Chapter Three: Not Even The Rain
The ride to Rouen seemed shorter than it had the last time they had went, perhaps because Erik and Christine were more sure of their reception this time around. Even though their fears had been unfounded when they had returned just before Christmas, they had still been there, at least on Erik's part.
This time, when he knocked on the door to Degardeau cottage, there was none of the usual hesitation he felt when arriving at someone else's residence.
Marie Degardeau opened the door to see the younger couple standing before her, and swept them both into a hug before a word could be said, "I'm so glad you two could make it, I was worried about you journeying this far, but I can't say I'm sad to see you!" She bustled them in and one of the servants came and took their bags from them without a word. "John will take your bags to your room; the one Erik had last time you were here. Oh, I know that tomorrow you'll likely want to settle into your own house across town, but I insist you spend at least one night with us, and Gerard will agree."
Christine chuckled at the woman she had once termed 'Whirlwind Marie' as a masculine voice called out from the drawing room, "Marie is that who I think it is?"
Gerard Degardeau stepped into the doorway between the foyer and the drawing room, and upon sighting the couple before him, strode over to grasp his nephew in a tentative hug. "It's about time the two of you made it. Welcome home."
Christine could see the smile forming behind the mask as Gerard made that statement, and knew even if he would never admit it that Erik felt just as much at home here now as he ever had at the Opera.
They made their way into the drawing room and the four of them sat down, "So Erik, Christine," Marie began as one of the maids arrived with tea and biscuits and poured each of them a cup, "Tell us what has been going on in Paris. What have the two of you been doing with yourselves since Christmas? I know you've told us a lot in letters, but it's just not the same as hearing it face to face!"
"Well, Christine has been promoted from understudy to principal soprano at L'Opera, as la Carlotta has recently informed the management that she will not be returning," Erik related.
"It means more practice of course, but Erik is as always helpful with that . . . after hours of course, since the management does not know of his musical background."
"Why not tell them?" Gerard asked. "After all, I'm sure with his voice he could likely replace the principal tenor, could he not?"
Erik and Christine stole a glance between them, before Christine answered, "I've tried to tell him that, Gerard, but he wants none of it."
"I'd rather perform privately, than in front of a large audience, Gerard. Christine is better suited to the stage than I am. Besides, if I had to perform onstage opposite her, I'd likely flub my lines from distraction!"
Marie and Gerard both laughed, "Well Erik," Marie continued, "You didn't seem to have that problem the few times you performed here."
"That was different Marie, even though I was just as besotted then as I am now with my lovely wife, the addition of a large crowd would . . . a smaller crowd is better, less staring eyes, and generally for the right reasons then a larger one."
Marie grimaced as Erik's hand brushed against the mask. Christine also noted the slight movement, which he halted as soon as he realized it was noted, and dropped his hand back into his lap.
Erik cleared his throat, and Gerard quickly changed the subject, "And what have you been keeping yourself busy with while Christine has been in rehearsals, Erik?"
Erik nodded gratefully at his uncle, thankful for the change, "I have undertaken a few . . . projects of my own."
"He's
being modest," Christine elaborated, "he's been working on plans for
what looks like it will be a rather beautiful building Gerard, but he won't
tell me what it is for."
"Indeed, and I still won't, not until it is completed, then you shall know and see it in all it's glory," Erik teased as he gently squeezed her hand.
"See what I mean?"
"Even a man as besotted as your husband needs keep a few small secrets, least it's not a harmful one," Gerard laughed. As the rest of the group joined him in the hearty chuckle, the cook slipped into the drawing room to inform them that dinner would be in an hour.
Marie nodded in thanks, and turned to the couple before her, "I daresay you'd like to freshen up before dinner, n'est pas?"
"Yes, it has been quite the journey," Erik answered for them, and with that, Marie guided them upstairs to the chamber they would share for the night.
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Meg walked alongside the shops on the Rue de Madeleine, feeling a bit lonely without Christine. They had so often taken their lunch break together in just such a fashion that Meg felt almost desolate looking into the windows by herself, without her friend's chatter to amuse her as they walked.
Well, what did you expect? After all, Christine is a married woman now. Sure, she'll still be your friend, but her first priority is after all her husband. And with that comes certain duties, such as the visiting of relatives. Okay, so she won't see this as a duty, more like a vacation, or possibly even coming home. She was so comfortable at Degardeau cottage over Christmas, I wondered if they would return to Paris. After all, they have a house in Rouen now, not actually in the city, close enough that they are never far from friends, but far enough away from prying eyes for Erik's comfort as well.
A house with natural light, unlike the underground house they live in here. That bloody mausoleum that Erik calls home. So what if they have their every need there? Think I don't know that half of what is there was gotten by ill means? Erik's haunting of the managers? Christine doesn't seem to mind it. Maybe I shouldn't either, after all, I know that since the wedding OG's missives have become much fewer, and far between, and his demands have relaxed. Maman told me so.
She gazed into a shop window, but it was not the beautiful baubles which held her attention. It was the reflection she saw. The pert nose, the dull green eyes, and the blond curls that framed her face. She pushed all thought out of her head for a moment and merely concentrated on the reflection.
Pretty, perhaps, but . . . not enough.
She thought of the conversation she'd had with Raoul the night she'd literally bumped into him on her way home from the Opera.
All questions about Christine. He's still in love with her, even after all this time, it's obvious.
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Philippe de Chagny paced the length of his study as his brother Raoul sat glumly in the chair before him.
"Perhaps it was wrong of me to have you return from Marseilles so soon Raoul. You're still chasing after your little chorus girl, aren't you? Even I've heard she's married, after all, with her being connected to you, did you think the news wouldn't reach me?"
"She's not just a chorus girl; she has a name, damn it!"
"Yes, and quite more of a name once you had taken her under your wing, went out of your way to see that the management noticed her, persuaded them to promote her to lead soprano? Don't think I didn't hear about that as well."
"Rubbish and you know it Philippe. The only reason Christine was promoted was because of an unfortunate accident, and they needed a replacement for la Carlotta very quickly. Christine was the natural choice as she was already the understudy, and she has the voice for it, she got that position on her own."
"But how soon after she got it that she threw you to the gutter my boy?"
"I –" Raoul cut himself short, not knowing how to answer the question.
"And now, another chorus girl!"
"No, you don't understand, the other day, I was merely walking her home, there was nothing even remotely romantic about it at all! Besides I was . . ." he trailed off again knowing that the questions he had posed to Meg would only anger his brother more.
~~~
"She's been happy, surely even you could see that when you were in Rouen."
"In . . . wait, how did you know about that? Does she . . . does she know?"
"I don't know, she's never made mention of it. I really don't think she was paying attention to anything in that church but Erik."
"But you knew I was there?"
"Yes, I did, and so did a few of the other guests. We all heard you in the nave. It's a wonder Erik didn't seem to!"
Raoul rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Why were you there, Raoul?"
"Because I had to see, to know . . . I had to be sure, and I almost thought I could . . . perhaps there might have still been a chance for us, but I was wrong, and I couldn't object."
~~~
Raoul's face burned red with the memory, and his brother was quick to notice.
"Yes, I think another trip to Marseilles, or perhaps somewhere further –"
"No."
"What did you say?" Philippe rounded on Raoul.
"I said," Raoul replied quietly, "no. I am not going to Marseilles, or anywhere else for that matter, Philippe."
"Yes, you are damn it!" Philippe stormed, his hand on the door about to swing it wide when he turned back to his brother with a menacing look on his face. "I think you'd best remember who controls the purse strings around here!"
Raoul watched Philippe exit the room, his fists clenching and unclenching on the arm of the chair he still sat in.
How dare he threaten me with money, or lack of it? He knows darn well that I could live quite comfortably outside the de Chagny estate, that I merely choose to remain. I've got enough ventures of my own to support me. How dare he!
He glanced down in his hands as he folded them in his lap, thinking once more of Christine, and of Meg and their conversation, and wondering just what she had meant by knowing he was killing himself with work.
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Author's Notes:
Angelofnight: It's not going to be totally Raoul and Meg, though they do play a significant role, especially later on after the Opera's break period. I've got two of those chapters written already . . . I'm not telling more than that, but they are integral to the plot. However, the chapter after this one is a LOT more Erik, as we get a deeper look into both him and Gerard, more of their relationship (hey, they need it!) as well as a cuteness E/C scene!
Deidre: Nadir will come along, but not just yet. I've got to get Erik and Christine back to Paris before he can show up! And I'M NOT TELLING! Are there trees in Paris?
Jstarz927, Claire, Ash, thanks for the moral support!
