Chapter 21
I awake with a start, unaccustomed to the bright light of morning shining through the window. I glance around quickly, trying to remember why I am in this strange room and not in my own home. When my eyes come to rest on Marie's still form beside me the events of the previous evening come flooding back to me. How could I have allowed myself to fall asleep? I should have watched over her incase there was a change in her condition which required my attention! She is so still… what if she is dead? No! She has to be alive!
Quickly, I feel for a pulse, needing to know her fate. As I press my fingers to her soft flesh I am immensely relieved to find a strong pulse beating there.
"Marie, my love, please wake up," I plead softly into her ear and am rewarded by the flutter of her eyelids.
After blinking rapidly for several moments in an effort to adjust her eyes to the bright light surrounding her, she slowly looks about the room with a look of bewilderment etched on her lovely face. "Why are we in Meg's room?" she asks drowsily as she turns her face towards me, having recognized the room but unable to remember how she came to be there.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" I ask carefully.
"I believe I do but I am unsure of how I ended up back here," she says reluctantly as I help her into a sitting position.
"Tell me what you remember," I encourage gently, not wishing to alarm her.
"We were walking in the park and we stopped to rest by the lake for a while. I had dosed off and had a dream that if we were not out of the park by ten we would be attacked and killed. You woke me from the nightmare and we hurried from the lake. My fear got the better of me and I took the lead. Not paying attention to my footing, I hurt my ankle. You insisted on splinting it before carrying me the rest of the way. I had thought I saw someone in the distance and you placed me beneath a tree so you could go investigate. The next thing I remember is a sudden pain in the back of my head and calling out for you to help me. Everything went black and the next thing I can remember is waking up here," she finished softly, looking to me for answers.
"The man who murdered your parents and orchestrated your attack in the alley is the man to blame for what happened last night. But do not fear, my love, for he can never hurt you again," I promise reassuringly. "How does your head feel?" I ask, hoping to change the subject.
"It hurts. How long have I been unconscious?" she asks softly.
Glancing at the clock I see that it is a quarter after seven. "You have been out for a good nine hours," I say as I focus my attention on the bandaged wound on the back of her head. Removing the bandage, I see that the swelling has gone down, leaving only a small scab as proof that there had been an injury there.
"So I haven't missed the wedding?" she asks, relieved.
"No, but surely you will wish to postpone it," I say seriously. "You have been badly injured and have lost a great deal of blood. You have been unconscious for several hours and are most likely weak and in severe pain. You are to remain off of that ankle for at least two days to avoid injuring it further and I will not allow you to risk your health for the sake of keeping to a schedule which can easily be altered."
"But, Erik, I feel fine except for a slight headache and hungry stomach," she says as she defiantly throws the covers aside and swings her legs over the side of the bed, preparing to rise.
"Where do you think you are going?" I ask sharply as I grab her about the waist, restraining her from sliding out of bed and onto her feet.
"To the bathroom," she replies as she tries to squirm from my grasp.
"Do you know where it is?" I ask as I position myself next to her on the side of the bed, still keeping her from getting up.
"Yes," she replies simply. "Now, if you will be so kind as to unhand me, Erik, I will go clean up," she says casually as she makes another attempt to free herself from my firm grasp.
"I will help you," I say as I swiftly scoop her up into my arms before she has the chance to protest. "Simply point me in the correct direction."
"Erik! Put me down this moment! I am perfectly capable of walking myself!" she says rather indignantly.
"I will not allow you to walk on that ankle until I am satisfied that it is healed enough to avoid further injury," I insist as I make my way across the room to a door that must be the bathroom. "Would you please stop fighting me and allow me to help you, Marie?" I ask softly.
"Only if you promise not to postpone the wedding," she says determinedly after a moment's thought.
"Why do you insist on us being wed this evening? Surely a few more days unwed will not matter," I say, confused by her insistence.
"Erik, please take me back to the bed so we can discuss this," Marie says softly, laying her head against my shoulder.
Turning on my heel, I carry her the short distance to the bed and set her down gently before kneeling in front of her and taking her hands in mine. "What is troubling you, my love?" I ask, concerned by her behavior.
"I do not wish to fight with you, Erik," Marie sighs softly.
"Nor do I wish to fight with you, Marie, but your indifference where your health is concerned leaves me no choice," I say sternly. "If I had not been able to stop the bleeding when I did you would have died last night yet this morning you are acting as though you were never injured. I am going to check you over before you assume that you are well enough to be up and about so soon. You could have a concussion from the blow to the head or your ankle could have been injured further from being drug through the park like you were nothing more than a sack of potatoes!" I yell, no longer able to control my anger.
Giving in to my angry reproach, she lies back on the bed. "I truly am sorry for being so difficult, Erik, I hadn't realized how close I had been to death or that I had been drug through the woods. I should have simply listened to you this morning. Please forgive me," she pleads softly.
"I am the one who should be apologizing, Marie. I should not have yelled at you. After all, how could you have known when you were not even conscious," I reply sincerely, unable to allow her to believe that she is to blame and ashamed of my outburst. "Now, will you please allow me to check your injuries?" I ask hopefully.
"Of course, Erik," she says quickly as she smiles at me.
"Good. Now try to relax, this may hurt a bit," I say as I remove the makeshift splint from her ankle. The swelling has gone down and as I probe the joint I do not feel anything out of place. "I am going to move your foot. If you feel any discomfort at all tell me so I do not injury it further," I instruct as I look into her eyes, letting her see that I am quite serious.
"Yes, Erik," she replies, never once taking her eyes from mine and I see that she will not lie to me about the pain.
Satisfied, I lift her lower leg from the bed and take her foot in my free hand, flexing it slowly to test its mobility. "Do you feel any pain or discomfort?" I ask, returning my gaze to her lovely face.
"No, Erik, there is no pain," she says without taking her eyes from mine.
"What about discomfort?" I ask, suspecting that she is attempting to avoid that part of the question.
"Yes. But it is only very mild discomfort," she insists hurriedly, moving her foot on her own.
I consider her answer carefully. Perhaps it had not been sprained but jammed instead. The way that fool had jostled her around last night might have returned it to its normal position and the discomfort she is feeling could be the result of mild bruising of the muscles. There is one way to find out.
"Stand up," I order as I release her leg and offer her my hands.
"Are you sure?" she questions skeptically.
"Yes," I answer simply.
"But you yelled at me for suggesting such a thing only a few minutes ago," she states as she tries to measure my reaction.
"That was a few minutes ago. I have checked you ankle and I wish to see if my assumptions are correct. Now, stand up," I say impatiently, wondering at her reluctance to do as I say.
"You will not yell at me?" she questions once more.
"Of course not," I reply tenderly. "Why would I yell at you for doing as I have instructed?"
"I'm sorry, Erik," she answers softly.
"Forget about it. Now, would you please stand up so I can check the stability of your ankle," I ask gently as I once again offer her my hands.
"Of course," she says quickly as she takes my hands and gingerly places weight on her ankle.
"Do you have any pain in it?" I ask as I notice with relief that she has not swayed or shown any visible sign of feeling pain.
"No," she answers simply as she smiles up at me.
"Good," I reply just as simply, trying to hide a smile that is tugging at the corners of my mouth. She looks so pleased standing there on her own.
"Does that mean I can walk to the bathroom myself?" she questions as she looks up at me, waiting for my reply.
"Let me see you walk first," I say as I take a few short steps away from her, never once removing my gaze from her.
"As you wish," she says with a smile as she takes a tentative step towards me... then another and another. Her smile never wavers and each step she takes shows more confidence that her ankle is fine.
"Alright, you may go freshen up," I say as I step aside and open the bathroom door for her.
"So I have passed your test?" she asks with a pleased look on her face.
"Yes," I say with the nod of my head. "You have shown that your ankle is fine and also that you do not have a concussion for you do not appear to be lightheaded or dizzy and both of your pupils have responded well to the changing light as you walked past the window."
"Does that mean that we will still be wed today?" she asks eagerly.
"You still have not answered my question from earlier. Why do you insist on being wed this evening? Surely a few more days would not make any difference," I point out once again.
"Erik, I love you and after what happened last night I do not wish to spend one more day unwed. My head hurts only slightly and I have already proven that my ankle is no longer a factor. There is no reason to postpone the wedding," she says insistently.
"If you are sure that you feel up to it we will be wed today," I give in reluctantly.
"You haven't changed your mind about wishing to marry me have you?" she asks softly, worry etched clearly on her face.
"Of course I have not changed my mind!" I say insistently. "Is that why you insisted on being wed today regardless of what it might have cost your health?" I ask softly and she quickly averts her eyes.
"Forgive me, Erik, I should know better than to doubt you but yesterday you kept saying how nervous you was about being married and when you suggested that we postpone it I left my fears get the better of me," she admits softly.
"I am sorry to have worried you, Marie. You must believe me when I say that nothing could ever cause me to change my mind about marrying you," I say truthfully as I close the distance between us and pull her gently into my arms, lowering my mouth to hers.
Reluctantly, I ease my lips from hers and take a step back, suddenly aware that I am not fully clothed and knowing that either Madeline or Meg could come in at any moment to check on Marie's condition. "Perhaps you should go freshen up now while I get dressed," I say logically, after all, it is not the least bit proper to be in such a state of undress while alone with a lady in her bedroom even if you are to be wed by nightfall today.
"I see where that could be a problem," Marie says with a sly smile as she takes in my attire for the first time. "So this is what you wear beneath your exquisite white dress shirt and black trousers and jacket?"
"Yes," I answer simply as I turn to retrieve my wrinkled clothing that she just described, hastily pulling them on. "Now, if you wish to keep to our schedule I suggest you go freshen up. I am sure that both Madeline and Meg would like to know how you are doing," I add, hoping to distract her from watching me get dressed.
"Of course," she says eagerly as she turns to enter the bathroom. "Perhaps I should have been in less of a hurry to dismiss your offer of help earlier," she adds slyly before closing the door.
What had I been thinking this morning when I had insisted on carrying her to the bathroom to help her? I obviously wasn't thinking! But I was just so happy to awake with her alive and well that I could have cared less if it was proper or not to help her in the bathroom... I just wanted to be sure that she would not injure herself further. Yes, that is what I was thinking this morning.
"Erik?" Madeline calls softly as she knocks timidly on the door, pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you proper?"
"Yes, Madeline, please come in," I say quickly.
"How is Marie doing?" she asks as she opens the door.
"She is doing fine. As a matter of fact, she is in the bathroom freshening up and insisting on being wed this evening as planned," I say with a smile.
"You mean you allowed her to go in there alone?" she asks in disbelief.
"Yes," I reply simply. Why would she ask such a question?
"Why didn't you go in with her?" she asks carefully.
"There was no need to. She does not have a concussion nor does her ankle bother her anymore. It was not sprained but jammed instead and while she was being drug through the park it got jostled back into place," I explain simply.
"That is a relief to hear," she states, the tension leaving her face. "Did I hear you correctly before? She wishes to go through with the wedding this evening as planned?" she asks uncertainly.
"Yes," I begin. "I tried to persuade her to postpone it until she is feeling better but she would not hear of it. I have a few things that I need to see to this morning after I take you lovely ladies to pick up the dresses. I was wondering if perhaps you could entertain Marie while I am gone."
"Of course, Erik," Madeline replies quickly, suspecting that I have something special planned for Marie.
"I will go see to Charles," I say as I hear the child being to cry. "Perhaps you would like to check in on Marie while I am gone," I suggest quietly, knowing it would not be proper for me to do so.
"Meg will help you find anything you may need," she says as she makes her way to the bathroom door.
"Thank you," I say softly as I turn and leave the room.
Once outside the door I hear Madeline say, "Marie, it's Madeline. May I come in please?" I then here a door open and close softly before descending the steps and enter the parlor to greet Charles.
"Good morning, little one. What is all the fuss about?" I ask softly as I lift him from the crib that I assume had once been Meg's. "Are you hungry?" I ask as I make my way to the kitchen to prepare him a bottle.
"Good morning, Erik," Meg says from just inside the doorway.
"Good morning, Meg," I greet her with a nod.
"How is Marie?" she asks softly, a hint of concern in her voice.
"She is doing remarkably well. She should be down soon. She was in the bathroom freshening up when I came down to see to Charles," I inform her, hoping to ease her concern.
"You mean you left her alone in the bathroom?" Meg asks, surprised by such an idea.
"I assure you, Meg, Marie is fine. Your mother is upstairs with her," I add after a moment. "What is it with the two of you? If I had any doubt about her well being I would have asked one of you to assist her... after all, it would hardly be proper for me to have accompanied her to the bathroom."
"I'm sorry, Erik. It is just that when Mother and I had looked in on you earlier..." Meg lets her sentence trail off as she looks away quickly, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Go on, Meg," I encourage, curious of what has embarrassed her.
"You will not be mad?" she asks softly.
"No, I will not be mad," I say reassuringly.
"Well," she begins reluctantly. "The two of you looked so natural laying together like you were. It seemed as though last night was not the first the two of you had shared a bed," she finishes as she quickly lowers her head, anticipating my reprimand for such a statement.
"Does your mother feel the same way?" I ask calmly as I finish preparing the bottle and offer it to Charles.
"She says that if the two of you have already lain together as a husband and wife would it was done out of love and that we should not frown upon it because you deserve to have love in your life... you have suffered long enough without it," she repeats her mother's words carefully.
"You are correct to a certain extent, Meg. We have shared the same bed before last night but we have not shared the pleasures that a husband and a wife would. We have simply slept in the comfort of each other's arms," I admit honestly, returning to the parlor. Meg follows. Charles must not be very hungry for he is falling asleep once more.
"Do you always sleep with your mask on?" she asks as she sits on the chair across from the sofa I have chosen to sit in.
"No, not usually. However, I kept my mask on last night because I did not wish to frighten you incase you entered the room to check on Marie during the night," I answer truthfully, becoming uncomfortable with the direction this conversation has taken... I do not wish to talk of my mask.
"Has Marie spoken of the wedding?" Meg asks as if sensing my discomfort.
"Yes," I reply, relieved for the change of topic. "I suggested that we postpone it until she is feeling better but she insists that she feels fine other than a headache and that there is no reason to postpone it. Therefore, in about two hours I will be taking you lovely ladies to get your dresses."
"That is wonderful, Erik," Meg says happily as she clasps her hands together in excitement.
Just then I hear footsteps on the stairs and a moment later Marie and Madeline enter the room. Marie makes her way to the sofa with confident steps, showing no sign of having a weakened ankle or any ill effects from the blow to the head. As Marie sits down beside me, Meg rushes over to her and clasps Marie's hands in her own.
"I was so worried about you last night, Marie! Are you sure you should be up and about so soon? How do you feel? Will you be alright?" Meg rattles off.
"Meg, please calm down! I am fine, honest! There is no need to worry about me. Erik has taken very good care of me and will continue to do so," she says with a smile, most likely recalling my behavior this morning.
"I'm sorry, Marie. I was just so frightened when I opened the door and saw you lying so lifeless in Erik's arms... I had thought you to be dead," Meg admits softly as a tear escapes her eye.
"I am sorry to have frightened you so, Meg, but I am fine now. Please don't cry," Marie says softly.
"Are you hungry, Marie?" Madeline asks, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, I am rather hungry," Marie admits sheepishly.
"That is always a good sign. If you will excuse me, I will go prepare breakfast," Madeline says as she turns to enter the kitchen. Pausing, she says, "Meg, would you come help me, please?"
"Of course, Mother," Meg says as she releases Marie's hands, hurrying to join her mother in the kitchen.
"You look much better this morning, Marie," I say softly as I caress her cheek with my free hand, enjoying the feel of her warm skin beneath my fingers. "Last night you face was drained of color and your skin felt as cold as mine. I thought I was going to lose you."
"Oh, Erik! I hadn't realized it was so bad or I would never have behaved the way I did this morning. You had every right to be concerned about my welfare but I simply brushed your worries aside. If I had known, I would not have been so defiant," she admits, shaken by the realization of just how close she had been to death.
"Hush," I say softly as I pull her to my side. "You could not have known how grave the situation was last night. But that is in the past. You are alive and seemingly well. I know you wish to be wed today and as long as you continue to feel well I will not postpone it. I just ask that you be completely honest with me. If at any time you feel ill or lightheaded, please tell me. I do not wish for you to have a relapse," I say honestly.
"I promise not to hide anything from you, Erik," she replies softly as she rests her head on my shoulder.
A feeling of complete contentment washes over me as I sit here holding Charles in my one arm and Marie wrapped safely within the circle of my other. If things had not gone as they did last night, this all could have been just a sweet memory. I cannot even bear the thought of what could have been if the cut was just a little deeper or longer or if the blow to the head had been harder. Her life could have been taken from me so easily last night but by some twist of fate she has survived and came out of it with only a headache and a cut above her eye.
"Breakfast is ready," Meg calls from the doorway, pulling me from my thoughts and Marie from my side.
Marie pauses in front of me. "Would you like me to wait until you are ready?" she asks softly.
"No, there is no need for you to wait. I will join you shortly. I am just going to put Charles in the crib," I say, getting to my feet.
"Very well," Marie says with a smile as she quickly retreats to the kitchen.
I make my way to the crib, careful not to wake Charles. Turning back the blanket, I gently place him in the crib and cover him up before making my way to the kitchen to join the others.
"Erik, once we eat do you think we will have time to go home before going for the dresses?" Marie asks as I sit down beside her.
"I believe we should have enough time," I say after glancing at my pocket watch. It is a quarter after eight and we do not have to be to the dress shop, which is only a short distance from here, until ten.
"Good. I need to feed Pandora before we spend another day away from home," she says with a smile.
"Is that all you wish to return home for?" I ask disbelievingly, suspicious of her mischievous smile.
"No, that is not all," she says seriously. "I will need to get my vows and see to a few things. Charles is going to need his diaper changed and I would like to put clean clothes on. I suggest you do the same," she says with a smile and I realize that I really could use a bath and a change of clothes. My once black trousers are dirty from my time spent on the ground with Marie and my white shirt has some dried blood on it from when I was caring for her wounds. I am certain that I will find the same on my cloak as well.
"I see your point," I remark dryly as I return my attention back to the eggs and bacon on my plate. Why had I not noticed how dirty my attire was before she pointed it out to me? I have always taken great care in making sure my clothing is always clean and well pressed in an effort to improve my overall appearance as well as draw attention away from my mask. Last night I had simply discarded my clothing onto the floor in a heap and when I dressed this morning I did not even give it a second thought. Now, looking at my clothing, I realize just how disheveled I must look.
"That was a wonderful breakfast, Madame Giry," Marie says as she finishes her last bite of bacon.
"Thank you, but, please, call me Madeline," Madeline insists as she rises to clear the empty plates away.
"Are you sure?" Marie questions softly.
"Yes, sweet child, I am quite sure. You have proven to be Erik's friend by having the courage to look beyond his face and furthermore you have fallen in love with him for who he is. Erik is my friend, therefore, you are also my friend," Madeline replies earnestly.
"Thank you, Madeline," Marie replies in awe, surprised that someone seemingly as stoic as her would accept her as a friend so easily.
"No, thank you for loving Erik," Madeline replies softly, allowing a smile to grace her weathered face.
"Shall we be on our way, Marie?" I ask as I rise from my seat and clear away my own plate.
"Oh, yes!" Marie replies eagerly.
"My, you are enthusiastic," I observe with a laugh. "If I did not know better I would think that you did not care for the company," I say teasingly.
"Oh, no, Erik! That is not it at all! I simply adore the company. Meg and Madeline are both wonderful hostesses. It is just that I am anxious to be out of these dirty clothes and I am also rather eager for the day to progress... to be your wife," she finishes with a sly smile.
"My dear, I was simply jesting," I say with a smile, letting her veiled comment go untouched. Her face turns red at that remark and I decide that the time has come to be on our way.
"Thank you for all your help," I say with a graceful bow in the direction of Madeline and Meg. "I am grateful to have such wonderful friends. Now, if you would be so kind as to excuse us, I must get Marie home so we can prepare for the wedding. Do not forget... I will be picking you lovely ladies up at a quarter to ten to get your dresses. Please be ready," I add with a courteous smile and a final bow.
"But of course, Erik," Madeline replies with a smile. "We shall be waiting for your return."
"Thank you," I reply once more as I take Marie by the hand and lead her from the room. After entering the parlor I retrieve our cloaks and gently lift Charles from the crib, wrapping him in his warm blanket, taking care not to wake him. We then step outside to hail a brougham.
