looked at her as he propped his head up on his hand.

" You have shown me so much Charlotte. The month is nearly over and I have learned more in these past four weeks then I will every learn in one life time," Erik said

Charlotte turned to him and touched his face, Erik sat up and kissed her.

" We must warm your voice up," he said

Erik worked with Charlotte outside and Erik felt her voice was purer when outside. He could hear her voice differently then her mothers.

By lunch they laid out a simple picnic lunch, fruit, wine, cheese, bread. Charlotte looked at Erik and fed him some fruit, he did the same. They finished lunch and Charlotte read to him as Erik closed his eyes. She looked over at him and smiled, then laid down beside him.

" Erik," she whispered

" Yes," he said turning to her

" Can I stay with you forever?" she asked, " Can I be your angel of music."

Erik looked at her and sat up, he looked down at her. He felt his heart leaping in his chest, this young woman wanted to become his wife. She wanted to save him from his solitude. He could only smile at her, there were no words for him to speak, his love for her was as pure as day.

" Your parents will not be happy," he whispered

" Then we will have a secret engagement," she whispered, " I don't want to live my life without you Erik. I don't want too…I just can't see myself loving anyone else."

" Don't say that, there will always be another, but right now lay your fears to rest my dear," he said

He gently covered her eyes with his hand and leaned over and kissed her.

" Darkness lives even in light, we just can't see it," Erik whispered

Charlotte closed her eyes and Erik gently removed his hand from her eyes. He looked at her and gently traced her face. Erik got up and Charlotte opened her eyes and stared up at him. He wore his mask again and she sat up, then took his hand, which he extended out to her.

" Come, the weather looks as though it wishes to rain," Erik said

She walked with him to their horses and he helped her up, then got on his, they rode off back to the dark estate. Charlotte looked at Erik as they came to the stables, the stable hands helped them. Erik escorted her inside and then she went upstairs to her room and Erik went to his study. He pulled out some paper and began to write a letter and once done, he sat there. He sighed and looked at himself in a mirror which sat just on the wall. Gabriel stood there and he nodded.

" What have you brought to me?" Erik asked

" A letter from the Vicomte de Chagny," Gabriel answered

" Give it to me," Erik stated

Gabriel walked over and placed it in Erik's hand.

" How long master will you play the Vicomte's daughter with these false feelings?" Gabriel asked

" False? You speak as though my intentions are bad," Erik said

" They are false master…aren't they?" Gabriel asked

Erik looked out the window and held the letter which he wrote. He looked at it and folded, then sealed it.

" This letter is to go to The Vicomte de Chagny," Erik said, " Take it to him."

" But you haven't read his," Gabriel said

" I know what it is," Erik said, " Now go."

" Yes, master," Gabriel said

Erik removed his dress coat and looked at the invitations and smiled.

" His daughter only desires me, he will see that I remain the dark figure that the Opera Populaire knew," Erik thought

Erik opened the letter from Raoul and laughed only to himself, as Raoul seemed to plead for Erik to leave his daughter alone and to return her at once.

" Foolish mortal," Erik said burning the letter, " The game continues and it's my move."