Chapter 4
I wake early this morning from a very disturbing dream. I dreamt of holding Marie in my arms and kissing her soft lips. What could this dream possibly mean? I wonder as I sit in my pajamas on my chair. It means that I have spent entirely too much time thinking of her that she is now haunting my dreams that's what it means, I tell myself. Oh, but the dream seemed so real! Can I even allow myself to hope for such a thing to really happen? It is true that she has not shown any fear of me or of my face but can I stretch that fact far enough to believe that she could possibly feel more for me than just gratitude for saving her life? No woman could possibly love me. But then Christine had... I could feel it in that one kiss we had shared. Why is life so cruel and confusing? I wonder as I get up and put my robe on pushing all these confusing thoughts from my mind I decide to go down the hall to Marie's room to check on her and Charles. After all, I am sure they are still sleeping.
I knock softly on her door and after a few moments of hearing nothing I quietly push the door open far enough to see that she is still sleeping. With this discovery I open the door further and enter the room. I look to the crib first and see that Charles is also sleeping peacefully. Unable to resist the urge I walk the short distance to the bed and easing myself down so that I am sitting in my usual spot I take her hand in mine. Upon this contact she smiles in her sleep and lets out a contented sigh that sounds very much like my name.
After sitting like this for a few moments I decide that it most likely is not a very good idea to linger like this much longer for she is beginning to stir in her sleep. Releasing her hand reluctantly I slowly stand up and leave the room as quietly as I had entered.
I do not get very far from her room before I hear her call my name and I quickly return to her side. She is sitting straight up in bed and has a terrified look on her tear-streaked face. As soon as she sees me she reaches out her arms to me.
"Oh, Erik," she sobs, "please hold me."
Unable to resist her plea for comfort I quickly approach the bed and sit where I had been only minutes before. "I am right here," I say as I offer her my open arms which she quickly flings herself into and clings very tightly to me. I close my arms around her and hold her close. She is trembling so badly that she is causing me to tremble also. "What is it that is troubling you so?" I ask rather concerned by her behavior but unable to resist savoring the feel of her so close to me.
"I had the dream of the men attacking me again but this time I dreamt that they killed you while you were saving me." She says sobbing even harder. "Are you sure that you killed them Erik?" she asks fearfully.
"I can assure you that they are both quite dead." I say as I gently caress her back in a soothing motion. "They can never hurt you nor me ever again."
"Oh, Erik," she sighs squeezing me tightly, "please promise me you'll never let anything bad happen to you."
Taken aback by this request I back out of her grasp and cease all ability to think clearly. What could it matter if something bad happened to me? It has never mattered to anyone before.
Finally finding my voice I say the only thing that comes to mind as I look into her bright blue eyes which are still filled with tears. "You actually care enough for me to be troubled by the thought of anything bad happening to me?"
"Of course I do Erik." She replies as if the fact that I do not already know this shocks her.
"But why?" I ask still unable to believe that it would matter to her enough to upset her so. "No one has ever cared about what might become of me. Most, if not all, have wished me dead and here you are wishing me to stay alive and well... why?"
"Because I care about you Erik," she answers softly as she looks into my eyes. "You saved my life. If you were not alive neither Charles nor I would be alive either."
"But that is no reason to wish for me to remain alive. After all, you are no longer in danger of those two men." I reason with her.
"Erik, you don't seem to understand," she says moving closer to me. "I care about you," she says as she reaches a hand to my deformed cheek, "very much."
Unable to believe that this beautiful woman sitting so close and caressing my cheek so gently could possibly feel for me what I had been pondering not even an hour earlier I stand up quickly and turn away from the bed. "What you feel for me is nothing more than gratitude and pity." I say in a much calmer manner than what I am actually feeling. Not wanting to hear anymore I hurry out the door and down the hall to my room for I fear that I may start believing her words.
Once inside I quickly lock the door and sink down onto my chair. I cannot help but recall the feel of her in my arms. She was so terrified by her dream of my death but she cannot possibly feel for me what her gesture seemed to imply. Her hand was so gentle on my cheek when she spoke those words. The look in her eyes was quite intense but I am unable to decipher what it was I saw flickering there. Could it have been love? No, that is simply impossible. It must have been gratitude mixed with pity, I try to convince myself unsuccessfully. I have seen those emotions portrayed in the eyes of others although never directed at me but I can be assured that what I saw in her eyes were not those things. This woman is such a mystery to me. She had dreamed of me dying while trying to save her from those two men. Therefore, the fear I had seen in her eyes must have been for herself and not for me for if I were not alive to protect her from them then they would surely have had their way with her. That would explain her terror and her caring about my well being. Oh, but she felt so good in my arms clinging so tightly to me... so warm and soft. If I had not fled from the room would she have kissed me? This woman does not know what she is doing to me... I do not even know what she is doing to me! Will this torment never cease?
Deciding that I have dwelled on this long enough and not really liking where these thoughts are heading, I go into the bathroom to bathe.
Once finished, I go about the task of getting dressed. As I do I cannot help but wonder what Marie is doing right now. Most likely wishing that she were well enough to leave this place, I tell myself. As I think of this I realize that as soon as the stitches are removed from her forehead in a few days she will be well enough to leave. The thought of being in this house without Marie and Charles fills me with a feeling I cannot begin to describe. Suddenly an absurd thought strikes me... Oh, God, could I truly be falling in love with this woman? No, I cannot be! I loved Christine and this feels nothing at all like that. Thinking on that a moment I realize that it does feel a bit like that after all but with much more to it. But what difference does it make if I love her or not, I try to reason with myself, she could never love me. She said she cares for me very much but as I told her it is only gratitude and pity that she feels for me and I am sure that is all it ever will be yet did I not admit that what I saw in her eyes was something other than that? Why am I getting so tangled up in these thoughts? She will be gone in a few days and life will be back to the way it was before... me alone with my music, and my memories here below the ground in my private world of darkness. This really is no place for a lovely young woman and a baby to live. Pushing these thoughts from my mind, I leave my room.
Having no real goal in mind when I left my room I am a bit surprised to find myself standing in front of Marie's room. I knock softly on the door and wait for a reply, not knowing why I even came here.
"Come in," she calls cheerfully.
I open the door slowly, trying to think of an excuse for coming to her room. As I enter the room I see that she is feeding Charles and the empty tray on her bedside stand indicates that she has made her own breakfast. "I see you have made yourself at home," I say irritated with myself for not seeing to her needs sooner. "I do apologize for not serving your breakfast. You should have called for me and I would have prepared breakfast for you."
"There was no need to disturb you," she says. "I am no stranger to a kitchen and I had no trouble finding my way around yours."
"But you are my guest," I state flatly. "It is my place to see to your needs and it was rather rude of me not to see to them sooner."
"Erik," she begins as she looks into my eyes, "you saved my life, took me in and cared for my wounds... I have my strength back now and there is no need for you to be treating me like a guest and waiting on me hand and foot. As a matter of fact it is I who should be serving you."
"As long as you are in this house you will be treated as a guest... not as a servant!" I say sternly. With that said I turn to leave and as I do so my cloak swirls around me gracefully. "If you need anything I will be in my room," I state as I leave the room once more.
Safely locked away in my room I chide myself for behaving as I have. I will not win her heart this way, but, I remind myself fiercely, her heart is not mine to win nor am I going to try... it would be a pointless waste of time. Here I am in my fifties and I am behaving like a lovesick teenager! Why must life be so cruel? While pondering this I find the program Madame Giry had left for me with my salary. Pushing all other thoughts out of my mind I pick it up noticing that they are performing Faust. I have not been to see an opera since Christine had left me. Maybe it is time I change that... after all I have always liked Faust. With that decided I leave my room and walk back down the hall to Marie's room.
Standing where I was a short while ago I once again knock softly on her door.
"Come in," she calls watching the door intently as I open it. "I am sorry I made you angry earlier." She says sadly and as I step closer I can see that she has been crying. "But I did not think making a simple meal would upset you. I should not have taken such liberties without first asking you."
"Nonsense," I say sincerely, silently cursing myself for having been the cause of her tears, "I am the one who should be apologizing for yelling at you. Please, forgive me for my behavior before. I never meant to sound so harsh nor had I intended to cause you to cry. It is just that I feel that it is my place to see to your needs. I sounded harsh because I was angry with myself for having neglected to see to breakfast. You do not need my permission to use anything in my house. As far as I am concerned my home is yours for as long as you choose to stay here. I just do not want you to think of yourself as being my servant. I told you before that you owe me nothing."
"Thank you," she says as a bright smile quickly replaces the sad frown that had graced her lips moments ago.
Remembering what it was I had originally come here for I ask, "Do you like the opera, Marie?"
"I have never been to see an opera, Erik," she says longingly, "I was either too young or away at school. When I was finally home and old enough to attend my father's business investments had been in bad shape and my parents could no longer afford such a luxury."
"Would you like to go?" I ask hopefully. "They are performing Faust tonight."
"I would love to Erik!" she says happily as she closes the distance between us and wraps her arms around me in a hug. "Thank you."
"It is my pleasure Mademoiselle." I say as I cautiously wrap my arms around her, savoring the feel of her so close. After a moment I reluctantly back out of her embrace. Why must she keep doing these simple gestures? Does she have any idea what they do to me?
Looking towards the crib where her brother is now sleeping she asks, "what are we to do with Charles while we are at the opera? Surely you are coming with me."
"Of course I am, my dear," I reply. "I have already thought of your brother. He will be well cared for while we are at the opera. Now, if you will excuse me I must go out for a while, there are some things I need to see to before tonight."
"By all means," she says as she smiles at me brightly.
"Thank you," I say bowing gracefully before leaving the room. I then return to my room to get what I will need for this little excursion... my mask, felt hat, and heavy cloak. It is time to pay Madame Giry a little visit. Having gotten what I need I quickly leave the house and cross the lake in my little boat. Once on the other side I quickly dock the boat and begin my journey up to the opera house five levels above.
My accent takes less than a half an hour to complete and in only a few minutes I locate Madame Giry. I wait patiently until she is alone in the room before I make my appearance. "Good day to you Madame Giry." I say as I slip into the room unseen.
Turning towards my voice she says, "Monsieur, you startled me."
"Forgive me," I say, "but I have a favor to ask of you. I plan to attend tonight's performance with a guest and I would like you to care for her infant brother."
"But of course, Monsieur," she replies hastily always eager to please me. "Will you be bringing him to box five with you?" she asks.
"Yes," I reply, "We shall be early tonight and I expect that you will be wanting to take him some place private before the crowd arrives. You will bring him back to box five prior to the end of the last act, before anyone begins to stir from their seats."
"As you wish, Monsieur," she replies quickly. "I will be sure that he is not seen."
"Thank you, Madame." I say as I bow gracefully then, swirling my cloak around myself, I disappear before her eyes. I really am glad that I installed all these secret passages and hidden trap doors, it makes getting around unseen so much easier.
A half an hour later I am crossing the lake once more in my little boat actually looking forward to tonight. Once docked in front of my home I quickly step out of the boat and go inside. Not bothering to go to my room and remove my hat and cloak I go directly to Marie's room and knock gently on the door.
"Come in," she calls and I quickly open the door. She is sitting on the sofa holding Charles. He is looking at me with his bright blue eyes and as I walk towards him he reaches out for me to hold him. I quickly oblige and am rewarded with a bright smile and a squeal of delight. "He seems quite fond of you," Marie remarks as she observes this exchange.
"Really?" I ask not knowing what else to say.
"Yes," she says sincerely, "he is quite content when you are holding him."
I nod my head realizing that she is correct in her observation. Why hadn't I noticed this before? Wishing to change the subject I say, "Everything is set for tonight."
"That is wonderful," she says enthusiastically. "I cannot believe I am actually going to be attending an opera. Oh, but what will I wear?" she exclaims and I cannot help but laugh.
"I am sure that there is something in the armoire that will look perfect on you." I say as I place Charles in the crib before I walk to the armoire and begin looking through the many dresses hanging there. Finding the one I had in mind I remove it from the rod and hold it up for her to see. "Ah, yes, this one will be perfect. It will accent the blue in your eyes."
"Oh, Erik, it is so lovely." She says as she takes it from me. "May I try it on?" she asks with such an expression of longing in her eyes that I know I could not refuse even if I wanted to.
"But of course, my dear," I say with a smile. "But after you have tried it on I will need to tend to your wounds." I add as my smile fades with the knowledge that it is a task that must be done.
"That will be fine," she replies not at all affected by my last statement. "I shall be right out," she says as she hurries to the bathroom to change.
As she closes the door I sit on the sofa and remember the look of joy I had seen in Marie's eyes when I held the dress up for her to see. I can hardly wait to see her in the light blue dress with the lacy bodice. I am sure that it will fit her perfectly. I look up as I hear the door open and find myself at a loss of words as I stare at how lovely she looks in the dress.
"How do I look?" she asks excitedly as she steps back into the room and twirls around making the skirt billow out around her. My eyes assess how the dress fits her, accenting her narrow waist and I observe that the lace bodice is not overly revealing but flattering to her figure.
"You look breathtakingly beautiful," I say honestly, having finally found my voice, as my eyes take in the sight of her lovely figure. She is not as painfully thin as she had been when I first brought her here three days ago. Not wanting to stare I move my eyes from the dress to her face. The bruises on her face have begun to fade a bit but are still visible, a little makeup will suffice in hiding them and I am sure that her hair can be situated to hide the stitched cut on her forehead with very little effort.
"Thank you," she says sincerely as she stops twirling and looks me in the eye. "You do not know how much that means to me," she adds quietly. We stand staring at each other like that for what seems to be an eternity although it is only a few moments. Oh, how I would love to hold her in my arms. She is the one who breaks the silence looking at me shyly and saying, "If you would be so kind as to step out of the room for a few minutes I will get ready for you to care for my wounds."
"Of course," I reply regaining my senses and breaking eye contact. "I shall go gather what I will need and by then you should be ready." With that said I quickly turn and leave the room, closing the door behind me I decide to go to my room first to change cloaks and remove my hat and mask. I then hurry to collect my equipment. I had been correct about the dress... it does fit her perfectly. I find myself smiling at the thought.
Standing before her door I first brace myself for what I know awaits me and then I knock softly waiting for her reply.
"Just a moment, Erik," she says quickly. I hear her shuffling around in the bed and after a few moments she calls, "you may come in now."
Taking a deep breath I slowly open the door and enter the room. Walking calmly across the room I set the supplies on the dresser and turn slowly towards the bed. "Let's see how you are doing." I say as I gently lift the quilt from her back and begin to remove the dressings. "The cuts are healing nicely," I remark as I remove the dressing from the last one. "In a day or two they will no longer need dressing," I add as I begin to clean and redress the wounds trying not to give in to the urge to gently caress her soft back. This woman lying naked before me does not seem to have any idea what the mere sight of her bare flesh is doing to me. Quickly pushing these thoughts aside I remind myself that she trusts me to treat her as she should be treated... with complete respect.
"I am sorry to be so much trouble," she says softly. "I really do appreciate all you have done for me. I do not know how I was so lucky to be saved by such a gentle man, but I am glad it was you who saved me, Erik."
"You are no trouble at all," I say sternly but letting it go at that for I do not know how to reply to her last comment. I have been referred to as a monster, thief, and murderer but never as a gentle man. Redressing the last cut I quickly change the subject. "There, all finished." I say, no longer able to resist the urge I allow my fingers to gently caress her back very lightly as I put the quilt back in place.
"Thank you," she says as she rolls over to look up at me with a bright smile on her face. I would like nothing more than to pull her into my arms and kiss those soft lips but that is one urge I will not allow myself to give into.
"You are quite welcome," I say as I begin to gather my supplies and prepare to leave the room. "I shall be back in a little while to help you prepare for tonight." I say as I walk across the room and out the door, remembering the feel of her soft skin beneath my fingers.
I wake early this morning from a very disturbing dream. I dreamt of holding Marie in my arms and kissing her soft lips. What could this dream possibly mean? I wonder as I sit in my pajamas on my chair. It means that I have spent entirely too much time thinking of her that she is now haunting my dreams that's what it means, I tell myself. Oh, but the dream seemed so real! Can I even allow myself to hope for such a thing to really happen? It is true that she has not shown any fear of me or of my face but can I stretch that fact far enough to believe that she could possibly feel more for me than just gratitude for saving her life? No woman could possibly love me. But then Christine had... I could feel it in that one kiss we had shared. Why is life so cruel and confusing? I wonder as I get up and put my robe on pushing all these confusing thoughts from my mind I decide to go down the hall to Marie's room to check on her and Charles. After all, I am sure they are still sleeping.
I knock softly on her door and after a few moments of hearing nothing I quietly push the door open far enough to see that she is still sleeping. With this discovery I open the door further and enter the room. I look to the crib first and see that Charles is also sleeping peacefully. Unable to resist the urge I walk the short distance to the bed and easing myself down so that I am sitting in my usual spot I take her hand in mine. Upon this contact she smiles in her sleep and lets out a contented sigh that sounds very much like my name.
After sitting like this for a few moments I decide that it most likely is not a very good idea to linger like this much longer for she is beginning to stir in her sleep. Releasing her hand reluctantly I slowly stand up and leave the room as quietly as I had entered.
I do not get very far from her room before I hear her call my name and I quickly return to her side. She is sitting straight up in bed and has a terrified look on her tear-streaked face. As soon as she sees me she reaches out her arms to me.
"Oh, Erik," she sobs, "please hold me."
Unable to resist her plea for comfort I quickly approach the bed and sit where I had been only minutes before. "I am right here," I say as I offer her my open arms which she quickly flings herself into and clings very tightly to me. I close my arms around her and hold her close. She is trembling so badly that she is causing me to tremble also. "What is it that is troubling you so?" I ask rather concerned by her behavior but unable to resist savoring the feel of her so close to me.
"I had the dream of the men attacking me again but this time I dreamt that they killed you while you were saving me." She says sobbing even harder. "Are you sure that you killed them Erik?" she asks fearfully.
"I can assure you that they are both quite dead." I say as I gently caress her back in a soothing motion. "They can never hurt you nor me ever again."
"Oh, Erik," she sighs squeezing me tightly, "please promise me you'll never let anything bad happen to you."
Taken aback by this request I back out of her grasp and cease all ability to think clearly. What could it matter if something bad happened to me? It has never mattered to anyone before.
Finally finding my voice I say the only thing that comes to mind as I look into her bright blue eyes which are still filled with tears. "You actually care enough for me to be troubled by the thought of anything bad happening to me?"
"Of course I do Erik." She replies as if the fact that I do not already know this shocks her.
"But why?" I ask still unable to believe that it would matter to her enough to upset her so. "No one has ever cared about what might become of me. Most, if not all, have wished me dead and here you are wishing me to stay alive and well... why?"
"Because I care about you Erik," she answers softly as she looks into my eyes. "You saved my life. If you were not alive neither Charles nor I would be alive either."
"But that is no reason to wish for me to remain alive. After all, you are no longer in danger of those two men." I reason with her.
"Erik, you don't seem to understand," she says moving closer to me. "I care about you," she says as she reaches a hand to my deformed cheek, "very much."
Unable to believe that this beautiful woman sitting so close and caressing my cheek so gently could possibly feel for me what I had been pondering not even an hour earlier I stand up quickly and turn away from the bed. "What you feel for me is nothing more than gratitude and pity." I say in a much calmer manner than what I am actually feeling. Not wanting to hear anymore I hurry out the door and down the hall to my room for I fear that I may start believing her words.
Once inside I quickly lock the door and sink down onto my chair. I cannot help but recall the feel of her in my arms. She was so terrified by her dream of my death but she cannot possibly feel for me what her gesture seemed to imply. Her hand was so gentle on my cheek when she spoke those words. The look in her eyes was quite intense but I am unable to decipher what it was I saw flickering there. Could it have been love? No, that is simply impossible. It must have been gratitude mixed with pity, I try to convince myself unsuccessfully. I have seen those emotions portrayed in the eyes of others although never directed at me but I can be assured that what I saw in her eyes were not those things. This woman is such a mystery to me. She had dreamed of me dying while trying to save her from those two men. Therefore, the fear I had seen in her eyes must have been for herself and not for me for if I were not alive to protect her from them then they would surely have had their way with her. That would explain her terror and her caring about my well being. Oh, but she felt so good in my arms clinging so tightly to me... so warm and soft. If I had not fled from the room would she have kissed me? This woman does not know what she is doing to me... I do not even know what she is doing to me! Will this torment never cease?
Deciding that I have dwelled on this long enough and not really liking where these thoughts are heading, I go into the bathroom to bathe.
Once finished, I go about the task of getting dressed. As I do I cannot help but wonder what Marie is doing right now. Most likely wishing that she were well enough to leave this place, I tell myself. As I think of this I realize that as soon as the stitches are removed from her forehead in a few days she will be well enough to leave. The thought of being in this house without Marie and Charles fills me with a feeling I cannot begin to describe. Suddenly an absurd thought strikes me... Oh, God, could I truly be falling in love with this woman? No, I cannot be! I loved Christine and this feels nothing at all like that. Thinking on that a moment I realize that it does feel a bit like that after all but with much more to it. But what difference does it make if I love her or not, I try to reason with myself, she could never love me. She said she cares for me very much but as I told her it is only gratitude and pity that she feels for me and I am sure that is all it ever will be yet did I not admit that what I saw in her eyes was something other than that? Why am I getting so tangled up in these thoughts? She will be gone in a few days and life will be back to the way it was before... me alone with my music, and my memories here below the ground in my private world of darkness. This really is no place for a lovely young woman and a baby to live. Pushing these thoughts from my mind, I leave my room.
Having no real goal in mind when I left my room I am a bit surprised to find myself standing in front of Marie's room. I knock softly on the door and wait for a reply, not knowing why I even came here.
"Come in," she calls cheerfully.
I open the door slowly, trying to think of an excuse for coming to her room. As I enter the room I see that she is feeding Charles and the empty tray on her bedside stand indicates that she has made her own breakfast. "I see you have made yourself at home," I say irritated with myself for not seeing to her needs sooner. "I do apologize for not serving your breakfast. You should have called for me and I would have prepared breakfast for you."
"There was no need to disturb you," she says. "I am no stranger to a kitchen and I had no trouble finding my way around yours."
"But you are my guest," I state flatly. "It is my place to see to your needs and it was rather rude of me not to see to them sooner."
"Erik," she begins as she looks into my eyes, "you saved my life, took me in and cared for my wounds... I have my strength back now and there is no need for you to be treating me like a guest and waiting on me hand and foot. As a matter of fact it is I who should be serving you."
"As long as you are in this house you will be treated as a guest... not as a servant!" I say sternly. With that said I turn to leave and as I do so my cloak swirls around me gracefully. "If you need anything I will be in my room," I state as I leave the room once more.
Safely locked away in my room I chide myself for behaving as I have. I will not win her heart this way, but, I remind myself fiercely, her heart is not mine to win nor am I going to try... it would be a pointless waste of time. Here I am in my fifties and I am behaving like a lovesick teenager! Why must life be so cruel? While pondering this I find the program Madame Giry had left for me with my salary. Pushing all other thoughts out of my mind I pick it up noticing that they are performing Faust. I have not been to see an opera since Christine had left me. Maybe it is time I change that... after all I have always liked Faust. With that decided I leave my room and walk back down the hall to Marie's room.
Standing where I was a short while ago I once again knock softly on her door.
"Come in," she calls watching the door intently as I open it. "I am sorry I made you angry earlier." She says sadly and as I step closer I can see that she has been crying. "But I did not think making a simple meal would upset you. I should not have taken such liberties without first asking you."
"Nonsense," I say sincerely, silently cursing myself for having been the cause of her tears, "I am the one who should be apologizing for yelling at you. Please, forgive me for my behavior before. I never meant to sound so harsh nor had I intended to cause you to cry. It is just that I feel that it is my place to see to your needs. I sounded harsh because I was angry with myself for having neglected to see to breakfast. You do not need my permission to use anything in my house. As far as I am concerned my home is yours for as long as you choose to stay here. I just do not want you to think of yourself as being my servant. I told you before that you owe me nothing."
"Thank you," she says as a bright smile quickly replaces the sad frown that had graced her lips moments ago.
Remembering what it was I had originally come here for I ask, "Do you like the opera, Marie?"
"I have never been to see an opera, Erik," she says longingly, "I was either too young or away at school. When I was finally home and old enough to attend my father's business investments had been in bad shape and my parents could no longer afford such a luxury."
"Would you like to go?" I ask hopefully. "They are performing Faust tonight."
"I would love to Erik!" she says happily as she closes the distance between us and wraps her arms around me in a hug. "Thank you."
"It is my pleasure Mademoiselle." I say as I cautiously wrap my arms around her, savoring the feel of her so close. After a moment I reluctantly back out of her embrace. Why must she keep doing these simple gestures? Does she have any idea what they do to me?
Looking towards the crib where her brother is now sleeping she asks, "what are we to do with Charles while we are at the opera? Surely you are coming with me."
"Of course I am, my dear," I reply. "I have already thought of your brother. He will be well cared for while we are at the opera. Now, if you will excuse me I must go out for a while, there are some things I need to see to before tonight."
"By all means," she says as she smiles at me brightly.
"Thank you," I say bowing gracefully before leaving the room. I then return to my room to get what I will need for this little excursion... my mask, felt hat, and heavy cloak. It is time to pay Madame Giry a little visit. Having gotten what I need I quickly leave the house and cross the lake in my little boat. Once on the other side I quickly dock the boat and begin my journey up to the opera house five levels above.
My accent takes less than a half an hour to complete and in only a few minutes I locate Madame Giry. I wait patiently until she is alone in the room before I make my appearance. "Good day to you Madame Giry." I say as I slip into the room unseen.
Turning towards my voice she says, "Monsieur, you startled me."
"Forgive me," I say, "but I have a favor to ask of you. I plan to attend tonight's performance with a guest and I would like you to care for her infant brother."
"But of course, Monsieur," she replies hastily always eager to please me. "Will you be bringing him to box five with you?" she asks.
"Yes," I reply, "We shall be early tonight and I expect that you will be wanting to take him some place private before the crowd arrives. You will bring him back to box five prior to the end of the last act, before anyone begins to stir from their seats."
"As you wish, Monsieur," she replies quickly. "I will be sure that he is not seen."
"Thank you, Madame." I say as I bow gracefully then, swirling my cloak around myself, I disappear before her eyes. I really am glad that I installed all these secret passages and hidden trap doors, it makes getting around unseen so much easier.
A half an hour later I am crossing the lake once more in my little boat actually looking forward to tonight. Once docked in front of my home I quickly step out of the boat and go inside. Not bothering to go to my room and remove my hat and cloak I go directly to Marie's room and knock gently on the door.
"Come in," she calls and I quickly open the door. She is sitting on the sofa holding Charles. He is looking at me with his bright blue eyes and as I walk towards him he reaches out for me to hold him. I quickly oblige and am rewarded with a bright smile and a squeal of delight. "He seems quite fond of you," Marie remarks as she observes this exchange.
"Really?" I ask not knowing what else to say.
"Yes," she says sincerely, "he is quite content when you are holding him."
I nod my head realizing that she is correct in her observation. Why hadn't I noticed this before? Wishing to change the subject I say, "Everything is set for tonight."
"That is wonderful," she says enthusiastically. "I cannot believe I am actually going to be attending an opera. Oh, but what will I wear?" she exclaims and I cannot help but laugh.
"I am sure that there is something in the armoire that will look perfect on you." I say as I place Charles in the crib before I walk to the armoire and begin looking through the many dresses hanging there. Finding the one I had in mind I remove it from the rod and hold it up for her to see. "Ah, yes, this one will be perfect. It will accent the blue in your eyes."
"Oh, Erik, it is so lovely." She says as she takes it from me. "May I try it on?" she asks with such an expression of longing in her eyes that I know I could not refuse even if I wanted to.
"But of course, my dear," I say with a smile. "But after you have tried it on I will need to tend to your wounds." I add as my smile fades with the knowledge that it is a task that must be done.
"That will be fine," she replies not at all affected by my last statement. "I shall be right out," she says as she hurries to the bathroom to change.
As she closes the door I sit on the sofa and remember the look of joy I had seen in Marie's eyes when I held the dress up for her to see. I can hardly wait to see her in the light blue dress with the lacy bodice. I am sure that it will fit her perfectly. I look up as I hear the door open and find myself at a loss of words as I stare at how lovely she looks in the dress.
"How do I look?" she asks excitedly as she steps back into the room and twirls around making the skirt billow out around her. My eyes assess how the dress fits her, accenting her narrow waist and I observe that the lace bodice is not overly revealing but flattering to her figure.
"You look breathtakingly beautiful," I say honestly, having finally found my voice, as my eyes take in the sight of her lovely figure. She is not as painfully thin as she had been when I first brought her here three days ago. Not wanting to stare I move my eyes from the dress to her face. The bruises on her face have begun to fade a bit but are still visible, a little makeup will suffice in hiding them and I am sure that her hair can be situated to hide the stitched cut on her forehead with very little effort.
"Thank you," she says sincerely as she stops twirling and looks me in the eye. "You do not know how much that means to me," she adds quietly. We stand staring at each other like that for what seems to be an eternity although it is only a few moments. Oh, how I would love to hold her in my arms. She is the one who breaks the silence looking at me shyly and saying, "If you would be so kind as to step out of the room for a few minutes I will get ready for you to care for my wounds."
"Of course," I reply regaining my senses and breaking eye contact. "I shall go gather what I will need and by then you should be ready." With that said I quickly turn and leave the room, closing the door behind me I decide to go to my room first to change cloaks and remove my hat and mask. I then hurry to collect my equipment. I had been correct about the dress... it does fit her perfectly. I find myself smiling at the thought.
Standing before her door I first brace myself for what I know awaits me and then I knock softly waiting for her reply.
"Just a moment, Erik," she says quickly. I hear her shuffling around in the bed and after a few moments she calls, "you may come in now."
Taking a deep breath I slowly open the door and enter the room. Walking calmly across the room I set the supplies on the dresser and turn slowly towards the bed. "Let's see how you are doing." I say as I gently lift the quilt from her back and begin to remove the dressings. "The cuts are healing nicely," I remark as I remove the dressing from the last one. "In a day or two they will no longer need dressing," I add as I begin to clean and redress the wounds trying not to give in to the urge to gently caress her soft back. This woman lying naked before me does not seem to have any idea what the mere sight of her bare flesh is doing to me. Quickly pushing these thoughts aside I remind myself that she trusts me to treat her as she should be treated... with complete respect.
"I am sorry to be so much trouble," she says softly. "I really do appreciate all you have done for me. I do not know how I was so lucky to be saved by such a gentle man, but I am glad it was you who saved me, Erik."
"You are no trouble at all," I say sternly but letting it go at that for I do not know how to reply to her last comment. I have been referred to as a monster, thief, and murderer but never as a gentle man. Redressing the last cut I quickly change the subject. "There, all finished." I say, no longer able to resist the urge I allow my fingers to gently caress her back very lightly as I put the quilt back in place.
"Thank you," she says as she rolls over to look up at me with a bright smile on her face. I would like nothing more than to pull her into my arms and kiss those soft lips but that is one urge I will not allow myself to give into.
"You are quite welcome," I say as I begin to gather my supplies and prepare to leave the room. "I shall be back in a little while to help you prepare for tonight." I say as I walk across the room and out the door, remembering the feel of her soft skin beneath my fingers.
