Chapter 5: Erik le Comte de Champney
2 months
Rousseau threw a book at his men and slammed his fist on the desk.
" What do you mean you can't find him!" Rousseau shouted
" He's vanished sir," one replied, " We can't seem to find him or, your lady friend."
Rousseau looked at them and stood up and then look at them. He walked from around his desk and grabbed them, by their collars.
" Listen to me, you send for Madame Giry, it's time she knows the consequences of with hold information," Captain Rousseau growled, " Do it now."
They nodded and did double time to get Madame Giry. Captain Rousseau looked at the wanted poster and narrowed his eyes.
" Dead man walking we'll se who gets the last laugh," Captain Rousseau growled
Erik opened his eyes and sat up, he heard the sound of emptiness, echo in his head. He looked around the room staring at the paintings hanging in the great room. He looked over at Meg as she slept peacefully beside him, nothing could wake her.
" It's been a month in this estate and I can't seem to sleep," Erik thought
Erik got up and dressed, he walked downstairs and went out to the stables. He petted the stallion and looked at it. Erik brushed the horse and then got onto his back, he didn't even dress the horse, just went out bareback. The morning light was coming over the land and Erik watched it.
" I've lived my life in darkness, I never knew that light could be so wonderful," Erik thought
He sat there and the light peeked over the horizon, catching the dew on the ground making prismatic colors. He closed his eyes and took in the fresh air and felt the sun begin to kiss his cheeks. Erik then rode to a pond and got off the stallion, he walked to the edge then sat down in the damp grass. Erik laid back and let nature sing to him.
Later, that morning Meg opened her eyes and saw Erik was gone, she sighed softly. She got up and dressed and walked out to the stables, then pulled out a second horse. She got on and rode off towards the pond then walked down, by foot, to the pond. Meg looked at Erik as he laid in the grass, taking in the sun's rays, and this time asleep. She walked to him and kissed him on his lips.
" Wake up my dear Comte," she whispered
Erik opened his eyes and looked at Meg, he smiled and sat up. She sat beside him and he kissed her.
" Were you dreaming?" she asked
" Only sweet dreams," Erik whispered
Meg smiled and touched his face then grabbed his hand.
" Tell me what were these sweet dreams about?" Meg asked
" They were about us, and our new life," Erik said
Meg's smile only grew more delightful as Erik spoke of dreams that made her laugh. Erik wrapped his arms around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
" What beautiful dreams Erik," she whispered
" They are as beautiful as the woman who put them there, my sweet Meg," Erik said kissing her hands
Meg giggled and Erik stood up and helped her. He walked with her back to their horses and rode home, then had breakfast prepared, by the three servants they had.
" I plan to live a settle life, nothing flashy and nothing out of the ordinary," Erik said
" What do you plan to do to continue your wealth?" Meg asked
" Only teach those who wish to be taught," Erik said, " I will teach the art of music."
Meg smiled and grabbed his hand, then kissed it.
" I will teach ballet," Meg said
Erik looked at Meg and smiled, his love for Meg only grew, he could not give her anything more; she turned his gifts away. She wanted most to stay beside him become his guardian angel.
" What's wrong?" she asked
Erik shook his head and said, " Nothing at all."
After breakfast Erik and Meg went into town together and people stared at them.
" He's the new Comte, that everyone is talking about," gossipers chirped
" The Comte de Champney, he inherited his wealth," more talked
Meg and Erik came to a shop and Erik removed his wide brim hat off. Meg looked at him as he scanned around. She walked around and Erik looked at the owner.
" Is it in?" he asked
" Yes, Monsieur, it just arrived here the other day," the shop keeper replied
He led Erik to the back and the shop keeper opened a box. A beautiful diamond laced necklace, with earrings to match, laid perfectly in the box.
" It's perfect, every diamond is exactly in place, only she will be able to wear it," Erik said
" She's a pretty young woman Monsieur," the shop keeper said, " Her skin tone would just let these diamonds shine."
Erik nodded and agreed to take it, he also asked about another item, the shop keeper pulled out a soft pouch. Erik looked at the pouch then the shop keeper pulled out a ring, very well polished.
" It's very expensive Monsieur," the shop keeper said, " But for the Comte de Champney, I will be glad to cut this price in half."
Erik looked at the ring and nodded.
" I'll take it, but I will be back later for these things, I have other things to do," Erik said
" Of course Monsieur, I am at your service, just ask if you need anything else," the shop keeper said
Erik nodded and walked back and Meg looked at him, she walked to him.
" Shall we?" he asked
" Yes," Meg said
Erik walked with her out the shop and they went on their way. He was fitted for another suit and she another dress, as well as a fine dress for ballet. Erik and Meg went further out of town to the local Opera house there.
" It's not the Opera Populaire, but is comes second," Erik said
" Erik," she said
He nodded and walked in with her, the manager looked at them and smiled.
" Ah, Monsieur de Champney, how good to see you," he said, " This young woman must be Mademoiselle Giry."
" Yes, it good to see you," Erik replied
The manger led them to the stage, where singers and ballerinas, were practicing. Erik looked at Meg as she smiled and the manager got their attention.
" I would like to present The Comte de Champney and Mademoiselle Giry," the manger said, " Mademoiselle Giry has come to replace the late Madame Kerr. Please, welcome her."
The ballerinas applauded and some curtseyed and Meg returned the warm welcome.
" For the young singers Monsieur do you prefer to teach them separately here?" the manger asked
" Where ever is best for them?" Erik said, " Though if they wish a lesson or so, there will be separate payments."
" Of course, our patriots are willing to help these young stars out," the manger said
Erik gave a nod and the singers looked at him, they were unsure in why he wore a mask over half his face.
" Mademoiselle, when can you start?" the manger asked
" As soon as you need me," Meg said
" You are a saint Mademoiselle," the manger said, " Tomorrow will be the best, they have only half the show done."
" Then we have a lot of work," Meg said
Later, Erik and Meg returned to the first shop and Erik paid for the necklace and earrings as well as the ring. They returned home near evening hours, Erik told Meg to dress a little nicer than usual. She could only wonder why though, but Erik assured her that he too was going to dress a little nicer.
Madame Giry received a letter and opened it, she sat down and turned the letter over. The seal that she saw was a new seal, it was that of a Comte's special seal. She opened it and saw two letters one from Meg the other from Erik. She opened Meg's first and read about the last two months. She was feeling a little at eased, hearing her daughter was happy. She finished reading Meg's letter and then opened Erik's.
Dear Madame,
Forgive me for keeping your daughter this long, but I wish to assure you that she is not harmed. I would wish to say, that she has become a dearest companion to me. Time has moved all around us and I have fallen in love with your daughter, as she has for me. I wish to ask your permission to have your daughter's hand in marriage. She will live a normal life now that the authorities have eased off of us. Please, your daughter means the world to me, she is my safety, my own angel.
Sincerely,
Erik
" Oh Erik, what are you thinking?" she thought
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Madame Giry hid the letters under a book. She walked to the door and opened it just a little. She saw three of Captain Rousseau's men standing there.
" Madame Giry, you are being summoned by Captain Rousseau," one said
" He has no right," Madame Giry said
" You have been with holding information about the fugitive, we do have the right," he answered
Madame Giry grabbed her cloak and went with the three men. They walked her to Captain Rousseau's office and he looked at her.
" Ah, Madame how nice of you join me," Rousseau said
" What do you want?" she asked
Rousseau smiled and stood up and walked to Madame Giry.
" What do I want hmm? That's really hard…wait I know….I want that scoundrel dead," Rousseau said aggressively
" I don't know where he is," she replied
" Your lying, you've been contacted by him twice now," Rousseau said, " He's a dangerous man Madame. He has Meg, who knows what he has done to her."
" He's done nothing to Meg," Madame Giry said, " She's been protected by him."
" Right, the beast protects it's prey," Rousseau said, " Where were they last?"
Madame Giry didn't say anything and Rousseau looked at her.
" Fine, I can see you can not talk about the loss of your daughter," Rousseau said, " Escort her back, I'm done."
Madame Giry got up and pushed her way from the men. Rousseau watched her walk off and he looked at his second.
" Follow the messenger when she gives him a little, I want to know where he is. All authorities have been contacted and I will make my move," Rousseau said
" Yes sir," his second said
Madame Giry wrote a letter and sealed it, then went to a messenger. She paid him and then walked off. One of Rousseau's men followed the messenger all the way to the Comte de Champney's estate.
" For Monsieur de Champney," the messenger said
" I will accept it," Meg said
She signed and the messenger nodded, then took off. The official watched as he saw Meg enter the estate. He pulled out some paper from his sack and wrote to Rousseau, he ran to town to send it.
" I found that bastard," he thought, " Welcome to first steps of hell Phantom."