Chapter 3: Gentle Officer and Leading Chorus Girl
2 weeks later
Meg looked the girls and counted each beat as the conductor played. She asked the conductor to only give her a drum beat. Victoire was taken to the front of the stage, where she was to make her solo dance debut. Her silent part in the opera was sure to give a new taste to the opera. Nicolas looked at the girls and watched Victoire as she danced alone.
" Your off Amelia," Meg called
Amelia looked at her teacher and got on step, Victoire leapt and was caught by the leading male singer.
" Chorus girls, who needs them," Carlotta's voice said
Music stopped and Victoire looked at the diva, Mademoiselle Chaffee gave her rival a look.
" Young singers are needed Carlotta, not old washed up divas," Mademoiselle Chaffee spat
Carlotta gave her a look and stepped up onto stage.
" Mademoiselle, I am the one who pulled this little opera house out the shadows," Carlotta said
" Carlotta there are rehearsals going on…leave," Meg snapped
" Leave, why you little stuck up ballerina," Carlotta said, " I will see that you don't dance or instruct in this opera house again."
" Go right ahead and tell my husband," Meg said
Carlotta gave Meg a look and walked off.
" You will see that I triumph," Carlotta said
" Back to business," Meg said
Mademoiselle Chaffee looked at Meg and thanked her for stepping in. Meg smirked and took a deep breath. Nicolas walked off and went down to his lair and played the organ until Meg brought down lunch.
Later, Meg spoke to Henri and he looked at her.
" You don't have to worry Meg, Carlotta has no authority here," Henri said, " She knows her place."
" Thank you," Meg said
Meg walked towards the door and Henri stood up.
" Meg, dinner tonight at home," Henri said
Meg stopped and looked at her husband and shook her head.
" I'm on duty tonight to watch the girls," Meg replied, " Maybe tomorrow."
" Meg please," Henri said, " I'm your husband, I love you."
Henri walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her.
" How long will you continue to pull away from me, and dwell in the past?" he asked
" I'm not Henri, I'm right here in your arms," Meg said
She kissed him and then broke free from his arms, she walked out and went down to bring Nicolas food. She stopped half way down and found tears dripped from her eyes.
" I can never let go…I promised," she whispered, " I promised."
Meg wiped her eyes and called to Nicolas, he stopped play and called to her. She entered and Nicolas saw her cheeks were damp with moisture.
" Madame, you cry so much, what makes you do so?" he asked
" I had something in my eye," she replied
She laid out the usual food and poured him a glass of wine.
" Victoire is doing well, she will appear tonight," Meg said
" I know, I saw her," Nicolas replied
He walked over and steadied Meg's hand as she poured a second glass. She looked at him and Nicolas saw two wedding bands on her left hand.
" Tell me Meg, were you married twice?" Nicolas asked, " It's the first time I've seen your left hand."
" Yes, Henri is my second marriage," Meg replied
" Who, may I ask was your first marriage to?" Nicolas asked
Meg's hand shook and Nicolas grabbed her delicate hand into his own. She looked at him and shook her head.
" No, you may remain silent" she whispered
" Erik?" he asked
" Hush," Meg said, " Here is your dinner, supper will be late."
She sipped the wine and then went off and Nicolas sighed.
" What a fool to leave a beautiful angel?" Nicolas whispered
Victoire stood outside of the Opera house and looked at the rose in her hand.
" The Phantom's rose," Victoire whispered, " Why did he chose me?"
" Bonjour Mademoiselle," a voice said
Victoire looked up and saw a very dashing young man, he was dressed in a officer's uniform.
" Bonjour Monsieur, may I help you?" she asked
" I'm looking for Monsieur Abney," he replied
" Which Monsieur Abney?" she asked
" There's two?" he asked
" Yes, Monsieur, there is Jacque and Henri," Victoire replied and a little laughter
The young man gave a nervous laugh and said, " I was only told to speak to a Monsieur Abney."
Victoire pulled her shawl tight around her, then told the young man she would take him to see both. They entered together as the young officer escorted her inside, there was sudden whispers.
" It's Captain Alexander," they said
Both Jacque and Henri walked out talking about letters they received from, the phantom.
" Monsieurs," Victoire said
" Oh, Victoire," Henri said
" This young man was asking for one of you," Victoire said
Henri and Jacque looked up and smiled.
" Ah, Captain Alexander, welcome," Henri said, " You may go Victoire."
" Yes, Monsieur," Victoire said
She gave a curtsy and walked off and Captain Alexander watched her leave.
" Who is she?" he asked
" Ah, that is our leading chorus girl Victoire, she's well loved here," both mangers said
" Victoire," he thought
Meg called the girls back to get their costumes and Victoire walked over.
" Oh, Victoire, I heard you talking to Captain Alexander," Amelia said
" I hardly call it talking, I just brought him to the mangers," Victoire replied
" He's quite a gentleman, you should talk to him," Amelia said
" Me a chorus girl talk to him a gentleman," Victoire said
The girls laughed and Meg looked at them, they walked off and Nicolas jumped down from the rafters.
" Meg," he said
She turned around and jumped a little, but then relaxed.
" Who is this captain, who has caught my ladies heart?" Nicolas asked
" Captain Alexander, he's the youngest captain in the French Navy," Meg replied, " He's not interested in the young women of the chorus…only singers."
" Then she is safe?" he aked
" Yes, Nicolas," Meg said, " but hurry they will be back."
Nicolas sighed and walked off and then climbed up a rope, she sighed and went off to prepare for the performance. She sat in front of her vanity and braided her hair, then put it in a bun. She reached up to one of the shelves and lifted a frame up. She smiled then kissed her finger and touched the picture.
" So, I was right," Nicolas said
Meg turned around and looked at him, she sighed turning away.
" Why must you mind my business Nicolas?" she asked
" It's my business, when my caretaker cries over the past," Nicolas said, " Tell me sweet Meg what happen to him?"
Meg applied her make-up on and looked at the herself.
" It died four years ago," she whispered, " Leaving behind sadness to those who loved him deeply."
Nicolas nodded and lifted his left hand up.
" You and I lived the same life, and still do," Nicolas said, " What do you suppose we do about it?"
" Nothing Nicolas, you live the life you chose and I will live mine," Meg said
Meg walked out and Nicolas looked at Meg and sighed, he could see that even time could heal no ones pain. She was married again and yet did not find comfort in her marriage. He never had that choice, he was thrown into another life to dwell on the past.
That evening Captain Alexander attended the Opera and held roses in his hand. He looked out at the huge audience and then at the stage.
" Victoire, such a name," he said
The performance started and there the young dancer walked out so silently. The sounds of the bells on her costume made her that much noticeable. The young male vocalist walked out and sang out, about how beautiful she danced. Victoire vanished into the background as the others came out to block the leading male.
Through the performance Meg looked out onto the stage and breathed in a steady breath. Henri looked at her and placed his hand on her hand, she looked at him. Her eyes showed something deep within her, that she was trying to push away.
" Darling, let it go," he whispered
Meg turned away and stared out into the stage as she watched her students prance onto the stage.
" They're doing well Meg, it's no surprise why they are,"
Meg looked around and then sighed.
" It's my imagination," she thought, " Only my mind wanting to hear his voice."
After the performance Meg walked down and she saw the young captain looking around the stage.
" Monsieur, who may I ask are you looking for," Meg asked
" Ah, a young woman name Victoire," he replied
" Cousin!" a girl's voice called
Alexander looked up saw the girl run and latch to him.
" Christelle," he said hugging her
" Have you come to see me?" she asked
" I came to speak to someone," he said
" Oh, I see, well don't let keep you," she said
" Mademoiselle Chaffee, perhaps you can show Captain Alexander where Victoire is," Meg said
Christelle nodded and grabbed Captain Alexander's hand, then led him to where Victoire was. She knocked on the door and one opened the door.
" Where is Victoire?" she asked
" In the chapel Christelle," replied one girl
Christelle nodded and led him to the chapel, where Victoire was suppose to be. She let Captain Alexander go on his way.
Victoire sighed as she lit a candle for her mother and father. She closed her eyes and prayed to herself.
" Brava, Brava," a voice said
Victoire looked up and looked around.
" You have past your hardest test mademoiselle, I applaud you."
" Thank you angel," she whispered
Captain Alexander walked in and held the roses.
" What a marvelous performance, I never have seen such an angel dance," Captain Alexander said
Victoire gasped and stood up and he presented her with the roses.
" Thank you monsieur," she said
" May I take you to dinner mademoiselle?" he asked
" Yes," she said
He smiled and presented his arm and she wrapped her arm around his. He escorted her out and Nicolas looked from shadows.
" And there she goes, away from me, this young officer has stolen my lady's heart," he thought, " Then I shall steal it back."