A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I have so much work to do. Thanks for your patients everyone, I really appreciate it.

Claire woke with a start. The music had stopped and the first light of dawn was just beginning to creep through the large front windows. Stretching her stiff muscles she pulled her blanket tightly around her and headed back down to her room. Quietly shutting the door behind her Claire lay on her bed and waited for the rest of the servants to wake up. Lying back she felt more relaxed and well rested since before her father had died.

That night Claire couldn't wait for the rest of the servants to go to sleep. Finally, after beating Rachel at a game of cards Claude decided that it was time for bed, and everyone followed. Claire was so eager to hear the music again that she was nearly caught by Liz, who had woken up and was going to the kitchen for a drink of water. As soon as Claire heard her door close she snuck back up to the piano room. She breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the music drifting down the hall. Just as on the previous night she sat down on the floor to listen. The music was filled with passion and she could hear the haunting mix of grief and loneliness, joy and happiness, as the dynamics of the music changed.

About an hour later the music stopped and she heard him get up and walk around the room. Worried that he might open the door and find her sitting there Claire decided to return to her own room. Curling up in her bed Claire fell asleep with a smile on her face, the music still playing in her head.

Over the next week Claire quickly developed a pattern. She would wait until all the servants were asleep, creep upstairs, listen to the music for an hour and return to bed. She was drawn to the music and felt that she could no longer sleep without first hearing it. One clear night, as Claire sat huddled on the floor she heard a new sound echo through the door…his voice. Claire sat bolt upright. It was just as she had remembered it that night at the Opera house, beautiful, seductive and smooth. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, feeling as if she could listen to him sing forever. In a matter of moments Claire was lost in the music and his voice. She was not even aware what he was singing about. Her mind drifted into a state of total relaxation and it was only on the brink of sleep did she realize what the song was about…it was a lullaby.

Three days later on a beautiful sunny summer afternoon Claire and Liz were doing the laundry and happily discussing the weather.

"It's so nice and warm out today" Rachel exclaimed.

"I know" Claire replied. "I wish the Master had us do more work outside."

"So do…"

Rachel stopped mid sentence. The Master had just entered the room, they could feel his presence, they always could. Claire and Rachel quickly put down the clothes and turned around. He stood in the doorway, dressed impeccably as always with his dark hair slicked back and pure white mask perfectly in place. Claire swallowed and looked away, not because of his mask, but she was afraid that he knew about her nightly adventures.

"Claude is in town on business" he said plainly. "So I will need you two to prepare my carriage. It will be ready at dusk."

Both women nodded in unison. Claire looked up to meet his gaze. His eyes roamed her face, as if trying to memorize her features.

"I'm glad to see that you are looking better Claire, you looked a bit pale and sickly when you arrived" he said kindly.

However he didn't receive the shy look he thought he would, instead he received a look of worry and fear.

"Thank you sir" she whispered quietly, looking away.

She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Still puzzled, he left them to return to the laundry. As Erik contemplated her reaction a new though popped into his head.

"She always looks at my eyes, never at my mask the way the others do."

Pushing his thoughts of her aside Erik returned to his room to prepare for his journey.

After a quick dinner of roast chicken and potatoes Claire and Rachel headed down to the stables. They saddled the horses in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

"Where is the Master going?" Claire asked as they led them out to the carriage.

"I don't know" Rachel replied, "I never know, he's very secretive that one."

She flashed Claire a grin and went back to the stables to grab some more equipment. As Claire stood holding the horses one of them suddenly became restless.

"Shhhh, shhhh" she cooed, petting him on the nose.

Then in an effort to calm him down she began to hum the song that Erik had played on the previous night. It seemed to work and the horse stood still. Rachel returned with the equipment and they began to harness them to the carriage. Paul arrived and climbed into the driver's seat. Erik arrived shortly after, behind the carriage and out of Claire's view.

"Good evening Master" Rachel said as he approached. "Your carriage is almost ready."

"Good" he replied flatly.

And then he heard it, her humming. Erik stood on the step of the carriage and watched Claire. She seemed oblivious to his presence, although he knew she wasn't. He watched as she continued to harness the horses and check the ropes, all the while smiling, and humming to herself.

Rachel looked up at the Master for a moment before walking around the carriage to help Claire. She elbowed Claire gently. Claire turned to look at her and stopped humming. Rachel motioned for her to look at the Master. Claire looked up to find him staring very intently at her, a mix of amusement and curiosity on his face. Now it was Claire's turn to be confused, and it was reflected in her features. Silently Erik gave her a nod and the smallest hint of a smile before slipping into the carriage and closing the door behind him.

As the carriage pulled away Rachel gave her a questioning look.

"What did you do?" she asked.

"Nothing" Claire replied shrugging.

"Be careful" Rachel said, her cheery face suddenly serious. "He's dangerous man."

Claire gave her a reassuring smile.

"If only you knew" Claire thought to herself as they headed up the slope back to the house.

That night, as Claire changed into her nightgown she was afraid that she would not be able to sleep. However, as she lay down in her bed and closed her eyes she could hear his voice in her head, and with the memory of his lullaby she fell asleep.

Erik returned home two days later. However, instead of entering the house through the front door he went through a secret door at the side of the house. Following his tunnels he soon arrived behind the mirror in the piano room. He was about to walk through when Claire entered the room, cleaning supplies in hand. Erik watched her for a while as she dusted the furniture, again humming one of his songs.

"She is drawn to the music" he though, suddenly enjoying his long lost feeling of power

With a growing smile he watched as she made her way slowly towards the piano. Claire sat down at the piano bench and glanced around the room to make sure no one was there. Erik held his breath, wondering if she was foolish enough to play it again. She lifted her fingers to the keys, but instead of hitting them she moved her hands above them, playing a silent song. Suddenly Erik knew what to do, what he want to do. But that would have to wait till tonight.

Can anyone guess what it will be???

Thanks so much for the reviews everyone.